Teaching the Dying Person and a Husband Washing His Wife or Vice Versa

Question:
Umm 'Abd al-Aziz says: As for the Honorable Shaykh. First, I ask the Shaykh (may Allah preserve him) regarding washing the deceased. When does this take place? Is it before or after the person dies? And is it permissible for a husband to wash his wife, and vice versa?

Answer:
The dying person is taught the testimony of faith when he is on his deathbed. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Teach your dying ones to say: There is no god but Allah." So, if , he is taught before his soul departs. As long as he has some consciousness and can hear what is said, he is taught. However, if he has died and his soul has departed, the time for teaching has ended. This is the teaching of the dying person: saying "There is no god but Allah" before the soul departs, if he has consciousness, can hear what is said, and is able to speak. Then he is taught so that this good word may be his last words. So, to answer the question: Is it permissible for the husband to wash his wife, and vice versa?
Yes, it is permissible for the husband to wash his wife, because 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) washed 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her). And vice versa, it is permissible for the wife to wash her husband, because Asma' bint 'Umayys (may Allah be pleased with her) washed her husband, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with them both).

The presenter:
May Allah reward you and bless you.