What To Do When A Muslim Dies – According to Sunnah Practices When Someone Dies | Burying a Muslim is a sacred trust and a communal responsibility. Every part of the process, from washing and shrouding to the final prayer and burial, should be approached with humility, care, and a commitment to the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. These actions not only honor the deceased but also serve as a reminder to the living of the temporary nature of this world and the certainty of the Hereafter.
Death is the ultimate reminder of our return to Allah ﷻ, and in Islam, it is not just a personal loss—it is also a communal responsibility. When a Muslim passes away, the duties owed to them are rooted in the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and the consensus of the scholars. These duties are classified under farḍ kifāyah—a collective obligation on the Muslim community.
This means that if some people fulfill these duties, the rest are absolved, but if no one does them, the entire community is sinful. Let us explore what exactly must be done when someone dies, step by step, as guided by the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Understand the Obligation: Farḍ Kifāyah
The funeral rites in Islam—from washing the body to the Janazah prayer to burial—are not optional or merely cultural customs. They are legally binding duties (farḍ kifāyah). Imam Nawawi, Ibn Qudāmah, and other classical scholars have all agreed that these responsibilities must be performed for every deceased Muslim.
If a portion of the community (e.g. family, mosque leaders, volunteers) fulfills them, the sin is lifted from everyone else. But if no one steps up, then the whole community is held accountable in the sight of Allah ﷻ.
Sunnah Practices When Someone Dies
1. Closing the Eyes and Making Dua
The Prophet ﷺ instructed that when someone passes away, those present should gently close their eyes. This is based on the narration:
إِذَا حَضَرْتُمُ الْمَيِّتَ فَأَغْمِضُوا لَهُ الْبَصَرَ، فَإِنَّ الْبَصَرَ يَتْبَعُ الرُّوحَ
“When you attend the dying person, close his eyes, for indeed the soul is followed by the eyesight.”
📚 Sunan Ibn Mājah (1465) – Sahih
After this, one should make dua for the deceased. A beautiful example reported from the Prophet ﷺ is:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ، وَارْفَعْ دَرَجَتَهُ فِي الْمَهْدِيِّينَ
Allāhumma ighfir lahu, warfaʿ darajatahu fil-mahdiyyīn…
“O Allah, forgive him and raise his rank among the rightly guided…”
📚 Sahih Muslim (919)
2. Saying: “Innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhi rājiʿūn”
Upon hearing news of someone’s death, it is a Sunnah to say:
إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
Innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhi rājiʿūn
“Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return.”
📖 Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:156
🔗 Quran.com/2/156
This expression reminds the believer that death is a return to Allah ﷻ and helps cultivate patience.
3. Hastening the Burial
It is a well-established Sunnah to hasten the burial of the deceased. The Prophet ﷺ said:
أَسْرِعُوا بِالْجَنَازَةِ
“Hasten with the funeral.”
📚 Sahih al-Bukhari (1315), Sahih Muslim (944)
Delays in burial without a necessary cause are discouraged, as prompt burial honors the deceased and fulfills their right.
4. Ghusl (Ritual Washing) of the Deceased
The body of the deceased should be washed respectfully by trustworthy Muslims of the same gender. A spouse or a maḥram may also perform this duty.
The washing should be done with clean water and, if possible, lotus leaves or soap. The final wash should include camphor, which provides fragrance and has mild preservation properties.
📚 Sahih Muslim (939)
5. Shrouding the Body (Kafan)
After the washing, the deceased should be shrouded in clean white cloths. The Prophet ﷺ recommended simple, white shrouds for both men and women.
For men, three white sheets are used. For women, five garments are used, including a waist wrapper (izār), a long shirt (qamīs), and a head covering (khimār), ensuring proper modesty and dignity.
📚 Sahih al-Bukhari (1264)
6. Offering the Janazah (Funeral) Prayer when a muslim dies
The funeral prayer is a collective obligation (farḍ kifāyah). If some Muslims perform it, the responsibility is lifted from the rest of the community.
It consists of four takbīrs, without rukūʿ (bowing) or sujūd (prostration). During the prayer, specific duas are recited for the deceased.
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا…
Allāhumma ighfir li-ḥayyinā wa mayyitinā…
“O Allah, forgive our living and our dead…”
📚 Sunan Abu Dawud (3201) – Sahih
This prayer is one of the greatest acts of kindness and reward that the living can offer to the deceased.
7. Burying the Deceased with Respect
Once the Janazah prayer is complete, the body should be taken to the graveyard and buried with care and dignity.
It is Sunnah to place the body on its right side, facing the Qiblah, and to say:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَعَلَى سُنَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ
Bismillāh wa ʿalā sunnati Rasūlillāh
“In the name of Allah and upon the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah.”
📚 Sunan Ibn Mājah (1550) – Sahih
8. Making Dua After Burial When a Muslim dies
After the burial, those present should remain at the grave for a short time and make dua for the deceased.
The Prophet ﷺ instructed:
اسْتَغْفِرُوا لِأَخِيكُمْ، وَسَلُوا لَهُ التَّثْبِيتَ
Istaghfirū li-akhīkum wa salū lahu at-thabīt
“Seek forgiveness for your brother and pray for his steadfastness, for he is now being questioned.”
📚 Abu Dawud (3221) – Sahih
This prayer seeks Allah’s ﷻ support for the deceased as they face questioning in the grave.
9. Consoling the Family (Taʿziyah)
It is from the Sunnah to visit or communicate with the grieving family and console them with gentle and comforting words. However, one must avoid invented practices and unverified customs.
