Muslim funeral customs among the Tatars. Seeing off on their last journey, or how Muslims are buried

Pre-funeral and funeral rites associated with washing, dressing the deceased, digging a grave and the requirements for the behavior of the living in this situation are described in detail in Sharia. It also sets out the rules of behavior, religious life and actions of a Muslim, compliance with which means leading a righteous life pleasing to Allah, leading a Muslim to paradise. Therefore, these rituals are one. They are conducted under the guidance of knowledgeable people who, by their own desire (conviction), received this knowledge, and most importantly, skills from people of the older generation.

Actions performed after death
A soft bed is removed from under the deceased. He is laid with his head towards Mecca (south-west), his arms are placed along his body. To prevent the mouth from opening, the chin is tied with a scarf, the body is covered with a sheet, and the head, most often, with a towel. Something made of metal, such as scissors, is placed on the stomach (to prevent bloating). It is not customary to lament or talk loudly near a dead person.
The funeral is tried to be held as quickly as possible, usually the day after the death, unless there are good reasons for postponing the funeral. In the latter case, they can take place two or three days after death. This is not frowned upon (although it is not advisable).
The deceased is not left alone. There are always people around the body. Those who are older come with rosaries and sit near the deceased, saying a prayer. Nowadays, elderly people, and not necessarily relatives, gather for night vigils.
A ritual of ablution is performed, in which at least four people participate. The ceremony is performed in compliance with the rules prescribed by Sharia. Men are washed by men, women by women. These are specially invited people who know the washing procedure. During washing, only those who are busy remain in the room, their functions are clearly distributed: one washes, another helps to turn the body, a third prepares kumgans with water, a fourth waters. An infusion of oregano is added to the last kumgan, the water of which is used for general ablution.
Relatives and friends say goodbye to the body of the deceased before the ablution ceremony. After the ritual of ablution, the body of the deceased is appropriately dressed in funeral clothes (qefenlek). The body is placed in a taboot (Muslim burial box).

Muslim funeral rites
The burial of deceased Muslims is carried out in Muslim sections of cemeteries. There is a site supervisor at the cemetery who shows where to dig the grave and outlines it. This is kaber bashlauchi - beginning the grave, because strictly adhere to the orientation of the grave to the southwest. He also shows how to make a side niche - lekhet. The grave is dug according to the size of the deceased, the depth is his height, the lakhet is on the right side
A dug grave is not left empty, either there is a person near it, or something iron is lowered into it - a crowbar, an ax, a shovel.
They carry the deceased out feet first, turn him around in the yard - they carry the deceased to the cemetery head first on a special stretcher. Before being brought into the cemetery, the stretcher is placed on a special platform. All men present perform a special pamaz - funeral prayer (zhenaza). The deceased is buried without a coffin. If they are buried in a coffin (in cities), then, as a rule, the coffin lid is not nailed in, or it is missing altogether.
In order to place the deceased in a niche, three closest relatives descend into the grave. The deceased is lowered on three towels, which are then handed over to those in the grave - lekhetke saluchylar. They come out of the grave, surrounded by these towels (usually now a waffle towel 2.5 m long). The opening of the niche used to be filled with reeds and unbaked bricks. Now they are covering it with ordinary bricks. After the grave is filled up, the mullah reads a sura from the Koran. Relatives of the deceased distribute sadaka. By the way, money and things are prepared in advance for the distribution of sadaka. One of the relatives carries these things with him to the cemetery, they explain to him who and what should be given. A larger sum and more significant things are received by those who show the grave, as well as those who lower them into the grave and read the Koran.
When burying Muslims, you cannot use artificial wreaths and flowers and other ritual paraphernalia (bedspread, pillows, garlands, mourning ribbons, etc.).
Funeral rites include holding multiple wakes. They are divided into wakes held for a specific deceased, and general wakes. The first include commemorations on the third day after the funeral, on the seventh, fortieth days and after one year. It should be noted that there are no special funeral dishes, that is, the same dishes are served as a treat as during any other dinner.

Funeral rites are complex, carried out under the guidance of clergy and accompanied by special funeral prayers. Strict observance of funeral rites is the duty of every Muslim.

Instructions

Muslim burials (graves) must necessarily face Mecca. It is forbidden to bury people of other faiths in Muslim cemeteries and vice versa. It is curious that deceased women who did not convert to Islam, but are carrying a child from, are buried with their backs to Mecca. This will allow the child to face Mecca. They do not welcome any kind of tombstones such as mausoleums or crypts. The fact is that being overly rich and magnificent can make people jealous and lead to temptation. In addition, Sharia law strictly prohibits Muslims from loudly mourning a deceased person. It is believed that this leads to even greater suffering. Crying Muslim men are reproached by society, while crying women and children are carefully calmed down. Islam does not welcome both and autopsies. It is not customary to delay a funeral. Burials are carried out in the nearest Muslim.

