Ghana was plunged into a state of deep despair following the helicopter crash that took the lives of eight (8) gallant state officials on the 6th day of August, 2025.
Amongst the deceased, two belonged to the Islamic faith; Honorable Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and Alhaji Muniru Limuna Mohammed. Both prominent men were known for their firm belief in the doctrines of Islam, and the were staunch in its practice.
Many Muslims in the country demanded a quick burial of their bodies as is customary in Islam. However, the charred remains of the honorable statesmen had to be flown out of the country with the other six exhumed bodies for forensic testing and analysis.
This was required for identification of the bodies, and for the bereaved families to ascertain that the bodies unquestionably belong to their loved ones.
Several questions were raised; Non-Muslims asked why there seemed to be a rush by the Muslim fraternity to bury the two deceased statesmen, while some Muslims expressed concern over the delayed burial.
To sate both queries, 3news inquired from an Islamic cleric, Naval Lieutenant Mohammed Misbah Saeed to gain insight into Islam’s stance on burials. He also threw more light on the instances in Islam when exceptions to quick burials are made.
According to the cleric, who is also the Assistant Director of Naval Religious Affairs at the Ghana Armed Forces, the Islamic burial process is simple. In his own words, he said “The Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W) says when a pious person dies, he tells you the Ummah (the living Muslims), ‘Hurry up and bury me’.”
This, he says is because the mercies of Allah (God) await him in the after-life. And that, Allah says that mankind is from the soil, and will revert to that same soil after death.
Lieutenant Misbah Saeed also cited an instance in Islam when burial was delayed and was therefore permissible. This instance was that of the Messenger and Prophet of the Islamic faith, Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W).
“This goes back to the Prophet himself. The Prophet died on Monday, but was buried on Wednesday”, he explained.
The companions of the Prophet Mohammed were in denial of his demise and kept the body in the mosque, waiting on him to wake from his ‘deep sleep’. However, after Abu Bakr, one of his closest companions and one of the first to embrace Islam confirmed his death, it was then agreed upon for the body to be buried.
The naval lieutenant then juxtaposed that instance to the delayed burial of the two statesmen who tragically passed in the helicopter crash, deeming it a ‘good enough’ reason and therefore permissible.
With the state funeral just around the corner, the nation still mourns and suffers the immeasurable pain the deaths of the eight statesmen who died in the line of duty caused, and prays for the God or Allah, to be pleased with their souls.