The Prophet ﷺ offered the following statement of consolation:
إِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا أَخَذَ، وَلَهُ مَا أَعْطَى، وَكُلٌّ عِندَهُ بِأَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى، فَلْتَصْبِرْ وَلْتَحْتَسِبْ
Inna lillāhi mā akhadh, wa lahu mā aʿṭā, wa kullun ʿindahu bi-ajal musammā, faltaṣbir wal-taḥtasib
“Indeed, to Allah belongs what He took and to Him belongs what He gave. Everything with Him has an appointed term. So be patient and seek reward.”
📚 Sahih al-Bukhari (1284), Muslim (923)
10. Avoiding Innovations
One of the key teachings of Islam is to avoid any non-Sunnah practices surrounding death. Some common innovations include:
- Hosting gatherings specifically to read Qur’an for the dead, such as on the third or fortieth day after death.
- Preparing and distributing food to attendees in the name of the deceased.
- Loud wailing or self-inflicted harm as a sign of grief.
- Placing items like turbans, photos, or copies of the Qur’an on the grave.
These are not established in the Sunnah and are to be avoided out of obedience to the way of the Prophet ﷺ.
📚 Referenced by Ibn Rajab and Imam Nawawi – based on consensus (ijmāʿ) of scholars
Additional Guidance for Muslims When Burying the Deceased
1. Silence and Respect at the Graveyard
It is from the manners of Islam to maintain silence and solemnity during burial. Idle talk, laughter, and casual behavior are highly discouraged. The moment is one of reflection on death, accountability, and the Hereafter.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Visit the graves, for they remind you of the Hereafter.”
📚 Sahih Muslim (976)
2. Making Sincere Dua at the Grave
After burial, Muslims should pause and make dua for the deceased. It is recommended to ask Allah ﷻ to grant them firmness during the questioning in the grave and to forgive them.
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged this immediately after burial:
“Ask forgiveness for your brother and pray for him to be made steadfast, for he is being questioned now.”
📚 Abu Dawud (3221) – Sahih
3. Filling the Grave With Soil
It is Sunnah for close family and companions to fill in the grave with soil. This is an act of honor and participation in the burial process. The Prophet ﷺ himself filled the grave of his companions.
Scholars such as Ibn Qudāmah and Imam Nawawi considered this highly encouraged (mustahabb).
4. Placing Three Handfuls of Soil
It is Sunnah for each person attending to throw three handfuls of soil into the grave, saying the following as they do so:
مِنْهَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ، وَفِيهَا نُعِيدُكُمْ، وَمِنْهَا نُخْرِجُكُمْ تَارَةً أُخْرَى
Minha khalaqnākum, wa fīhā nuʿīdukum, wa minhā nukhrijukum tāratan ukhrā
“From it We created you, into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you out once again.”
📖 Surah Ṭā-Hā, 20:55
5. Leveling the Grave
The grave should be level to the ground (not built up high), as per the practice of the Prophet ﷺ. A small marker may be placed to recognize the grave, but no decorations, tiles, or inscriptions should be added.
“The Prophet ﷺ leveled the grave of his companion and marked it with a stone.”
📚 Ibn Mājah (1561) – Hasan
6. Not Sitting or Walking on Graves
Islam forbids sitting, stepping, or walking directly on graves out of respect for the deceased. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“It is better for one of you to sit on burning coal that scorches his clothing and skin than to sit on a grave.”
📚 Sahih Muslim (971)
This highlights the sacredness of burial grounds in Islam.
7. Discouraging Loud Wailing and Un-Islamic Mourning
Wailing, tearing clothes, hitting oneself, or expressing grief in extreme ways is harām (forbidden). The Prophet ﷺ said:
“He is not of us who strikes the cheeks, tears the clothes, and calls with the cries of Jāhiliyyah.”
📚 Sahih al-Bukhari (1297), Muslim (103)
Islam encourages patience (ṣabr) and submission to the will of Allah ﷻ.
8. Visiting the Grave Later (Ziyārah)
It is Sunnah to visit the grave after some time, especially for reflection and making dua. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“I had forbidden you from visiting graves, but now visit them, for they remind you of the Hereafter.”
📚 Sahih Muslim (977)
However, the purpose should always be dua, reflection, and remembrance, not rituals or innovations.
9. Avoiding Innovations (Bidʿah)
Common post-death cultural practices not found in the Sunnah must be avoided. This includes:
- Holding special gatherings on the 3rd, 7th, or 40th day.
- Lighting candles at the grave.
- Reading specific Surahs over the grave as a group.
These practices are not endorsed by the Prophet ﷺ or the rightly guided Caliphs.
“Whoever introduces into this matter of ours that which is not from it, it will be rejected.”
📚 Sahih al-Bukhari (2697), Muslim (1718)
10. Continuing Acts of Reward (Ṣadaqah Jāriyah)
After burial, the living can benefit the deceased through:
- Making regular dua for forgiveness.
- Donating in their name (e.g. water wells, Qur’an copies, charity).
- Teaching or spreading knowledge they left behind.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“When a person dies, all his deeds end except three: a continuing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.”
📚 Sahih Muslim (1631)
This ensures the connection between the living and the dead remains beneficial even after burial.
In Islam, the moment of death is handled with reverence, spiritual responsibility, and adherence to the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. Understanding What To Do When A Muslim Dies – According to the Sunnah- is very important. These practices offer dignity to the deceased, comfort to the living, and reward from Allah ﷻ.
Muslims are encouraged to:
- Honor the deceased through proper washing, shrouding, prayer, and burial.
- Offer dua and forgiveness for them.
- Console the grieving with sincere words and patience.
- Avoid any innovations or cultural practices that have no basis in the Qur’an or Sunnah.
By following these noble teachings, a Muslim community not only shows respect for the deceased but also strengthens its own connection to Allah ﷻ and the Hereafter.
May Allah ﷻ grant our deceased loved ones forgiveness, mercy, and a place in Jannat al-Firdaws. Ameen.
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