Islam
About
Islam is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion that began in Arabia and was revealed by the Prophet Muhammad. Centred on the Quran and the teachings of Muhammad, followers of Islam are called Muslims.
With origins that can be traced back to around 610 A.D, there is today an estimated 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide, making them the world's second-largest religious population. Muslims believe that there is only one God, and their word for God is Allah.
End of Life
Muslims aim to live a life of complete submission to Allah and follow strict rules regarding diet and prayer that should be accommodated at end of life . For instance, part of their daily prayer includes a ceremonial washing called wudu. If they are too ill for this, they may require a dry ablution kit to touch instead.
A dying Muslim may withdraw from life support to embrace a natural death. A male Muslin patient should be treated by male healthcare staff and female patients by female staff. However, as life is valued above all else, a member of the opposite sex may provide critical medical treatment if necessary.
A dying Muslim's head should be elevated and feet pointing towards Mecca, the site of the Holy Sanctuary. They may seek forgiveness, listen to the Qur’an, while loved ones recite the Shahadah. In their final moments, they will declare their faith in Allah. The family may ask that any non-Muslims leave the room.
After Death
A Muslim's body is treated and tended to with the utmost respect and care after dying. Any non-Muslims tending to the body must wear gloves. The eyes should be gently closed and the jaw bandaged to prevent the mouth from opening. The arms and legs should be straightened.
A burial should take place as soon as possible. Cremation is forbidden. In preparation, the body is ritually washed by the family. A deceased male should be washed by men, and a female washed by women, except in the case of husband and wife. A woman may also wash the body of a boy who is a minor, and a man may wash a girl. After washing, the body is wrapped in a white cloth.
A Muslim funeral is generally a formal event with ritual chanting and recitation from the Qur’an. Shoes are left at the door of the Mosque, and men and women sit on the floor separately from each other. Women keep their heads covered and dress modestly. The body is positioned in the grave facing Mecca while the first Surah is read from the Qur’an, followed by prayers. Attending loved ones throw three fistfuls of dirt into the grave to complete the service, and the grave is marked with a flat marker.