What happens when a Muslim dies; How Muslim burial rites equalise everyone at death

Описание: What happens when a Muslim dies.
In Islam, the dead should be buried as soon as possible.

The body is first cleaned using lukewarm water and then wrapped in several layers of plain cotton sheets.
Soon after, there is a congregational prayer service called the Janazah, during which mourners pray for the deceased’s soul and ask God to pardon his/her sins.
According to Muslim burial rites, a body is rarely transported instead, one is buried where they have passed away and as quickly as possible.

Burial dictated by prayer times
Muslims burials are mainly dictated by prayers times. Muslims pray five times a day.
Fajr at 5am, Dhuhur at 1pm, Asr 4pm, Maghrib 6.30pm and Isha 8pm.

Muslims rarely bury their dead in the evening or at night, unless a person died in an accident in which case the departed is buried as quickly as possible.

No coffins
The remains are wrapped in a simple plain cloth (the Kafan) which costs less than Sh500. After that, instead of a coffin, the deceased is transported to the mosque in a Janaza that is returned after use and reused by another family.
The Janaza is taken to the mosque and placed at the back awaiting the normal prayers.
After the normal prayers are over, worshipers are informed about the presence of the body of a departed brother or sister and requested to remain behind.

Before the body leaves for its final resting place, the family led by the eldest son and the Imam ask if there is anyone who owed the departed anything.
If the deceased owed anyone anything, the son or immediate family male members are expected to take responsibility for the debt.

No women allowed at the gravesite
According to Islam burial customs, women are not allowed at the gravesite. If they attend, they can only watch from a distance.
After arriving at the cemetery, the body is removed from the Janaza and placed inside a grave that has a mould of mud which acts as a pillow where the head of the deceased is placed. Additionally, the body faces the right side towards Mecca.

Wooden planks are used to enclose where the body is placed and if there is no wood, concrete slabs can be used.
Once done, family members step out of the grave and soil is poured in.
This is followed by a quick sermon that can take five to 10 minutes and the ceremony ends.

No speeches
There are no speeches or protocols at the mosque or the burial site regardless of the status of the deceased.