Marriage, Divorce and Funeral Services:

Marriage Services:

وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

"And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect." Qur'an 30:21

Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno supports the institution of marriage, provides marriage service and marital counseling. To get married, you need the following documents:

1. A valid marriage license from the county, or an official marriage certificate.

2. A valid identification such as driver license, passport, I.D., etc...

Marriage Fees: The Islamic Center charges $300 marriage fees and can be paid cash, credit card online or check (payable to the Islamic Center).

Dowry: The groom is expected to present or name the marriage gift to the bride, which must be agreed upon before the religious contract is signed.

Services can be performed in Arabic, English and/or Farsi. To make an appointment contact ICCF Director, Kamal Abu-Shamsieh at director@icfresno.org

For more information about Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno, call (559) 297-9535.

Divorce

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِذَا طَلَّقْتُمُ النِّسَاء فَطَلِّقُوهُنَّ لِعِدَّتِهِنَّ وَأَحْصُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ رَبَّكُمْ لَا تُخْرِجُوهُنَّ مِن بُيُوتِهِنَّ وَلَا يَخْرُجْنَ إِلَّا أَن يَأْتِينَ بِفَاحِشَةٍ مُّبَيِّنَةٍ وَتِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّهِ وَمَن يَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَ اللَّهِ فَقَدْ ظَلَمَ نَفْسَهُ لَا تَدْرِي لَعَلَّ اللَّهَ يُحْدِثُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ أَمْرًا
 "O PROPHET! When you intend to divorce women, divorce them with a view to the waiting period appointed for them, and reckon the period [carefully], and be conscious of God, your Sustainer. Do not expel them from their homes; and neither shall they [be made to] leave unless they become openly guilty of immoral conduct. These, then, are the bounds set by God - and he who transgresses the bounds set by God does indeed sin against himself: [for, O man, although] thou knowest it not, after that [first breach] God may well cause something new to come about." Quran 65:1

In Islam, divorce is permissible when serious differences arise which cannot be resolved through reconciliation. However, it has to be the last resort, for the Prophet (pbuh) has described divorce as the most detestable of all lawful things in the sight of God.

Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno certifies the civil divorce and provides Islamic divorce. In order to get divorced, one would need the following documents:

1. A court decision that confirms the marriage has been terminated.

2. A valid identification such as driver license, passport, I.D., etc...

3. Two witnesses who are Muslims

Divorce Fees: The Islamic Center charges $500 divorce fees and can be paid cash, credit card online or check (payable to the Islamic Center).

To make an appointment contact ICCF Director, Kamal Abu-Shamsieh at director@icfresno.org

For more information about Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno, call (559) 297-9535.

Funerals and Burial Services:

Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno is committed to assisting Muslim families at times of death, dying and burial by offering spiritual support and conducting the burial process. Our quality service and guidance make it possible for families to fulfill the religious duties of performing proper Islamic burial.

Our dedicated staff and volunteers perform all aspects of preparing the deceased for burial, funeral and memorial services. All burial plans are conducted through consultation with the family and respecting the wishes of the deceased.

The services include the following:

• Ghusl: The Center oversees and conducts the preparation of the body for burial by performing Ghusl (washing and preparing the body) and Kafan (clothing) for burial all in accordance with Islamic guidelines. The Center provides specially trained volunteers to perform Ghusl.
   

• Janaza: Funeral prayer at the Center and/or the gravesite.
   

• Burial: The Center's representative buries the deceased at Clovis District Cemetery or Madera Islamic Cemetery. The Center will accommodate the wishes of the family if they prefer to bury the deceased at a different location.
   

• Memorial Service: The Center can be reserved (for a nominal fee) to hold a memorial service following the funeral and on the 40th day anniversary of the death.

Burial Expenses:

Islamic Center Charges: As of April 2010, the Center charges the following fees:

• Ghusl & Kafan: $200.00

• Islamic Funeral Director's Fees: $750.00

• Hall Rental for Memorial Service: $500.00 (up to 4 hours)

Funeral Home Expenses: Varies according to the family wishes. The following are estimates of the typical; funeral home expenses:

• Transportation: $200.00 within Fresno/Clovis area. For out of town, please call us.

• Death Certificates: $17.00 each

• Mortuary Services: Estimate of $700 (Call for additional information)

• Casket: $600 (pressed wood) other kinds cost extra

Cemetery Expenses: Varies based on the location. The cost below is an approximate estimate for charges at Madera Islamic Cemetery or Clovis District Cemetery. For out of town, out of state or international burials, please call the Islamic Center.

• Grave Site: $1300 - $1500 per grave

• Digging / Internment Fees: $500

• Maintenance: $400.00

Pre-Burial Services:

The Center's Director or designated representative, on behalf of the family, coordinates the following:

• Release of the deceased from the hospital or Coroner to the designated funeral home.
   

• Transportation of the deceased from the place of death to the Burial Preparation Room at the Funeral Home.
   

• Obtain Official Documents needed to begin the burial process such as death certificate, burial permit, etc. It is very important for the deceased's relatives to obtain the attending physician's signature on the death certificate as soon as possible following the death.

Should it be necessary to maintain the deceased overnight, the Center will arrange that directly with the funeral home.

Pre-Burial Process:

The pre-burial process includes providing the following:

Funeral Home: The funeral home provides the following services:

Burial Location:

The Center's representative will guide the family in the the selection of the burial plot (grave) on or near the Islamic section at Clovis District Cemetery or Madera Islamic Cemetery. A family representative must be present during the selection process to sign the necessary documents for burial.

Funeral Procession:

The Center will present the family with the route of the funeral. All motorist following the Hearse MUST obey all traffic laws. The Hearse will transport the deceased from the Funeral Home to the Center for Janaza prayers and to the Clovis or Madera Cemetery or any other cemetery for burial.


Janaza Prayers:

The Center's representative will lead the Janaza (funeral) prayer at the gravesite.


Emergency Contact:

Contact the Director of the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno ICCF at (559) 297-9535 ext. # 2, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

After hours, you may contact the Center's emergency number (559) 244-9360 and leave a message. You will be contacted immediately, so be prepared to give the name, address, date of birth and death, telephone and exact location of where the deceased is located.


Note:

Under normal death circumstances and during weekdays, burial can be done within 48 hours.

In cases where the death occurred due to self inflicted injury, homicide or accident that requires police investigation or the release of the body from the Coroner Office,

Without the proper documents, the Coroner Office in Fresno County may delay the release of the body and the burial plans will change accordingly. The Center has distributed recommendations to the area Coroner Offices to avoid an autopsy, according to Islamic tradition, in situations where it has been deemed unnecessary.

The Center will maintain direct communication with the family through all stages of the process.

Manual on Death Related Rituals:

For a Manual on Death Related Rituals based on the Ja'fari school of thought please click here.