In different religions with different beliefs, traditions, and rituals, sending funeral flowers to the bereaved family is appropriate. [24] An Arab word which means the supporters of the Prophet.. As religion theorist J.Z . Here are 10+ of the oldest, funniest, and most confusing Lebanese traditions. Then the Just and Most Holy God illuminated the body of Adam with lamps of light and commanded the spirit to re-enter. [6] A water well which is considered holy water by all Muslims who perform the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. If you are not a good man on earth, you will go to hell. After the funeral or after the fortieth day, this cloth is given to the faqir [15] who resides in the burying-ground or to any other person deserving of charity. 1860 Mount Lebanon civil war. [9]. This article investigates the relationship be-tween grief and music in the context of the Lebanese village funeral, taking into Some people even paint their windows black to show their distress and to express sorrow for the departure of a beloved relative or friend. If you are well pleased with what Allah has done you will receive your reward, but if you are displeased or sore afflicted [by it], you are committing sin and being rebellious. Much of the Egyptian religious beliefs would show up in either culture in modified form but with a common theme as their basis. In the Quran, all Muslims are commanded to do well, to perform their Islamic duties, prayers, fasting, and all else. [18] The two words bashir and nadhir, used in this Tradition, are said to have become technical terms in pre-Islamic Mecca, the bashir being the announcer of good news of a caravans safe arrival, and the nadhir being the announcer of the bad news that a caravan had been lost. If you dont drink it, its a serious insult to the deceased. Presently he raised his head and said: Seek refuge with Allah from the torment of the tomb., This he said twice or thrice, and then went on: When a man who is a true believer is drawing near to the next world and is about to be cut off from this world, there descend to him angels whose faces are white as the sun, bringing with them a shroud from Paradise and celestial aromatics, and take a seat at his head and say, O thou tranquil soul, come forth to Allahs favour and forgiveness.. 17 we learn that death is not a single thing: According to the Traditions, as depicted by Hughes account, [1] Muhammed was taught that it is sinful to wish for death: According to Islamic tradition, one day the Prophet said: Whosoever loves to meet God, God will love to meet him, and whosoever dislikes to meet God, God will dislike to meet him. Family Structure: . Then he said, When the light of Islam enters the heart it becomes at ease and is enlarged. Someone asked, And is there any [outward] sign of that? To which he answered: Yes! [16] Hughes Dictionary of Islam, pp. In Judaism, life is valued above almost all else.The Talmud notes that, since all mankind is descended from a single person, taking a life is like destroying an entire world while saving a life is like saving an entire world.. Death, however, is not viewed as a tragedy, even when it occurs early in . The house even has a kitchen, living rooms, and bedrooms. [29] We dont know why, but the body is immediately placed in a casket. While there are a number of variations, the Orthodox funeral generally consists of three Services. The meaning of disinclined when used in reference to Allahs relations with a man is that Allah puts the man far from His mercy, and wills his punishment. Death and dying are universal realities for all creations in every country and cultural area. Then they perform wuduk [11] for the person; they wash his mouth, and arms to the elbows; they make masah on his head and they throw water on his feetthese actions constituting the four parts of the ceremony. There is segregation in Egyptian funeral rites. Islamic funeral customs require that: The body be buried as soon as possible after death. The idea of paradisiacal clothing is also known among members of the Mormon faith. First, however, I would like to share with you my impressions, as a Middle Easterner, of my first experience with an American funeral, which took place in Salt Lake City. This is a good-bye and last prayer. It is recorded that Abu Hamid al-Laffaf said: It is recorded in Muslim sources that Jesus used to raise the dead by Allahs permission. An interesting story about death is narrated by Al-Bara ibn cAzib, one of the companions of the Prophet: I came out with the Prophet at the funeral of one of the assistants, and we arrived just at the grave, before they had interred the body, and the Prophet sat down, and we sat around him with our heads down, and were so silent that you might say that birds were sitting upon our heads. Since this area is predominantly Muslim, our attention is focused on the attitudes and beliefs of the people of this faith. Instead of a casket, a flat board platform is used, held up by four assigned pallbearers and four volunteers. Thus Allah has said: Flight will not benefit you at all if you are fleeing from death or being killed. So it is incumbent on each Muslim to make preparation for death before it comes. Some of the unbelievers said to him: You have been raising to life those who had but recently died and who maybe were not quite dead. We have not accelerated his fate, so what sin are we committing in taking him? Let us go back to the days of the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. These family reunions in the cemetery house are often festive occasions, not gloomy funeral reminders. [5] The origin of the American word sherbet? Before the burial, the deceased person's body is washed. He does everything for the family. 