Immediately before burial, the body is washed. Shariah prescribes ablution of the deceased three times and with the participation of at least four people of the same sex as the deceased. The primary ablution takes place with water in which cedar powder is dissolved; during the secondary ablution, camphor is dissolved in water, and for the third time ordinary water is used. According to Islamic law, Muslims cannot be buried in their clothes. Only a shroud is put on the deceased. It is curious that the material of the shroud depends on the financial condition of the deceased. You cannot cut the nails and hair of the deceased. The body should be scented with various oils. Certain prayers are read over the deceased Muslim. All this is crowned by wrapping the body in a shroud. Knots are made at the head, at the waist and at the feet.

The knots on the shroud are untied only immediately before burying the body. The deceased is taken to the cemetery not on a stretcher, as is the case with Orthodox and Catholics. The body lowers its feet down. Then they throw earth into the dug hole and pour water. By the way, as an exception, Muslims can still be buried in coffins. The exceptions are dismembered bodies, fragments of bodies, or an already decomposed corpse. The burial is accompanied by certain prayers. Some Muslims are generally buried sitting. This is connected with their ideas about the mechanism of the afterlife: it is believed that after his death, the soul of a Muslim remains in the body until it is transferred to the death angel of paradise. He will prepare her for eternal life. But before this happens, the soul will have to answer various questions. That is why, in order for the “conversation” to take place in conditions of decency, some Muslims are buried sitting.

We happened to encounter such a ritual only once, during our travels. And, frankly, the Muslim funeral shocked us. It was an unusual sight. Nothing to do with our Christian rules and customs. It even became a little creepy. Let's try to weave together what we saw and what our guide and local resident said. It was he who told us details about how Muslims are buried.

Let's start with the fact that the graves are necessarily facing Mecca. Everyone passing must read a prayer (sura). At each cemetery there are rooms for ablution and washing of the deceased. It is prohibited to bury a non-Muslim in a Muslim cemetery and vice versa. If a woman dies who has not accepted the faith, but is bearing a child from a Muslim, she is buried with her back to Mecca, so that the child is facing Mecca. Tombstones in the form of mausoleums and crypts are not welcome, since excessive chic and wealth can cause envy and lead to temptation.

Shariah strictly prohibits loud mourning of the deceased, who will suffer in this case. The crying man is reproached, the women and children are tenderly calmed down. Grief must be endured patiently, then Allah will help and support.

Muslims hold funerals only once. Opening graves and reburials are prohibited. However, there are still exceptional cases. For example, when a body is buried on someone else’s land (or rather, usurped), if the rules were violated during the process, if the cemetery is not Muslim, if there is a danger of abuse of the body, if parts of the body of the deceased are found after the funeral.

A little more about this. It is not customary to delay this process. The burial takes place at the nearest place. The deceased is laid with his head towards the Qibla, lowering the body with his feet down. If it is a woman, then when lowering the coverlet is stretched (men should not see the shroud). A handful of earth thrown into the grave is accompanied by words that translated mean: “We all belong to God, to Him we return.” The grave should rise 4 fingers, be poured with water and sprinkled with a handful of earth 7 times. At this time, the person left at the grave is reading and continues to read the Holy Scriptures even after everyone has left.

How Muslims are buried also largely depends on the area. Lahad includes an aivan 1.5 by 2.5 m (about one and a half meters deep) and a cell inside with a pre-made round (80 cm in diameter) entrance. The yoke (50 cm larger than the body on both sides) should consist of an internal shelf and an ayvan. And the shelf (shikka) corresponds to the length of the body. Predators should not smell and dig up the body, so the cabbage is strengthened. Muslims are not buried in a coffin, as is customary among Orthodox Christians. If it is not possible to bury the body on land, a ritual of ablution is performed over the deceased, he is shrouded, prayers are read, a stone is tied to his feet and immersed in water, choosing a deep place.

If Orthodox Christians send a person on his last journey shaved and well-groomed, then Muslims do not cut their beard, hair, or nails. This can only be done during life.

