Subscribe Our Channel


Bathing a corpse is a "fardu kifaayah"-once some persons have done it, other people are free of sin of not bathing it.

If we remember that day we will be stripped off our clothes, unclad, I think this should make us to be weary of Allah.

Everyone that dies as a Muslim must be bathed. However, if a person dies from being burnt and it is possible to wash him, then he should be washed. But if there is the fear that the body may be damaged or caused to disintegrate by washing, then water should be poured over him; if there is the fear that this may cause the body to disintegrate still, then tayammum should be done if possible.

Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The one who has been crushed by a fallen wall, the one who has been burned and the one who has drowned should be washed if possible; if there is the fear that washing may cause the body to distingreate, then water should be poured over them without touching them. If there is still the fear that water may cause the body to distintegarte, then they should not be washed, but tayammum should be done for them if possible, as in the case of a living person who may be harmed by water.

If it is not possible to wash the deceased because there is no water available, then tayammum should be done, and if it is possible to wash some parts and not others, then those parts that can be washed should be washed, and tayammum should be done for the rest, as is the case of the living.

The GHUSL Procedure (Washing and Shrouding) 
When a Muslim dies, it is the responsibility of his family or other Muslims within the local community to wash him according to the Islamic rites of washing the deceased. Usually, at least three to four people will be involved with the actual ghusl (washing and shrouding).
The persons who may wash the deceased should include :
1. An adult Muslim, honest and trustworthy person.
2. Be of the same gender as the deceased i.e if the deceased is male, then ONLY males should wash him. For a child, either males or females may do the ghusl once he/she knows the Islamic way of washing the deceased and be able to carry out the ghusl.
A husband can wash his deceased wife and vice versa. A son can neither wash his mum, nor can a daughter wash her dad.
PLACE OF WASHing:
The body of the deceased should be washed with water and, if available, lotus leaves, or camphor (to be used in the final wash).
The steps of the washing should be done at least three times or any more odd number of times as necessary to cleanse.
Always be mindful of infection control and protecting the person performing the Ghusl.

STEPS OF WASHING:
Privacy for the deceased is a crucial and important requirement at all times during the ghusl.
The body of the deceased should be placed on a table or alike, the deceased’s clothes should be removed , and the body should be covered with a sheet of cloth at all times during the ghusl; the Auwra (private parts) of the deceased should be covered with a sheet of cloth (The aura of a male is from the belly button to the knee in the presence of males, for the female, it is the same in the presence of females). The head and the upper body should be raised slightly to ensure the washing water with exudations from the body flows down and does not run back to the body. Remove any items or objects not already removed like watches, hospital or mortuary ID tags, wound dressings, IV lines, peg tubes, artificial limbs etc.
If there is any active bleeding or wound discharge, then that may be padded and dressed.
The washer should start washing by saying: "Bismillah" (In the name of Allah) The washer wears gloves or winds a piece of cloth around his hand, and with this, he cleans away any impurities from the body using water. Then he should dispose of the gloves. The washer should take another pair of gloves, press lightly the stomach of the deceased so as to expel, if possible, any remnants from it, and then wash the body of all impurities using water. Then he should dispose of the gloves. The washer should take another pair of gloves and wash the covered private parts, then dispose of the gloves. The washer should perform wudhu (ablution) for the deceased without inserting the water in the nose and in the mouth. He or she may use a piece of wet cotton wool in a small roll to clean the nose and front teeth of the deceased.
The washer should clean the body with water and soap (if available), starting from the head (hair, face and beard in men), then the upper right side of the body, then the left side, after that the lower right side then the lower left.
In the case of a female, her hair should be loosened, washed, combed, and be braided in three braids, and placed behind her back.
The washing should be done three times, or five times, or seven times, as needed, providing that after washing the head, wash the right side before the left, and the upper parts before the lower ones in the last wash. The washer may use camphor, or some perfume with the water. After that, the body should be dried with clean towel then the body should be covered with a clean sheet. The auwra must be kept covered at all times.
Get ready to start the shrouding.
SPECIAL NOTE:
In case the deceased is a female in her menstrual period or have child birth bleeding, padding should be used to prevent blood from leaving the body.
May Allah forgive the Muslims that had died and the living ones. Whomever Allah makes to live among us, may it be on Islam and whomever He takes his/her life, may it be on "eeman"Ameen.

Have you found this post useful or inspiring? Do let me know your thoughts by commenting below or you can contact me
directly if you prefer! Please feel free to share this post with others who might enjoy it too!

Post a Comment

 

Subscribe Our Channel

Top