Why is Cremation Forbidden in Islam?
Mustahab for cremation
In Islam, cremation is considered haram (forbidden). Muslims consider the dead to be sacred and consider the discarding of the dead as sacrilege. Besides, Muslims also believe that cremation is a violation of human dignity. This has made it a point of controversy, particularly in non-Muslim majority countries.
In the Islamic tradition, the deceased should be buried quickly. There is no specified time of day or night to do this, but the Prophet Muhammad a.s. endorsed burying the body as quickly as possible. However, certain jurists have advocated waiting for yaum wa laylah (a day and a night) before performing the ritual.
In Islam, Muslims cannot perform the ritual of cremating non-Muslims. This prohibition is not applicable in all cases. There is an exception to the prohibition in cases of epidemics. This is the case when the risk of disease transmission is evident and permission has been granted from Muslim authorities.
Haram
According to Islamic law, it is a grave sin for Muslims to burn the dead. Instead, Muslims are required to bury their dead in the correct manner, according to Sharia. This prohibition applies to both burying and cremating the dead. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule.
While the Catholic Church and the Vatican do permit cremation, Muslim adherents are prohibited from participating in, witnessing or even approving of it. According to Islamic law, cremation is a degradation of the human body, and Muslims must bury the dead as soon as possible, ideally within a day.
Islam also prohibits women from participating in burial ceremonies. Generally, mourners who attend a burial ceremony throw three handfuls of dirt onto the deceased’s casket, lowering it into the grave. If the burial is taking place at sea, a modest marker may be placed near the casket. Muslims believe that cremation is disrespectful to the dead.
Islamic legal framework
According to Islamic law, cremation is strictly prohibited. In most cases, this means the deceased must be buried, with specific funeral rites. These rituals include washing the body, and treating it with respect. This is necessary because Muslims believe the human soul survives death and that the soul is aware of how the body is treated. In addition, they believe that the decomposition of the body happens according to the natural order and Divine Law.
However, in some cases, there are exceptions to these general rules. One such exception is when the dead body is found to have been exposed to a deadly poison. This is a common occurrence in areas with natural disasters or armed conflict. In such cases, the deceased’s relatives can use the legal framework of the Islamic faith to protect their family members.
Exhumation
The principle of not opening a grave to rebury someone alive is clear in Islam. There are many reasons to do so, including medical treatment, religious reasons, or the removal of a live child from the womb. However, if you feel the need to open a grave, you should do it only after consulting with an expert. In addition, you should not disturb the dead person’s bones or body if they have been disintegrated.
Islamic jurists have developed varying rulings on the issue of exhuming the dead. In some cases, it is permissible while in others, it is strictly forbidden. These differing rulings are based on differing rationales, but they do have one thing in common – respect for the dead and the feelings of their family members.
Need to bury body as quickly as possible
The Prophet Muhammed endorsed the burying of dead bodies as soon as possible. However, he did not mention a specific time in the reports. Some jurists have argued for waiting until yaum wa laylah (the day and night) have passed.
According to Islamic law, the body must be buried as soon as possible after death. This means that the planning of the funeral should begin right away. Contact your local Islamic community to find an appropriate funeral home and arrange for the burial of the body. Once a funeral home has been identified, make sure that it is familiar with Islamic funeral traditions.
In Islam, burying the body is considered an act of respect for the deceased. In addition, it protects the body from wild animals and allows the loved ones to visit the grave. In addition, Muslims believe that cremation is an immoral act and violates the dignity of the dead.