پاکستان کے صوبہ پنجاب میں فوتگی سے متعلق رسومات علوم اسلامیہ کی روشنی میں حقیقی و تجزیاتی مطالعہ

Funeral and Post-Death Rituals in Punjab (Pakistan): A Critical Study in the Light of Islamic Sciences

Abstract

This study examines the funeral practices and post-burial rituals prevalent in the Punjab province of Pakistan in the light of Islamic teachings. In Islamic law, death rituals are meant to be simple and dignified, consisting primarily of washing the deceased, shrouding (kafan), offering the funeral prayer (Salat al-Janazah), and burial without unnecessary delay. However, in Punjab, a number of cultural customs have gradually become associated with funerals and mourning ceremonies. These include practices such as lamentation (noha), recitation of specific phrases while carrying the funeral, collective Qur’anic recitations, Fatiha gatherings, and commemorative events like the third day (Teeja), tenth day, fortieth day (Chehlum), and annual death anniversaries. Although many of these practices are performed with the intention of praying for the deceased or sending rewards (Isal-e-Thawab), their religious legitimacy is debated because many of them lack clear foundations in the Qur’an, the Sunnah, or the practices of the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ. Using a qualitative research methodology, this study analyzes relevant Qur’anic verses, authentic hadith literature, classical juristic discussions on the concept of bid‘ah (religious innovation), and the socio-cultural context of Punjab. The research also highlights the historical and cultural influences that contributed to the development of these rituals, including local customs and inter-cultural interactions in the subcontinent. The findings suggest that while Islam encourages supplication, charity, and remembrance of the deceased, the specification of particular days and ceremonial forms often stems from cultural traditions rather than explicit religious injunctions. The study therefore emphasizes the need for greater awareness of authentic Islamic teachings and encourages the adoption of simple, Sharia-compliant funeral practices that avoid unnecessary social and financial burdens on bereaved families.