Hey dad, I have a question. What should one say when someone dies in Islam?
Well, usually you'd say 'Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un' which means 'We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.' It's a way of acknowledging that life and death are both part of the greater cosmic plan and under Allah's control.
That's quite profound. Is there anything else that can be said?
Yes there is. There are a few other sayings that can be used, one of them is 'Allah yarhamu', which is a way of asking Allah to have mercy on the person who passed away.
Oh I see, that's good to know. Is there a particular time or situation when this should be said?
Islamic tradition suggests saying these phrases upon hearing the news of death. But I think, generally, it's an expression of respect and empathy whenever you reflect on the person's passing.