Chapter on Touching the Deceased

Hadith.400 - Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) said: "Touching a deceased person at the time of their death and after their washing, and kissing them, is not an issue”.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.401 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) was asked about the reason for placing the palm branch (jareedah), Imam (as) replied: "Indeed, the punishment is averted from them (the deceased) as long as it remains fresh."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.402 - The Messenger of Allah (sw) passed by a grave where its occupant was being punished. He requested a palm branch, split it into two halves, and placed one at the head and the other at the feet of the grave. It is narrated that the person in the grave was Qays ibn Fahd al-Ansari (in another narration: Qays ibn Qumayr) When asked why he placed the branches, He (sw) replied: "Indeed, the punishment is lessened as long as they remain green."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.403 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) was asked about placing the palm branch (jareedah) in the grave, Imam (as) replied: "There is no issue (with it)”.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.404 - Ali ibn Bilal wrote to Abu Al-Hasan al-Third, Imam Ali ibn Muhammad Al-Hadi (as): "A man dies in a land where there are no palm trees. Is it permissible to use something from other trees instead of the palm branch? It has been narrated from your forefathers (as) that 'the punishment is averted as long as the two palm branches remain fresh, and that it benefits both the believer and the disbeliever.'" Imam (as) replied: "It is permissible to use fresh branches from another tree."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.405 - It was narrated from Yahya ibn 'Abbad al-Makki that He said: "I heard Sufyan al-Thawri asking Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) about 'al-takhdir' (placing green branches). Imam (as) replied: 'A man from the Ansar died, and the Messenger of Allah (sw) was informed of his death. He said to those from the man's relatives who were responsible for him, "Place greenery (al-takhdir) on your companion. How few are those who will be adorned with greenery on the Day of Resurrection."' Sufyan asked: 'What is al-takhdir?' Imam (as) said: "A green palm branch that is placed from the base of the hands to the base of the collarbone."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.406 - Al-Hasan ibn Ziyad asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about the palm branch that is placed with the deceased. Imam (as) replied: "It benefits both the believer and the disbeliever”.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.407 - Zurarah said: I asked Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as): "Why is a palm branch placed with the deceased?" Imam (as) said: "The punishment and accounting (in the grave) are averted from them as long as the branch remains fresh. The entire accounting and punishment occur in a single day and a single moment—during the time it takes for the deceased to be placed in the grave and for the people to return. The two palm branches were placed for this reason, so no punishment or accounting will afflict the deceased after they have dried up, if Allah (swt) wills."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.409 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "Make the shrouds of your deceased good, for they are their adornment."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.410 - Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) said: "If you shroud the deceased, and you are able to include in their shroud a garment that they used to pray in and it is clean, then do so. It is recommended that they be shrouded in what they used to pray in”.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.412 - Abu Al-Hasan the third, Imam Ali ibn Muhammad Al-Hadi (as), was asked about garments made in Basra similar to Yemeni fabric, made of silk (قز) and cotton (قطن), and whether they are suitable for shrouding the deceased. Imam (as) said: "If the cotton content is greater than the silk, then there is no issue (in using them)."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.413 - Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim (as) was asked about a man who had purchased part of the covering of the Kaaba (Kiswah) and used some of it to fulfil a need, while some of it remained with him. He was asked whether it was permissible to sell the remaining part. Imam (as) said: "He may sell what he wants, give away what he does not need, use it, and seek its blessings." He was then asked if it was permissible to shroud a deceased person in it Imam (as) said: "No."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.415 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) was asked about whether a man should be shrouded in his shirt (Qamis). Imam (as) said: "Remove its buttons." I asked: "And the sleeves?" Imam (as) said: "No, that is only necessary if it is made new for him, in which case it should have no sleeves. However, if it is an already-worn garment, only the buttons need to be removed."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.416 - Archangel Jibril (as), brought to the Prophet Muhammad (sw) an ounce of camphor from Paradise. An ounce in this context is equivalent to forty dirhams. The Prophet (sw) divided it into three parts: one part for himself, one part for Imam Ali (as), and one part for Sayyida Fatimah Al-Zahra {S.A}.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.417 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "Whoever shrouds a believer, it is as if they have guaranteed their clothing until the Day of Resurrection. And whoever digs a grave for a believer, it is as if they have prepared for them a suitable dwelling until the Day of Resurrection."