from
Death and Burial of a Muslim
in
Taleemulhaq
(The Teaching of the Truth)

A person on whom the signs of death are clearly seen is called a Muhtadhar.

THE TALQEEN

Talqeen is to remind the dying person of the two Shahadats. (i.e., Ash’hadu Alls ilaha illal-lahu wa ash’hadu anna Muhammaden abduhu wa rasuluh.) When the end nears the dying person’s breath quickens, the knees become so weak that they cannot move, the nose becomes bent and temples subside. By these signs understand that the person is nearing the end.

The Talqeen must be read before the dying person takes his last breaths. The Muhtadhar must not be asked or ordered to read the Kalimah, but must be helped to recall it. This can easily be done by reciting the Kalimah aloud while being present in the room. Once the departing person utters the Kalimah all who are present must remain silent. The dying person must not be drawn into any worldly discussions, but if he discusses any worldly affairs then the Talqeen should be repeated.

After the Muhtadhar passes away, his mouth should be kept closed by fastening a piece of Paak material around his chin and over his head, his eyes must be closed. Both feet should be tied together with a similar piece of cloth, and the body covered with a Paak sheet.

The one who does this should read:

Translation: In the name of Allah and on the creed, religion and faith of Rasulullah

He may further read:

Translation: O! Allah, ease upon him his matters, and make light for him whatever comes hereafter, and honor him with Your meeting and make that which he has gone to better than that which he came out from.

All the individuals of the deceased’s family may read:

Translation: O! Allah, forgive me and him and grant me a good reward after him.

And those who are grieved by this demise may read:

Translation: To Allah do we belong, and to him shall we return.

Translation: O! Allah, reward me in my affliction, and requite me with (something) better than this.

GHUSL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Clean lukewarm water.
2. A broad bench, stand or platform.
3. Two large buckets for warm water, one small bucket or utensils, this is for the water to be mixed with a little camphor for use at the end of the Guhsl.
4. Two jugs or mugs for pouring water over corpse.
5. Leaves of Ber tree (Zizyphus Jujuba) if easily available, to be mixed with the lukewarm warm water, and a cake of soap.
6. 250g. cotton wool.
7. Two Teh’bands and two bag like mittens with strips.
8. A scissor for removing the dead person’s clothing.
9. Lobaan (Frankincense — aromatic gum resin obtained from trees) or any other Paak incense for smoking the bench, stand or platform.
10. One clean bed sheet for covering the body after Ghusl.
11. One clean towel or piece of material for drying corpse.

WHO SHOULD PERFORM THE GHUSL

The Ghusl is the bath for the body of the dead person. An adult male should be bathed by his father, son or brother. An adult female by her mother, daughter or sister. If none of these persons are present then any near relative could carry out this duty (male for male, and female for female). If any of these are not in a position to perform the Ghusl, the most pious person present should be requested to carry out this rite. The person giving Ghusl should be assisted by others. The person performing the Ghusl must himself or herself be Paak and be in a state of Wudhu. It is Makrooh for a woman who is menstruating or in a state of Nifaas (period after birth of a child) to perform the Ghusl.

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