Death in Islam
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Islamic Will:
While Muslims who die in Muslim majority countries may have their assets distributed according to Islamic law by default , a Muslim in the US may not be so fortunate. Dying without a will in the US (called intestate) may trigger existing state laws that determine the actual division of assets. Such a division may differ considerably from a Islamic Law division. You may leave a great trial to your family upon your passing away without a proper legal instructions about division of your assets. Amoung many things, the mere existence of Islamic Laws of inheritance carries the potential of great blessing and mercy from our Lord to Muslims. It allows us to avoid (with grace) the sometimes vicious battles that destroy the one of the most important of bonds -- family. For while Muslims may question the judgement of a particular individual it is something quite different to question Islam. Therefore, if one lives in a country like the US, one should make a special effort to ensure that one's assets are properly distributed upon death. A starting point for Islamic Wills is available (e.g. downloadable forms/notes) from Islamic Society of North America -- ISNA. and currently provided by Dr. Monzer Kahf. (There is also a accompanying booklet-- please order it from ISNA.) Please consult an attorney (very important) for a final form that conforms with your state laws. (For example in certain US states a wife may need to sign a special form, etc.) Do not skip this step. Please note that in the US a will may not control the disposition of ALL your assets in certain situations. Check with an estate professional and attorney on the value of other instruments (such as trusts -- sample one at ISNA) with respect to your estate. You must check with an attorney. There may be considerable tax effects for different decisions. Finally, to minimize problems upon your death, you may decide it is wise to discuss these matters with your potential heirs during your lifetime. (Note: Many of the ISNA forms assume you are living in the USA). At the risk of stating the obvious: Islam is new in the US, as such certain estate instruments used by individuals may or may not be successful in the future -- they all involve a degree of risk -- and may evolve in the future (and websites may not be updated to reflect the new realities). Therefore make sure you consult an attorney.

ISNA number is (317) 839-8157 (Ask for someone who knows about islamic wills). ( You may also wish to check Nolopress , a general (e.g. non-Muslim) site, for supplementary general information on estate planning in the U.S.)

During the 2001 CE/1422 AH ISNA Annual convention there was a workshop on Islamic Wills. Brother Mir M. Ali (an estate planning specialist) (see www.mirmali.com ) and Brother M. Farroq Malik were the two presenters. Brother Malik mentioned the Al-wasiyyah (Islamic Will) kit available from his Institute of Islamic Knowledge (281) 448-4080 -- you still need to see a local lawyer though as well to research into things like living trusts if you use his Al-wasiyyah kit. Brother Mir's website is mentioned above. ISNA's website is mentioned above. In all cases consult and use an attorney.

Thanatology

ISNA has a section on funeral rules including "A Guide for the Muslim Funeral", "Question and answers on Burial and Funeral", "Funeral Regulations in North America -- State by State and Province by Province" see http://www.isna.net/ThanatologyCenter/default.asp.

Funeral Prayers:
Sometimes if we are at a masjid and the iman says that he will say a funeral prayer after the regular prayers, we should not be quick to rush out of the masjid to dunya. Here is a hadith:
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 2, Number 45: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "(A believer) who accompanies the funeral procession of a Muslim out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's reward and remains with it till the funeral prayer is offered and the burial ceremonies are over, he will return with a reward of two Qirats. Each Qirat is like the size of the (Mount) Uhud. He who offers the funeral prayer only and returns before the burial, will return with the reward of one Qirat only."

Death:
Sahih Muslim, Book 042, Number 7064: Anas b. Malik reported Allah's Messenger (way peace be upon him) as saying: Three things follow the bier of a dead man. two of them come back and one is left with him: the members of his family. wealth and his-good deeds. The members of his family and wealth come back and the deeds alone are left with him.

Excessive, perpetual or extravagrant mourning is discourged. Life should slowly begin to stabalize again after a painful loss.:
Sahih Muslim, Book 009, Number 3550: Umm 'Atiyya (Allah be pleased with her) reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) had said: A woman must not observe mourning for one who had died for more than three (days) except for four months and ten days in the case of her husband ...


Misc: If you are researching for a masjid you may (or may not) find the following resources of some use: www.funerals.org/directory.htm and www.aarp.org (Life answers, end of life, grief and loss sections). Individuals should, of course, contact their masjid directly.