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Ghusl, Kafn and Dafn of the Dead body

بِسۡمِ اللهِ الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِيۡمِ 

 

1.Ghusl of the Deceased

Step-by-Step Chart: Ghusl (Washing) of the Deceased in Hanafi Fiqh

  • Ghusl of the dead body should be performed by adult, trustworthy Muslims of the same gender as the deceased.
  • Privacy and dignity of the deceased must be maintained throughout the process.
  • The washing is a communal obligation (fard kifayah) for the Muslim community.
  1. Preparation of the Washing Area
    • Fumigate the washing platform with incense (such as frankincense) three, five, or seven times to purify the area
  2. Placing and Covering the Body
    • Place the deceased on the platform.
    • Cover the area from the navel to the knees (awrah) with a cloth to maintain privacy
  3. Removing Clothes and Items
    • Remove all clothing and any medical or personal items (e.g., ID tags, dressings, drains, IV lines if not already removed)
  4. Cleaning Impurities (Istinja)
    • With thick gloved hands, clean any impurities from the body, especially the private parts, using water
  5. Performing Wudu (Ablution)
    • Perform wudu for the deceased as for prayer: wash the face, arms (including elbows), wipe the head, and wash the feet.
    • Do not gargle or sniff water into the nose; instead, use a wet piece of cotton to clean these areas if needed
  6. Washing the Body
    • Wash the head and hair first.
    • Wash the right side of the body (upper then lower), followed by the left side (upper then lower).
    • For females, loosen, wash, and braid the hair into three braids, placing them behind the back
  7. Repeating the Wash
    • Wash the body at least three times, or more (five or seven), always in odd numbers, until the body is clean
  8. Final Wash with Camphor
    • In the last wash, add camphor or a fragrant substance to the water for purification and fragrance
  9. Drying and Shrouding
    • Dry the body with a clean towel and prepare it for shrouding, ensuring the awrah remains covered at all times

 

2.Shrouding (Kafn) the Deceased

  • Material and Colour: The shroud should preferably be made of white cotton, though any colour or type of cloth usually worn by the deceased is permissible. The shroud should be of good quality, but not extravagant
  • Perfuming: It is recommended to perfume the shroud with incense an odd number of times (preferably three times: when the soul leaves, during washing, and when shrouding)
  • Privacy and Respect: The process must be conducted with utmost privacy and respect for the deceased. The ‘awrah (private parts) must remain covered at all times
  • No Combing or Cutting: The hair and beard should not be combed or braided, and nails should not be cut
Steps for Shrouding a Male
  1. Lay Out the Cloths:
    • Lifafah: Spread out the liifafah (the outer wrapper, like a chador) on the ground.
    • Izar: Unfold the Izar (a loincloth extending from head to feet) on top of the lifafah.
  2. Place the Deceased:
    • Place the deceased onto the Izar.
  3. Khamis:
    • Dress the deceased in a khamis (a shirt or upper garment without sleeves, extending from shoulders to feet).
  4. Fold the Cloths:
    • Fold the izar over the deceased, first from the left side, then from the right.
    • Then, fold the lifafah over the deceased, again from the left side, then the right.
  5. Secure the Shroud:
    • The shroud may be fastened with a knot or tied at the ends to keep it secure.

Note: It is permissible to use only the izar and lifafah if a khamis is not available

 
Steps for Shrouding a Female
  1. Lay Out the Cloths:
    • Lifafah: Spread out the lifafah.
    • Cloth for Bosom: Place a cloth for the bosom on top of the lifafah.
    • Izar: Unfold the Izar on top of the cloth for the bosom.
  2. Place the Deceased:
    • Place the deceased onto the Izar.
  3. Qamis and Khimar:
    • Dress the deceased in a khamis.
    • Place a Khimar (headscarf) on top of the khamis, under the lifafah.
  4. Hair:
    • Place the hair plaits on the chest on top of the khamis.
  5. Wrap and Secure:
    • Cover the head and face with the Khimar.
    • Wrap the Izar over the deceased.
    • Fasten the cloth for the bosom on top of the chest.
    • Finally, wrap the lifafah over the entire body and secure it

Note: It is permissible to restrict the female shroud to izar, khimar, and lifafah if others are not available

Shrouding of a child
  • Children Close to Maturity: Shroud as an adult (three clothes for boys, five for girls).
  • Young Children: It is better to use the full kafn, but permissible for a young boy to be shrouded in one cloth and a young girl in two clothes

 

3.The Burial Procedure

  • The burial of a deceased Muslim is a communal obligation (fard kifayah).
  • The burial should be performed by adult, trustworthy Muslims, preferably male relatives or community members
  • Women may attend the burial but traditionally do not enter the grave area
  • The process should be conducted with utmost respect, privacy, and adherence to Islamic etiquette

1. Transporting the Body to the Cemetery

  • The body should be taken to the cemetery as soon as possible after the janazah (funeral) prayer, without unnecessary delay.
  • It is preferable to carry the body on the shoulders if the cemetery is nearby; otherwise, transport may be used

2. Preparing the Grave

  • The grave should be dug deep enough to fully conceal the body, ideally at least half the height of the deceased, but deeper (up to the full height) is better
  • The grave should be long enough to accommodate the body and wide enough for ease of placement
  • Two types of graves are recognised:
    • Lahd: A niche is dug into the side of the grave facing the Qiblah, and the body is placed in this niche (preferred in Hanafi fiqh).
    • Shiqq: A simple rectangular trench where the body is placed in the centre

3. Placing the Body in the Grave

  • The body is placed in the grave from the direction of the feet, gently and with respect
  • The deceased should be laid on their right side, facing the Qibla
  • While placing the body, it is Sunnah to say:
    “Bismillahi wa ‘ala sunnati Rasulillah” (In the name of Allah and upon the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah)
  • The ties of the shroud should be untied after the body is placed in the grave

4. Filling the Grave

  • After the body is placed, the niche (if using lahd) is covered with unbaked bricks or wooden planks before filling the grave with soil
  • Those present may each throw three handfuls of soil into the grave, reciting:
    “Minha khalaqnakum wa feeha nu’eedukum wa minha nukhrijukum taaratan ukhra”
    (“From it [the earth] We created you, and into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you forth once more”)
  • The grave is then filled completely, ensuring the body is fully covered and protected from animals and the elements

5. After Burial

  • It is Sunnah to raise the grave slightly above ground level (about a handspan) and shape it so that water runs off
  • Water may be sprinkled on the grave to settle the soil
  • It is recommended to make du‘a (supplication) for the deceased at the graveside after burial
  • Reciting the opening and closing verses of Surah Al-Baqarah at the grave is also recommended in Hanafi practice