The Islamic Ruling on Washing and Burying a Muslim Woman: Requirements, Procedure, and Prayers to Recite

Every living being will one day return to Allah, the Owner of the universe and everything in it. Although death is a secret known only to Allah, we as His servants need only to make an effort, so that when the promise of returning to Him arrives, we have good deeds as our light.

Besides good deeds, there are several preparations that must be made when caring for a deceased person. So, what is the Islamic ruling on caring for a deceased Muslim woman? This will be briefly discussed in the following explanation, including the requirements, the procedure, and the prayers to recite.

The Ruling on Caring for a Deceased Muslim Woman

The ruling on caring for a deceased Muslim woman is the same as for a deceased Muslim man, namely fardhu kifayah (a collective obligation). This means that if no one takes care of the deceased, everyone bears the sin, but if someone does take care of it, the obligation is lifted from the others.

It is therefore regrettable when there are reports that a body has been abandoned by the residents of a village for certain reasons. Whatever the reason, the sin of abandoning the deceased applies to everyone unless at least one of them is willing to take care of it.

Those assigned to care for the deceased must not be ignorant, because there are requirements, procedures, and prayers that must be recited. Preferably, the washing of a deceased Muslim woman should be entrusted to other Muslim women. It is not permitted for men, even relatives, husbands, or sons, to take part.

Requirements for Caring for a Deceased Muslim Woman

As explained earlier, the body of a deceased woman must be washed by women. There are other requirements that must be met for washing the body:

• The body must be washed by women who are sane and have reached puberty.
• The intention must be spoken aloud when washing the body.
• The washing must be carried out by a woman who is trusted, trustworthy, and knowledgeable about the rules of washing the deceased.

These requirements apply not only to the person washing the body. There are also requirements regarding which deceased persons must be washed and which need not be. A person who dies as a martyr, such as one who falls in battle or dies from a pandemic disease, does not need to be washed. These are the requirements for a body that must be washed.

• The deceased must be a Muslim.
• A body that is in pieces, usually due to an accident, must still be washed even if not all of it has been found. Clean the wounds first if possible.
• The deceased must not have died as a martyr.

The Procedure for Washing a Deceased Muslim Woman

The first step in caring for the deceased is preparing for the washing. The things that need to be prepared are:

• A washing area or washing basin.
• Clean, pure water.
• Sidr, or bidara leaves.
• Soap.
• Gloves.
• A little cotton.
• Camphor water.

Once all the preparations for washing the body are complete, the next step is to wash the body properly and correctly.

• The area set aside for washing the body must be quiet, enclosed, and not entered by anyone other than the attendants.
• Scent the area, for example by burning incense, to prevent odor from the body. Scenting is also intended so that angels descend to bestow their mercy (source: iNews).
• During the washing, the body is laid down on a place slightly higher than the floor so that splashed water does not reach it. The body may be placed on a bed or cradled by family members who take part in the washing.
• The body is washed while all of it is covered. If that is difficult, at least the awrah may be covered. The awrah of a Muslim woman extends from her chest to both knees.
• The attendant washing the body must wear hand covering when touching the awrah, and it is recommended when touching parts of the body other than the awrah.
• The abdomen is gently pressed with the left hand to expel waste.
• The attendant cleans both private openings of the Muslim woman's body using the left hand wrapped in cloth.
• The teeth and nostrils are also cleaned using the index finger of the left hand covered with a damp cloth. If they are soiled, they must first be purified.
• The body is given wudu as it would be done while the person was alive, including its obligatory and recommended parts. The intention for giving wudu to a deceased woman is: nawaitul wudhu a li hadzihil mayyitati.
• Finally, the body is washed from the head to the soles of the feet with soapy water, shampoo, or bidara leaves.

The steps are as follows:

• Pour water over the head of the deceased.
• Begin by pouring water over the right side of the front of the body, with the body tilted slightly. Pour from the neck down to the feet. Then continue with the left side, also from the neck down to the feet.
• Pour water over the whole body a third time, using water mixed with a little camphor so as not to alter the purity of the water. Alternatively, pour clean water without camphor, then sprinkle it with camphor water. This final washing is obligatory, and it is recommended to recite the intention: nawaitul ghusla 'an haadzihil mayyiti.
• After washing, the body is dried with a towel. Do not forget to neatly arrange the hair of the Muslim woman. If her hair is long, it is braided into three plaits.

The Procedure for Shrouding a Deceased Muslim Woman

• After the body has been purified, the next step is shrouding the deceased Muslim woman. The shroud consists of five white cloths.
• The first and lowest cloth covers the entire body, so it must be wider.
• The second cloth is used as a head covering.
• The third cloth is used as a long garment.
• The fourth cloth is used to cover the body from the waist to the feet.
• The fifth cloth is used to cover the hips and thighs.

Shrouding must be done in the following order:

• Arrange the two shroud cloths that have been cut into five pieces. Lift the body wrapped in cloth and place it on top, aligned with the shroud. Scent it with fragrance and camphor.
• Tie the cloth covering the thighs.
• Dress the Muslim woman in her long garment.
• Arrange the hair of the Muslim woman and let it fall behind her.
• Put on the head covering.
• Wrap her in the last cloth, tie it with the torn edges of the cloth prepared earlier, and untie them when reaching the grave.

Once the caring for the deceased has been carried out properly and correctly, the body is ready for the funeral prayer. The funeral prayer is performed with the body placed in front of the congregation.

If you wish to make the entire process of caring for the deceased easier, you may use a funeral service. They will handle all the needs of the deceased, from washing and shrouding to burial. All the needs of mourners can also be met by the service provider, so the grieving family only needs to perform the funeral prayer.

The costs and procedures of burial can sometimes become an unexpected burden. Today you can use such a service so that when that day comes, the process is not too burdensome for the family.

That is the brief explanation of the Islamic ruling on caring for the deceased. Are you interested in using such a service to handle the entire funeral process? Contact the service provider right away for more complete information.