LIFE AFTER DEATH

Many Muslims believe that they are on this earth to prepare themselves for eternal life after death. They view this life as a test and try to do as many good deeds as they can. Those who have performed good deeds will enter Jannah, a place described as a ‘garden of everlasting bliss’ and a ‘ home of peace’. Those who have performed bad deeds will enter Jahannam or Hell, a place of physical and spiritual suffering. In order to get to Jannah, they must also fulfil their Islamic obligations.

Although this is a common belief among Muslims, there are many different sects within Islam, so the rituals and beliefs may vary between each.

In Islamic belief, death is predetermined by God, and the exact time of a person’s death is known only to God. According to Islamic law, a body should be buried as soon as possible from the time of death. To prepare the body for burial, it must be washed (“Ghusl”) and shrouded (“Kafan”) by close same- sex family or the spouse if they have the skill to do so, otherwise, another devout member of the community can perform the task. The body should then be transported to the mosque (“masjid”) for funeral prayers, known as “Salat al- Janazah”. After Salat al- Janazah has been recited, the body is transported to the cemetery for burial. The Qur’an says little about the time between individual death and day of resurrection and judgement. A common belief is the deceased Muslim is visited by two angels to test their faith. They may then either be in Jannah or Jahannam, or in an intermediary state or “sleep” until a great resurrection.

The time between death and the “Day of Judgement” is called barzakh. Muslims believe that Allah is forgiving, merciful and compassionate, and will forgive those who have repented and made every possible effort to make amends for their sins. There are, however, some sins that Muslims believe to be unforgivable, including the sin of practising idolatry or polytheism.