Before starting to envelop the man, they spread the so-called lifofa on the bed, sprinkling it with pleasantly smelling herbs. Then the isor is rolled out, on which the deceased, already dressed in a kamis, is laid. The arms are not crossed on the chest, but placed along the body. The deceased is rubbed with incense. At this time, prayers are read and farewells are said. Then the body is wrapped in isor (first the left side, and then the right) and lifofa (wrapped up like the isor). Knots are tied at the legs, waist and head. They are untied when the body is lowered into the grave.

It's the same with women. Only before putting on the kamis, the chest of the deceased is covered from the stomach to the armpits with a khirka. The hair is lowered over the kamis, the face is covered with a khimor placed under the head.

If the death is not sudden, then a clearly established ritual is performed over the dying person in the presence of a clergyman, with the reading of certain prayers. Muslims take burial extremely seriously, so strict adherence to all details is mandatory. This is a sacred duty. The dying person, regardless of his age and gender, is laid on his side, turning his face towards Mecca. The prayer “Kalimat-shahadat” is read, then he is given a sip of liquid, a few drops of sacred water or pomegranate juice. Crying and talking loudly during this time is prohibited. After death occurs, the chin is tied up, the eyes are closed, the legs and arms are straightened, the face is covered, and a stone (or something heavy) is placed on the stomach to prevent bloating. In some cases, “mahram-suvi” is performed - washing the contaminated parts of the body.

Before burial, it is obligatory to read the funeral prayer, called “Janaza”. It is read by the imam standing closest to the deceased. The person saying the prayer asks for favor towards the departed, for forgiveness, greeting and mercy. No bows are made during prayer. Then the crowd is asked if the deceased owes anything, or if anyone owes him anything. A funeral without reading this prayer is invalid.

Then comes the burial itself.

It is difficult to describe the feelings and emotions when we saw Muslims being buried. There was something bewitching, solemn and mystical in this ritual. And also inspiring respect for someone else's religion. Unusually solemn and beautiful, despite the understanding that for the loved ones of the deceased it is a great grief.

Death and funeral according to Muslim traditions

The funeral rite and all related rituals are described in great detail in Sharia, which is a set of rules for the behavior and life of a Muslim. That is why all Muslim rituals are the same. They should be carried out under the guidance of knowledgeable people who have received their skills and knowledge from older people.

The ritual of Muslim funerals is very different from the rituals of other religions in its modesty
in this ritual. According to Muslim traditions, funerals must be carried out as soon as possible, preferably within 24 or 48 hours. The most necessary attributes of a Muslim funeral are a kafan (cloth in which the body is wrapped), a tobut (a stretcher on which the deceased is washed and subsequently carried out), a cloth covered over the tobut, a temporary wooden board with a sign for the grave (but if it is planned to establish monument, then you can do without it) and transport for transportation to the cemetery. Shariah laws offer a set of rules related to the relocation of a Muslim to the afterlife, therefore, rituals determined by Shariah are performed over a Muslim who is near death.

Last minutes

It is very important to lay the dying person on his back so that his feet are directed towards Mecca (landmark: southwest). If any difficulties arise, then it is permissible to turn the dying person on his left or right side so that his face is directed towards the Kaaba (Mecca). After this, they sit down next to the dying person and read “Kalima-i Shahadat” to him. It will probably be necessary to quench the thirst of the dying person, so you need to prepare cold water, and it is best to give the sacred Zam-Zam water or pomegranate juice in small drops. In the last minutes of life, Surah Ya Sin and Surah Thunder are read to the dying person; they will ease the mortal torment.

After death

It is forbidden to talk too loudly or cry around a dying person.When a person has died, first of all, the deceased’s eyes are closed, the jaw is tied with a bandage, all clothes are removed, but hidden places are covered (awrat) and the big toes are tied together. They soften the joints of the arms and legs by squeezing and unclenching them, placing something heavy on the stomach and placing incense nearby. Then a small ablution (small taharat) is performed. It is very important to know that women can only be washed by women, and men only by men. It is permissible for the wife to wash the husband, but the husband should not wash the wife.

Small ablution - small taharat

Before starting the small ablution, the person performing this ritual must cleanse himself and his thoughts and intentions (niyat) must be pure, then he must say: “B-smillah!” - “In the name of Allah!”, and you can begin. Pour clean water into a clean bowl, soak the cloth in this water and wash the deceased with your left hand. After this, you need to take a clean cloth, soak it in clean water and with your right hand wash the face of the deceased with it from top to bottom, from the roots of the hair to the chin. Then wash first your right and then your left hand up to the elbow. The same procedure must be carried out with the legs, start with the right leg and finish with the left leg. You need to move from your fingers to your ankles, and you need to carefully rub between your fingers.

