WASHING THE DEAD BODY (GHUSL)

In Islam, the body of a Muslim, even after death, is to be treated with respect. Hence it is

washed, dressed in a clean shroud, enveloped in fragrance and carried with great respect on the shoulders of fellow-Muslims. Unity, order and self-control is observed throughout the funeral proceedings and supplication for the deceased is made in the form of the funeral prayer, subsequent to which the body is buried in a very dignified manner.

INBOX: List of items required:                                 

1. Beri leaves, soap or shampoo        
2. Camphor/ perfume/ powdered sandalwood
3. Cotton wool
4. Cotton gloves/pieces of cloth
5. Towel or any clean cloth to dry the body
6. Sheets to be used for covering the body or lifting it

Who should wash the dead body?

The body should be washed with the sincere intention of pleasing Allah (SWT) and to obtain forgiveness for one's own sins. It is necessary that those who take the responsibility for washing the dead body must:

1. Be close relatives or associates.  

The Companions of the Prophet (SAW) who washed his body were Ali who was the main person doing the washing ,whereas the helpers were 'Abbas, Fadi and Qathm who were turning his body around, whilst Shaqran (the Messenger's freed slave) and Osamah poured out water and Aws leant the Prophet (SAW)him against his chest.(Raheeq Al-Makhtum)

A man can wash his wife's dead body and similarly, a woman can wash her husband's dead body. Hazrat Ali (RAA) washed the body of Hazrat Fatima(RAA) and Hazrat Abu Bakr's (RAA) body was washed by Hazrat Asma (RAA). (Al-Muwatta)

Hazrat 'Aisha^RAA) relates that complaining of a headache, she said: "0 my head!"

Allah's Apostle (SAW) said: "Nay, I should say: 'My head' I wish that had happened while I was still living, for then I would ask Allah's forgiveness for you and invoke Allah for you." (Bukhari)

He (SAW) also said to Hazrat 'Aisha(RAA) : "If you die before me, I will myself wash you and enshroud you." (Ibn Majah)

After his (SAW) death, 'Aisha said: "Had I known then what I know now, I would not have allowed anyone except his wives to wash the body of the Prophet (SAW);.' (Sunan Abu Dawood)

2. Know the etiquette of washing a dead body, due to possessing knowledge in matters of religion. The Prophet (SAW) said:

{{Only that person should wash the dead body, who is closest to him and has (religious) knowledge; if the closest relative is not learned in religion, then the person who you consider learned in religion and is pious should wash the dead body (even id' he is not a relative). "(Musnad Ahm^d)}}

3. Not disclose any defect or undesirable thing noticed on the dead body; this information has to be kept confidential. The Prophet (SAW) said: 

{{"Whoever washes the dead body of a Muslim and fulfills his trust by not disclosing his (the dead body's) secrets, he will be cleansed of his sins as if he was born that very day. "(Musnad Ahmed)}}

In another hadith, the Prophet SAW said: 

{{"He who washes a dead body and keeps secret (his knowledge of its condition) is forgiven by Allah forty times. He who dug the grave and buried the deceased will have as much reward as if he provided accommodation for someone till the Day of Resurrection and he who shrouded the deceased, Allah will adorn him in fine clothes of silk and velvet on the Day of Resurrection."(Mustadarak Hakim)}}

Place of Washing:

The place where the dead body is to be washed should have a curtain to ensure privacy and seclusion. If the bathroom is not large enough, a separate room or a verandah screened by hanging sheets or a tent with a curtain can be used; any makeshift arrangement must however, be closed from above.

Water for Washing:

The water should be pure and clean, and it is better to warm it. Some beri leaves should be boiled separately in a little water and this water should be mixed with the water to be used for washing. (Reference Sahih Bukhari)
(If these leaves are not available, any fragrant leaves, flowers, soap or shampoo can be used.)

Helpers:

# Only those people should be present who will assist the main person washing the body. The presence of any others is undesirable.

