“When their specified time arrives, they cannot delay it for a single hour nor can they bring it forward.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:61)

A person might think that they are in control of their life, but as Muslims our faith relies on acknowledging and accepting the fact that our lives are preordained by Allah (SWT). The ultimate submission to Allah (SWT)’s will is accepting death, whenever it comes, as a preordained end to our life here on earth. 

Just as Muslims have rights over each other in life, they also do so in death.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “A believer owes another believer five rights: responding to greetings, visiting him in illness, following his funeral, accepting his invitation, and saying ‘Yarhamuk-Allah (May Allah have mercy on you),’ when he says ‘Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah)’ after sneezing”. (Bukhari)

In the sombre moments after the passing of a loved one, Muslims are tasked with the responsibility of ensuring the body undergoes the necessary rituals in accordance with the Sharia. It is important to understand the steps that need to be taken when we lose someone, to ensure we can honour them and prepare them for their final journey in a dignified manner, as set out by Allah (SWT).

Sadly, sometimes people pass away leaving no family behind. In the broader context of community, it is incumbent upon every Muslim to make sure their fellow brothers and sisters of Islam are cared for, even in death. This is the beauty of our faith, one that unites us all as one Ummah.

In this guide, we will explore the practical steps involved in performing Ghusl on a deceased Muslim, adhering closely to the instructions provided by the Qur’an and the traditions of the Prophet (ﷺ). 

What is Ghusl?

When a Muslim dies, it is the responsibility of their family or other Muslims within the local community to wash them according to the Islamic rites of bathing known as Ghusl, in order to purify their body and soul before burial. It is the final preparation our bodies need before we meet our Creator. Usually at least three to four people will be involved with the actual Ghusl (washing and shrouding). Giving Ghusl is a Fard Kifayah (communal obligation) which must be completed by some members of the community, otherwise, the whole community will be sinful.

Who Should Perform It?

The persons who may wash the deceased should be:

• An adult Muslim who is an honest and trustworthy person. An adult male should be bathed by his father, son or brother, and an adult female should be bathed by her mother, daughter or sister.
• If none of these persons are present then any relative could carry out the Ghusl. If any of these are not in the position to perform it, then the most pious person present should be requested to carry out this rite.
• It is recommended that the person performing the Ghusl be in a state of wudu and can be assisted by others.
• Males should perform Ghusl for males and females for females. The exception is for spouses, for example, if a male passes away and there are no males to bathe him, then his wife is permitted to carry out the Ghusl and vice versa. However, in the Hanafi school of thought, the husband cannot wash his deceased wife as the marriage is considered to be immediately terminated with the wife’s death. As for the wife bathing her deceased husband – this is allowed, since the marriage is not legally terminated until she completes her period of iddah.
• For a child until the age of seven, either males or females may do the Ghusl.
• They must be knowledgeable of the Islamic way of washing the deceased and be able to carry out the Ghusl.

Place of Washing/Requirements

Many mosques and Muslim funeral companies have specific facilities for providing ghusl for the deceased. However, if you are arranging this on your own, you generally need the following:

• Clean and private place
• Clean water 
• Soap 
• A couple of pairs of gloves 
• Lotus leaves
• Camphor or dettol 
• Aprons
• Face masks
• Bin bags for any general waste

How to Perform Ghusl for the Deceased 

“Whoever washes a Muslim and then hides what he sees, Allah would forgive him forty times.” (Al-Hākim, 1/505, Sahih)

Privacy for the deceased is a crucial and an important requirement at all times during the Ghusl. When washing a body, whatever you see during the washing and shrouding process must not be discussed outside anywhere with anyone. You can achieve privacy by having people hold a thick cloth over the body and washing the body under this cloth. A thick cloth will ensure that it does not become transparent when wet.

Umm ‘Atiyya reported that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) asked her to wash his daughter, he told her to start from the right side, and with those parts of the body over which Wudu’ is performed. (Muslim)

It is sunnah to wash the body with water and lote leaves three times, then pouring water over the body, three times on the right side and three times on the left. If there is a need to do that more than three times, then it should be five times; if there is a need for more than that, then it should be seven times. It is preferable that it should be an odd number of times.

Ghusl Step-by-Step

1. Place the body of the deceased on a table or alike, if they are wearing clothes, you will need to cut them off to remove them, as the body becomes stiff after death. This will ensure that no damage is done to the body. Hold a cloth over the body while removing clothes as this will ensure the deceased person’s body is not exposed at any time during the ghusl process. 

2. Once this is done and with the first cloth still covering them to avoid exposure, cover the awrah (private parts) of the deceased with a sheet of cloth. (The awrah of a male is from the belly button to the knee in the presence of males, for the female is the same in the presence of females). After covering the awrah, a larger cloth should be held over the entire body, and kept slightly raised by people standing at each corner of the wash-bed.

3. Keep the head and the upper body raised slightly to ensure that water with any impurities from the body flows down and does not run back to the body. A Ghusl place usually has a specific block to place the head and raise it.

