How to Write a Eulogy for Your Mufti - Eulogy Examples & Tips

Writing a eulogy for a mufti can feel especially weighty. A mufti is a religious scholar who offered guidance, issued legal opinions called fatwas, and often carried a reputation for deep learning and humility. You want to honor that service accurately, respect religious norms, and speak in a way that comforts people who revered him. This guide gives clear steps, example eulogies you can adapt, and practical tips for delivering remarks in Muslim funeral settings.

Who this guide is for

This article is for anyone asked to speak about a mufti at a janazah, memorial, or community gathering. You might be a family member, a student, a colleague, or a friend. Maybe you are not Muslim and you want to be respectful. Maybe you are Muslim and unsure what language is appropriate for a religious scholar. Use the examples and templates to make words that feel honest and fitting for the setting.

What is a mufti

A mufti is a qualified Islamic scholar authorized to give formal religious rulings called fatwas. These rulings interpret Islamic law for real life questions. Muftis are often teachers, counselors, and community leaders. Not every community will have formal funerals for muftis that differ from other funerals. Local customs matter a lot. Ask the family or mosque leader about expectations before you write anything.

Useful terms and acronyms

• Mufti A learned Islamic scholar who issues legal opinions called fatwas.
• Fatwa A formal legal opinion or guidance on Islamic law issued by a qualified scholar.
• Janazah The Islamic funeral prayer and related funeral practices.
• Dua A supplication or prayer asking God for mercy and forgiveness.
• Imam A leader who leads prayer. An imam may also be a community leader or teacher.
• Quran The holy book of Islam. Quotations should be accurate and, if in Arabic, usually followed by a translation.
• Hadith Recorded sayings or actions of the Prophet Muhammad that guide religious life.
• Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji un An Arabic phrase meaning We belong to God and to Him we return. It is commonly said when someone dies.
• Salaah The ritual prayer performed five times a day in Islam. Also spelled Salah.

Before you start writing

Start by checking with the family and the mosque. Islamic communities vary. Some are fine with brief personal remarks after the janazah prayer and before burial. Others prefer no formal eulogies at the burial site and instead hold an event later where stories are shared. Ask these questions.

• Is it appropriate to deliver a eulogy at the janazah or after burial?
• How long should remarks be?
• Do they prefer Arabic phrases or only translations?
• Are there religious lines to avoid such as exaggerated praise that could be considered problematic?
• Who else will speak and in what order?

Tone and content to aim for

For a mufti, people expect honesty, restraint, and respect for scholarship. Highlight service to the community, humility, commitment to teaching, and how the person helped others. Avoid exaggerated language that places a scholar on a pedestal beyond human limits. Islamic etiquette values humility and the reminder that all return to God.

Safe themes to include

• Service to students and to the community
• Commitment to teaching and to honest interpretation
• Examples of compassion or counsel he gave
• Practical legacy like institutions founded, students mentored, or charitable works
• Personal traits like kindness, gentleness, and patience

What to avoid

• Overblown praise that suggests infallibility
• Religious claims that put the deceased above prophetic status
• Detailed theological debates in a funeral setting
• Personal grievances or private family disputes

Structure that works

Use a simple shape so you do not ramble. Keep the remarks short unless the family asks for something longer.

• Opening Identify yourself and your relationship to the mufti. Offer a brief invocation like Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji un then one sentence about why you are speaking.
• Life sketch Very brief background. Focus on roles such as teacher, counselor, imam, or author.
• Anecdotes One or two short stories that show character and impact. These are the heart of the eulogy.
• Impact and legacy What will people remember and how will the community continue his work?
• Closing A dua for the deceased, a short Quran verse if appropriate, or a simple farewell.

How long should your remarks be

Short is usually best in Muslim funeral contexts. Aim for two to five minutes unless the family requests a longer tribute. Two concise minutes with a clear story often carries more meaning than a long speech with many details.