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.418 - Abu al-Jaroud asked Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) about a man who passed away: Should his nails be trimmed, his armpit hair plucked, or his pubic hair shaved if he had been bedridden for a long period? Imam (as) said: "No."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.419 - "The Prophet, was shrouded in three garments: two pieces of Yemeni cloth known as "Zafariyyah" and a garment made of cotton ‘Kursaf’ cloth."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.420 - It is reported that the Prophet Muhammad (sw) was embalmed with a mithqal (a specific weight) of musk in addition to camphor.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.422 - Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim (as) was asked about a man who dies and whether he can be shrouded in three garments without a shirt (Qamis). Imam (as) said: "There is no problem with that, but having a shirt is more preferred to me."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.423 - Ammar ibn Musa al-Sabati asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about a woman who dies in a state of postpartum bleeding (nifas). Imam (as) said: "She is washed just like a pure woman is washed, as is the case for a menstruating woman or someone in a state of major ritual impurity (janabah). They are washed with one washing."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.424 - Abu Al-Hasan al-Thalith, Imam Ali ibn Muhammad Al-Hadi (as) was asked whether musk and incense (bukhoor) should be brought near the deceased. Imam (as) replied: "Yes."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.426 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) was asked about a woman who passes away among a group of men with no male relative (mahram) present. Should they wash her while She remains clothed? Imam (as) replied: "If they do that, it will be burdensome for them. Rather, they should wash only her hands."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.427 - Abdullah ibn Abi Ya’fur asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about a man who dies while traveling in the company of women, with no other men present. What should they do? Imam (as) replied: "They should wrap him in his clothes and bury him without washing him."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.428 - Al-Halabi asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about a woman who dies while traveling, with no male relative (mahram) or other women present. Imam (as) replied: "She should be buried as She is, in her clothes”. He (Halabi) asked; Regarding a man who dies with only women present and no other men. Imam said: "They should bury him as he is, in his clothes."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.429 - Abu al-Numeir, the freed slave of al-Harith ibn al-Mughira, asked Imam Al-Sadiq (as): "Tell me about the age up to which a child can be washed by women." The Imam (as) replied: "Up to three years old."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.430 - Mansour ibn Hazim asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about a man traveling with his wife, and She dies. Should he wash her? Imam (as) replied: "Yes, as well as his mother, sister, and similar relatives. He should cover her private parts with a cloth and then perform the washing."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.431 - Sama’a ibn Mehran asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about a man who dies and is only accompanied by women. Imam (as) replied: "A woman who is his mahram (close relative) should wash him, and the other women should pour water over him without removing his clothes. If it is a woman who dies among men, with no women or mahram present, She should be buried as She is in her clothing. If a mahram is present, he may wash her from over her clothes."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.432 - Ammar al-Sabati asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about a young girl for whom no woman is available to wash her. Imam (as) replied: "The one most closely related to her among the men should wash her."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.433 - The Imam was asked about a Muslim man who dies while traveling, with no other Muslim men present but with a group of Christian men and two Muslim women (his paternal aunt and maternal aunt). How should his washing be performed? Imam (as) replied: "His paternal aunt and maternal aunt should wash him while he is in his shirt, and the Christian men should not approach him”. Similarly, he was asked about a Muslim woman who dies while traveling, with no Muslim women present but accompanied by Christian women, along with her Muslim paternal uncle and maternal uncle. The Imam said: "Her uncles should wash her, but the Christian women should not approach her. She should wear a protective garment, and water should be poured over the garment."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.434 - The Imam was asked about a Christian who dies while traveling among Muslims. Imam (as) said: "A Muslim should not wash him, nor bury him, nor give him any honor, and should not stand by his grave, even if he was his father."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.435 - Al-Mufaddal ibn Umar asked Imam Al-Sadiq (as): "May I be your ransom, what is your ruling about a woman who dies while traveling with men, none of whom are her mahram (close relatives), and no women are present? What should be done with her?" Imam (as) replied: "Only those parts that Allah (swt) has required for tayammum (dry ablution) should be washed, and She should not be touched or any of her private features, which Allah (swt) has commanded to be covered, uncovered." He then asked: "How should it be done?" Imam (as) replied: "Her inner palms should be washed first, then her face, followed by washing the backs of her hands”.