Death & Bereavement

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا بَلَغَتْ نَفْسُ أَحَدِكُمْ هَذِهِ قِيلَ لَهُ أَمَّا مَا كُنْتَ تَحْذَرُ مِنْ هَمِّ الدُّنْيَا وَ حُزْنِهَا فَقَدْ أَمِنْتَ مِنْهُ وَ يُقَالُ لَهُ- رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ عَلِيٌّ ع وَ فَاطِمَةُ ع أَمَامَكَ‌[1].

‘When the soul of any one of you reaches this point, he is told, “You are now safe from the anxiety and sadness of the worldly matters.’” It is also said to him, ‘The Messenger of Allah, Ali and Fatimah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, are in front of you.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ آيَةَ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِذَا حَضَرَهُ الْمَوْتُ يَبْيَاضُّ وَجْهُهُ أَشَدَّ مِنْ بَيَاضِ لَوْنِهِ وَ يَرْشَحُ جَبِينُهُ وَ يَسِيلُ مِنْ عَيْنَيْهِ كَهَيْئَةِ الدُّمُوعِ فَيَكُونُ ذَلِكَ خُرُوجَ نَفْسِهِ وَ إِنَّ الْكَافِرَ تَخْرُجُ نَفْسُهُ سَلًّا مِنْ شِدْقِهِ كَزَبَدِ الْبَعِيرِ أَوْ كَمَا تَخْرُجُ نَفْسُ الْبَعِيرِ[2].

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘One of the signs of belief in a person is that at the time of his death his face turns more white than normal, his forehead sweats, something like tears flow from his eyes and that is the time for coming out of his soul from his body. The soul of an unbeliever comes out of his body as

قُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ مَنْ أَحَبَّ لِقَاءَ اللَّهِ أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ لِقَاءَهُ وَ مَنْ أَبْغَضَ لِقَاءَ اللَّهِ أَبْغَضَ اللَّهُ لِقَاءَهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَوَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا لَنَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ ذَلِكَ حَيْثُ تَذْهَبُ إِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ عِنْدَ الْمُعَايَنَةِ إِذَا رَأَى مَا يُحِبُّ فَلَيْسَ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ أَنْ يَتَقَدَّمَ وَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى يُحِبُّ لِقَاءَهُ وَ هُوَ يُحِبُّ لِقَاءَ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘May Allah grant you wellbeing, is it true that whoever loves to meet Allah, He loves to meet him, and whoever dislikes to meet Allah He dislikes to meet him?’ He said, ‘Yes, that is true.’ I then said, ‘By Allah, we dislike death.’ The Imam then said, ‘It is not the way you

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ حَدِيثٌ سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْ بَعْضِ شِيعَتِكَ وَ مَوَالِيكَ يَرْوِيهِ عَنْ أَبِيكَ قَالَ وَ مَا هُوَ قُلْتُ زَعَمُوا أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ أَغْبَطُ مَا يَكُونُ امْرُؤٌ بِمَا نَحْنُ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا كَانَتِ النَّفْسُ فِي هَذِهِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ إِذَا كَانَ‌ ذَلِكَ أَتَاهُ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ وَ أَتَاهُ عَلِيٌّ وَ أَتَاهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ وَ أَتَاهُ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ ع فَيَقُولُ ذَلِكَ الْ

“Once I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘May Allah keep my soul in the service of your cause, I have heard a Hadith from your followers and servants who narrate from your father.’ He then asked, ’What is it?’ I replied, ‘They think that he said, “One should be proud of his affairs being as what we believe in when his so

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا بَلَغَتْ نَفْسُ أَحَدِكُمْ هَذِهِ وَ أَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى حَلْقِهِ قَرَّتْ عَيْنُهُ.

‘When the soul of one of you reaches here’ - pointing to his throat - ‘his eyes become delightful.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ فَلَوْ لا إِذا بَلَغَتِ الْحُلْقُومَ‌ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ‌ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صادِقِينَ‌[1] فَقَالَ إِنَّهَا إِذَا بَلَغَتِ الْحُلْقُومَ ثُمَّ أُرِيَ مَنْزِلَهُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ فَيَقُولُ رُدُّونِي إِلَى الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى أُخْبِرَ أَهْلِي بِمَا أَرَى فَيُقَالُ لَهُ لَيْسَ إِلَى ذَلِكَ سَبِيلٌ.

