Procedures for Bathing a Corpse Correctly Along with the Readings

Kapanlagi.com - Bathing a corpse is something that every Muslim should know. This is because we can help other Muslims in taking care of the deceased properly, so we need to know the procedures for bathing a corpse. And the procedures for bathing a corpse are not too difficult, KLovers, and must be in accordance with Islamic law.

Various provisions, requirements, and equipment need to be understood by everyone who will bathe a corpse. Although it is easy, not just anyone can bathe a corpse, that's why the procedures for bathing a corpse and the prayers are very important for Muslims to know.

The procedures for bathing a corpse along with the prayers have various conditions that must be fulfilled. Don't make a mistake when bathing a family member or loved one. Moreover, taking care of the deceased is an obligatory act for Muslims. And here are some procedures for bathing a corpse that have been compiled from various sources. Let's check it out, KLovers.

1. Conditions for Bathing the Deceased

Illustration (credit: Freepik)

Before knowing the procedures for bathing the deceased along with the prayers, you need to know the conditions for those who can bathe the deceased and the conditions for the deceased being bathed. And here are the requirements:

Conditions for those who can bathe the deceased:

- Being a Muslim, mature, sane, or mentally healthy.

- Intending to bathe the deceased.

- Knowing the rules of bathing the deceased.

- Trustworthy and capable of concealing the deceased's flaws.

Conditions for the deceased being bathed:

- Being a Muslim.

- Having some parts of the body, even if only a little, that can be bathed.

- The deceased did not die as a martyr.

- Not a baby who died due to a miscarriage.

- If a baby is born already dead, it is not obligatory to bathe them.

2. Provisions for Bathing the Deceased

Not only knowing the requirements, before knowing the procedure for bathing the corpse you also need to know what provisions must be known before carrying out the procedure for bathing the corpse:

- The person who is most important to bathe and shroud the male corpse is the person who is given a will, then his father, grandfather, blood relatives, closest male relatives, and his wife.

- The person who is most important to bathe and shroud the female corpse is her mother, grandmother, closest relatives from the woman's side, and her husband.

- A female can bathe the corpse of a male child, and vice versa, a male can bathe the corpse of a female child.

- If a woman dies, and everyone who is still alive is only male and she does not have a husband. Or conversely, a man dies while the only ones who are still alive are only women and he does not have a wife, the corpse is not bathed but is sufficient to be tayammum by one of them wearing gloves.

This law is in accordance with the saying of the Prophet Muhammad in the hadith of Abu Daud and Baihaqi which says, "If someone dies in a place where there are only men and there are no other women, or a man dies in a place where there are only women and there are no other men, then both corpses are tayammum, then buried because their position is the same as not getting water." (H.R Abu Daud and Baihaqi)

3. Equipment for Bathing the Deceased

Illustration (credit: Freepik)

After that, you must prepare what equipment is needed to bathe the body. And here are the equipment needed to bathe the body:

- A place to bathe the body in a closed area

- Sufficient amount of water

- Soap, water mixed with camphor powder and fragrance

- Gloves for bathing the body

- Some cotton

- Small pieces or rolls of cloth

- Towel and washcloth

4. Intention to Bathe the Body

And then you should follow the procedure for bathing the body, which starts with reciting the intention. Of course, the intention to bathe the body of a male and a female is different. Here are the intentions for bathing the body of a male and a female:

Intention for bathing the body of a female:

Nawaitul ghusla adaa 'an hadzihil mayyitati lillahi ta'ala

Meaning: I intend to bathe to fulfill the obligation of this (female) deceased for the sake of Allah Ta'ala.

Intention for bathing the body of a male:

Nawaitul ghusla adaa 'an hadzal mayyiti lillahi ta'ala

Meaning: I intend to bathe to fulfill the obligation of this (male) deceased for the sake of Allah Ta'ala.

5. Procedure for Bathing the Deceased

Illustration (credit: Freepik)

After making the intention, you can start the procedure for bathing the deceased. And here is the procedure:

1. Place the deceased with the head slightly elevated in the designated area for bathing.

2. Remove the covering cloth from the deceased and replace it with a cloth to cover the private parts so that they are not exposed.

3. Clean the teeth, nostrils, ears, armpits, fingers, toes, and hair.

4. Clean the dirt from the deceased, both from the front and the back. To do this, press the abdomen gently to empty its contents.

5. Pour or wash the entire body of the deceased with soapy water.

6. Then pour clean water while intending according to the gender of the deceased.

7. Pour or wash from the head to the feet with clean water. Pour three times on the right side and three times on the left side.

8. Tilt the deceased to the left and wash the right side of the abdomen from the back.

9. Tilt the deceased to the right and wash the left side of the abdomen from the back.

10. Pour again with clean water from the head to the feet.

11. Then pour with camphor water.

12. The deceased is then given a ritual ablution similar to the ablution before prayer.

13. Dry the body of the deceased after bathing with a towel to prevent wetting the shroud cloth.

6. Important Notes in Bathing the Deceased

However, there are several important notes that you need to pay attention to, KLovers. And here are the important notes:

- The person bathing the deceased must wear gloves.

- Treat the deceased gently when turning and rubbing their body parts.

- If impurities come out of the deceased after being bathed and touch their body, it must be disposed of and bathed again. If impurities come out after being placed on the shroud, there is no need to repeat the bathing, just dispose of the impurities.

- For female deceased, their hair bun must be untied and left to flow backwards. After being rinsed and cleaned, it should be dried with a towel and braided.

- After bathing the deceased, apply non-alcoholic fragrance before shrouding, usually using camphor water.

After completing this procedure of bathing the deceased along with its prayers, the next step is to shroud the deceased. Those are several proper and appropriate procedures for bathing the deceased. Hopefully, by assisting the family and people around in bathing the deceased, our lives in this world and the hereafter will also be made easier. Ameen.

(kpl/dhm)