1986 Florian Noetzel GmbH Verlag But rejoice in good tidings of the Garden which ye have been promised.. They never eat dessert or any sweets during these forty days and dont even put sugar in their coffee or tea. Gamali means my camel. She is saying, Oh, my camel. Of course he was not a camel, but it shows the great loss that has occurred. When Muhammed made the statement above, people responded, But, O Apostle of Allah, we are all disinclined to die. He answered: That is not disinclination. Come forth to the wrath of God.. In Islam the message of good tidings at death has five aspects: Blessed is he whose ending is accompanied by a message of good tidings, for there will be such a message of good tidings only for such as have been true believers and whose works have been good. This was considered a "bad death.". You will find many baskets full of bread. The body is cleaned well so that no offensive smell remains. Every dead person was identified with Osiris and bore his name (the famous papyrus of Ani often mentions the dead scribe as Osiris-Ani). Women wear black dresses; everything is black. An Imam presides over the service. 6. What to expect; First visit; FAQ; Our Practice; Why? The ceremonies attending the death of a Muslim are described by Jafir Sharif in Herklots Qanun-i-Islam, Islamic Law page 80. This was highlighted in media reports of the death of Osama bin Laden. The author describes health beliefs and practices of the Arab Muslim population in the United States. I wanted, of course, to express my condolences to him but learned that such condolences are expressed in a mortuary. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to consider how rituals can lose their extraordinary power when our sense of "normal" is shattered and remains shattered for years. Like King Tut, whose funerary remains are moving around the United States these days, the body was mummified because the Egyptians wanted the body to still be alive in the tomb. Such a belief caused me to ponder and to ask myself why we receive death completely differently in the Middle East than in the West? If a bad man, he should be speedily buried so that his unhappy lot will not fall upon others in the house, and so that the relatives of the deceased may not, by holding the corpse, weep too much or go without food. Its like vacationing in Las Vegas! [2] Muslims wear ihram or simple white robes when participating in the pilgrimage to Mecca. 4. They mount up with it, and there is not a single angel group whom they pass but asks, What impure spirit is this?, They reply, This is the spirit of So-and-so, using the least worthy name for him. When my turn came, I expressed my sympathy to my friend. Then what have you done in preparation for it? asked the Prophet. It is related that there is no soul, innocent or wicked, to which death is not a good thing. This item is part of a JSTOR Collection. It is clearly taught in the Quran, which is read by several hundred million Muslims all over the globe, that The hour of death is fixed for every living creature. There are many references in the Holy Quran about death. Every time a pot of water is poured the Kalimatu sh-shada (the words of testimony) is repeated: Ash-hahadu an la ilia Allah, which means I testify that there is no deity but God), either by the person washing or someone else. The Lebanese are extremely proud of the amount of cultural heritage they share. Pre-Wedding Rituals. [9] A common habit among Middle Eastern people. Food, Meals and Sympathy Baskets. During these funeral rites men wear black ties. First, a smoking ceremony is held in the loved one's living area to drive away their spirit. So if you attend a death ceremony of a practicing Hindu, it is likely the body will be cremated. In Muslim funerals, giving flowers to the family may vary depending on Muslim sects. But the mourning period continues for forty days. In-depth semi structured interviews were conducted and analysed with ten selected Lebanese Facebook users . You have no cause for discontent with us, and we are going to return for you, so let him who will beware, beware, for there are no dwellers whether in hair tents or in villages, whether on land or on sea, but we examine their faces five times daily and at night, so that I know them both small and great, know them individually. Folks used not to go grey in your time., He said: I heard the summons, and I thought it was the resurrection, so out of fear my head and my beard went white., Someone asked: How long have you been dead? and he answered, Four thousand years, yet the anguish of dying [21] has not left me.. Home; Our Practice; Services; What to expect. Allah has said: Then wish for death if ye are those who speak truth. But they will never wish for it because of what their hands have sent forward. The Copts, or Christians of Egypt, have developed different burial customs. Guests of the same sex should greet each other with a handshake and hug. As the pharaohs disappeared in Egyptian history, they were replaced by descendants of other ancient Egyptians called the Copts. Chopsticks and DNA - Japan. Then his soul is replaced in his body, and two angels [Munkar and Nakir] come to him and set him up, and