The Procedure for Washing the Deceased and Shrouding Him

Question:
This is a question from listener (A.A.) from Riyadh, who says: I hope you will clarify the procedure for washing the deceased, shrouding the dead, and the difference between shrouding a male and a female?

Answer:
Washing the deceased is obligatory, a collective obligation; because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded the washing of the dead. It is washed as a living believer takes a full ritual bath, washing his entire body from his head to his feet, covering the body with water once. This is the obligatory part. It is better to start with the places of ablution; because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded starting with the places of ablution. So, one wipes his teeth and nose, and washes his face three times, which is better, and his arms including the elbows three times, and wipes his head including his ears, and washes his feet, whether male or female. Then, water is poured on his head three times, and he is washed with water and suds, then water is poured over his body, starting with the right side before the left, until the body is covered once. This is the obligatory part. If it is repeated three times, it is better. If the washing is repeated three or five times, it is better, in an odd number. This is the best.

If there is dirt or stuck-on substances on him, the washing is increased until all the dirt is removed, even if it goes up to seven times, but in an odd number, which is better, until the dirt and stuck-on substances are removed, and the body is purified with water and suds.
It is recommended to include some camphor in the last washing; because this makes the body smell good, stiffens it, and strengthens it, and makes the scent pleasant.
Then, he is shrouded in a cloth that covers him entirely from his head to his feet, a piece of cloth that covers him. The best is in three wraps, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was shrouded in three wraps. One is spread over another, then wrapped around him. What is above his head, what is below his feet, and his middle are tied with a belt. The knots are tied on his head, his feet, and his middle so that he does not come out of the shroud. The ends above the head are tied, and the ends after the feet are tied, and so is his middle, until it is secure. When he is placed in the grave, it is prescribed to untie these knots; they are untied and left as they are, loosened and left as they are.
If he is shrouded in a shirt... meaning, a wrap and a waistcloth, that is sufficient. For a woman, the best is a shirt, a waistcloth, a head covering on her head, and two wraps. This is the best: five pieces: a waistcloth, a shirt (a tunic), a head covering on her head, then she is wrapped in two wraps and tied.

The presenter: Proceed with it step by step.

The Shaykh: Proceed with it step by step, and tie what is above the head, what is below the feet, and the middle, until the shroud is secure. This is the best. Yes.

The presenter: Is the sufficient part in the washing just covering his body with water?

The Shaykh: Covering with water. And one cloth is sufficient for the shroud for both the woman and the man, if it is sufficient and covers the entire body, it is sufficient. But these additions are all recommended. Yes.

The presenter: Do those who participate in washing the deceased have to perform a full ritual bath afterwards, or ablution; repeating the ablution?

The Shaykh: One person takes charge of this matter, and another pours water on him. The private parts are covered, the area between the navel and the knee is covered, and water is poured on him until he is purified, as mentioned before. In the first washing, when he is cleaned with the cloth, he is lifted slightly, his head and back are lifted so that if there is anything that comes out, it comes out. Then, his private parts are cleaned with the cloth. Yes, and he is purified with water until whatever came out is removed. Then, he is given the prescribed ablution, all its parts, as mentioned before regarding the places of ablution. Starting with wiping the mouth and nose and washing the face, then the hands, then wiping the head and ears, then washing the feet, as mentioned before. Then, he is covered with water. This is what is prescribed for him, and it is an obligatory washing; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: regarding the one who died at 'Arafah. And he commanded the women to wash his daughter with three, five, or seven times, in an odd number (peace and blessings be upon him). And he commanded to start with her right side, and the places of ablution from her (peace and blessings be upon him). So, that indicates that this is the best, and the most complete. And there should be suds in the water, with water and suds. And he commanded them to put some camphor in the last washing, a little camphor, as mentioned before. Yes.

The presenter: I mean, does the one who washes the deceased have to perform a full ritual bath?

The Shaykh: And it is recommended for the one who washes him to perform a full ritual bath. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to take a full ritual bath after washing the deceased. When he finished, he would take a full ritual bath afterwards. This is the best.
And some of the scholars held that he must also perform ablution, the ablution... washing the deceased breaks the ablution. This was said by a group of scholars, and it was narrated from some of the Companions. So, if he performs the prescribed ablution and takes a full ritual bath, it is better.

The presenter: May Allah reward you.