Guide

JANAZAH GHUSL & SHROUDING GUIDE
Who Washes the Deceased
  • The washer should be a Muslim who is trustworthy, discreet, knowledgeable, and preferably in a state of wudhu.
  • Closest righteous relatives or trained helpers.
  • Men wash men, women wash women.
  • Young children may be washed by either parent.
  • Spouses may wash each other.
Water & Materials
  • Water must be pure, moderate temperature.
  • Use Sidr Powder (lotus leaves) or soap; Khitmi/gentle soap for hair.
  • Camphor and Rose Water in the final wash.
  • It is recommended to perfume the area and shroud (Bukhour/incense).
How to Perform Ghusl (Washing the Deceased)

Begin with intention (niyyah) and say Bismillah. Please follow the steps below in order.

  1. Repeat dua during and throughout the wash; “Allahumma-ghfir lahu / laha” (O Allah forgive him/her) “Allahum-Marham Hu” (O Allah have mercy on him/her).
  2. Wear masks, gloves, and aprons. The awrah must always remain covered. Use Satar (Pashtamal) to cover Awrah throughout the washing and only removed when the body is fully dried and ready for shrouding.
  3. Perform Istinja; Gently press abdomen and clean private areas (use generous amounts of water).
    • For Wounds / Medical Conditions: If water harms body, perform tayammum.
    • If small area is covered (bandage), wipe over it.
    • Extreme caution with sisters who passed in childbirth or surgery.
  4. Give wudhu similar to the wudhu of salah, without rinsing the mouth or nose internally (avoid pouring water directly into mouth/nose; just wipe gently). First wash the hands and arms three times starting with the right. Then wash the face 3 times, then wipe over the hair from the forehead backwards.
  5. Finish by washing the right foot to the ankle and then the left foot to the ankle.
  6. Wash the whole body 3 times (or 5 or 7 if needed):
    • Wash the body beginning with the right side, then the left side.
    • The body should be washed three times, or five or seven times if necessary, using water mixed with Sidr or soap.
    • The final wash may include Camphor Tablets and Rose Water.
  7. Apply Itr/Musk/perfume to head, beard, and places of Sujud.
  8. For women: Hair should be braided into three braids and placed behind the head.
  9. Dry the body and maintain full dignity and respect.
  • If water is harmful/unavailable → Tayammum is performed.
  • Be gentle during the entire process, the deceased feel everything just as the living.
Essential Dua

“O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, our young and our old, our men and our women, those present and those absent. O Allah, forgive Your servant, have mercy on them, honor their resting place, expand their grave, wash them with water, snow and ice, purify them from sins, replace their home with a better home, admit them into Jannah, and protect them from the punishment of the grave and the Fire.”

Takfeen (Shrouding the Deceased in Kafan)

Satar / Pashtamal: A temporary cloth used to cover the ‘awrah of the deceased during ghusl. It remains in place throughout the washing process and is discreetly removed when dressing the kafan.

Prepared by Rahmah Burial Essentials Serving Muslim communities with dignity and care.

Please follow the steps below in order.

Men (3 pieces)
  1. Qamees (Inner Shirt/ Head Opening)
  2. Izaar (Inner Wrap)
  3. Lifafah (Outer Wrap)
Women (5 pieces)
  1. Qamees (Inner Shirt/ Head Opening)
  2. Head Cover (Khimaar / Orhni)
  3. Chest Cover (Sina-band)
  4. Izaar (Inner Wrap)
  5. Lifafah (Outer Wrap)
Dressing steps
Dressing Men’s Kafan/Shroud step by step
  1. Lay out the kafan cloths in order as illustrated below and lightly apply fragrance if desired.
  2. Dress the deceased in the Qamees (inner shirt); Gently lift the head of the deceased and pass it through the head opening of the Qamees, then carefully pull the garment down to cover the torso.
  3. Wrap with the Izar (lower inner sheet).
  4. Wrap with the Lifafah (outer sheet).
  5. Secure with the kafan ties if needed to keep the shroud closed.
Dressing for Women’s Kafan/Shroud step by step
  1. Lay out the kafan cloths in order as illustrated below and lightly apply fragrance if desired.
  2. Dress the deceased in the Qamees (inner shirt); Gently lift the head and pass it through the head opening, then pull the garment down to cover the torso.
  3. Cover the head and hair with the Khimar (Head Scarf / Orhni).
  4. Place the Chest Cover (Sina-band) across the chest area.
  5. Wrap the body with the Izar (inner sheet).
  6. Wrap with the Lifafah (outer sheet).
  7. Secure the shroud with the kafan ties if needed.
  • Children who have reached or are close to puberty are shrouded as adults.
  • Younger children are typically shrouded in two clothes (Izar and Lifafah).
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