“The Washing” by
Reshma Memon Yaqub, describes death in a very peaceful way. The essay is full
of rich customs that surround the passing of a loved one in Islamic tradition. Yaqub
writes articles about Muslim practices to inform her readers about religious
rituals. This essay has a more personal story behind it for Yaqub however.
The serene tone
used in this writing explains more of Yaqub’s thoughts and emotions during the
washing. The first line of the essay creates suspense, “I hadn’t planned to
wash the corpse” (Yaqub 218), but the rest of the piece becomes much more
calming. Usually family preforms the washing, but in America not enough people
know how to properly preform the ceremony. Yaqub joins the “professionals”,
because it is still vital that a family member or close friend partakes in this
cleansing. She stepped up to take this role when there was no one else to do
it. In the Islamic culture washing the body before its final rest is a very
high honor. The six women preforming this ritual give the body utmost respect
and finish the tradition by wrapping the body in white cloth, “She looks so
small and fragile, like a little girl with a bonnet tied around her hair”
(Yaqub 222). Yaqub’s detailed romanticized writing enlightens the reader without
making death seem sad or scary. It becomes obvious that this ceremony is as
special to the Muslim people as any other right of passage. The last thing the
women do before they leave that day is pray. The beautiful prayers speak about
god and forgiveness of the deceased’s sins.
This informational
essay provides a narrative and an appreciation of the washing ceremony in
Islam. Yaqub intrigues her readers with a story, and leaves them understanding
a scarcely known tradition about her faith.
It has become a tradition that Lucy will always pull the ball away when Charlie tries to kick it.
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