“Once I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘These are the words of Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, “When it (the soul) reaches the throat. ... if you are truthful.’” (56: 82- 87) The Imam said, ‘When it reaches the throat then it sees its dwelling in paradise and says, “Return me to the worldly life so I can inform my f

قَالَ: إِذَا رَأَيْتَ الْمَيِّتَ قَدْ شَخَصَ بِبَصَرِهِ وَ سَالَتْ عَيْنُهُ الْيُسْرَى وَ رَشَحَ جَبِينُهُ وَ تَقَلَّصَتْ شَفَتَاهُ وَ انْتَشَرَتْ مَنْخِرَاهُ فَأَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ رَأَيْتَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَحَسْبُكَ بِهَا[2]. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى‌ وَ إِذَا ضَحِكَ أَيْضاً فَهُوَ مِنَ الدَّلَالَةِ قَالَ وَ إِذَا رَأَيْتَهُ قَدْ خَمَصَ وَجْهُهُ وَ سَالَتْ عَيْنُهُ الْيُمْنَى فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ‌[3].

“He (the Imam) has said, ‘If you see a dying person’s eyes fixed upon something and tears come out of the left eye, his forehead sweats, his lips shrink and his nostrils expand, then whatever of such things you find with him is sufficient (proof of his salvation).’ In another Hadith it says, ‘And if he laughs also it t

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَأْمُرُ مَلَكَ الْمَوْتِ فَيَرُدُّ نَفْسَ‌ الْمُؤْمِنِ لِيُهَوِّنَ عَلَيْهِ وَ يُخْرِجَهَا[1] مِنْ أَحْسَنِ وَجْهِهَا فَيَقُولُ النَّاسُ لَقَدْ شُدِّدَ عَلَى فُلَانٍ الْمَوْتُ وَ ذَلِكَ تَهْوِينٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْهِ وَ قَالَ يُصْرَفُ عَنْهُ‌[2] إِذَا كَانَ مِمَّنْ سَخِطَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ أَوْ مِمَّنْ أَبْغَضَ اللَّهُ أَمْرَهُ أَنْ

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, commands the angel of death to return the soul of a believing person, make it easy for him, and then take it out in the most comfortable way. People then say, “It (dying) was very difficult for so and so.” In fact it is the way Allah, the Majestic

دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ع عَلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ وَ هُوَ يَجُودُ بِنَفْسِهِ فَقَالَ يَا مَلَكَ الْمَوْتِ ارْفُقْ بِصَاحِبِي فَإِنَّهُ مُؤْمِنٌ فَقَالَ أَبْشِرْ يَا مُحَمَّدُ فَإِنِّي بِكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ رَفِيقٌ وَ اعْلَمْ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَنِّي أَقْبِضُ رُوحَ ابْنِ آدَمَ فَيَجْزَعُ أَهْلُهُ فَأَقُومُ فِي نَاحِيَةٍ مِنْ دَارِهِمْ فَأَقُولُ مَا هَذَا الْجَزَعُ فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا تَعَجَّلْنَاهُ قَبْلَ أَجَلِهِ وَ مَا كَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah once visited a man of his companions in dying condition. He then said, ‘O angel of death, make it easy for my companion; he is a believing person.’ He then said, ‘O Muhammad, I am a friend of every believing person. O Muhammad, please note that when I take aw

حَضَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص رَجُلًا مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ وَ كَانَتْ‌ لَهُ حَالَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَحَضَرَهُ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ فَنَظَرَ إِلَى مَلَكِ الْمَوْتِ عِنْدَ رَأْسِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص ارْفُقْ بِصَاحِبِي فَإِنَّهُ مُؤْمِنٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ يَا مُحَمَّدُ طِبْ نَفْساً وَ قَرَّ عَيْناً فَإِنِّي بِكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ رَفِيقٌ شَفِيقٌ وَ اعْلَمْ يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنِّي لَأَحْضُرُ ابْنَ آ

