Death, Dying and Grief in Islam

Instructor: Dr. Zeyneb Sayilgan

Type: Short Course

Method of Delivery: Online via Zoom

Term: Fall 2026

Course Dates: Oct. 27 – Nov. 10, 2026

Class Days: T

Class Times: 6:00 – 7:30 PM CT

$100.00 — or $25.00 / month for 4 months

Course Information

Course Description

Death is the one certainty every soul will encounter, yet many of us avoid preparing for it. This course invites students to engage death, dying, and grief not as subjects of fear, but as opportunities for spiritual growth, deeper faith, and purposeful living. Drawing upon the Qur’an, the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, classical Islamic scholarship, and contemporary Muslim experiences, we will explore Islamic understandings of mortality, the soul, the afterlife, end-of-life care, funeral rites, bereavement, and remembrance.

Together, we will examine how cultivating healthy death awareness (dhikr al-mawt) can transform the way we live, worship, grieve, and care for others. Through scholarly study, personal reflection, and practical application, students will gain both theological knowledge and the spiritual tools to navigate life’s inevitable losses with hope, resilience, and trust in Allah.

By the end of this course, students will be equipped to approach death not as the opposite of life, but as a teacher that inspires meaningful living and preparation for the meeting with Allah.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Explain foundational Islamic teachings on death, dying, grief, and the afterlife using the Qur’an, Sunnah, and classical and contemporary scholarship.
Analyze how Islamic beliefs and practices shape Muslim experiences of illness, end-of-life care, funeral rites, bereavement, and remembrance.
Evaluate ethical and spiritual questions related to mortality through an Islamic framework,
Apply Islamic principles of compassion, presence, and hope to contemporary issues surrounding death, dying, caregiving, and grief.
Reflect on how awareness of death (dhikr al-mawt) informs personal spiritual growth, purposeful living, and preparation for meeting Allah.
Demonstrate thoughtful engagement with course materials through discussion and reflective practice, integrating Islamic teachings with contemporary realities.

Course Materials & Schedule

Required Readings:

Please read all short essays written on the subject of “Death, Dying and Grief in Islam” on the Instructor’s personal blog here. This will serve as a good orientation into the course content.

Recommended Podcast:

Zeyneb Sayilgan, Islam, Death and Child Loss: A Muslim Mother’s Journey Through Grief (Part 1-14)

Course Schedule:

Session 1: Death in the Quran
Session 2: Death in the Prophet’s ﷺ Life
Session 3: Navigating Loss and Greif (Individual and Community Practices)

Requirements

This course is open to women ages 17 and above.

Registration Information

Registration Fee

$100.00

Course materials are not included.

Late Registration Fee	None
Registration Deadline	November 10, 2026
Course Access Ends	July 31, 2027

Important:
Registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Before enrolling, please review the Registration Fees & Policies

Questions?
Contact registration@rabata.org

Technology Requirements

To ensure a successful online learning experience, all students must have regular access to a personal computer and reliable high-speed internet. Courses at Ribāṭ University are delivered through Canvas and may include video lectures, interactive discussions, digital readings, and multimedia assignments.
Students are responsible for maintaining the technology needed to participate fully.

Minimum Technical Requirements

Computer:
A desktop, laptop, or similar device manufactured within the last five years and capable of running current software and updates. Students should not rely solely on a phone, as coursework requires a full computer interface and functionality.

Operating System:
The computer operating system should be kept current with all recommended security updates and upgrades.

Internet:
A high-speed broadband connection with a minimum speed of 5 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload.

Web Browser:
A current version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge.

Software:
Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, or Apple productivity applications for word processing,
presentations, and spreadsheets; a PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat; and updated antivirus and security software.

Multimedia:
A functional webcam, microphone, and speakers or headset for participating in live sessions and assessments.

Technology Skills

Students should be comfortable with basic computer operations, including using email, browsing the internet, uploading and downloading files, and navigating an online learning platform. Training resources and orientation will be provided for students who need additional guidance.

Additional Notes and Technical Support

Students are expected to check course announcements and email regularly.
Technical support is available for login issues, course access, and basic troubleshooting.

For technical assistance, select Help from your Canvas course page or email techsupport@rabata.org

Death, Dying and Grief in Islam