Who Is Allowed to Wash the Deceased?

The people entitled to wash the deceased are usually the family and those who meet specific requirements. However, under certain circumstances, others may also wash the deceased. Who are they?

The Law and Hadith on Washing the Deceased

Caring for the deceased is a communal obligation (fardhu kifayah). For this reason, the method of washing the deceased should follow the Sunnah. So, who is entitled to wash the deceased?

According to the Hanbali school, as set out in the book "Fiqih Islam wa Adillatuhu" by Prof. Dr. Wahbah Az-Zuhaili, a person who wishes to wash the deceased must first meet several requirements: being Muslim, intending to wash the deceased, being of sound mind, and being trustworthy.

These requirements are even recorded in a hadith, in which the Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

لِيَغْسِلْ مَوْتَاكُمْ الْمَأْمُوْنُوْنَ

The meaning is:

“Let your deceased be washed by people who can be trusted.(HR. Ibn Majah).

A man may wash a deceased man if he is a blood relative, or if he is not a relative but is the deceased's wife or mahram.

The rules differ for a deceased woman. The one entitled to wash her is her husband. Other women who are relatives may also wash her, as may women who are not relatives, or even her mahram.

Those Entitled to Wash the Deceased

The most fundamental requirement for washing the deceased is that the person has the experience and ability to do it. Beyond this, there are other people who may also take part in washing the deceased. Here is the explanation:

1. A Husband Washing His Deceased Wife, who is entitled to wash her

It is related in a hadith from Aisha RA that:

“Once the Prophet came to me after returning from attending a burial at the Baqi' cemetery. At that time I felt dizzy, and I said, "Wa ra'sah!" (an expression of headache). (an expression of headache).

The Prophet then said, "What is it that you are complaining about? If you die before me, I will wash you, shroud you, pray over you, and bury you."(HR. Ahmad 6/288, Ibn Majah No. 1465, Ad-Darimi 1/37 and others).

In HR. Al-Baihaqi 3/396, Ad-Daraqutni 2/79 and Asy-Syafi'i 1/361, it is explained that Ali bin Abi Talib RA also washed the body of his wife, Fatimah RA. Based on this account, a husband is entitled to wash the body of his own wife.

2. A Wife Washing Her Deceased Husband

A wife likewise has the same right to wash her deceased husband. This is even explained in a hadith.

Aisha RA said, "Had I known what would happen afterward, the Prophet would have been washed only by his wives."(HR. Abu Dawud No. 3141, Al-Baihaqi 3/398).

Imam Al-Baihaqi also said that "Aisha felt sorrow over this, and she would only have felt sorrow if it had been permissible."”

3. A Non-Related Woman Washing a Young Boy

According to a narration from Hasan RA, it is explained that "It is permissible for a woman to wash a young child, if he is still being weaned, and provided the body is covered with something."(HR. Ibn Abi Shaybah 3/251).

Ibn Al-Mundhir RA, Ibn Sirin, and Imam An-Nawawi RA also stated the following regarding who is entitled to wash the deceased:

“The scholars have agreed that it is permissible for a woman to wash a young boy.”

In addition, relatives may also wash the body of a deceased boy. If there are no relatives, the task may be entrusted to someone who has a better understanding of caring for the deceased.

4. A Father Bathing His Deceased Daughter

If there is no woman available to care for the deceased, or no one with experience in caring for the deceased, there is no prohibition against a father bathing his deceased daughter, because a father is a mahram to his daughter.

This has even been narrated from Abu Hasyim RA, who said, "Abu Qilabah bathed his own daughter." This was also stated by Imam Al Auza'i, Imam Asy Syafi'i, and Imam Al Auza'i.

5. Those Named in the Deceased's Will

If the deceased, before passing away, expressed a wish about who should bathe them, that person has the greatest right to do so, even ahead of the deceased's own family.

6. Knowledgeable People Chosen by the Family

The next people entitled to bathe the deceased are those with religious knowledge who have been appointed by the family. These people usually understand well the knowledge and rules for caring for the deceased.

7. People in Good Relations with the Deceased

Anyone who harbors resentment toward the deceased, or who has had a history of conflict with them, even if they are a sibling, should not bathe the deceased. Those who had good relations with the deceased are the ones who may do so.

8. Righteous People

The Messenger of Allah SAW once said in a hadith:

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ غَسَّلَ مَيِّتًا فَأَدَّى فِيهِ الْأَمَانَةَ وَلَمْ يُفْشِ عَلَيْهِ مَا يَكُونُ مِنْهُ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ خَرَجَ مِنْ ذُنُوبِهِ كَيَوْمِ وَلَدَتْهُ أُمُّهُ قَالَ لِيَلِهِ أَقْرَبُكُمْ مِنْهُ إِنْ كَانَ يَعْلَمُ فَإِنْ كَانَ لَا يَعْلَمُ فَمَنْ تَرَوْنَ أَنَّ عِنْدَهُ حَظًّا مِنْ وَرَعٍ وَأَمَانَةٍ-احمد

The meaning is:

Aisyah RA said, "Whoever bathes a deceased person fulfills a trust, and does not disclose to others what they see of the deceased. For such a person, all their sins are forgiven, as on the day their mother bore them.”

Then the Messenger of Allah SAW said, "Let the arrangements be made by the closest family if they know how to bathe the deceased. If they cannot, then whoever is considered most entitled because of their piety and trustworthiness."" (HR. Ahmad)

Procedure for Those Entitled to Bathe the Deceased

The following is the procedure for bathing the deceased for those entitled to do so:

1. Place the body on a raised surface.
2. Cover the private parts with a damp cloth.
3. Position the body sitting slightly tilted back.
4. Support the body with the right hand, while the left hand gently massages the lower abdomen.
5. Wrap the left hand in a glove, and wash the front and rear openings of the body.
6. Clean the mouth and nose of the deceased.
7. Perform wudu on the deceased.
8. Wash the head and face with soapy water.
9. Comb the hair of the deceased.
10. Bury any hair that has fallen out with the body.
11. Wash all of the right and left sides of the body, especially those near the face and neck.
12. Repeat the washing 3 times (sunnah).
13. Add a little camphor to the water during washing (sunnah).
14. Dry the body.
15. Apply fragrance that does not contain alcohol.

Now You Know Who Is Entitled to Bathe the Deceased?

That concludes our discussion of who is entitled to bathe the deceased. Are you looking for a service to bathe a deceased loved one? You can use our funeral services on-demand service Kamboja that is ready to handle everything from the care of the deceased to the burial on the day of mourning, and that offers funeral insurance which can be very beneficial for you.

Kamboja is also highly professional and understands the proper way to wash the body of the deceased well, up to the proper way to care for the deceased. Kamboja will handle all of it professionally, so the family will not be burdened during the period of mourning.