toward the qiblah. Once he has died, his eyes are closed, his joints gently flexed, and the funeral preparations carried out without delay—unless postponement will clearly serve an interest.

Ibn al-Qayyim said: “The Prophet’s ﷺ guidance concerning funerals was the most perfect guidance. It encompassed worshipping Allah in the most complete manner while showing kindness to the deceased and treating him in ways that will benefit him in his grave and on the Day he returns—from visiting and prompting him to recite the testimony of faith, to washing him and preparing him to meet Allah in the finest and noblest state. They would stand in rows behind his bier, praise him, invoke blessings upon their Prophet ﷺ, and beseech forgiveness and mercy for the departed. Then they would stand at his grave asking that he be granted steadfastness, followed by visiting his grave and praying for him, just as a living person regularly looks after his companion in this world by caring for his family and so forth.”

Resolution of the Fiqh Academy on the Ruling of Medical Treatment

Bismillāh ar-Raḥmān ar-Raḥīm (In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful)

All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets, and upon his family and Companions.

Resolution no. (67) concerning medical treatment:

The Council of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, convened at its seventh session in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 7 to 12 Dhu’l-Qaʿdah 1412 AH (corresponding to 9–14 May 1992 CE),

after examining the papers submitted to the Academy on the topic “Medical Treatment” and listening to the discussions held in that regard,

has resolved as follows:

First: Seeking treatment

The basic ruling on seeking medical treatment is that it is legally prescribed, as affirmed by the Qur’an, by the Prophet’s statements and practice, and because it serves to preserve life, which is one of the primary objectives