Schedule for the Halqahs [learning sessions] of the weekly Ijtima’ (overseas), 24 June 2021

1.   Short Bayan on different topics: 5 minutes

2.   Memorising Du’a: 5 minutes

3.   Fikr-e-Madinah: 5 minutes

4.   Total duration: 15 minutes

Remaining etiquettes of a funeral

*   Whilst walking with the deceased, remember your own end, that: Just as you are carrying him today, you will also be carried one day, just as he will be buried under the earth, your burial will also take place in the same way. Pondering and reflecting like this is a form of worship and a rewardable act.

*   Shouldering the funeral bier is an act of reward, and it is stated in a Hadith, ‘Whosoever walks 40 steps with the deceased, 40 of his major sins will be forgiven.’ In another Hadith, it is stated, ‘Whosoever shoulders all four corners of the funeral bier, he will be completely forgiven.’ (Jauharah, p. 139; Durr-e-Mukhtar, vol. 3, pp. 158-159; Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 1, p. 823)

*   The Sunnah is for each person to shoulder each corner and walk 10 steps each time. The complete Sunnah is to first shoulder the right corner by the head, then the right corner by the feet, then the left corner by the head and then the left corner by the feet, and walk 10 steps at each side, which will come to a total of 40 steps. (‘Alamgeeri, vol. 1, p. 162; Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 1, p. 822)

*   Pushing people in a forceful manner whilst shouldering the deceased, as is done in the funerals of well-known people, is impermissible, Haraam and an act that leads to Hell.

*   A man can shoulder the funeral bier of his wife, he can lower her into the grave and he can also look at her face. It is only forbidden