Janazah 103

FIQH: AHLUS SUNNAH WAL JAMA'AH - TRADITIONAL SHAFI'I SCHOOL OF JURISPRUDENCE

Shrouding the Body

After the deceased's body has been washed, it is Obligatory to have the body shrouded.


Deceased Males

If the deceased is male, it is recommended that he be wrapped in three washed white shrouds which may not necessarily be new. The body is shrouded without an ankle-length shirt (Jubah) and without a turban. Each shroud should cover the whole body, unless the deceased was in a state of Ihram (pilgrimage sanctity), in which case the head of the male or face of the female must be left uncovered. Nevertheless, it is permissible to add beneath the shrouds - an ankle-length shirt and a turban. It is absolutely Unlawful to use silk in order to shroud a man.


Deceased Females

If the deceased is a woman, then it is recommended that she be dressed in a wraparound, headcover, and a shift, and that she be wrapped in two shrouds - similar like those used for men in that they are white and have been washed, and each of which covers her entire body. It is offensive for a woman's shroud to be made of silk, or fabric dyed with saffron or safflower.

The Obligatory minimum for shrouding a deceased man or woman is to completely cover their nakedness as per Awrah when they were alive. Hence, for a man it is obligatory to cover the navel, the knees, and what lies between them; and for a woman it is her entire body.

It is recommended:

1. to scent the shrouds with incense e.g. from aloes and the like;

2. to sprinkle them with Hunut; which is an aromatic compound of camphor, reed perfume, and red and white sandalwood and camphor;

3. to place cotton and Hunut on the apertures of the body - such as the eyes, mouth, nostrils, and ears, and on places that touch the ground whilst in Sujud (prostration) io.e. the forehead, nose, palms, bottoms of the feet, and the knees; and

4. it is commendable to perfume the entire body.

As for a person who died while in the state of Ihram (pilgrimage sanctity), it is Unlawful to scent the body, to dress it in a garment with any sewing in it if male, and to cover the head of a male's body; or to cover the face of a female.

It is not recommended to prepare a shroud for oneself, unless to ensure that it comes from a Lawful source or from the effects of a virtuous person e.g. meaning those who worship much, or religious scholars who apply their knowledge in their lives. In such a case, one may procure it for the blessing therein.