Those who do not know can perform ablution without prayers, but after ablution they must say “Kalima-i Shahadat.” After completing the minor ablution, the deceased is covered with a clean cloth.

The process of ablution, and then wrapping, as well as all subsequent actions at the funeral, should be led by an invited imam.

Ablution - Ghusul

Before the funeral begins (daphne), you need to perform a complete ablution (ghusl, gusul). For this you need: water, a tobuta or a wide bench, buckets, jugs, soap, scissors, cotton wool, incense and a towel. The body is placed on a tobut (or bench) and they begin to pour warm clean water over it (you can add lotus leaves to the water). The nostrils, ears and mouth are covered with cotton wool to prevent water from entering there. They wash the hair and beard, and after that they lay the deceased on his left side, and begin to wash from the right side until the water reaches the left side. After this, the deceased is turned over on his right side and the same actions are performed. Then the deceased is raised to a sitting position, resting him on the hand, lightly pressing on the stomach to release it. Everything is washed off thoroughly, and after this the deceased is again laid on his left side and doused with water. There are three ablutions in total. In the first ablution, one washes with clean warm water, in the second ablution, cleansing agents must be present in the water, and in the third ablution, there must be camphor in the water. In each of the 3 ablutions, water must be poured 3 times, or any other odd number of times.

After completing the ghusl, the deceased must be thoroughly wiped and the cotton wool removed. The head and beard are impregnated with incense from various aromatic herbs. Hair is not combed and nails are not cut. Those parts of the body that came into contact with the ground during prostration (forehead, nose, palms, knees and toes) are rubbed with camphor.

Then the deceased is wrapped in a kafan (shroud) - clothing for the deceased, it is made of white linen or chintz.

Kafan for men

Consists of three parts: izar, kamis and lifafa. Izar is a sheet for covering from head to toe. Kamis is a long sheet that needs to be folded in half and a hole cut out in order to put it over your head like a shirt. There should be no pockets or seams. Lifafa is a piece of fabric that will go from the head and go down below the legs.

Kafan for women

It consists of five parts: izar, khimar (orni - veil), kamis, lifafa and sinabanda (khirka) - a piece of fabric to support the chest. It is recommended that the sinaband covers the body from the chest to the hips.In total, a man needs 20 meters and a woman 25 meters of fabric.How to put on a kafan correctly:

For a man:

1. you need to unfold the lifafa on the floor, put the isar on top, and part of the kamis on it, the remaining part is folded at the head of the head.

2. Now you can put the body and cover it with the folded part of the kamis up to the shins.

4. fold first the left side of the izar, and then the right one on top of it and covering the kamis

5. The lifafa is wrapped in the same way. It is important to remember that the right side should always be on top

6. tie the ends of the bodice at the head and legs with strips of material.

For a woman:

1. unfold the lifafa, then the sinaband, the isar on it, and then the kamis, just like for a man

2. lay the body down and cover it up to the shins with the upper part of the kamis

3. remove the material with which the awrat was covered

4. Divide the hair into 2 parts and lay it on the chest on top of the kamis.

5. cover your head and hair with a veil

6. then, when wrapping the izar, do not forget that first the left side is covered, and then the right side on top of it, the kamis and orni (veil) fall under the izar

7. close the bodice: left and then right side

8. tie the ends of the bodice at the head and legs with strips of material.

Namaz Janaza

After this, prayer - janaza - is read over the wrapped body (janaza). The prayer is read by the imam or a person replacing him. The difference between this prayer and others is the absence of kneeling (Rukna) and prostration (Sajd). Namaz-janaza contains 4 takbirs, a greeting to the right and a greeting to the left, as well as an appeal to Allah asking for His mercy on the deceased and forgiveness of his sins. At the beginning of the prayer, the imam invites everyone with the words: “As-Salat!”, and then asks those gathered and relatives about the deceased’s unpaid debts or debts towards him. And if there were any, then he asks for forgiveness or, in the second case, to settle accounts with the relatives of the deceased.The body in the kafan is placed on a tobut. Relatives and friends must carry the deceased at least 40 steps and only then place him in the hearse.

