Taken from: Fatawa Ameenpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri
❖ Question:
What should one say while giving ghusl (ritual washing) to the deceased?
❖ Answer:
While giving ghusl to a deceased Muslim, there is no specific du‘a from the Sunnah that is obligatorily prescribed to be recited verbally during the process.
However, the recommended actions are:
✿ 1. Engage in Frequent Dhikr and Du‘a
✔ One should continuously remember Allah and supplicate for the deceased during the process.
✔ Saying Subḥānallāh, Lā ilāha illallāh, Astaghfirullāh, and other adhkār is encouraged.
✔ It is mustaḥabb (recommended) to make du‘a for the forgiveness and mercy of the deceased during ghusl.
✿ 2. Hadith on the Virtue of Bathing the Deceased:
Sayyidunā Abū Rāfiʿ (رضي الله عنه), the freed slave of the Prophet ﷺ, narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever bathes the deceased and conceals his faults, Allah will forgive him forty times. Whoever shrouds the deceased, Allah will clothe him with silk and brocade in Paradise. And whoever digs a grave for him and lowers him into it, he will receive a reward equal to providing a home for him until the Day of Judgment.”
(Al-Sunan al-Kubrā lil-Bayhaqī: 3/395; Shuʿab al-Īmān: 8827; Al-Muʿjam al-Kabīr: 1/315 – Chain: Ḥasan)
✔ Imam al-Ḥākim graded it as authentic according to the conditions of Imam Muslim,
and Imam al-Dhahabī agreed with him.
(Al-Mustadrak: 1/354, 362)
✿ 3. Guidelines for the Ghusl:
❖ During the ghusl, if the person giving the bath notices something praiseworthy in the deceased –
such as:
- A radiant face,
- A pleasant fragrance,
- A calm and peaceful body,
✔ Then it is recommended to mention this to others as a sign of goodness.
❖ But if the person observes something unpleasant, such as:
- A blackened face,
- A foul odor,
- Distorted features or unusual bodily changes,
✖ Then it is strictly prohibited (ḥarām) to speak of this to others.
This falls under exposing the deceased’s faults, which is a major sin.
✅ Summary:
✔ While giving ghusl to the deceased, one should:
- Engage in frequent remembrance of Allah (dhikr)
- Pray for forgiveness and mercy for the deceased
- Remain silent about any defects seen in the body
- Mention praiseworthy signs, if any, to inspire others with good expectations
✖ There is no specific du‘a to be compulsorily recited, but general du‘as and dhikr are highly recommended.
