How to Wash the Body of a Deceased Person Whose Body Is Damaged?

How should the body of a deceased person whose body is damaged be washed? Washing the deceased is an obligation in Islam. However, in certain cases it requires further discussion, namely whether such a body must still be washed and prayed over.

One such condition is when the body is no longer intact, for example a body that was a victim of an accident. In this case, must you still wash it? Here is the full discussion.

The Basic Ruling on Washing the Deceased

One way of caring for the deceased is by washing the body. According to Sayyid Sabiq in his book Fiqh Sunnah, washing the deceased is a communal obligation (fardu kifayah).

This means that once some people have carried out the obligation, it is lifted from the rest. Sayyid Sabiq also adds that washing the body of a Muslim is obligatory.

But what if the body is no longer intact? In this case, it must be discussed further.

How to Wash the Body of a Deceased Person Whose Body Is Damaged?

If someone dies in an accident or as a result of mutilation and the body is no longer intact or is damaged, how should it be washed? In fact, there are several opinions on how to wash the deceased in such cases. Here is the full discussion.

1. According to Burhanudin Ibnu Mazah

وإن أوجد شيئاً من أطراف ميت كيد أو رجل أو رأس لم يغسل ولم يصلِ عليه، ولكنه يدفن

If what is found is only a part of the body, for example a hand, a foot, or just the head, then that body does not need to be washed. It also does not need to be prayed over, but is buried directly.

He also explains that Imam Al-Hasan bin Ziyad, based on the statement of Abu Hanifah, said:

إذا وجد أكثر البدن غسل وكفن وصلي عليه ودفن. وإن كان نصف البدن، ومعه الرأس غسل وصلي عليه ودفن

“If the greater part of a body is found, it is washed, shrouded, prayed over, and buried. And if half of the body is found together with the head, it is washed, prayed over, and buried.”

He then adds:

وإن كان مشقوقاً نصفين طولاً، فوجد منه أحد النصفين لم يغسل، ولم يصلِ عليه، ولكنه يدفن لحرمته، وإن كان نصف البدن بلا رأس غسل، ولم يصلِ عليه. وإن كان أقل من نصف البدن ومعه الرأس غسل وكفن ودفن ولا يصلى عليه

“If a body is split in half lengthwise and only one half is found, it is not washed and not prayed over, but it is buried out of respect for the body. If half of the body is found without the head, it is washed but not prayed over. If less than half of the body is found and it includes the head, it is washed, shrouded, and buried, but not prayed over.” (al-Muhit al-Burhani, 2:364).

2. According to Hasyiyah Ibnu Abidin

Hasyiyah Ibnu Abidin, a well-known scholar of his time, also gave his answer on this issue.

لو وجد طرف من أطراف إنسان أو نصفه مشقوقا طولا أو عرضا يلف في خرقة إلا إذا كان معه الرأس في كفن

“If a part of a human body is found, or half of a body split lengthwise or crosswise, it is simply wrapped in cloth (not washed), except if the head is with it, in which case it is shrouded.” (ar-Raddul Mukhtar, 2:222).

Washing a Damaged Body According to Sufi Teaching

What does Sufi teaching say about washing a damaged body? In the view of Sufi scholarship, there are three types of martyrdom:

• Martyrdom in this world and the hereafter.
• Martyrdom in this world only.
• Martyrdom in the hereafter only.

The first type refers to those who die fighting the enemies of Allah. They fight for the truth with sincere intentions. The second type refers to those who are martyred fighting enemies with worldly motives.

For example, fighting in order to gain war spoils or to gain fame. Since it is quite difficult to distinguish between the first and second types, under the law both receive the same treatment in terms of their funeral rites.

Based on the four elements of obligation (fardhu kifayah) toward a deceased Muslim, both only need to be shrouded and buried. It is even considered impermissible to wash or pray over them.

Martyrdom in the hereafter, meanwhile, refers to those who die while seeking knowledge, or who die from longing for someone without ever telling that person.

Many people who die and fall into the category of martyrdom, whether through accidents or disasters, often have bodies that are damaged or no longer intact. In some cases the body is completely lost and cannot be found at all.

As long as the body can still be found, it must be given full funeral care. However, if washing it would risk further damaging the body or worsening its condition, it should be replaced with tayammum. (Sayyid Bakri, I’anah at Thalibin, 2:108).

How to Wash a Deceased Person Who Is Only a Part of the Body

What if the body is only a piece of one or several parts of the body? In this case, the remains must still be washed and prayed over, with the intention of praying over the deceased as usual, and then buried.

Moreover, if a body is never found, it is sufficient to pray over it. (Imam Nawawi, al-Majmu’ ‘ala Syarhil Muhadzdzab, 5:254)

Knowing How to Wash a Damaged Body

That is the information on how to wash the body of a deceased person whose body is damaged. Nobody is untouched by sorrow when a loved one passes away. So if that time comes and you need a trusted funeral service, you can rely on Kamboja.

Kamboja has experience with the proper procedures for caring for the deceased in Islam. Kamboja's team takes responsibility for every step, from washing to burial. For more information, you can get in touch through Kamboja's contact page.