Abu Dawud

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: ➊ According to the majority, giving the deceased a ritual bath (ghusl) is obligatory (fard). According to the Kufans, the Zahiris, and Imam Muzani, washing three times is obligatory. Washing more than this, five or seven times, is permissible if needed. According to most Imams, the ritual bath is a devotional act (ta‘abbudi hukm), the philosophy and wisdom of which are not known. Or, it is for cleanliness and purification. The deceased is not impure (najis). Otherwise, purification and cleanliness would not be achieved with water and lotus leaves (sidr). However, according to the Hanafis, a person becomes impure upon death, just as all animals that have blood become impure upon dying. But this view is contrary to the authentic hadith, because the statement of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is: (Inna al-mu’mina laa yanjus) (Bukhari) — "Indeed, the believer does not become impure."

➋ When giving the final ritual bath to the deceased, camphor (kafur) should be added to the water, or after completing the bath, camphor should be sprinkled over the body.

➌ After completing the ritual bath, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) removed his waistcloth and gave it so that it could be wrapped around the body of the deceased. From this, it is not correct to deduce the permissibility of seeking blessings (tabarruk) from the relics of the righteous (athar salihin). Because the Companions (radi Allahu anhum) did not seek blessings from anyone’s relics except those of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). Otherwise, after him, at the very least, the Companions (radi Allahu anhum) would have sought blessings from the relics of the Rightly Guided Caliphs (radi Allahu anhum ajma‘in). Therefore, this is a unique distinction and characteristic specific to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) alone.

Explanation:
1:
There are several benefits in greeting children with salam:

➊
It expresses humility in the one who gives the salam.

➋
Children become acquainted with Islamic manners.

➌
Salam also brings comfort and encouragement to them.

➍
The importance of salam becomes clear to them.

➎
They become aware that this is a Sunnah of the Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), and acting upon it is very important.