by WATERVAL ISLAMIC INSTITUTE

GHUSL REQUIREMENTS

1. Clean luke-warm water.
2. A broad bench, stand or platform.
3. Two large buckets for warm water, one small bucket or utensil, this is for the water to be mixed with a little camphor for use at the end of the Ghusl.
4. Two jugs or mugs for pouring water over corpse.
5. Leaves of Ber tree (Zizyphus Jujuba) if easily available, to be mixed with the luke-warm water, and a cake of soap.
6. 250g cotton wool.
7. Two Tch’bands and two bag-like mittens with strips.
8. A scissor for removing the dead person’s clothing.
9. Lobaan (Frankincense - Aromatic gum resin obtained from trees) or any other Paak incense for smoking the bench, stand or platform.
10. One clean bed sheet for covering the body after Ghusl.
11. One clean towel or piece of material for drying corpse.

WHO SHOULD PERFORM THE GHUSL

The Ghusl is the bath for the body of the dead person. An adult male should be bathed by his father, son or brother. An adult female by her mother, daughter or sister. If none of these persons are present then any near relative could carry out this duty. (male for male, and female for female) If any of these are not in a position to perform the Ghusl, the most pious person present should be requested to carry out this rite. The person giving Ghusl should be assisted by others. The person per^-forming the Ghusl must himself or herself be Paak and be in a state of Wudhu. It is Makrooh for a woman who is menstruating or in a state of Nifaas (period after the birth of a child) to perform the Ghusl. If a male passes away and there are no males to bathe him, then besides his wife no other woman is permitted to carry out the Ghusl. In the case of a woman, if there are no ladies to perform the Ghusl, the husband cannot perform Ghusl of his wife. In both instances Tayammum should be performed. The Tayammum for Ghusl is the same as that for Namaaz. A child who has not reached the age of puberty (male or female) may be given Ghusl by any adult male or female, if a member of the same sex is not available.

THE GHUSL

(Masnoon sequence)

1. A bench, s tand or platform on which the Ghusl will be carried out must be washed cleaned and fumigated with Lobaan or any other Paak aromatic, three, five or seventimes.

2. If possible it is desirable that the body should be made to face th Qiblah during Ghusl.
3. No hair of the Head, beard or any other part of the body must be cut, shaved, trimmed or combed. The nails too should not be cut. Circumcision is also not permissible. All Rings, jewellery, wigs etc. should be removed. Where the false teeth of the dead person can easily be removed, these should preferably be taken out.
4. Thereafter the body must be put on the stand, the Satre Awrat covered (for males from the navel to below the knees, and for females from above the breast to the ankles).
5. The stomach must gently be massaged, then both the Istinja places must be washed with mittens on, without looking at the private parts.
6. The nostrils, ears, and mouth should be closed with cot­ton wool to prevent water entering the body during the Ghusl.
7. If the deceased has reached the age of puberty, and was one on whom Namaaz was Fardh, he must be given This Wudhu is similar to that of Namaaz, with the exception of gargling and putting water into the nostrils. The proper sequence should be to wash: (I) Thetace (2) arms to the elbows (3) Masah of the head and (4) feet up to the ankles.
   8. If the dead person is in a state of Janaabat, Haiz, Nifaas where Ghusl is Waajib on him/her the mouth has to be gargled and nostrils be wetted. This can be done with a little wet cotton wool with which the mouth and nostrils be wetted and cleaned.
   9. After the Wudhu the head and beard should first be washed with soap, or any other cleansing agent. If these are not readily available pure clean water will suffice. The temperature of the water must be that which a living person normally uses when bathing.
   10. Thereafter the body should be tilted onto its left side to allow the right side to be washed first Warm water must now be poured over the body from head to toes once, and the body must be washed with soap until the water has reached the bottom (left side). The body must now be washed again twice by pouring water from head to toe. Now the body must be turned onto its right side and the left side bathed similarly.
   11. Thereafter the body must be lifted slighly to a sitting position, and the stomach be gently massaged with a downward stroke. Whatever comes out of the body by this must be washed away. The Wudhu and Ghusl need not be repeated in case any impurity does come out.
   12. The body must once again be turned onto its left side and camphor water poured over it from head to toe three
   13. Now all the cotton wool should be removed from the mouth, ears and nose.
   14. With this, the Ghusl is complete and the body could be wiped with a towel or piece of material. The Satre Awrat must be kept covered. The first Teh’band will be wet due to the Ghusl so it must be changed for a second one. Care should be taken that while doing this the Satre Awrat is not exposed.
   15. The body must then be wrapped in a sheet, and carried carefully onto the Kafn.