‘The Messenger of Allah once visited a man from Ansar (people of Madinah) and he was of a good status before the Messenger of Allah. He visited him in his dying condition and looked at the angel of death near his head. The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Be kind to my companion; he is a believing person.’ The angel of death

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ يَا مَعْشَرَ النَّاسِ لَا أُلْفِيَنَ‌[2] رَجُلًا مَاتَ لَهُ مَيِّتٌ فَانْتَظَرَ بِهِ الصُّبْحَ وَ لَا رَجُلًا مَاتَ لَهُ مَيِّتٌ نَهَاراً فَانْتَظَرَ بِهِ اللَّيْلَ لَا تَنْتَظِرُوا بِمَوْتَاكُمْ طُلُوعَ الشَّمْسِ وَ لَا غُرُوبَهَا عَجِّلُوا بِهِمْ إِلَى مَضَاجِعِهِمْ يَرْحَمُكُمُ اللَّهُ فَقَالَ النَّاسُ وَ أَنْتَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ يَرْحَمُكَ اللَّهُ‌[3].

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘O people, a man in whose home a death takes place, should not wait for burial until morning or wait until night, if it takes place during the day. Do not wait for the burial of your dead people until sunrise or until sunset. Expedite their burial, may

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا مَاتَ الْمَيِّتُ أَوَّلَ النَّهَارِ فَلَا يَقِيلُ إِلَّا فِي قَبْرِهِ‌[2].

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if one dies in the beginning of the day, he cannot have a nap anywhere other than his grave.”

لَيْسَ مِنْ مَيِّتٍ يَمُوتُ وَ يُتْرَكُ وَحْدَهُ إِلَّا لَعِبَ بِهِ الشَّيْطَانُ فِي جَوْفِهِ‌[3].

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Satan plays inside every dead person who is left alone.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع الْمَرْأَةُ تَقْعُدُ عِنْدَ رَأْسِ الْمَرِيضِ وَ هِيَ حَائِضٌ فِي حَدِّ الْمَوْتِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ أَنْ تُمَرِّضَهُ فَإِذَا خَافُوا عَلَيْهِ وَ قَرُبَ ذَلِكَ فَلْتَتَنَحَّ عَنْهُ وَ عَنْ قُرْبِهِ فَإِنَّ الْمَلَائِكَةَ تَتَأَذَّى بِذَلِكَ‌[4].

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a woman who during her Hayd (menses) sits near the head of one who is about to die. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful if she is nursing. However, when death approaches, she must move away from places nearby; angels suffer thereby (Hayd (menses)).”

إِذَا أَرَدْتَ غُسْلَ الْمَيِّتِ فَاجْعَلْ بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَهُ ثَوْباً يَسْتُرُ عَنْكَ عَوْرَتَهُ إِمَّا قَمِيصٌ وَ إِمَّا غَيْرُهُ ثُمَّ تَبْدَأُ بِكَفَّيْهِ وَ رَأْسِهِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ بِالسِّدْرِ ثُمَّ سَائِرِ جَسَدِهِ وَ ابْدَأْ بِشِقِّهِ الْأَيْمَنِ فَإِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَغْسِلَ فَرْجَهُ فَخُذْ خِرْقَةً نَظِيفَةً فَلُفَّهَا[1] عَلَى يَدِكَ الْيُسْرَى ثُمَّ أَدْخِلْ يَدَكَ مِنْ تَحْتِ الثَّوْبِ الَّذِي عَلَى ف

‘When you decide to give Ghusl (bath) to a dead body, you must keep a piece of cloth between yourself and the private parts of the dead body, like a shirt or similar. You should begin to wash the palms (hands) and the head of the dead body three times with water mixed with Sidr (berry leaves), then the rest of the body