Opening examples

• Hello. My name is Ahmed and I was one of Sheikh Yusuf s students. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji un. I am honored to say a few words about a teacher who guided so many of us with wisdom and compassion.
• Assalamu alaikum. I am Fatima, a colleague at the community center. I will keep this brief out of respect for the family. Today we remember a scholar who treated every question with gentleness and care.
• Peace be upon you. I am David. I was not a student but a neighbor who benefited from his phone calls when I was going through a hard time. I speak to share a small memory of the man many of you knew and respected.

Anecdotes that matter

Specific stories help people connect to the scholar as a person. Keep them short, concrete, and with a clear point.

Types of anecdotes

• How he answered a difficult question with clarity and patience
• Times he put students first, like waiving fees or staying late to teach
• Moments of daily kindness such as visiting the sick or offering quiet counsel
• Instances where he admitted a mistake or showed humility

Example anecdote

One time a young student came to him terrified about a personal mistake. He did not scold. He sat down, listened, and explained the path forward step by step. That moment taught us all that mercy is as important as knowledge. It was not a grand gesture but it changed a life.

Religious quotes and Arabic phrases

Using a Quran verse or Hadith can be meaningful. Keep it brief and ensure accurate translation. Common choices include verses that remind listeners of patience and the temporary nature of life. Examples you can use with translation are below. Check with the family about including Arabic and confirm pronunciations if you will speak them aloud.

• Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji un We belong to God and to Him we return. This is a compassionate opener used upon hearing news of death.
• “Indeed we belong to Allah and indeed to Him we will return” This is a translation of the phrase above and can be used if you prefer English.
• Short Quran verse example From Surah Al Baqarah 2 156 a translation is When disaster strikes us we belong to God and to Him we return. It is short and widely recognized.

Eulogy examples you can adapt

Below are full examples appropriate for different relationships and tones. Replace bracketed text with your details and keep any Arabic phrases accurate.

Example 1: Student speaking, 2 to 3 minute respectful eulogy

Assalamu alaikum. My name is Omar and I was a student of Mufti Ibrahim for seven years. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji un. I will keep this brief out of respect for the family.

Mufti Ibrahim taught us more than fiqh and jurisprudence. He taught us how to listen. I remember a night before exams when I was panicked and felt like giving up. He sat with me, calmed me, and said the test will pass but what matters is how you treat people. That single sentence changed how I approached both study and life.

He opened his home to students who could not afford books. He insisted that knowledge must be shared not sold. His legacy is not just a library of writing but a generation of people who learned to care. Please join me in making a dua for him and for his family. May Allah grant him mercy and place him among the righteous.

Example 2: Family member, gentle personal eulogy

Hello. I am Aisha, his daughter. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji un. My father was a mufti but at home he was simply Baba. He could quote hadith and then lose his keys in the same breath. He loved tea strong and children s questions louder.

He taught us to be honest and to say sorry when we were wrong. At his funeral I want to remember his laughter as much as his lectures. He would be embarrassed by these words and he would tell us to be practical about grief. So today we pray, we remember, and we carry forward the kindness he showed. May Allah forgive him and reward him for his service to our community.

Example 3: Non Muslim colleague, short and respectful

Good afternoon. My name is Sarah and I worked with Mufti Ahmed at the community health project. Though I am not Muslim I admired his commitment and his calm approach to conflict. He taught our team how to speak with dignity when tensions rose. He was patient and practical and he always reminded us that service is a daily practice.

Today I want to thank him for showing that faith can be a bridge not a barrier. My condolences to his family. May his work be remembered and may those he helped feel his care continue in acts of kindness from others.

Fill in the blank templates

Use these templates to structure your own short tribute. Keep it simple and honest.

Template A: Student or pupil

Assalamu alaikum. My name is [Your Name] and I was a student of [Mufti s Name]. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji un. [Mufti s Name] taught us [one key lesson or value]. One small story that shows his character is [brief anecdote]. We will miss his [trait such as patience kindness or clarity] and we pray that Allah blesses him. Thank you.

