Question
I am part of my local burial committee and want to know if the following method of Ghusal for the Mayat is correct. I placed a *** on things that some of our members do but I don’t think it is correct
Ghusal for a Male Adult
Place the body on the table
Remove the clothes
*** Wash the hands of the Mayat
*** Rinse the entire body once
Lift the body 3 times and press the stomach
Do Istinja once on the top private part and 3 times at the bottom continue until clean
Start with Wudhu wash the right hand up to the wrist x 3
Wash the left hand x 3
Wash the mouth using cotton x 3
Do each nostril 3 times each with cotton
Wash the face x3
Wash both hands including elbow x 3
Make Masah of the head n nape
Wash the feet x 3
Now use a soapy cloth to wash the entire body and face
Rinse the soap off the entire body
Use camphor water over the entire body
Done
Answer
The Sunnah method of Ghusl prescribed for the deceased in the books of Fiqh are as follows;
1. The deceased must be placed on the washing table (which has already being scented with loban an odd number of times) either on his back or on his side or in any other way in which there is ease in washing the body.
2. His Satr should be concealed and clothing removed.
3. Istinja should now be effected, i.e. the Satr will be washed. Neither is it permissible to look at the Satr nor touch it with the bare hands. Cloth mittens should be put on the hands and the washing should be done with them.
3. Wudhu should be performed (except for a little child that doesn’t understand Salaah) without entering water into the mouth and nostrils. This is due to the fact that if water is entered into the mouth or nostril then removing it may be difficult unless a person is overturned. However, if a person passed away in a state of Janaabat, or a woman passed away whilst experiencing Haidh (menstrual cycle) or Nifaas (post natal bleeding) then wet cotton wool may be used for this purpose.
4. Water should be poured over the entire body (and soap be used).
5. The head and beard should be washed (using soap).
6. Then he should be turned to his left and rinsed (in full) to the extent that water reaches beneath him, and then he should be turned to his right and rinsed (in full) to the extent that water reaches beneath him. (The body may be rubbed whilst pouring water.) This procedure should be carried out three times.
7. He should then be made to sit with a slight recline and his stomach slightly pressed (so that any impurities may emerge) which should then be washed. There is no need to repeat the Ghusl if any impurity emerges.
8. His body should then be dried using towels.
9. Scent may then be applied on the beard and head, and camphor should be applied to the places of Sajdah.
We suggest that the above sequence be adopted (if possible) which is in conformity with the teachings of the Fuqahaa (jurist).
Checked and Approved By:
Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
References
(نور الايضاح باب احكام الجنائز)