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.436 - Ammar ibn Musa al-Sabati asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about a man who dies and is accompanied by no Muslim men or female Muslim relatives. Instead, there are Christian men and Muslim women unrelated to him. The Imam said: "The Christian man should first perform ghusl (ritual washing for himself), then wash the deceased, as it is a case of necessity”.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.437 - The Imam was asked about a Muslim woman who dies and is accompanied by no Muslim women or male Muslim relatives, but there is Christian woman and Muslim men present. Imam (as) replied: "The Christian woman should first perform ghusl (ritual washing for herself), and then She should wash the deceased."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.438 - The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: "When a person dies at sea, they are washed, anointed (with Hunut), and shrouded. Then a stone should be tied to their leg, and they should be cast into the water."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.439 - It has been narrated that a deceased person should be placed in a large jar (khabiyah), which is then sealed, and the jar is thrown into the water.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.440 - The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said : "The man and woman sentenced to stoning should be washed, embalmed, and dressed in shrouds before being stoned, then they are to be stoned and prayers are to be offered for them (Salat Al Janazah). The person subject to retaliation (Qisas) is treated similarly: they should be washed, embalmed, and dressed in shrouds before the execution, and funeral prayers should be offered for them (Salat Al Janazah).

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.441 - Ali ibn Ja'far asked his brother Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim (as) about a man who has been devoured by a wild animal or birds, leaving only his bones without flesh. He asked what should be done in such a case. Imam (as) replied: "He should be washed, shrouded, funeral prayers should be offered for him, and he should be buried”.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.442 - In another report, "Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as), did not wash Ammar ibn Yasir and Hashim ibn Utbah (known as al-Mirqal). He buried them in their clothing with their blood and did not offer funeral prayers for them”. [AL SADUQ] This is how it was narrated, it is understood that no member of the community should be left without a funeral prayer upon their death.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.443 - Abu Mariam Al-Ansari narrated that Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "If a martyr has a remaining breath (sign of life), then he should be washed, shrouded, embalmed, and funeral prayers should be offered for him. But if there is no remaining breath, he should be shrouded in his own clothes."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.444 - Aban ibn Taghlib asked Him about a man who is killed in the path of Allah (swt): Should he be washed, shrouded, and embalmed (with Hunut)?" Imam (as) replied: "He should be buried as he is, in his clothing with his blood, unless there is a sign of life remaining. If he has a sign of life and then dies, he should be washed, shrouded, embalmed, and the funeral prayer should be offered for him. This is because the Messenger of Allah (sw) prayed over Hamza, shrouded him, and embalmed him because he had been stripped (of his clothing)”.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.445 - Hanzalah ibn Abu 'Amir, known as "the Rahib," was martyred at the Battle of Uhud. The Prophet Muhammad (sw) did not command that he be washed, saying: "I saw the angels washing Hanzalah with water from the clouds, using silver vessels." Because of this, he was given the title "Ghasil al-Malaika" (The One Washed by the Angels).

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.446 - The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: "From a martyr, the fur, shoes, cap, turban, belt, and trousers should be removed, unless they have been stained with blood ; if they are stained with blood, they are to be left on. No tied item should remain on the body; it must be untied."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.447 - It has been narrated that when Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) passed away, Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) continued to have a lamp lit in the room where Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) lived, until Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) also passed away. Then Abu Al-Hasan Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim (as) also instructed to do the same in the room of Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) to remain lit until He was taken to Iraq, after which it is unknown what happened”.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.448 - Sulayman ibn Khalid asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as): "Does one who washes the deceased need to perform ghusl (ritual purification)?" Imam (as) replied: "Yes." He then asked: "What about someone who places the deceased in the grave?" Imam (as) replied: "No, because he only touches the clothing."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.