   HOW THE KAFN SHOULD BE PUT ON (Masnoon sequence)

   MALE:-

   1. First spread the Lifafah out on the floor, then on it the Izaar and on it that portion of the Qamees that will be un­der the body. The portion that will cover the top of the body must be folded and put at the head side.
   2. Lower the body gently on to the Kafn and cover the top of the body up to the calfs with the folded portion of the
   3. Remove Teh’band and sheet used for covering the Satr,
   4. Rub Itr or Hunoot on the head and beard.
   5. Then rub camphor mixture paste, on the places of Sajdah (Those parts of the body that touch the ground in Namaaz

   - forehead, nose, both palms, knees and fore’feet).

   6. First fold the left flap and on it the right flap of the Izaar over Qamees.
   7. Thereafter fold the Lifafah in the same manner. Remember that the right flap must always be on the top.
   8. Lastly fasten the ends of the Lifafah at the head side, feet end and around the middle with strips of cloth.

   FEMALE:- •

   1. First spread the Lifafah out on the ground, then the Sina’­band, on it the Izaar then the Qamees in the same manner stated for the male. The sina’band may also be placed between the Izaar and Qamees or lastly over the Lifafah.
   2. Lower the body gently onto the Kafn, and cover the top part of the body up to the calfs with folded portion of
   3. Remove the Teh’band and sheet used for covering the Satr.
   4. Do NOT use Itr, Surmah or any other make-up.
   5. Rub camphor mixture on places of Sajdah (forehead, nose, both palms, knees and fore feet).
   6. The hair should be divided into two parts, and put onto the right and left breast over the Qamees.
   7. Cover the head and hair with Orni. Do not fasten or fold it.
   8. Fold the Izaar, the left flap first then the right over the Qamees and Orni.
   9. Now close the Sina’band (breast cover) over these in the same manner.
   10. Close the Lifafah, the left flap first then the right. I I. Lastly fasten the ends of the Lifafah at the hcadside, feet

   and around the middle with strips of cloth, to keep the complete Kafn in place.

   PROHIBITED ARTICLES IN THE KAFN

   1. It is prohibited to enclose any charter or any Duaa in the Kafn.
   2. It is forbidden to write the Kalimah, or any other Duaa on the Kafn or chest of the dead person with camphor, ink etc. -

   It is however allowed to enclose the Ghilaaf of the Kaa’bah for Tabarruk.

   WHAT TO DO AFTER THE KAFN

   With the completion of the Ohusl and the Kern the Mayyit (deceased person) is ready for the Darn (burial). No time should be wasted and the Namaaz of Janaazah should be arranged without delay. Rasulullah has said, ‘If a person passes away, hasten him to his grave and do not keep him away’. The Janaazah Namaaz must be arranged quickly and the Mayyit should be buried in the nearest Muslim Kabrastan (cemetery). To transport the body over long distances is un­desirable. It is also Makrooh to delay the Janaazah Namaaz and wait for latecomers to increase the Jamaat.

   IMPORTANT: It is only permissible for the Mahram woman

   folk of the deceased male to see his face. They are his wife, mother, grand mothers (Dadi and Nani), sisters, Aunts (Fois and Khalas), daughters and grand daughters. Besides these the Shariat does not allow any other woman to view the face of the deceased male. Similarly only the Mahram males should view the face of the deceased female.

   In both cases of a male and female Mayyit the face of the dead person should not be kept open after the Kafn is put on. The Quraan may be recited next to the body before the Janaazah is carried away.

8. HOW THE JANAAZAH SHOULD BE CARRIED
   1. If the deceased is an adult it should be put on aJanaazah (bier) and carried on the shoulders by four men. It is Makrooh to transport the corpse by hearse over short dis­tances unnecessarily.
   2. If the deceased is an infant or small child, it should be carried in the arms individually by different
   3. All those who lift or carry the Janaazah should recite Bismillah.
   4. When carrying the Janaazah the Mayyits’ head should be towards the front.
   5. The Mustahab manner of carrying the Janaazah is that every bearer has to carry the Janaazah forty steps. To do this observe the following procedure:

   (1) Carry Janaazah left front for ten steps (Mayyit’s right shoulder) (2) Carry Janaazah left rear for ten steps (Mayyit’s right foot) (3) Carry Janaazah right front for ten steps (Mayyit’s left shoulder) (4) Carry Janaazah right rear for ten steps (Mayyit’s left foot).

