What Exactly Happens Immediately after One Dies?


Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick 

Question

I have recently suffered a few deaths in the family and came to the realization that I do not have a good understanding of death in Islam.

What exactly happens immediately after one dies?

Can you explain the barzakh?

What is the best prayer to recite for our deceased family?

What are the etiquettes of the graveyard one must have?

Also, if there are any good resources to better understand this topic?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah guide us to that which pleases Him, forgive us for our shortcomings, and alleviate our difficulties, Amin.

We are deeply sorry that you have been trialed with the loss of your loved ones, and we pray to Allah to forgive them, grant them Paradise, and place contentment and patience in the hearts of the bereaved, Amin.

Thank you for this important series of questions.

We believe that you would benefit tremendously from our related course on the topic of, Dealing With Death: Etiquettes of the Dying Person and The People Around Them, and that it would assist you in finding the answers you seek.

I pray this is of benefit.
[Shayh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan. 

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and pursuing his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.