KUALA LUMPUR: Islam does not forbid the practise of mourning after a person’s death as it is ‘harus’ (permissible) and does not contravene the religion.
Dean of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC), Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM), Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mahmood Zuhdi Abdul Majid, however, said the mourning should not be overdone with special rites that were prohibited by Islam.
“For instance, in Islam, the mourning period for a woman whose husband has died could be three days to show her sadness and loyalty to the husband, but it should not be overdone, such as by wailing,” he said when contacted by Bernama.
He was commenting on the confusion among Muslims here following the announcement that Aug 22 would be a national mourning day with the arrival of the remains of Malaysian victims on board the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in Ukraine.
He said the day of mourning was to show that the people were still saddened over the deaths of the MH17 victims.
Meanwhile, Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria said Friday was declared a day of mourning so that all Malaysians could show their sympathy for the families of the victims. — Bernama