4. Remove any items or objects not already removed. These include watches, hospital or mortuary ID tags, wound dressings, IV lines, peg tubes, artificial limbs, artificial nails, hair extensions. If there is any active bleeding e.g. in case of a woman who died while menstruating or during childbirth, or someone with a wound discharge, then that may be padded and dressed.

5. Start washing by saying: “Bismillah” 

6. Water should be of moderate lukewarm temperature.

7. Start with Istinja’ (washing the private parts), if any urine or stools have been expelled. The washer should wear thick gloves e.g loofah gloves or place a cloth over his hand that can protect the awrah of the deceased, and wash away any filth from the back and front passage, pouring water over it.

8. Wear gloves or wind a piece of cloth around your hands, and clean away any impurities from the body using water. Dispose of the gloves after.

9. Take another pair of gloves, press lightly the stomach of the deceased so as to expel any remnants from it. If this doesn’t work, you can also gently raise the upper body (put your hand on the back of the person) and gently press the stomach 3 times – this will allow any waste to exit the body, and then wash the body of all impurities using water. Dispose of these gloves too. 

10. Take another pair of gloves, wash the covered private parts and dispose of the gloves. Disposing gloves at every step maintains hygiene and shows respect for the deceased. 

11. Perform wudu (ablution) for the deceased without inserting water in the nose or in the mouth by gently wiping the mouth, teeth and nasal passage with small pieces of wet cotton wool, washing the face and arms, wiping the head and ears, and washing the feet. 

12. Now you can clean the entire body with water containing lote leaves or water and soap (if available). Starting from the head, wash the hair with soapy water or shampoo and then pour water gently on the face. After that, pour water on the upper right side of the body, then the left side, after that the lower right side then the lower left. Then pour water all over the body.

13. You can also use berry leaves or similar fragrances. At the time of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), boiled berry leaves and Dor Sidhar was used in lukewarm water.

14. In the case of a female, her hair should be loosened, washed, braided in three braids, and placed behind her back. Do not comb the hair as it can become fragile after death.

15. The washing should be done three times, or five times, or seven times, as needed, providing that after washing the head, you wash the right side before the left, and the upper parts before the lower ones.

16. In the last wash, you may add camphor to the water, which is a well-known perfume that strengthens the body and gives a pleasant fragrance. 

17. After that, the body should be dried gently with a clean towel.

18. Then cover the body with a clean sheet. Please note that the awrah must be kept covered at all times.

19. Now the body is ready for shrouding.

This is the Islamically prescribed manner of washing the deceased, but any manner of washing is acceptable. What matters is that water should reach the entire body and remove any filth. 

Umm ‘Atiyah (RA) narrated, ‘The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to us when we were washing his daughter (Zainab) after she had died and said, “Wash her three times, five times or more if necessary, with water and lotus leaves (Sidr) and apply some camphor to the last washing.” When we finished making Ghusl for her, we informed the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and he threw his Izar (a cloth, which he wore around his waist) to us and told us to wrap her in it as the first sheet of the shroud (next to her body).’ 

In another narration, “Start by washing the limbs on the right and those parts that are washed in ablution.” In the narration of Al-Bukhari, “We braided her hair in three braids and made them fall at her back.” (Bukhari)

Wrapping 

You should start wrapping the body of the deceased immediately after washing. The sheets used to wrap the body are called a Kafan. It is recommended to use white sheets from inexpensive material. 

Kafan of Male

The Kafan of a male should consist of three white wrapping sheets, and 4 tie ropes.

• Outer sheet 
• Second sheet (Izar – for covering the body head to toe)
• Third sheet – for upper body (shirt)
• 3 – 4 ties 
• 2 smaller sheets (satar) used to cover the private parts (awrah), one before and the other after Ghusl. Swap the previously used wet sheet for a clean dry sheet to keep the awrah covered until the shroud is placed over the body.

Steps for Shrouding for Male

The wrapping sheets should be opened and spread out one on the top of the other. 

• Roll up the front half of the top sheet towards the head – shirt.
• The deceased, covered with a sheet (satar), is lifted and laid on his back on this top sheet. This sheet is then unrolled over the front of the body and once the body is covered then remove the satar (covering sheet).
• Some scent or perfume or sandalwood paste may be put on those parts of the body upon which one rests during prostration, that is the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and feet.
• If it is possible, the deceased’s left hand should be placed on his chest, then put his right hand on the left hand like the way in Salah. (Please note that this is only possible if the body is not stiff. If the body is stiff, then nobody should in any way attempt to force the hands into this position.)
• The edge of the next sheet (lower body) is then folded over the deceased right side, then the other edge over his left side. 
• Then the last sheet (Lifafah) should be folded the same way. 
• These sheets should be fastened with a piece of cloth (tie ropes), one above the head, another under the feet, and two around the body. This helps secure the shroud and prevents it from unravelling.
• This completes the shrouding for the male.

Kafan of Female

The Kafan of a female consists of five white garments and 4 ties.