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ غُسْلِ الْمَيِّتِ فَقَالَ اغْسِلْهُ بِمَاءٍ وَ سِدْرٍ ثُمَّ اغْسِلْهُ عَلَى أَثَرِ ذَلِكَ غَسْلَةً أُخْرَى بِمَاءٍ وَ كَافُورٍ وَ ذَرِيرَةٍ[3] إِنْ كَانَتْ وَ اغْسِلْهُ الثَّالِثَةَ بِمَاءٍ قَرَاحٍ قُلْتُ ثَلَاثَ غَسَلَاتٍ لِجَسَدِهِ كُلِّهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ ثَوْبٌ إِذَا غُسِّلَ قَالَ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ يَكُونَ عَلَيْهِ قَمِيصٌ فَغَسِّلْهُ مِنْ تَحْتِهِ وَ قَالَ أُحِبُّ لِمَنْ غ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about Ghusl (bath) for a dead body. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must give it a Ghusl (bath) with water mixed with Sidr, (Lotus tree leaves), thereafter one more Ghusl (bath) with water mixed with camphor and Dharirah (a certain herb or incense from India), if available, then you must g

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يُغَسَّلُ الْمَيِّتُ ثَلَاثَ غَسَلَاتٍ مَرَّةً بِالسِّدْرِ وَ مَرَّةً بِالْمَاءِ يُطْرَحُ فِيهِ الْكَافُورُ وَ مَرَّةً أُخْرَى بِالْمَاءِ الْقَرَاحِ ثُمَّ يُكَفَّنُ وَ قَالَ إِنَّ أَبِي كَتَبَ فِي وَصِيَّتِهِ أَنْ أُكَفِّنَهُ فِي ثَلَاثَةِ أَثْوَابٍ أَحَدُهَا رِدَاءٌ لَهُ حِبَرَةٌ[1] وَ ثَوْبٌ آخَرُ وَ قَمِيصٌ قُلْتُ وَ لِمَ كَتَبَ هَذَا[2] قَالَ مَخَافَةَ قَوْلِ النَّاسِ وَ عَصَّبْنَاهُ

“‘Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a dead body must be given three Ghusl (baths). One Ghusl (bath) with water mixed with Lotus tree leaves, one Ghusl (bath) with water mixed with camphor, and one Ghusl (bath) with pure water. Thereafter, the dead body must be wrapped in the shroud. He (the Imam) said, ‘My father ma

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ غُسْلِ الْمَيِّتِ فَقَالَ اسْتَقْبِلْ بِبَاطِنِ قَدَمَيْهِ الْقِبْلَةَ حَتَّى يَكُونَ وَجْهُهُ مُسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةِ ثُمَّ تُلَيِّنُ مَفَاصِلَهُ فَإِنِ امْتَنَعَتْ عَلَيْكَ فَدَعْهَا ثُمَّ ابْدَأْ بِفَرْجِهِ بِمَاءِ السِّدْرِ وَ الْحُرُضِ‌[5] فَاغْسِلْهُ ثَلَاثَ غَسَلَاتٍ وَ أَكْثِرْ مِنَ الْمَاءِ وَ امْسَحْ بَطْنَهُ مَسْحاً رَفِيقاً ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْ إِلَى رَأْسِهِ وَ ابْدَأْ بِ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about Ghusl (bath) for a dead body. He (the Imam) said, Turn the bottom of the sole of the dead body’s feet toward al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah) which makes the dead body facing al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah). Thereafter, soften the joints of the bones of the dead body if possible; if not then leave

إِذَا أَرَدْتَ غُسْلَ الْمَيِّتِ فَضَعْهُ عَلَى الْمُغْتَسَلِ مُسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةِ فَإِنْ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ قَمِيصٌ فَأَخْرِجْ يَدَهُ مِنَ الْقَمِيصِ وَ اجْمَعْ قَمِيصَهُ عَلَى عَوْرَتِهِ وَ ارْفَعْهُ مِنْ رِجْلَيْهِ إِلَى فَوْقِ الرُّكْبَةِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ عَلَيْهِ قَمِيصٌ فَأَلْقِ عَلَى عَوْرَتِهِ خِرْقَةً وَ اعْمِدْ إِلَى السِّدْرِ فَصَيِّرْهُ فِي طَسْتٍ وَ صُبَّ عَلَيْهِ الْمَاءَ وَ اضْرِبْهُ بِيَدِكَ حَتَّى

“When you decide to give Ghusl (bath) to a dead body, place it on the platform for Ghusl (bath), facing al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah). Remove his hands from the shirt if any, and pull it down over the private parts. Pull it up above his knees. If shirt is not there, cover his private parts with a piece of fabric. Find Sidr (be

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْمَيِّتِ هَلْ يُغَسَّلُ فِي الْفَضَاءِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ وَ إِنْ سُتِرَ بِسِتْرٍ فَهُوَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), Is it permissible to give Ghusl (bath) to a dead body in the open? He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful, but I prefer that it is covered with a covering.’”

