Funeral Rites
9 Grade 10 Religious Education (IRE) questions on Funeral Rites, with worked marking schemes. 9 questions are available on this topic in full.
Question 1
1 markWashing, shrouding, praying over and burying a deceased Muslim are described as fardh kifayah. What does this mean?
A. Every adult Muslim must perform the duty personally
B. The act is recommended but no one sins if it is left
C. Only the close family of the deceased are responsible
D. Once some perform it, the rest are freed of the duty
(1 mark)
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6 marksThe family of a Muslim elder who has died in Mombasa plan to keep his body in a mortuary for ten days so that relatives living abroad can attend, and then to host a costly feast at their home on the day of burial. Using Islamic teachings on funeral rites as a sign of respect for the deceased, explain three pieces of advice you would give the family. (6 marks)
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
Any three of the following, well explained, 2 marks each (1 mark for the advice, 1 mark for the Islamic teaching or reason) (6 marks): - Bury him quickly: the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said 'Hasten with the funeral' (Bukhari and Muslim, narrated by Abu Huraira); a long delay is not a sign of respect. - Delay only for a genuine need, e.g. a post-mortem required by law or a short wait for close relatives nearby. - Relatives abroad can pray for him from where they are, e.g. salatul gha'ib, which the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) performed for the Negus (an-Najashi) (Bukhari and Muslim); accept that the Hanafi and Maliki schools do not allow it. - Avoid extravagance in the kafan, grave and gatherings; simplicity is the sunnah and money is better used for charity on his behalf. - Relatives and neighbours should cook for the bereaved family, not the other way round: 'Prepare food for the family of Ja'far, for something has come to them that keeps them busy' (Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi). - Show patience and say 'Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un' (Qur'an 2:156) rather than wailing. - Pay his debts and carry out his lawful will (wasiyya) promptly. - Make du'a and give sadaqa for him, which benefit the deceased.
Question 3
6 marksDescribe how ghusl is performed on the body of a deceased Muslim. (6 marks)
(6 marks)
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5 marksOutline the steps followed when performing swalatul janaza according to the Shafi'i school, which most Muslims in Kenya follow. (5 marks)
(5 marks)
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4 marksExplain two reasons why it is important for a Muslim community to fulfil the funeral rites (ghusul, kafan, swalah and dafan) of a deceased Muslim. (4 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
Any two of the following, well explained, 2 marks each (1 mark for the point, 1 mark for the explanation) (4 marks): - It frees the whole community from sin, since the rites are fardh kifayah and all who know of a death are accountable if they are neglected. - It honours the dignity of the deceased, whom Allah (S.W.T.) has honoured as a child of Adam (Qur'an 17:70). - Participants earn great reward: one who attends until the prayer earns one qirat and one who stays until burial earns two qirats, each like a huge mountain (Bukhari and Muslim, narrated by Abu Huraira). - It supports and consoles the bereaved family, reducing their emotional and financial burden. - It fulfils one of the rights of a Muslim over another, following his funeral (Bukhari and Muslim, narrated by Abu Huraira), strengthening brotherhood and unity. - It reminds the living of death and the Hereafter, encouraging them to prepare through good deeds. - The du'a of the congregation benefits the deceased; the intercession of a large group of believers praying over him is accepted (Muslim). - Prompt washing and burial protects public health and hygiene. - It ensures the skills are passed on to the young, so the rites continue to be performed correctly.
Question 6
4 marksOutline four sunnah practices observed when shrouding (kafan) the body of a deceased Muslim. (4 marks)
(4 marks)
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4 marksOutline four sunnah practices observed during the burial (dafan) of a deceased Muslim. (4 marks)
(4 marks)
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1 markAccording to mainstream Sunni teaching, which of the following deceased Muslims is buried without ghusl?
A. A man who drowned in Lake Victoria
B. A woman who died in childbirth
C. An old woman who died in her sleep
D. A martyr slain on the battlefield
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 9
1 markHow many pieces of cloth are recommended (sunnah) for the kafan of a deceased Muslim man?
A. Two pieces of silk cloth
B. Five pieces of coloured cloth
C. One piece of new black cloth
D. Three pieces of white cloth
(1 mark)
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