   This method should only be adopted if it does not cause in­convenience to others.

   6. Those accompanying the Janaazah should not sit before the Janaazah is lowered to the ground. The sick and infirm are excused.
   7. It is Masnoon to carry the Janaazah hastily, but not in a manner that the body is jolted or shaken about.
   8. It is Mustahab to follow the Janaazah, and not go ahead of it.
   9. It is Makrooh for those accompanying the Janaazah to recite any Duaa or Aayat of the Quraan loudly. They may however read LA ILAHA ILLALLAH softly. One should abstain from speaking of worldly affairs, or laughing and joking.

WHERE SHOULD THE JANAAZAH NAMAAZ BE PERFORMED

This Namaaz should .not be performed in the Masjid. It could be performed on any open space or in a building specially built for Janaazah prayers. It is important to remember that when making Janaazah Namaaz in the Kabrastan there must be no Kabrs (graves) immediately in front of the Jamaa’t. It should be said as far away from the Kabrs as possible, or there should be an obstruction between the Kabrs^-and the worshippers.

TIMES WHEN JANAAZAH NAMAAZ COULD BE PERFORMED

It is Makrooh to perform the Janaazah Namaaz while the sun rises, when it passes the meridian (Zawal) and when it sets. Besides these three times which last for a very short period, this Namaaz could be performed at any time during the day or night. It could also be read after Asr Namaaz. THE JANAAZAH NAMAAZ

The Janaazah Namaaz is Fardh Kifaayah on all Muslims present. It consists of four Fardh Takbeers, Thana, Durood, and a Masnoon Duaa for the deceased and two Salaams. All these are said silently by both, the Imam and the Muqtadies. Only the Imam must say the Takbeers and Salaams loudly. There are two Fardhs in the Janaazah Namaaz.

1. To stand and perform Namaaz.

• To recite all the Takbeers.

THE MASNOON MANNER OF PERFORMING THE JANAAZAH PRAYERS •

1. The body of the Mayyit should be placed with the head on the right side of the Imam, who will face the Qiblah.
2. The Imam must stand in line with the chest of the deceas­ed when performing the Namaaz.
3. It is Mustahab to make an odd number of Safs (rows). The Safs for Janaazah Namaaz should be close to one another, because there are no Sajdahs to be made.
4. After the Safs are straightened the Niyyah should be made. The Niyyah must be that: ‘I am performing this Janaazah Namaaz for Allah behind this Imam. (The Namaaz being a Duaa for the Mayyit). After the Niyyah the hands should be raised up to the ears, and the Imam shall say Allahu Akbar loudly, and the Muqtadies softly. Then fold them under the navel similar to all daily Namaazes.
5. Then recite the Thana softly Sub-haanakal-laa-humma wa bi-ham-dika wa ta-baa rakas­moeka wa ta’aalaa jad-doe-ka wa jal-la tha-naa-oeka wa laa­ilaa-ha ghay-roek.

6. Now the Imam will recite the Takbeer loudly, and the Muqtadies softly for the second time. The hands must not be raised when saying this and all subsequent Takbeers. The Durood Ibrahimi must now be read Al-laahum-ma sal-li a’laa Muham-madin wa-alaa aa-li Muham-madin ka-maa Sal-laita alaa Ibraa-hee-ma wa alaa aa-li Ibraa-hee-ma in-naka hameedoem ma feed. Al-laa­humma baa-rik alaa Muham-madin wa-alaa aali Muham­madin ka-maa baa-rak-ta alaa Ibraa-hee-ma wa alaa aali lbraa-hee-ma in-naka hameedoem ma feed.

7. Now the Takbeer should be said for the third time, and the. following Duaa recited for an adult male or female. A Haa-hum-magh fir li-hay-yinaa wa may-yi-tinaa wa shaa-hi­dinaa wa ghaa-ibinaa wa saghee-rinaa wa ka-bee-rinaa wa tha-ka-rinaa wa oen-thaanaa. Al-laa-humma man ah-ya-ta­hoe min-naa fa-ah-yi-hee a/al Islaam. ,Wa man ta-waf-fav ta­hoe min-naa fa-ta-waf-fa-hoe alal Imcian.

