Excerpt from "Ahkām wa Masāʾil fī Ḍawʾ al-Kitāb wa al-Sunnah" by Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbānī ◈
What is the Islamic ruling on observing one minute (or more) of silence upon someone's death? Is this a correct method of mourning?
The practice of standing in silence for one or more minutes upon hearing of someone's death is not established by any Sharʿī (Islamic) evidence.
If someone becomes overwhelmed with shock upon suddenly hearing the news of a loved one’s passing — and as a result, falls silent — then this is a natural emotional reaction, and is understandable. In such moments, a person may be left speechless, unable to respond.
However, the intentional observance of one or two minutes of silence, especially when requested or organized, is not a prescribed way of mourning in Islam. It does not constitute a valid form of expressing grief or condolence.
✔ A moment of silence is not an Islamic practice of mourning.
✔ Remaining silent due to sudden shock is natural and not objectionable.
✘ Deliberately observing silence for a fixed time as a sign of mourning is without basis in Islam and should be avoided.
❖ Question:
What is the Islamic ruling on observing one minute (or more) of silence upon someone's death? Is this a correct method of mourning?
❖ Answer:
The practice of standing in silence for one or more minutes upon hearing of someone's death is not established by any Sharʿī (Islamic) evidence.
If someone becomes overwhelmed with shock upon suddenly hearing the news of a loved one’s passing — and as a result, falls silent — then this is a natural emotional reaction, and is understandable. In such moments, a person may be left speechless, unable to respond.
However, the intentional observance of one or two minutes of silence, especially when requested or organized, is not a prescribed way of mourning in Islam. It does not constitute a valid form of expressing grief or condolence.
❖ Conclusion:
✔ A moment of silence is not an Islamic practice of mourning.
✔ Remaining silent due to sudden shock is natural and not objectionable.
✘ Deliberately observing silence for a fixed time as a sign of mourning is without basis in Islam and should be avoided.
