We happened to encounter such a rite once, during a trip. And, frankly, the Muslim funeral shocked us. It was an unusual sight. Nothing to do with our Christian rules and customs. It became even a little creepy. Let's try to weave together what we saw and what our guide and local resident said. It was he who told us the details of how Muslims are buried.
To begin with, the graves must face Mecca. Everyone passing must read a prayer (sura). At each cemetery there are rooms for washing and washing the dead. The burial of a non-Muslim is prohibited on a Muslim churchyard and vice versa. If a woman dies who does not accept the faith, but who carries a child from a Muslim, she is buried with her back to Mecca, so that the child is facing Mecca. Tombstones in the form of mausoleums and crypts are not welcome, since excessive chic and wealth can cause envy and lead to temptation.
Sharia strictly forbids the loud mourning of the deceased, who will suffer in this case. The crying man reproaches, women and children gently calm down. The grief must be patiently transferred, then Allah will help and support.
Muslim funerals are held only once. Opening of graves and reburial is prohibited. However, there are still exceptional cases. For example, when a body is buried in a foreign land (or rather usurped), if the process was violated, if the cemetery is not Muslim, if there is a danger of abuse of the body, if parts of the body of the deceased are found after the funeral.
A bit more about how Muslims are buried. Delaying this process is not accepted. A burial is being made at the nearest Muslim cemetery. The deceased is laid with his head towards Kybla, lowering the body with his legs down. If this is a woman, then when lowering, the coverlet is stretched (men should not see the shroud). A handful of land thrown into the grave is accompanied by words meaning in the translation: "We all belong to God, we return to him." The grave should rise 4 fingers, pour water and 7 times sprinkle with a handful of earth. At this time, they say a prayer. Prayers and scriptures continue to be read by a person left at the grave even after everyone has dispersed.
How Muslims are buried, as well as the size of the grave , largely depend on the area. Lahad includes aivan 1.5 by 2.5 m (depth about one and a half meters) and a cell inside with a round entrance (diameter 80 cm) made in advance. Yarma (50 cm more body on both sides) should consist of an inner shelf and an aivan. A shelf (shikka) corresponds to the length of the body. Predators should not smell and dig up the body, so the cabra are strengthened. In the tomb, as is customary among the Orthodox, Muslims are not buried. If it is not possible to bury the body on land, a rite of bathing is performed on the deceased, it is enveloped, prayers are tied, a stone is tied to his feet and immersed in water, choosing a deep place.
If the Orthodox send a shaved and well-groomed person on their last journey, then the Muslims don’t cut their beard, hair, or nails. This can only be done in life.
Before embarking on a man’s wrapping, they spread on the bed the so-called lythof, sprinkling it with pleasantly smelling herbs. Then the isor rolls, onto which the deceased is laid, already dressed in kamis. Hands do not cross on the chest, but are laid along the body. The deceased is rubbed with incense. At this time, there is a reading of prayers and farewell. Then the body is wrapped in isomorphic (first the left side, and then the right one) and lyophophia (wrapped, like isomorphic). Knots are tied at the legs, waist and head. Untie them while lowering the body into the grave.
So it is with women. Only before putting on kamis, the chest of the deceased is covered with a hirka from the abdomen to the armpits. Hair falls on the kamis, the face is covered with a chimor placed under the head.
If death is not sudden, then a clearly established rite is performed on the dying man in the presence of a clergyman, with the recitation of certain prayers. Muslims are very serious about burial, therefore, the most accurate observance of all the subtleties is mandatory. This is a sacred duty. A dying man, regardless of age or gender, is laid on his side, facing his face to Mecca. The Kalimat Shahadat prayer is being read, then he is given a sip of liquid, a few drops of sacred water or pomegranate juice. Crying and talking loudly at this time is prohibited. After death, the chin is tied up, the eyes are closed, the legs and arms are straightened, the face is covered, and a stone (or something heavy) is placed on the stomach to prevent bloating. In some cases, a “mahram-suvi” is performed - washing the contaminated parts of the body.
Be sure to read the funeral prayer called “Janaza” before burial. The imam reads it, standing closest to the deceased. He who says a prayer asks for favor to the departed, for forgiveness, salutation and mercy. They do not bow at prayer. Then the people are asked whether the deceased owes something, or whether someone owes it to him. A funeral without reading this prayer is not valid.
Then the burial itself follows.
It is difficult to describe feelings and emotions when we saw how Muslims are buried. Something bewitching, solemnly mystical was in this rite. And still inspiring respect for a foreign religion. It is unusually solemn and beautiful, despite the understanding that for the relatives of the departed it is a great grief.