Funeral rites in Islam Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips

‘Death is the ultimate reality of life.’ This life on earth is only a transitory phase on the way to paradise or hell, as the case may be. Islam as the complete code of life has a set of complete instructions for both the dying person and for those around him or her who are charged with the sacred duty of performing the last rites. Due to non-Islamic influences, Muslims have drifted away from the established practice of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all). Many Muslims no longer know or practice the necessary rites, and often mix in un-Islamic practices with the funeral ritual. Dr. Bilal Philips has written Funeral Rites in Islam in order to serve the needs of English-speaking Muslims, using easy-to-understand explanations and instructions based strictly on the fundamental sources of Islam—the Qur’an and the Sunnah.