• Outermost sheet
• Second sheet – to cover from under armpits to thighs
• Third sheet (Izar – for covering the body head to toe)
• Fourth layer – shirt
• Last piece – to cover head and hair
• 3-4 ties 
• 2 smaller sheets (satar) used to cover the private parts, one before and the other after Ghusl

Steps of Shrouding for Female

• All the sheets should be spread out in layers.
• Roll up the front half of the top sheet towards the head – shirt.
• The deceased, covered with a sheet (satar), is lifted and laid on her back on this top sheet. The sheet is then unrolled over the front of the body and once the body is covered then remove the satar.
• Some scent or perfume may be put on those parts of the body upon which one rests during prostration, that is the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and feet.
• apart from Qamis (upper body sheet), which is rolled over the head, the other three layers are folded over (right side, then left).
• The second sheet, which is used as an underwear, is also known as khirqa or sinaband. It covers from armpits to thighs. After the shirt, the second sheet is wrapped by covering the right side of the body first, and then the left. The wrapping should just be roll, fold, fold, fold which does not require lifting of the body.
• In case the deceased is a female in her menstrual period or has childbirth bleeding, padding should be used to prevent blood from leaving the body.
• Two braids of her hair should be brought forward and placed on either side of her chest, then a head scarf placed over her head/hair.
• The deceased’s left hand should be placed on her chest, then put her right hand on the left hand like the way in Salah. (Please note that this is only possible if the body is not stiff. If the body is stiff, then nobody should in any way attempt to force the hands into this position.)
• The edge of the lower sheet is folded over the deceased right side, then the other edge over his left side. Then the last sheet should be folded the same way.
• These sheets should be fastened with a piece of cloth (tie ropes), one above the head, another under the feet, and two around the body.

Salat ul Janazah (Funeral Prayers)

After the Ghusl and shrouding is complete, we pray Salatul Janazah (funeral prayer) for the deceased before their burial. It is a right of every Muslim upon the other Muslims, a way to bid farewell to our loved ones and it is a reminder for all of us that we too will follow the same path one day. To learn the steps of this prayer, you can read our article “Back to Basics: How to Pray Salatul Janazah”.

“No Muslim dies with 40 people standing to his funeral, all are interceding for him, except that Allāh intercedes for them.” (Muslim)

FAQ:

1. Can a Husband perform Ghusl for his deceased wife and vice versa?

In the Shafi, Maliki and Hanbali school of thought, it is permissible for a man to wash his wife, and for a woman to wash her husband.

Asma’ bint ’Umais (RAA) narrated that Fatimah (RA) (the daughter of the Prophet (ﷺ) made a will that ‘Ali (RA) was to wash her when she dies.’ (Bulugh al-Maram) 

But in the Hanafi school of thought, the husband is not permitted to perform Ghusl for his deceased wife as the marriage is deemed terminated as soon as she passes away.

2. Could a woman perform Ghusl while menstruating?

Scholars from all schools of thought suggest that it is preferable for the person washing the deceased to be in a state of purity and ablution. Therefore, it is recommended for a woman on her menses to avoid bathing the deceased unless it is necessary.

However, if a close family member of the deceased wishes to participate in the washing, she should not be prevented from doing so.

3. Could a husband wash his divorced wife and vice versa?

In the Hanafi school of thought, as soon as the wife passes away, the marriage is deemed terminated for the man, which means that the husband cannot bathe the wife, divorced or not.

However, for the wife, the marriage is not terminated until she completes the period of her iddah. Hence, if the husband dies after issuing a revocable divorce, his wife may wash him. This is because the woman who is revocably divorced still holds the same rights and duties as a wife.

However, if the divorce was irrevocable or due to compensation (khula‘) or three divorces (talaqs), it’s not permissible for her to wash the husband as the marital relationship has ended. Ibn Qudaamah clarifies that in such cases, touching or looking at each other, even after death, is prohibited.

4. Should we perform Ghusl on someone who has died in the state of Ihram on an Umrah or Hajj?

Hanafis and Malikis believe that a deceased pilgrim should be treated the same way as a non-pilgrim. This includes using a shroud, applying perfume, and covering the head.

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:

A man was killed by his camel while we were with the Prophet (ﷺ) and he was a Muhrim. So the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Wash him with water and Sidr and shroud him in two pieces of cloth and neither perfume him nor cover his head, for Allah will resurrect him on the Day of Resurrection and he will be saying ‘Labbaik’.” (Bukhari)

They interpret the above hadith to mean that it is permissible to bury in two pieces if needed, but the face must be covered. The specifics mentioned in the hadith were unique to the man in question. (Reference: Umdat al-Qari, commentary on Bukhari)

Death is inevitable for all of us. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an,

“Every soul will taste death.” (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:35)

It is important that we prepare for it and understand our obligations as Muslims towards our fellow Muslims, especially after their passing. We hope this guide to Ghusl for the deceased was beneficial and useful. May Allah (SWT) grant us death only when He is pleased with us. Ameen.

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References

1. Can a husband perform Ghusl for deceased wife?

2. Can a menstruating woman perform Ghusl for deceased?