فِي تَحْنِيطِ الْمَيِّتِ وَ تَكْفِينِهِ قَالَ ابْسُطِ الْحِبَرَةَ بَسْطاً ثُمَّ ابْسُطْ عَلَيْهَا الْإِزَارَ ثُمَّ ابْسُطِ الْقَمِيصَ عَلَيْهِ وَ تَرُدُّ مُقَدَّمَ الْقَمِيصِ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ اعْمِدْ إِلَى كَافُورٍ مَسْحُوقٍ فَضَعْهُ عَلَى جَبْهَتِهِ مَوْضِعِ سُجُودِهِ وَ امْسَحْ بِالْكَافُورِ عَلَى جَمِيعِ مَفَاصِلِهِ مِنْ قَرْنِهِ إِلَى قَدَمَيْهِ وَ فِي رَأْسِهِ وَ فِي عُنُقِهِ وَ مَنْكِبَيْهِ وَ مَرَافِقِهِ وَ فِي

“About Hunut and shrouding a deceased, he (the Imam) has said, ‘Spread al-Hibrah (the large sheet of fabric), then spread the loincloth over which you then spread the shirt. Then turn back upward the front side of the shirt. Then find the ground camphor, place a certain amount of it over his forehead on the place for s

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص بِمَ كُفِّنَ قَالَ فِي ثَلَاثَةِ أَثْوَابٍ ثَوْبَيْنِ صُحَارِيَّيْنِ وَ بُرْدٍ حِبَرَةٍ[2].

‘There were three pieces of fabric to shroud him. They were two pieces of Suhariyayn fabric and one piece of large sheet made in Hibarah.’”

إِذَا كَفَّنْتَ الْمَيِّتَ فَذُرَّ عَلَى كُلِّ ثَوْبٍ شَيْئاً مِنْ ذَرِيرَةٍ وَ كَافُورٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When you shroud a deceased, scatter fragrant powder and camphor on every piece of the shroud.’”

إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تُحَنِّطَ الْمَيِّتَ فَاعْمِدْ إِلَى الْكَافُورِ فَامْسَحْ بِهِ آثَارَ السُّجُودِ مِنْهُ وَ مَفَاصِلَهُ كُلَّهَا وَ رَأْسَهُ وَ لِحْيَتَهُ وَ عَلَى صَدْرِهِ مِنَ الْحَنُوطِ وَ قَالَ حَنُوطُ الرَّجُلِ وَ الْمَرْأَةِ سَوَاءٌ وَ قَالَ وَ أَكْرَهُ أَنْ يُتْبَعَ بِمِجْمَرَةٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When applying camphor on a deceased person, apply it on the seven parts of the body which are placed on the ground during Sujud (prostrations), and all of the joints of the body, his head, beard and on his chest.’ He (the Imam) said that hunut of man and woman is the same.’ He (the Im

لَا إِنَّمَا الْكَفَنُ الْمَفْرُوضُ ثَلَاثَةُ أَثْوَابٍ وَ ثَوْبٌ تَامٌّ لَا أَقَلَّ مِنْهُ يُوَارِي جَسَدَهُ كُلَّهُ فَمَا زَادَ فَهُوَ سُنَّةٌ إِلَى أَنْ يَبْلُغَ خَمْسَةَ أَثْوَابٍ فَمَا زَادَ فَهُوَ مُبْتَدَعٌ وَ الْعِمَامَةُ سُنَّةٌ وَ قَالَ أَمَرَ النَّبِيُّ ص بِالْعِمَامَةِ وَ عُمِّمَ النَّبِيُّ ص وَ بَعَثَ إِلَيْنَا الشَّيْخُ الصَّادِقُ ع وَ نَحْنُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ لَمَّا مَاتَ أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ الْحَذَّاءُ بِدِ

