The Sunnah Method of Giving Ghusl to the Deceased – Detailed Shar‘i Guide
Taken from: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
Question
What is the correct method of giving ghusl to the deceased as established from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd:
Detailed Sunnah Method of Ghusl for the Deceased
① Clean the Private Parts
- Begin by washing the private parts of the deceased.
② Begin the Ghusl
- Start the washing process in the prescribed Sunnah order.
③ Perform Wudū’ for the Deceased
- Perform wudū’ for the body as for prayer, except:
- Do not pour water into the mouth or nose.
- Instead:
◈ Moisten a piece of cloth.
◈ Use it to wipe the mouth and nostrils of the deceased.
④ Wash the Body
- Wash the entire body thoroughly.
⑤ Use Lotus (Sidr) Leaves
- Place lotus leaves in water.
- Crush the leaves and mix into the water.
- Stir with the hand to produce foam.
- Use the foam to wash the head and beard.
- Then wash the rest of the body with the remaining water.
- This method ensures deep cleaning of the body.
⑥ Use Camphor in the Final Wash
- In the last wash, add camphor, a known fragrance.
- Scholars mention camphor’s benefits:
❀ It helps stiffen the body.
❀ It repels insects.
Number of Washes
- If the body is excessively soiled, it can be washed more than once.
- The Prophet ﷺ instructed the women who were washing his daughter Zaynab رضي الله عنها:
«اغْسِلْنَهَا ثَلَاثًا أَوْ خَمْسًا أَوْ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ إِنْ رَأَيْتُنَّ ذَلِكَ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, al-Janā’iz, Bāb Ghusl al-Mayt, Ḥadīth 1253)
“Wash her three times, or five times, or more than that if you see fit.”
After Ghusl – Shrouding (Kafan)
- Once ghusl is complete, dry the body and dress it in the shroud according to the Sunnah.
