Quote Originally Posted by Pete View Post
Also, there are several ideas as to why there was a burial at sea, ranging from trying to give a proper and humane Muslim burial, to a man who would likely not be claimed by a country. There was also the idea that if there was a burial site, it would attract both potential martyrs and people who would go to desecrate the site.
Burial at sea wasn't really in his religious best interests, really, so I don't know why it was bothered to be "humane" about it. My memory might be a tad sketchy because it's been three years since I've studied RE, but Muslims believe that they have to be buried on land, in solid earth, so that when Judgement Day comes, they'll rise from their coffins to go to the Muslim version of Heaven or walk Purgatory until they've atoned for their sins.

Basically... the body has to be in one piece, which is why you wouldn't have Muslims hoping for the afterlife opting for cremation, or even a sea burial. An island in the middle of the ocean would have done as I don't think it really matters (blessed homeland soil I think is used in some circumstances).

I understand why he was dropped overboard though (not literally... or maybe). A land grave would have turned into a shrine to worship or piss on, which isn't really good. I just don't see the point on trying to take his beliefs into consideration when it wasn't fully thought through. *shrug*