What is the ruling on washing the dead?

Question:
What is the ruling on washing the dead? Is it a recommended practice (sunnah) or obligatory? Some writers in the newspapers have spoken about it, saying it is a recommended practice (sunnah) and that it is better not to wash the dead for the sake of public interest, because washing it pollutes the environment?

Answer:
This is a false statement, and washing the dead is necessary; it is a collective obligation (fard kifayah). It is necessary to wash the dead, except for the martyr in battle in the path of Allah; he is not washed, his blood remains on him, and he will come on the Day of Resurrection with the blood testifying for him before Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He. As for one who is not a martyr in battle, it is obligatory to wash him. If he has a contagious disease and there is a fear that it will affect those who wash him, and he cannot be washed because of the contagious disease, then he performs dry ablution (tayammum) with dust. He performs dry ablution (tayammum) with dust, striking the dust with his two hands, then wiping over the face and hands of the deceased, and this suffices in place of washing. Yes.