say, And they say to him, What is the condition of the man who is sent down to you?, Then a voice comes from above saying, He lieth; therefore spread a bed of fire for him and open a door for him towards hell., Then the heat and hot winds of hell come to him, and his grave is made tight upon him, so as to squeeze his ribs. Food and food baskets are appropriate gifts, especially during the three day mourning period. [4] Reminiscent of the words of Jesus in the New Testament, Mark 10:25. So they sit apart from the deceased, as far as the eyes can see, after which the Angel of Death [Malakul-Mawt] comes to the deceased and sits at his head and says, O pure soul, come forth to Gods pardon and pleasure.. The deceased is taken from the board and placed in the hole. The Islamic religion views death as a transition to another state of existence called the afterlife. These customs and habits are always followed during times of mourning, whether you are poor or rich, whether you live in a village or in a city. [32] The Christians and Jews follow the same procedures, with some variations from one denomination to another. Make supplication to Allah for me that he let me be again as I was (among the living)., As for dying, he said, For a true believer the distress and anxiety of dying are equivalent to that from three hundred strokes.. Why do men wear black ties and women black garments? 801-422-6975. They do not eat until someone else comes in and pressures them to eat. Hopefully this will serve to give you a better understanding of ways in which the traditions of the Middle East differ from those practiced in the United States, particularly among the Mormon people. It is of no consequence if a colored cloth is spread over the bier. Druze. Some women who are particular in these matters are afraid even to venture near the place where the body has been washed. Jeffery observes that Whosoever has a loving desire to meet with Allah is one whom Allah has a loving desire to meet. [17] He states that by meeting with Allah (he means death), the true believer is in such a state that he cannot be responsible for his faith; thus, he will be given the good news that Allah is well pleased with him and will grant him His Paradise. Anon they come with it to the gate of the lowest heaven and ask that it be opened for it, but it is not opened.. On another occasion the Prophet said: Then he himself began to relate and said: Once there was a group of the Children of Israel who as they were walking along came presently to a graveyard. When I asked my friend about this attitude, I was told that death is a transitiona bridge to a happy and everlasting life in heaven. Oct 21, 2014. Death rituals are well documented throughout history -- and around the world. In a firmly established practice of The World of Music, high-profile guest editors are invited to design issues and see them through the entire preparation process. (Compare bashir with the term bisharah which is applicable only to the New Testament.). # # #_ #_ . Even in rural areas, only certain women can go with the procession. Invite those present (it may be you and the dying person) to enter into silence with you and allow any feelings to rise and to be spoken. Black - sombre mourning. Osiris reigned in the world of the dead over the ka or soul of the dead. The rituals that are practiced are specific to the religion to . However, that can sometimes be overwhelming and having a baby is definitely one of those times. 4241 Jutland Dr #202, San Diego, CA 92117. For example, in Sura xvi. By keeping the straight course he means believing in Allah and in His Apostle, and standing firm in the faith, though others say that it means performing the required duties and avoiding things forbidden. If the dough remains in place, they will have a long, happy life. In it he likewise appoints his executor. When I first came to Utah and attended the funeral I discussed earlier, I asked myself, What do these people do? The body of the dead is uncovered, the casket is half open, the person is embalmed and powdered to look natural. Death in Arabic is Mawt; Wafat. When he said: On your life before you die, he means that so long as man is alive he is capable of works, but when he is dead there is an end to his works. 1. A withdrawing from the abode of the illusory, a coming back to the abode of the eternal, and a making preparation for death before it comes upon one.. As soon as a Muslim person dies, it's customary to close the eyes, bind the jaw and cover the body with a clean sheet. Aboriginal mortuary rites in Australia. [33] Among the upper classes, this pattern is not followed in most cases. Then the angels carry it upwards and do not pass by any assembly of angels who do not ask whose filthy soul is this. In accordance with Muslim concepts of death and dying, loud screams and lamentations are performed only by women. Doesnt he look wonderful? These and other things were said in a joyful spirit. After meeting him, Allah will pour out upon him His grace and give bountifully of His gifts. [16]. The rituals differed but the king was taken through corridors, surrounded by high priests and a variety of elaborate things, and given the best burial a man could see. Stick dough on the door, Lebanon. At this point [the Prophet] recited (xxii, 31/32): He who associates anything with Allah will be as though he fell from the sky and the birds snatched him away and the winds blew him to some remote place., So his spirit is