# If the clothes of the deceased cannot be easily removed, they can be cut off carefully, using scissors. (At the time of removing the clothes, there should be a sheet covering the dead body.)

# Throughout the washing, the dead body should stay covered with a patterned cloth which is dark in colour, so that even when damp, it will serve as a screen for the body.(Sunan Abu Dawood)

# The^lab on which the body is being washed must be in a tilted position, so that the head and the upper part of the body is higher than the rest of the body , thus allowing the used water to flow downwards.

Method of Washing:

# The person washing the body should first raise the head gently and put the body in a semi-seated position. Next, the abdomen and the areas surrounding it should be pressed gently, in order to facilitate the expulsion of any waste matter which is at the point of being emitted. A lot of water must be used to wash away the exudations.

# The person washing the body must now tie a piece of cloth on his hand or wear a small cotton pouch or gloves and wash the private parts; whatever impurities are still left on the body must also be cleaned. This cloth or glove should then be discarded.

# After tying another clean cloth or wearing fresh gloves, the person washing the body should make the niyyat (intention) of washing on behalf of the deceased and then say Bismillah. (In the name of Allah)

# If the deceased is a woman, the hair should be loosened before the washing.

# Starting from the right side, ablution should be performed on the deceased in the normal manner, but without inserting water in the mouth and nostrils. Instead of this, it is enough to clean the teeth and nostrils with small pieces of cloth or moist cotton wool.

# Clean cotton wool buds should be inserted in the hears and nostrils, so that during the ablution, the water will not go into them. This cotton wool can be removed when the washing is completed.

# Using soap suds or shampoo the hair and the beard should be washed by gently running the fingers through it.

# The entire washing should be done by putting the hands under the covering sheet. It is preferable that the hands of the person washing the body should be covered with the small pieces of cloth or cotton pouches . Care must be taken that no one should see the satr (the part of the body that is required to be covered in the presence of others) and neither should it be touched more than necessary. Hazrat Alt (RAA) reported the Prophet (SAW) as saying:

"Oh Ali, do not unveil your thigh and do not look at the thigh of the living and the dead."(Abu Dawood)

# The front side of the body should be washed first, starting from the right side of the neck up to the right foot; then by turning the body slightly to the left, the right side at the back is to be washed. The same procedure should be repeated for the left side of the front of the body and then by turning it slightly to the right the entire left side at the back is to be washed.

# The entire procedure of washing should be repeated for an odd (3,5 or more) number of times;

In the final wash it is masnoon (prescribed) to use camphor in the water, and if this is not available, perfume can be mixed in it.( Reference Bukhari & Muslim)  

# For a female, after washing the hair, it should be made into in three braids or sections and placed behind her back; the hair can also be combed.

Hazrat Um Atiyya (RAA) relates that: "One of the daughters of the Prophet (SAW) expired and he came to us and said: 'Wash her with sidr(water) for an odd number of times, i.e three, five or more, if you think it necessary, and in the last, put camphor or (some camphor on her), and when you finish, notify me.' So when we finished we informed him. He gave his waist sheet to us to shroud her). We entwined the hair (of the deceased girl) in three braids and made them fall at her back." ( Sahih Bukhari)

In certain circumstances where it is not possible to wash the dead body, then it may be given a tayammum ( dry ablution). (Sunan Abu Dawood)

(This situation will arise when the dead body has been severely burnt, decayed due to immersion in water or any chemical, or death has resulted from some skin disease where washing it will result in further decomposition.)

INBOX:

{{"When a person talks to you but looks here and there, then this conversation is also a trust with you." (Abu Dawood)}} or [[ When a man tells something and departs, it is a trust." (Tirmizi and Abu Dawood)]]

[[Hazrat Abu Hurairah(RAA) relates that the Prophet (SAW) observed:

" You shall not enter Paradise as long as you do not affirm belief (in all those things which are the articles of faith) and you will not believe as long as you do not love one another." (Muslim)]]