End of Life Care Muslim

Religion: Muslim

Followers of Islam are called Muslims, and they aim to live a life of complete submission to God (Allah) and believe life is sacred.

Muslim patients may ask for forgiveness and read or listen to the Qur’an.
Family may give more to charity in hope that healing and recovery may occur.
While approaching end of life, their family will typically recite the Shahadah, Islam’s testament of faith. If possible, in the moments before death, the patient will also declare their faith in Allah. The patient’s head should be elevated with a pillow and the feet should be pointing towards Mecca. Families may ask that non-Muslims leave the room, so they are not present at the moment of death.

Muslims will follow strict rules regarding diet and prayer which will be respected in the end-of-life care.
Part of the daily prayer process for Muslims includes a ceremonial washing called wudu. If a Muslim patient is too ill to perform wudu, they may touch a dry ablution kit of sand or stone.
Patients may also request to lie in a bed facing Mecca, the site of the Holy Sanctuary built by Abraham, which is modern-day Saudi Arabia.
Whenever possible, men should be treated by male healthcare workers and women should be treated by women. However, as life is valued above all else, a member of the opposite sex may provide medical treatment if necessary.
During the Holy Month of Ramadan, healthy Muslims will fast from dawn to sunset. This is not required of the sick.

Washing
- Close family members of the same sex wash the body three times.
Shrouding
- The body is wrapped in a simple, white cloth called a kafan. The left hand is placed on the chest, and the right hand is placed on top. The cloth is then brought over the body, first the right side, then the left. Ropes are tied at the top of the head, below the feet, and around the middle of the body.
Burial
- The body is buried as soon as possible after death. The grave is usually positioned so that the body faces Makkah when turned on its right side.
Funeral prayer
- A funeral prayer, called Salaatul Janaazah, is held by the local Muslim community.
Mourning
- Mourning typically lasts for 40 days but can vary depending on the family. A Muslim widow is allowed 4 months and 10 days of mourning.
Memorial
- A memorial is held after a person dies, consisting of prayer and donations to charity.
Other Muslim post-death rituals include: The deceased should ideally die at home with family around them, Cremation is forbidden, Autopsies are usually forbidden, and Organ donation is generally accepted.

Medical Aid in Dying position – Islamic teachings oppose physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia. Muslims believe that life is sacred and comes from God; therefore, it is a sin to take life.