For a child who has not reached puberty the following Duaa must be recited after the third Takbeer

1. Duaa for boy:

Al-laa-hum-maj al-hoe la-naafara-tan waj-al-hoe la-naa aj­ran wa-zoekh-ran waj-al-hoe la-naa shaafi-an wa mu-sha­fa-an.

1. Duaa for girl:

Al-laa-hum-maj al-haa la-naa fa-ra-tan waj-al-haa la-naa aj­ran wa zoekh-ra waj-al-haa la-naa shaafi-a-tan wa moe-shafr. fa-a-tan.

8. The Imam will say the fourth Takbeer and thereafter recite the Salaam (Assalamualaykum Warahmatullah) loudly twice, while turning his face first towards the right shoulder and then once again while turning his face r^,,llow by towards the left shoulder. The Muot-^, ‘ saying the Takbeer and Salaam ‘.immediately after .the Namaaz.

LATE COMERS TO THE JANAAZAH NAMAAZ

When the late corners fear that if he gets engaged in perfor­ming Wudhu he will miss the Janaazah Namaaz then only it is permissible for him to make Tayammum, and join the Jamaat. This rule applies to the Janaazah Namaaz only.

Whomsoever arrives for the Janaazah Namaaz after the Imam has recited one or more Takbeers, should wait and join the Imam when he says the next Takbeer. After the Salaam he should complete’ the missed Takbeers by merely saying Allahu Akbar -once for every Takbeer missed. No Duaas should be’ read. If the Imam has completed the fourth Takbeer then too the late corner should join and complete all the missed Takbeers, (before the Imam says the Salaam).

THE SHAR’EE METHOD OF DAFN (BURIAL)

1. After Janaazah Namaaz is performed the Mayyit should be buried as soon as possible. The Janaazah should be carried and placed on the Qiblah side of the grave. The head should be on the right side of the grave if one faces the Qiblah.

2. It is desirable that, Mahrams or close relatives (of female Mayyits) should enter the grave to lower the body. The husband should not enter the grave to bury his wife. It is NOT Masnoon (Sunnat) that they be an odd number. All those who enter the grave must face the Qiblah.
3. It is Mustahab to hold a sheet over the grave while lower­ing and burying a female. If there is fear of her Kafn open­ing then it is Waajib to do so.
4. It is Mustahab for those present to read this Duaa while lowering the body:

Bis-mil-laa-hi wa-alaa mil-lati Rasu-lul-laah.

5. After putting the body into the recess of the grave it is Masnoon to turn it onto its right side to face the Qiblah.
6. The strips of cloth tied at the headside, chest and legside should now be untied.

• The recess must ,then be covered with unbaked bricks, bamboo or timber. It is Mustahab to begin closing the recess or trench from the leg side for males and from the headside for females. All the remaining little openings must be closed with mud or grass. The use of any fabric or blankets is unnecessary and wasteful.

HOW THE KABR SHOULD BE FILLED AND SHAPED

1. It is Mustahab to begin filling as described in paragraph 7 in the preceeding chapter. All those present should participate to fill the Kabr with at least three handsfull of soil. When throwing the first handfull in the grave read:_. Min-haa khalaq-naa-koem

While the second handfull:

Wa-fee-haa noe-ee-doe-koem

And at the time of the third handful!:

Wa-min-haa noekh-ri-joe-koem taa-ra-tan oekh-raa.

2. It is Makrooh to add more soil to the Kabr than that which was dug out from it.
3. The shape of the Kabr when filled should be like the hump of a camel. The height should be approximately 25 to 30 It should not be made square or in any other shape. All types of building and enclosures on or around the Kabr are not permissible. Buildings on Kabrs have been emphatically derrounced in the Hadith of Rasulullah.
4. It is Mustahab to sprinkle water on the grave from head-side to leg side thrice after the Kabr has been shaped.
5. To recite the Quraan and make Duaa for the deceased at his grave side, after the grave is filled and shaped is also
6. It is related from Hazrat Uthman RA that after Rasulullah

buried the dead, he paused and said “Beseech forgiveness from Allah for your brother, and make Duaa for his steadfastness, because he is going to be questioned now (by the Munkir and Nakir)”.

7. After the burial the first Ruku of Suratul Bakarah (Alif Laam Meem Zaalikal kitaab to Humul muflihoon) should be read at the headside of the Kabr, and the last Ruku of Suratul Bakarah (Aamanar rasoolu till the end of the Surah, Fansurna alai quomil kaafireen) should be read at the leg side.
8. To put wreaths and flowers on the Kabr is not allowed and is not the way of the Sunnah.