Filling in the Margins during Dying and Death through Communal Support: Applying the Islamic Duty of Fard Al-Kifayah (Communal Responsibility)
Asam Babar, Hines, IL, Darul Qasim College, Glendale Heights, IL; Omar Hussain, Advocate Condell Medical Center, Libertyville, IL, Darul Qasim College, Glendale Heights, IL ; Yasir Akhtar, Tennessee Heart Clinic, Knoxville, TN, Darul Qasim College, Glendale Heights, IL; Waqas Haque, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, Darul Qasim College, Glendale Heights, IL ; Noman Zaheer, Tameh Rohani, Waqas Mughal, and Mohammed Amin Kholwadia, Darul Qasim College, Glendale Heights, IL
Death and dying is becoming an increasingly isolating process across multiple nations and societies. Local data from across the U.S. suggest that an estimated 2% to 4% of people who die every year in the United States now go unclaimed, totaling up to 148,000 people annually. In the UK, the number of people dying alone who aren't discovered for a week or more increased from 0.1-0.2 per 100,000 in the late 1970s to 4 per 100,000 in 2022. Such cases abound in Japan, where an epidemic of so-called “lonely deaths” has been steadily growing. It is predicted that “lonely deaths” will comprise 4 percent of Japan’s 1.59 million total annual deaths in 2024. Even though it is acceptable to consider death and dying as inhabiting the margins of existence in this world, it is unacceptable to place these individuals at the margins of society.
The Islamic Concept of Fard Al-Kifayah
In stark contrast to this growing trend of isolation in death, the Islamic concept of fard al-kifayah (communal duty) offers a powerful counter-narrative. Fard al-kifaya is a legal duty that must be discharged by the Muslim community as a whole. If enough members in the Muslim community discharge the obligation, the remaining Muslims are freed from the responsibility before God. It emphasizes the collective responsibility of the Muslim community to ensure that every individual, regardless of their social standing or family ties, receives proper care and attention during their final moments and after their passing. This communal obligation encompasses a wide range of supportive actions. The community steps include providing immediate practical assistance to the bereaved family, delivering meals, financial aid, and logistical support with funeral arrangements, legal documentation, and other essential tasks; thus alleviating their burdens during a period of grief and transition. Beyond the practical, the community creates an environment of emotional support, offering companionship and actively listening to those experiencing grief and loss. Spiritual comfort is provided through the recitation of the Quran, congregational prayers for the deceased, and fostering an environment of remembrance and spiritual reflection. The community actively participates in ritual washing and clothing of the deceased, funeral prayers (janaza) and burial (dafan), ensuring dignified and prompt burial according to Islamic guidelines. Members contribute their time and resources to provide necessary services, such as transportation, grave preparation, and assistance with post-burial gatherings. Moreover, the community promotes the understanding of Islamic end-of-life rituals, inheritance laws, and estate planning through educational initiatives and community lectures. Mosques and Islamic centers serve as hubs for knowledge dissemination, offering guidance and resources to individuals and families navigating end-of-life care and bereavement.
We identified fulfilling the fard al-kifayah as the key imperative to address the current marginalization of the dying by simultaneously exploring different levels of society (individual to international) and the levels of religious imperatives (necessity to refinement).. This method brings forward the role of religious institutions and governments at the local, national and international level in providing resources and guidance to those in need. By fostering a sense of shared responsibility, the Islamic tradition ensures that no one faces death or grief alone.
Conclusion
The principle of fard kifayah offers a compelling basis for community-centered end-of-life care. It demonstrates how collective action can fill the margins, providing holistic support to those facing death and bereavement. In an era marked by increasing social isolation, the Islamic tradition's emphasis on communal responsibility in end-of-life care provides a powerful antidote. By fostering a sense of shared obligation and collective support, it ensures that individuals receive compassionate care and that the bereaved find solace within their community. Applying fard al-kifayah offers valuable insights for healthcare professionals, religious leaders, and policymakers seeking to enhance end-of-life care and create more supportive communities for those facing death and loss.
The Islamic Concept of Fard Al-Kifayah
In stark contrast to this growing trend of isolation in death, the Islamic concept of fard al-kifayah (communal duty) offers a powerful counter-narrative. Fard al-kifaya is a legal duty that must be discharged by the Muslim community as a whole. If enough members in the Muslim community discharge the obligation, the remaining Muslims are freed from the responsibility before God. It emphasizes the collective responsibility of the Muslim community to ensure that every individual, regardless of their social standing or family ties, receives proper care and attention during their final moments and after their passing. This communal obligation encompasses a wide range of supportive actions. The community steps include providing immediate practical assistance to the bereaved family, delivering meals, financial aid, and logistical support with funeral arrangements, legal documentation, and other essential tasks; thus alleviating their burdens during a period of grief and transition. Beyond the practical, the community creates an environment of emotional support, offering companionship and actively listening to those experiencing grief and loss. Spiritual comfort is provided through the recitation of the Quran, congregational prayers for the deceased, and fostering an environment of remembrance and spiritual reflection. The community actively participates in ritual washing and clothing of the deceased, funeral prayers (janaza) and burial (dafan), ensuring dignified and prompt burial according to Islamic guidelines. Members contribute their time and resources to provide necessary services, such as transportation, grave preparation, and assistance with post-burial gatherings. Moreover, the community promotes the understanding of Islamic end-of-life rituals, inheritance laws, and estate planning through educational initiatives and community lectures. Mosques and Islamic centers serve as hubs for knowledge dissemination, offering guidance and resources to individuals and families navigating end-of-life care and bereavement.
We identified fulfilling the fard al-kifayah as the key imperative to address the current marginalization of the dying by simultaneously exploring different levels of society (individual to international) and the levels of religious imperatives (necessity to refinement).. This method brings forward the role of religious institutions and governments at the local, national and international level in providing resources and guidance to those in need. By fostering a sense of shared responsibility, the Islamic tradition ensures that no one faces death or grief alone.
Conclusion
The principle of fard kifayah offers a compelling basis for community-centered end-of-life care. It demonstrates how collective action can fill the margins, providing holistic support to those facing death and bereavement. In an era marked by increasing social isolation, the Islamic tradition's emphasis on communal responsibility in end-of-life care provides a powerful antidote. By fostering a sense of shared obligation and collective support, it ensures that individuals receive compassionate care and that the bereaved find solace within their community. Applying fard al-kifayah offers valuable insights for healthcare professionals, religious leaders, and policymakers seeking to enhance end-of-life care and create more supportive communities for those facing death and loss.