Template B: Family member

Hello. I am [Your Name], [relation]. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji un. My [relation] was a mufti but he was also [personal trait]. A memory that captures him is [short story]. He taught us [value]. We ask for your duas and prayers for his forgiveness and for comfort for the family.

Template C: Community leader or colleague

Hello. I am [Your Name] from [organization]. I am honored to speak about [Mufti s Name]. He served the community by [role or project]. One way he made a difference was [short example]. We offer our condolences and pray for mercy upon him.

Practical tips for delivery

• Confirm length with the family or the mosque leader so you do not unintentionally take too long.
• Use simple paper notes or index cards. Emotions can make phones hard to operate.
• Practice the Arabic phrases out loud so pronunciation is comfortable. If you are unsure, use the translated English line instead.
• Speak slowly and clearly. Let pauses do work for you so people can reflect on what you say.
• Bring water and tissues. Even if you plan a short tribute you may get emotional.
• If you think you may not finish, arrange with a family member to have them finish a final dua or closing line.

Including Quran recitation or dua

If you plan to include a Quran recitation choose a very short verse and check with the imam about place and timing. Often the imam will lead any Quran recitation or dua. If you are asked to lead a short dua, keep it concise and ask the family whether they prefer Arabic or translated words. Respect the tone of the gathering and the family s wishes.

How to acknowledge complicated legacies

Not every scholar was perfect. If the mufti held positions people disagreed with, you can still speak honestly without creating division. Acknowledge complexity with care. For example say He was a committed scholar whose views sometimes sparked debate. We can respect his learning and still discuss ideas. This keeps the focus on respect for the human being and on the family s grief.

What to avoid saying

• Avoid definitive religious claims about someone s status before God.
• Avoid long theological debates at a funeral.
• Avoid stories that embarrass the family or single out individuals present.
• Avoid legal rulings or fatwas unless they are directly relevant to the memory and the family is comfortable.

After the eulogy

People may ask for a copy of your remarks or ask you to expand on points in private. Offer to share the text or to meet later. The family may request your words be included in a memory booklet or posted on a community site. Check permission before posting anything online and be mindful of the family s privacy.

Glossary of useful terms

• Mufti A qualified Islamic scholar who gives legal opinions called fatwas.
• Fatwa An Islamic legal opinion issued by a scholar in response to a specific question.
• Janazah The Islamic funeral prayer and ritual practices around burial.
• Dua In Islam a supplication or prayer asking God for mercy forgiveness or help.
• Imam Someone who leads prayer and often provides spiritual leadership in a mosque.
• Hadith Reports of the Prophet Muhammad s sayings or actions used as guidance in Islamic law.
• Sunnah The practices and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad followed by Muslims.
• Quran The holy book of Islam believed to be the word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

Frequently asked questions

Is it appropriate to give a eulogy for a mufti at the janazah

It depends on local custom and the family's wishes. Many communities allow brief personal remarks after the janazah prayer or at a separate gathering. Check with the mosque leader or the family before preparing remarks.

Can I include Quran verses or Arabic phrases

Yes you can include short Quranic verses or common Arabic phrases like Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji un. Make sure translations are accurate and check with the family about preference for Arabic or English.

How long should my eulogy be

Keep it short. Aim for two to five minutes unless the family requests more time. Short speeches are easier for a grieving audience to follow and respect the flow of the funeral.

What if I am not Muslim but was asked to speak

Be honest and respectful. Focus on personal memories of service kindness or support. Avoid theological language you are not comfortable with and consult the family about tone.

Should I mention specific fatwas or rulings the mufti issued

Only if they are directly relevant to how he helped people and if the family is comfortable. Religious rulings can be sensitive. Focus on personal impact rather than technical scholarship unless the audience will appreciate it.

How do I balance praise with humility

Praise the mufti s service and positive traits while remembering human limitations. Use phrases like He served the community well and He taught us by example to keep the tone respectful without overstatement.