The first Muslim cemetery in Moscow appeared in the 18th century. The emergence of such burial sites is associated with a large number of faithful living in the city. Gradually, the number of cemeteries increased, they were ennobled, becoming more and more. Some of them are functioning to this day.
The differences between a Muslim cemetery and any other are minimal, because all of them are intended for the burial of the dead in a territory specially fenced for this purpose. It does not matter to which nation or race the deceased belonged, the main thing is that he profess Islam. A Muslim cemetery is always located outside the city and is surrounded by a fence so that stray animals cannot penetrate it.
Features
For many first-time burial sites, it seems strange that all the tombstones are turned in one direction. In fact, the explanation for this is quite simple. In that direction is the holy city of Mecca for every Orthodox.
Islam forbids applying images to monuments. This requirement applies to any Muslim cemetery. There are no photos on tombstones. But you can see on them a lot of epitaphs, which are statements taken from the Koran. The tombstone is allowed to apply general information about the person and the date when he passed away.
The Muslim cemetery of Moscow or any other city does not have crypts, tombs and mausoleums. The graves of the faithful are drawn up exactly as Islam dictates. No deviations from the established standards are allowed. At the funeral of a Muslim, all rituals are also strictly observed.
Rite over the deceased
After the death of the faithful, a rite of washing and washing is performed over his body. Having delivered the body to a mosque or to the Muslim cemetery, where there is a special bed, it should be laid on it facing Kible. The room in which the deceased is located is fumigated with incense.
Having done this, they proceed to washing. It is made in strict accordance with Sharia law, and at least four people participate in it. At the same time, a dead woman does not have the right to wash men, and vice versa. An exception is made only for the wife of the deceased.
Shroud
According to the laws of the Sharia, the faithful cannot be buried in clothing. It should be wrapped in a shroud, which is usually made by the deceased's relatives. If they are not there, then neighbors make it.
Here, too, have their own characteristics. If the deceased was rich, then his body is covered with three pieces of fabric, the matter of which corresponds to the abundance of man. This is a kind of recognition and respect.
It is desirable that the fabric is new. Although it is not forbidden to use used. But if a man died, then his body should not be covered with silk.
The funeral
The Muslim cemetery where the deceased is buried is usually located nearby. Pull with a burial should not be. Muslims are not accepted to bury in a coffin. Putting the body in the ground follows so that the head is turned towards Kyble. This requirement must be exactly fulfilled by all the faithful.
After the deceased is buried, the grave is watered, seven handfuls of earth are thrown onto it and the prayer necessary in this case is said.
Requirements
Islam, like any other religion, has its own characteristics and traditions. This also applies to the cemetery. They are strictly observed. After all, Muslims believe that this is very important for the afterlife of a person and finding him in Paradise.
The requirements for cemeteries are as follows:
- for the burial of family members, the allocation of a certain area is allowed, if this does not interfere with others;
- it is forbidden to bury people professing another religion in the cemetery;
- there must be passages between the graves, since it is strictly forbidden to step over or even worse, step on the burial place;
- the tombstone should be modest.
Many true believers not only carefully look after the graves of their relatives, but also clean the burial places and unfamiliar dead, whose relatives for one reason or another cannot provide them with proper searches.
At the funeral, it should be borne in mind that, according to the laws of Islam, the body of the deceased cannot be cremated. After all, Muslims believe that then a person will go to Hell and will forever burn there in fire.
Entrance to any Muslim cemetery is allowed for people of any faith. After all, everyone, regardless of their religious views, has the right to pay a debt of respect to a deceased friend or relative.
In the vicinity of Moscow there are several existing Muslim cemeteries. Each of them has its own history and many faithful are buried on them.
Kuzminskoe cemetery
In the southeastern district of the city there is the Kuzminskoye cemetery, which was created in 1959. It covers an area of 60 hectares and is divided into Muslim and Central plots.
Despite the fact that the cemetery appeared relatively recently, the place where it is located is mentioned in historical documents of the 18th century. It owes its name to the village of Kuzminki, which was donated by Peter the Great, to his friend and ally Grigory Stroganov.
After the death of the new owner, his widow ordered the laying of a wooden church, on the site of which a stone temple was built at the end of the 18th century. It functions even now, standing out for its decorations - Tuscan porticoes and a round light drum.
The Muslim cemetery in Kuzminki is located on the street of academician Scriabin. You can get to it by bus or subway.
Danilovskoe cemetery
One of the oldest in Moscow is the Danilov Muslim Cemetery. It was formed at the end of the 18th century due to the plague that raged in the city and occupied an area of 6.8 hectares. During its existence, many faithful were buried on it. And today, walking along the cemetery, you can meet tombstones dating back to the late 19th - early 20th centuries, and sometimes to the 18th century.
It is valid now, although for some time it was considered closed, but after receiving new territories, it was decided to resume burials on it. The funeral in this cemetery is held according to all Muslim traditions.
The following types of burial urns are held on it:
- into the ground;
- open columbarium;
- kindred grave;
- sarcophagus.
Despite the fact that many other Muslim cemeteries appeared in Moscow, Danilovskoye is still the main one. Basically, representatives of peoples living in the former USSR and professing Islam are buried on it. In particular, Tatars, Vainakhs, Azerbaijanis, Kazakhs, Uzbeks and many others.
In Moscow there are many operating Muslim cemeteries, and if you want to bury an Orthodox person in one of them, this is not a big deal. The main thing is that all the necessary rites and traditions are observed. After all, as Muslims believe, this also determines what the afterlife of the deceased will be.