Fatwa #67474 October 2002United States of America
Please provide step-by-step instructions to bath a male and a female dead body.
Question
Also, we are trying to encourage more members of our community here to learn how to do this, so please provide some Ahadith with sources on the associated rewards for this act.
Answer
Kindly refer to http:%2F%2Fwww.alinaam.org.za%2Flibrary%2Fodece02.htm for illustration diagrams%0D%0A%0D%0AORDER FOR DECEASED ... 2%0D%0A%0D%0ASunnat way of Bathing (Ghusal)%0D%0A%0D%0AGive the smoke of incense (Agarbatti) or benzoill (Lobaan, Frankincense a romatic gum resin obtained from trees), to the bathing board once, thrice or five times (but not more than this). Lay the deceased (corpse) so that its head is at the right side of the "Qiblah". If you can not do this, then lay the deceased as is convenient. Then cover from navel (belly button) to the Knees, for Men. For women the body should be covered from the neck to the ankles. The person giving the bath to the deceased person, should cover his%2F her hand with a cloth to give "ISTINJA", (cleaning the private parts), the sheet covering the body should not be removed to do this. Then do the "WUDHU", (a) wash the face, (b) both arms up to the elbows, start with the right arm, (c) Masah of the head, and (d) The two feet upto the ankles, the right one first. There is no need to put water in the mouth and nose of the deceased, unless the deceased was in need of a bath (Ghusal) at the time of dying. (In such a case it will be necessary to put water in the mouth and nose and dry it with a cotton bud). Then put cotton in the mouth and ears, turn the deceased on to their left side and pass the water (which has been mixed with the leaves of berries but do not worry if the leaves are not available) three times in such a way that it flows from the head to the feet, and reaches underneath the left side, then repeat by turning the deceased on to their right side. Then giving support of your knee to the deceased back and make him%2Fher in a near sitting position, and massage its "Stomach" from the top to the bottom. If any "Stools? (waste matter) come out from the back passage (Anus), then clean (wash) that part only, there is no need to do "WUDHU" or bathe (Ghusal) again owing to this. Then lift the deceased right side and pass the water (mixed with "Camphor", (Kapur)) three times nicely so that at the bottom, the left side becomes wet and then take away the cotton buds from the nose and ears. Then, dry the body of the deceased with a cloth (towel). Then apply scent (Itr) etc., on his head and beard (for man only, no Itr is applied to a woman), rub camphor on its forehead, nose, palms and knees but do not put the scented cotton buds into the ears or apply the scent to the "KAFN" cloth. (Alamgiri- Vol. 1, Bahar - Vol.2).%0D%0A%0D%0AGuidance:%0D%0A1. It is not permitted to cut the hair of any part of the body, or the nails or comb the hair of the deceased. (Alamgiri)%0D%0A%0D%0A2. The wife (widow) can bathe (Ghusal) or bury her dead husband, but the man must not bathe his wife (it is not permitted). He is permitted to touch his dead wife's body with a cloth, and it is permissible to look at her body (if covered with a sheet.) (Shami-800%2F1, Bahar-174%2F2).%0D%0A%0D%0A3. It is better and "Mustahab" (preferred) that some close relative %2F acquaintance should give bath (Ghusal) to the deceased, but if they cannot do so then someone known, trustworthy or religious (pious) person may give bath (Ghusal) to the deceased. (Alamgiri). Note: Alas, it is a pity that in spite of showing the feelings for the dead they handover it to the illiterate person or the one who is unaware of problems (Masail) or the beggars for bathing it. Hence avoid such a practice and either you yourself or ask the person who knows the "Masail's" or religious (pious) person to bathe (Ghusal) it! It is "Mustahab" (preferred) to have a reliable person to give bath (Ghusal).