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Washing and Shrouding for Muslims

A practical guidebook to understanding how to wash and shroud a deceased Muslim. Some very important things to remember:

1. Preparation:

  • Put the body on a table 
  • Use a head support to keep the head in place, and closely watched at all times, especially when turning the body  
  • Make sure that the private parts area “A’WRAA” is always covered 
  • Use Lukewarm water, to the cold side more than to the warm side 

2. Impurities Removal: 

  • Aims at cleaning any impurities that might be on the body 
  • If possible, remove all bandages/tubes that might be attached to the body (If uncontrolled leakage is possible, please leave it in place. )
  • Gently clean the bottom and the private parts, while maintaining cover ( Use a gloved hand with a piece of cloth folded around, block direct contact with the private parts. The exposed hand must not be used alone.)
  • Press the stomach gently and clean whatever comes out.
  • Cover the soiled towel while throwing it away. 
  • Keep to oneself what type of things that are expelled from the body are seen during washing 

3. Wudu

  • Perform wudu (ablution) on the deceased as in normal wudu.  

4. Washing: 

  • Use soapy water. 
  • Start by washing the head/hair, any mild shampoo can be used.
  • Begin with the front right side, at the right shoulder, moving downward to feet, taking care that the armpits, under the breast area, any folds in tissue, and bends of knees are cleansed.
  • Tilt the deceased onto their left side and cleanse the backside. Keep the private parts covered.
  • Repeat for the left side. 

5. Ghusl

  • Perform Ghusl as it’s done oneself, no soap, just water
    • Start with the head 
    • Right side front 
    • Right side back 
    • Left side front 
    • Left side back 

6. Nourishing: 

  • Prepare a mixture of Camphor, cider leaves, and/or any natural non-alcoholic scents.  
  • This time, rather than washing, rinse the body from right to left, front to back. Simply pour the mixture over the body parts. No washcloth is necessary. 

7. Shrouding “Kafan” 

  • For simplicity, white sheets of proper size, normally 6ft x 7ft can be
  • used
    • 3 sheets for male 
    • 5 sheets for female, some sisters prefer to cut specific pieces for scarves and chest covers. 
  • Wrap the first sheet around the body, then the second, and so 
  • Make three ties around the body
    • Above the head 
    • In the middle of the body 
    • Below the toes 
  • An extra sheet can be used to carry the body in/from the casket for transportation and burial 
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To provide religious, social, and educational services to enable the Muslim community to fulfill its responsibilities and contribute to the betterment of society by embodying and exemplifying leadership and excellence and fostering peace.

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“Every soul will taste death, then to Us you will ˹all˺ be returned.”

Qur’an 29:57