The Sunnah Method of Ghusl (Bathing) for the Deceased in Islam

This article is excerpted from the book "Namaz-e-Mustafa ﷺ" by Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi.

❖ Instructing the Dying to Say the Shahadah​

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"لَقِّنُوا مَوْتَاكُمْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ"
“Instruct your dying ones to say: Lā ilāha illallāh.”
Saheeh Muslim, Book of Funerals, Hadith: 917, 6916

This is because whoever’s last words are "Lā ilāha illallāh" will enter Paradise.
Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Funerals, Hadith: 3116

🕯 Recitation of Surah Yasin Near the Dying Person​

There is no authentic Sunnah that supports reciting Surah Yasin near a dying person. The narration that mentions it is weak.
At-Talkhees al-Habir: 2/104 – Irwa' al-Ghalil: 3/150, Hadith: 688

Kissing the Deceased​

It is permissible to kiss the deceased. Abu Bakr as-Siddiq رضي الله عنه kissed the Prophet ﷺ after his passing and wept.
Saheeh Bukhari, Book of Funerals, Hadith: 1241, 1242

Steps for Ghusl of the Deceased​

① Remove any rings, watches, amulets, or clothing.
② Cover the deceased’s body from the navel to the knees with a cloth, then remove other clothes. Do not look at or touch the private parts without necessity.
③ Gently press the stomach a few times, then perform istinja using a gloved hand and water.
④ Clean the mouth, nose, ears, and teeth with moist cotton to minimize excessive washing later.
⑤ Begin ghusl from the right side and wash the wudu parts first.
Saheeh Bukhari: 1255 – Saheeh Muslim: 338, 939

Important Guidelines for Ghusl​

① Use water boiled with lote leaves (sidr) for the bath. Soap or shampoo may also be used.
② Add fragrance, such as camphor, in the final rinse.
③ Unbraid a woman’s hair and wash it thoroughly.
④ After bathing, re-braid her hair into three parts and place them at the back.
⑤ The ghusl should be done three, five, or seven times, or more if necessary, but always in odd numbers.
Saheeh Bukhari: 1253, 1263 – Saheeh Muslim: 939

⑥ Men should bathe men and women should bathe women.
Saheeh Bukhari: 1253 – Saheeh Muslim: 939

Can Spouses Bathe Each Other After Death?​

Yes, husbands and wives may bathe one another after death.
The Prophet ﷺ said to A’ishah رضي الله عنها:
“If you die before me, I will bathe you.”
Sunan Ibn Majah: 1465 – Musnad Ahmad: 6/228 – Saheeh Ibn Hibban: 6552

Qadi Shawkani said:
“This Hadith proves that a husband may bathe his wife after her death, and vice versa.”
Nayl al-Awtar: 4/31

Imam al-San‘ani added:
“The husband may bathe his wife, and this is the opinion of the majority of scholars.”
Sabil al-Salam: 2/741–742

‘Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه personally bathed his wife Fatimah رضي الله عنها.
Musnad ash-Shafi‘i: 1/211 – Sunan Daraqutni: 1833 – Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi: 3/396

Ibn al-Mundhir reported from senior scholars—such as ‘Alqamah, Jabir ibn Zayd, Malik, al-Shafi‘i, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and others—that both spouses may wash one another.
Al-Awsat by Ibn al-Mundhir: 5/335–336

A Misconception​

Some people claim that marriage ends upon death, and the deceased spouse becomes non-mahram. Based on this belief, some refrain even from touching the body.

❖ Clarification​

This belief is incorrect for several reasons:
① The Qur'an refers to the surviving spouse as a "zawj" (spouse) in inheritance laws—proof that the marital bond remains.
② A widow observes 'iddah and mourning, indicating the continuation of the marital relationship.

The Shrouding (Kafan) of the Deceased​

① The shroud should be good quality and fully cover the body.
Saheeh Muslim: 943

② The shroud should be white.
Sunan Abu Dawood: 4061 – Sunan Tirmidhi: 1010

③ The shroud should consist of three pieces:

• One like a lower garment (izar)
• One like an upper garment (qamees)
• A large sheet to wrap over all
  A’ishah رضي الله عنها said:
  “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was shrouded in three white sheets, with neither a shirt nor a turban.”
  Saheeh Bukhari: 1264, 1271–1273, 1287 – Saheeh Muslim: 941