“Once we asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), if turban is part of shroud for a deceased. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is not part of it. The obligatory shroud consist of three pieces of cloths, one over all; the minimum of which must be large enough to cover the whole body and any extra is of the Sunnah up to five pieces and more

الْمَيِّتُ يُكَفَّنُ فِي ثَلَاثَةٍ سِوَى الْعِمَامَةِ وَ الْخِرْقَةِ يَشُدُّ بِهَا وَرِكَيْهِ لِكَيْلَا يَبْدُوَ مِنْهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ الْخِرْقَةُ وَ الْعِمَامَةُ لَا بُدَّ مِنْهُمَا وَ لَيْسَتَا مِنَ الْكَفَنِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A deceased must be shrouded with three pieces of cloth besides turban, and one piece which is wrapped around the hips, so that nothing is exposed. The piece of cloth and turban are necessary but they are not part of shroud.’”

كَتَبَ أَبِي فِي وَصِيَّتِهِ أَنْ أُكَفِّنَهُ فِي ثَلَاثَةِ أَثْوَابٍ أَحَدُهَا رِدَاءٌ لَهُ حِبَرَةٌ كَانَ يُصَلِّي فِيهِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَ ثَوْبٌ آخَرُ وَ قَمِيصٌ فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي لِمَ تَكْتُبُ هَذَا فَقَالَ أَخَافُ أَنْ يَغْلِبَكَ النَّاسُ وَ إِنْ قَالُوا كَفِّنْهُ فِي أَرْبَعَةٍ أَوْ خَمْسَةٍ فَلَا تَفْعَلْ‌[2] وَ عَمِّمْنِي بِعِمَامَةٍ وَ لَيْسَ تُعَدُّ الْعِمَامَةُ مِنَ الْكَفَنِ إِنَّمَا يُعَدُّ مَا يُلَفّ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘My father (a.s.), wrote in his will to me to shroud him with three pieces of cloth, one was a gown made in Hibarah with which he performed Salah (prayer) on Fridays and another piece of cloth, and a shirt. I asked my father (a.s.), “Why do you write these things?” He (the Imam) replie

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي أَغْسِلُ الْمَوْتَى قَالَ وَ تُحْسِنُ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أَغْسِلُ فَقَالَ إِذَا غَسَلْتَ فَارْفُقْ بِهِ وَ لَا تَغْمِزْهُ وَ لَا تَمَسَّ مَسَامِعَهُ بِكَافُورٍ وَ إِذَا عَمَّمْتَهُ فَلَا تُعَمِّمْهُ عِمَّةَ الْأَعْرَابِيِّ قُلْتُ كَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ قَالَ خُذِ الْعِمَامَةَ مِنْ وَسَطِهَا وَ انْشُرْهَا عَلَى رَأْسِهِ ثُمَّ رُدَّهَا إِلَى خَلْفِهِ وَ اطْرَحْ طَرَفَيْهَا عَلَى صَدْرِهِ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that I give Ghusl (bath) to the deceased. He (the Imam) said, ‘Treat it very gently, do not pinch his body, do not touch his ears with camphor and when preparing turban for him, do not wrap it like the turban of an Arab.’ I then asked, ‘How must I do it?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Hold

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ بِالْكَفَنِ قَالَ تَأْخُذُ خِرْقَةً فَتَشُدُّ بِهَا عَلَى مَقْعَدَتِهِ وَ رِجْلَيْهِ قُلْتُ فَالْإِزَارُ[1] قَالَ إِنَّهَا لَا تُعَدُّ شَيْئاً إِنَّمَا تَصْنَعُ لِيُضَمَّ مَا هُنَاكَ لِئَلَّا يَخْرُجَ مِنْهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ مَا يُصْنَعُ مِنَ الْقُطْنِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْهَا ثُمَّ يُخْرَقُ الْقَمِيصُ إِذَا غُسِّلَ وَ يُنْزَعُ مِنْ رِجْلَيْهِ‌[2] قَالَ ثُمَّ الْكَفَنُ قَمِيصٌ غَيْرُ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about how shroud is prepared. He (the Imam) said, ‘Take one piece of cloth to wrap around his hips and legs.’ I asked about loincloth. He (the Imam) said, ‘It does not count for anything. It is only to hold that area so that nothing is exposed. The cotton that is use is better than

فِي الْعِمَامَةِ لِلْمَيِّتِ فَقَالَ حَنِّكْهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the turban for a deceased. He (the Imam) said, ‘Wrap it around his head.’”

