The Sanctity of the Human Body After Death
The human body is an Amanah, a trust gifted to us from Allah Almighty, and how we treat the body after a person’s demise is very important.
The Creator provides mankind with its physical form, and the Creator has also stipulated the process in which we return this body. This process requires the rites of washing, preparing the body for funeral, reciting the funeral prayer and burying the body in the Earth according to Allah Almighty’s commands.
If creation decides to deviate from this process, then mankind loses respect for the sanctity of the human body and does a disservice to the vital and sacred relationship between man and Allah Almighty.
The Sunnah of Burial and the Wisdom Behind It
It is the Sunnah, a blessed practice, of all the Prophets and especially the holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), to bury people once they have passed away (in a swift manner). There is also great wisdom in allowing a focal point for human beings to visit where people have been buried, allowing people to pray for their loved ones and provide relief from any punishments afflicted to the deceased in their grave.
Why Islam Prohibits Cremation
It is not up to human beings to decide how we dispose of the human flesh after the passing away of somebody, and this includes incinerating the flesh. Burning the human body is disrespectful to Allah Almighty, who has gifted us the human body, as is any attempt to physically destroy any part of the human body (even after death).
Sensitivity of the Body and Soul After Death
It is extremely important to also remember that immediately after death and up until being laid to rest in the Earth, the human body’s senses are amplified due to the unique process of the soul being liberated from mortal life. The soul is an incredibly sophisticated creation of Allah Almighty and is very sensitive and aware.
It remains attached to the human body until the body is gently and carefully consecrated back to the Earth, and the human body therefore remains highly sensitive during this time. The process of burning would be an extremely painful and tortuous experience for the deceased, even more so than it would be for a living person because the body has increased sensitivity after death.
The Islamic Position on Cremation
Due to respect for the human body, consideration for the human spirit and love for the sacrosanct relationship between mankind and our Creator, Muslims do not cremate the deceased.