Hadith on Ghusl After Washing the Deceased
Narrated by Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه), the Prophet (ﷺ) said:"Whoever washes a deceased person should perform ghusl, and whoever carries the body should perform wudu."
[Sunan At-Tirmidhi]
✔ Verification and Referencing:
✔ Sources: Musnad Ahmad (2/454), Sunan Abu Dawood (3161), Sunan Ibn Majah (1463), Sunan At-Tirmidhi (993) (who classified it as Hasan), Al-Bayhaqi (1/300-301), Ibn Hibban (1158).
✔ At-Tirmidhi said: "This hadith is Hasan, and its narrators are the narrators of Sahih Muslim."
Scholarly Opinions on Ghusl After Washing the Deceased
Imam Ahmad and Ali ibn Abdullah said: "There is no authentic hadith in this matter." (As mentioned by Imam Bukhari in his commentary on At-Tirmidhi's report.)Some scholars consider Ghusl obligatory, while others state it is only recommended (mustahabb).
Key Points Derived from the Hadith
✔ It is necessary to wash the deceased before burial.✔ Performing Ghusl after washing the deceased is not obligatory (fard), but it is recommended (mustahabb). Those who wish to perform Ghusl may do so, but there is no sin upon those who do not.
✔ Carrying the bier (janazah) or touching the body does not invalidate wudu.
✔ There is no clear evidence that touching a deceased person necessitates Ghusl or Wudu. The ruling of ritual impurity (najasa) does not apply to the dead body.
[This content is taken from the book Diya' Al-Islam Fi Sharh Al-Imam Bi Ahadith Al-Ahkam by Sheikh Taqi Al-Din Abu Al-Fath, translated by Maulana Mahmood Ahmad Ghaznfar.]