returned to his body, whereupon two angels come and sit by him. Then Ayishah said: Truly we all dislike death and consider it a great affliction. The Prophet replied: Thou dost not understand me. Evidence of funeral dances continued into the Thirtieth Dynasty more than 3,000 years later. Who is a dying man? [12] A white sheet of cloth to cover the lower parts of the body. You cannot say, Thank you, I dont drink coffee. You have to drink it. Jean Bouchebel. The two great toes are brought in contact and fastened with a thin strip of cloth to keep the legs together. To be honest, I expected to see the family of the deceased crying and screaming as in the Middle Eastern culture. Four or five days before a sick mans dissolution, he makes his will in favor of his son or any other person in the presence of two or more witnesses and either delivers this will to others or retains it. They spend Christmas and Easter in the tomb sitting in the home. Funerals tend to be elaborate. This is said to predict the success of the marriage. Each Egyptian burial was made out to be an exact duplicate of the god-burial. Why do we cry and scream for at least a year? Muslims believe Allah controls life and death, and death is the end of physical life, but the soul lives on. Typically, people say prayers and scriptures during a wake, and often, they share special memories . To us the whole idea is entirely different. Female relatives of the deceased return home where other women come to deliver their condolences. Christians. For Muslims, burial is very simple, the same from Nasser to Sadat to the man in the street. After sunset, all the clan stand outside the tent on chairs, there receiving the condolences of others. So a volunteer or the undertaker washes the body before dressing him in a beautiful way. When a true believer draws near his end angels come to him with a silk cloth in which are musk and bundles of sweet basil. Thy face is hideous and brings wickedness., Then the dead person says, O Lord, delay the resurrection on my account!. They ask him, Who is your Lord? and he replies, Alas, I know not., They ask him, And what is your religion? to which he again replies, Alas! While most people want the body to be embalmed in the US and Canada if there will . Having placed the shrouds on a new mat and fumigated them with the smoke of perfumes, the lifafah is spread first on the mat, over it the lungi or izar, and above that the qamis and on that the sinah-band, if it is a woman. This is related to the concept of rahmah, mercy, or charity. A green palm leaf is a symbol of mercy. What about Pre-Islamic Egyptian beliefs and practices concerning death? 8 Doll-Bride Marriage In Japan. Islamic tradition supports the idea that When Allah loves a man He keeps him busy with himself. That His loving them precedes their loving Him is indicated in the Quran. 185 Heber J. So the Prophet said, Go and put in practice what that involves, then come and I will teach you of the wonders of learning.. It is said that when the spirit was commanded to enter the body of Adam, the soul looked into it once and observed that it was a bad and dark place and unworthy of its presence. Then they dig a simple hole large enough to accommodate the person. Burying the body without a casket within 24 hours after the death. Although religious activity and behaviors (e.g., prayer) are not consistently associated with less death anxiety or grief, the integrity of specific religious beliefs may play a greater role (Fortner, Neimeyer, & Rybarczyk, 2000). What does dying mean to Muslims? They do not require the patient to read it himself, since at that time he is in a state of distress and not in a fit state of mind to repeat the Kalimah. [33]. The first is the vigil service, or the Trisagion, which is usually performed at the church . Another thing that can vary across cultures is the beliefs about embalming. There is another interesting sign of death and dying in the Middle East. As part of this belief, Muslim funerals and burials are usually held as soon as possible after . [10] This has reference to washing the body of the deceased. As Lebanon is a relatively new country, there aren't many traditions that the Lebanese can truly call their own. A man ushered me into one of the rooms. Grief should be processed with . A camel symbolizes wealth among the villagers and when a camel dies naturally or disappears, its a great loss. Request Permissions, Published By: VWB - Verlag fr Wissenschaft und Bildung. In certain cultures the family takes care of the washing but in the Middle East, the family cannot even touch the body. [26] These are Munkar and Nakir, the blue-eyed questioners of the dead. They wash the corpse with warm or cold water, raising the body gently and rubbing the abdomen four or five times. Its a tradition and to do so is very insulting. His whole body was mummified and wrapped so that he looked exactly as if he were alive. In this case, the funeral rites are administered next day as early as possible. Katb Al-kitaab. The corpse is placed on a bed, a country cot, a plank, or on straw then stripped and laid on its back with its head to the east and feet to the west. For example, if we take Europe as a whole, its people meet death and behave differently from the people of the Middle East. Camphor is applied in seven places: on the forehead including the nose, on the palms of the hands, on the knees, and on the great toes. 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