Federal Liberal Candidate Max Khan Funeral Arrangements

The family of Max Khan has provided the following information about his funeral, which will be held on Monday, March 30, 2015. 

The funeral will be held at ISNA Canada which is located at 2200 South Sheridan Way in Mississauga. The service will start at 1:30 PM at the Masjid (Mosque). Flowers are not traditionally expected, and in this case the Khan Family has asked that donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Muslim Funereal Tradition

Muslims are buried (never cremated) as quickly as possible, since there is no embalming. Their bodies are bathed, and then fully wrapped in a white shroud. The body is placed before the Imam, who stands alone facing the direction of Mecca.

The spoken part of the prayer involves reciting the Al-Fatiha quietly, then a prayer asks God to bestow peace, mercy and blessings upon Muhammad. The final prayer is recited called du'as.

As outlined in Wikipedia: Muhammad and his companions explained how the salat (prayer) should be done, as follows: ^[1]

1. Having the appropriate neeyat (intention) in your heart, You say the first Takbir while raising your hands, then you fold and hold your hands on your stomach in the usual manner, the right hand on the left seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Shayṭan, then you utter Bismillah and recite سُبحَانَکَ اللّٰھُمَّ وَ بِحَمدِکَ وَ تَبَارَکَ اسمُکَ وَ تَعَالٰی جَدُّکَ وَ جَلََّ ثَنَائُكَ وَ لَا ِالٰہَ غَیرُک َّّ Subhaanak-Allaahumma, wa bihamdika, wa tabaarakasmuka, wa ta'aalaa jadduka, wa jalla thana uka wa laa ilaaha ghayruka..

2. Then you say Takbir and Durood-e-Ibrahimi.

3. Then you say a third Takbir and make du'a for the deceased.

It is narrated that Muhammad said:

"O God, forgive our living and our dead, those who are present among us and those who are absent, our young and our old, our males and our females. O God, whoever You keep alive, keep him alive in Islam, and whoever You cause to die, cause him to die with faith. O God, do not deprive us of the reward and do not cause us to go astray after this. O God, forgive him and have mercy on him, keep him safe and sound and forgive him, honour his rest and ease his entrance; wash him with water and snow and hail, and cleanse him of sin as a white garment is cleansed of dirt. O God, give him a home better than his home and a family better than his family. O God, admit him to Paradise and protect him from the torment of the grave and the torment of Hell-fire; make his grave spacious and fill it with light."

It is acceptable for other words to be used for du'a; for example, one could say:

"O God, if he was a doer of good, then increase his good deeds, and if he was a wrongdoer, then overlook his bad deeds. O God, forgive him and give him the steadiness to say the right thing."

4. Then a fourth takbir is recited, followed by a short pause, then a final taslim to the right, saying "Assalaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatu-Allah" ("Peace and blessings of God be unto you").

The body is then transported to the grave where it is laid to rest. Three balls of soil are placed under the head, chin, and shoulder. The head is placed so that it faces Mecca (East). The grave is filled in as the eldest male oversees the burial.

The family then returns home where a 3 day mourning period is observed. It is at this time when people are able to offer their condolences, which are intended to be brief. It is also common to bring food, since the family is not expected to work during mourning.

Entering a Mosque

A mosque is the Muslim equivalent to a church. Men and women do not usually enter through the same door and footwear is left by the front door. Men and women maintain separation during worship though they are listening and praying at the same times.

Peace be upon him