Article Published In Vol.9 (Sept-Oct 2021)

Historical implication of burial tradition in ancient civilizations, and funerary architecture in Islam

Author : Ruba Babar Mughal and Dr. Samina Zia Sheikh

In both ancient and modern civilization the subsistence of burial tradition proves a consciousness within people regarding a phase between this world and hereafter. In most of the ancient civilizations and cultures dead are dealt with honour and dignity, equal to the honour human give to their living loved ones. Islam gives right to the human even before birth, in life and subsequently after death on the basis of this notion that human as creation of Allah (swt) is created in the perfect shape. Holy Qur’ān elucidates the honour of dead body in the unfolding of story of Cane and Abel. When Abel was murdered by his brother how Allah (swt) taught Cane to bury the dead body of his brother with honour. Many other Qur’ānic narratives clearly explain about honour that is due to human even after death. This faith and ritual gave way to the construction of memorable tomb structures. On the basis of conformist burial tradition, throughout history since primordial time significant architectural structures of burial chambers, catacombs, tombs, mausoleums, mazars and shrines were built. Every culture offers its own tradition to bury their deceased. This research observes significant tomb structures in ancient civilization and the continuation of burial tradition and tomb architecture in Islam. Structural designs of tombs/mausoleums are based on practice and faith and explicate religious and geological factors. Furthermore, analytical observations prove that burial tradition and expansion of tomb structures is an unavoidable phenomenon based on faith and human psyche.

Keywords: Burial Tradition, Tomb Architecture, Religion, Faith and Ritual.