%0D%0A%0D%0A4. If any defect or any fault on or in the deceased body is seen while giving bath (Ghusal) then DO NOT DISCLOSE IT, but try to hide it! If the deceased face is disfigured or it smells (bad odour) then also DO NOT DISCLOSE IT to any body. It is permissible to tell the heirs of the deceased in PRIVATE about it with the intention of delivering reward (Isal-e-Sawab) to the deceased. (Alamgiri - 159). %0D%0A%0D%0A5. Even if the child is "Stillborn" (born dead) or there is a miscarriage you must give the bath and wrap in a cloth and bury. There is no "JANAZA SALAAT" in such a case. If the signs of life are observed when born in more than half the body, then give the deceased child a name and bathe (Ghusal) it according to the "Sunnat" method and bury it. (Shami 828%2F1, Alamgiri 159).%0D%0A%0D%0AKafn for a Man or a Male Child:%0D%0A1. One large sheet (LIFAFA), approximately one arm longer than the height of the deceased in which it can be wrapped.%0D%0A%0D%0A2. Trouser (IZAAR), small sheet, from head to feet.%0D%0A%0D%0A3. Shirt (QAMEES), sheet from neck to feet%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AKafn for a Woman or a Female Child:%0D%0A1. One large sheet (LIFAFA), approximately one arm longer than the height of the deceased in which it can be wrapped.%0D%0A%0D%0A2. Bra (SINA'BAND) sheet, from breast to below the knees and can be tied.%0D%0A%0D%0A3. Trouser (IZAAR), small sheet, from head to feet.%0D%0A%0D%0A4. Dress (QAMEES) sheet, from neck to feet.%0D%0A%0D%0A5. Head Scarf (ORNI) sheet, three arms length. %0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AHOW QAMEES SHOULD BE CUT AND FOLDED%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AMethod of putting on the Kafn for a Man or a Male Child:%0D%0AFirst of all give the smoke of benzoin (Lobaan) or incense stick etc., to the three pieces of Kafn sheets. Then lay down the largest sheet, then the trouser (IZAAR) sheet on top of it, then lay the shirt (QAMEES) over it (Note: the shirt (QAMEES) does not have sleeves, etc.,). %0D%0A%0D%0AFirst cover the body with the shirt (QAMEES) sheet and then with the trouser (IZAAR) sheet. Then use the large (LIFAFA) sheet to wrap the body in, start wrapping from the left side of the deceased body and the right side of the body, so that the Right side of the sheet is on the top and the left side underneath it. Then take some cloth tapes and tie the Kafn at the head side, the middle part (by the back) and finally the feet side, so that it may not open owing to wind or movements.%0D%0A%0D%0AMethod of putting on Kafn for a Woman or a Female Child:%0D%0AOut of the five pieces of Kafn for a woman, first lay the largest (LIFAFA) sheet, then the bra (SINA'BAND) sheet on top of it, then the trouser (IZAAR) sheet on top of it, and then the dress (QAMEES) sheet on it. Divide the deceased hair into two parts and place each part on the right and left beast over the dress (QAMEES) sheet. Then put the headscarf sheet on the head and cover the hair (you do not tie or wrap it). Then wrap the trouser (IZAAR) sheet in such a manner that the right side remains on top while the left side remains underneath and the headscarf remains within it. Then tie the bra (breast cover) over it. Thus the bra (SINA'BAND) sheet is over the trouser (IZAAR) sheet and underneath the dress (QAMEES) sheet. (But if the bra (SINA'BAND) sheet is tied over the dress (QAMEES) sheet and before the trouser (IZAAR) sheet or over all the sheets, it is also permissible.) Then wrap the largest (LIFAFA) sheet and tie it at the three places, by the head in the middle (by the back) and at the feet side, with the cloth tapes.%0D%0A%0D%0AAs for the tradition (custom) of seeing the face after Bathing (Ghusal) and putting on the Kafn, only except the "MAHRAM" (the person with whom "NIKAH" is not permissible at any time) is allowed and no other person is allowed or should see it.