Death and dying: An Islamic perspective

The way people understand and respond to the death of a loved one is often influenced by an individual’s culture and beliefs. The method by which people manage their grief provides an authentic insight into a religion and its people. The Islamic faith presents detailed instructions on the rituals around death and dying and these traditions and practices are distinctive and profound. Muslims believe that human life is a gift of God, which he gives and takes away as He chooses. There is great emphasis on the acceptance of God’s Will with restraint and patience, for the believer does not view death as the end of the soul’s journey but merely a transition from one state of existence to another. Following an introduction to Islamic perspectives on death and dying, this paper examines the four rights afforded to the deceased in Islam, the souls journey after death and Muslim attitudes to grief and loss. Creating an understanding of Muslims’ attitudes to death and dying may help grief support staff develop more informed approaches to culturally appropriate therapy models and coping strategies for Muslim patients and their families.