grave

Qabr (grave) – constructed depending on the terrain.1) Lahad is an ivan and a cell inside. Ivan is made 1.5 x 2.5 m. and a depth of 1.5 m. in the lower part of the ivan they make a round entrance of 80 cm (to the cell).2) Yarma is an ayvan and a shika (inner shelf). The size of the yoke should be 50cm larger than the size of the deceased. on both sides. Shikka is equal to the length of the body or the width of the yoke (height and width are 70 cm each).The grave is strengthened: the yoke with planks, and the lahad with baked bricks.In a cemetery, a janaza is placed next to the grave in the direction towards Mecca. People who will lower the deceased into the grave should face the same direction.When lowering a dead woman, the unfolded cloth should be held over her body. The deceased in the grave is laid on his right side so that he faces the Kaaba. The body is lowered feet down. The strips of cloth with which the kafan was tied can now be untied. Then everyone throws a handful of earth into the grave, while reciting verse (2:156) from the Koran. According to all the rules, the grave should be 4 fingers higher than the ground. After this, the grave is watered, a handful of earth is thrown 7 times and the Koran is read (verse 20:57).

At this point, the Muslim funeral is considered completed; finally, the first ruk of the Cow sura should be read first at the head of the head, and then the last ruk of the Cow sura near the bottom side of the grave. It is important to remember that in Muslim cemeteries all monuments and graves are directed towards the qibla (Kaaba , Mecca). It is prohibited to bury a Muslim in a non-Muslim cemetery and vice versa. After the funeral, in order to pay the last tribute to the deceased, it is necessary to read verses from the Koran. In prayers it is necessary to ask God for forgiveness of the deceased, because... According to legend, on the night of the funeral, 2 angels Munkar and Nakir come to the grave, they will interrogate the deceased, and our prayers will help and ease the position of the deceased before such a trial. Sharia law does not approve of the establishment of mausoleums or rich crypts at graves, because... this humiliates poor Muslims and sometimes causes envy. It is best to write on the gravestone: “Truly we belong to Allah and to Him we will be returned,” and that is quite enough.

According to the requirements of Sharia, the grave should not become a place for prayer and therefore should not look like a mosque. Islam does not prohibit crying for the deceased, but it is better to pray instead. Sharia provides for mourning for the deceased in the first days after death (3 days).

The question is, of course, not an easy one. Islam dictates certain burial laws to its followers. These are the so-called In this article I will tell you how the burial ritual of a Muslim occurs.

How a Muslim is buried: what needs to be done before death

Shariah prescribes and predetermines the entire life of adherents of Islam from birth to death. So, while the dying person is still alive, he is placed on his back so that his legs “look” towards Mecca. Then a very loud reading of the prayer begins. This is necessary so that the dying person can hear it. Before dying, any Muslim should be given a sip of cold water. Crying in front of him is strictly prohibited!

What to do after death

When a Muslim has died, it is necessary to tie his chin, close his eyes, straighten his arms and legs and cover his face. Something heavy should be placed on his stomach.

How a Muslim is buried: ablution

Before the burial itself, it is necessary to carry out the procedure of washing the body. As a rule, the funeral of a Muslim occurs only after a threefold ritual ablution, in which at least four people of the same sex as the deceased himself participate.

The first time they wash it with water with cedar powder dissolved in it, the second time they dissolve camphor in it, and the third time they wash it simply with clean water.

How a Muslim is buried: burial

Sharia law prohibits burying Muslims in clothing. This is done in one shroud. The material from which it is made must correspond to the material condition of the deceased. It is forbidden to cut the hair and nails of the deceased! His body should be scented with all sorts of oils. Then prayers are read over him, after which he is wrapped in a shroud, making knots at the head, at the belt and at the feet.

The knots made are untied immediately before the body begins to be lowered into the grave. The deceased, wrapped in a shroud, is placed on a stretcher and thus taken to the cemetery. The body must be lowered feet down. After this, a handful of earth is thrown into the hole and water is poured. The fact is that Islam does not allow the dead to be buried in coffins. The exception is when the deceased has been dismembered or the body has already decomposed.

It is curious that the grave can be dug absolutely arbitrarily. It all depends on the local. The burial is accompanied by the reading of a prayer by all those present. They mention the name of the deceased. Shariah does not approve of tombstones that contain the image of a deceased person.

On what day are Muslims buried?

It is advisable to carry out the burial on the same day the person died. This happens if death finds him during the day. In this case, the ablution procedure takes place before sunset. Afterwards the burial takes place.

Why are Muslims buried sitting?

This is due to certain Muslim ideas about them. They believe that the soul remains in the physical body until it is transferred by the Angel of Death to the Angel of Paradise, who will prepare it for eternal life. But before that, the soul of the deceased must answer several questions. In order for this to happen in conditions of decency, a Muslim is given a grave in which he sits and does not lie.