يُكَفَّنُ الْمَيِّتُ فِي خَمْسَةِ أَثْوَابٍ قَمِيصٍ لَا يُزَرُّ عَلَيْهِ‌[5] وَ إِزَارٍ وَ خِرْقَةٍ يُعَصَّبُ بِهَا وَسَطُهُ وَ بُرْدٍ يُلَفُّ فِيهِ وَ عِمَامَةٍ يُعَمَّمُ بِهَا وَ يُلْقَى فَضْلُهَا عَلَى صَدْرِهِ.

‘Five pieces of cloth are used to shroud a deceased: a shirt without button, a loincloth, a piece to wrap therewith his midsection, an overall sheet to wrap him in it, a turban that is wrapped around his head and the extra is allowed to hang down his chest.’”

الْكَافُورُ هُوَ الْحَنُوطُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Camphor is for hunut.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِي فِي كَفْنِ أَبِي عُبَيْدَةَ الْحَذَّاءِ إِنَّمَا الْحَنُوطُ الْكَافُورُ وَ لَكِنِ اذْهَبْ فَاصْنَعْ كَمَا يَصْنَعُ النَّاسُ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to me about the shroud of abu ‘Ubaydah al-Hadhdha’, ‘Camphor is for hunut; however, go and do what people do.’”

مَاتَ أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ الْحَذَّاءُ وَ أَنَا بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِدِينَارٍ وَ قَالَ اشْتَرِ بِهَذَا حَنُوطاً وَ اعْلَمْ أَنَّ الْحَنُوطَ هُوَ الْكَافُورُ وَ لَكِنِ اصْنَعْ كَمَا يَصْنَعُ النَّاسُ قَالَ فَلَمَّا مَضَيْتُ أَتْبَعَنِي بِدِينَارٍ وَ قَالَ اشْتَرِ بِهَذَا كَافُوراً.

“Abu ‘Ubaydah al-Hadhdha’ died and I was in al-Madinah. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), sent a dinar and said, ‘Buy with it hunut and take notice that hunut is camphor; however, do as people do.’ When I went, he (the Imam) sent a dinar and said, ‘Buy camphor with it.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْحَنُوطِ لِلْمَيِّتِ قَالَ اجْعَلْهُ فِي مَسَاجِدِهِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about hunut for a deceased. He (the Imam) said, ‘Apply it on the parts of his body used during prostration.’”

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ص نَهَى أَنْ يُوضَعَ عَلَى النَّعْشِ الْحَنُوطُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Holy prophet prohibited placing of hunut on a coffin.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي كَمْ تُكَفَّنُ الْمَرْأَةُ قَالَ تُكَفَّنُ فِي خَمْسَةِ أَثْوَابٍ أَحَدُهَا الْخِمَارُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about how many pieces of fabric must be used for shrouding a woman. He (the Imam) said, ‘Five pieces of fabric must be used for shrouding a woman, of which one is al-Khimar (veil)”

سَأَلْتُهُ كَيْفَ تُكَفَّنُ الْمَرْأَةُ فَقَالَ كَمَا يُكَفَّنُ الرَّجُلُ غَيْرَ أَنَّهَا تُشَدُّ عَلَى ثَدْيَيْهَا خِرْقَةٌ تَضُمُّ الثَّدْيَ إِلَى الصَّدْرِ وَ تُشَدُّ عَلَى ظَهْرِهَا وَ يُصْنَعُ لَهَا الْقُطْنُ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا يُصْنَعُ لِلرِّجَالِ وَ يُحْشَى الْقُبُلُ وَ الدُّبُرُ بِالْقُطْنِ وَ الْحَنُوطِ ثُمَّ تُشَدُّ عَلَيْهَا الْخِرْقَةُ شَدّاً شَدِيداً.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about how must a woman be shrouded. He (the Imam) said, ‘A deceased woman is shrouded just like a deceased man, except that a piece of fabric is used to tie down her breasts to her chest, with the other end tied down behind her back. More cotton and camphor is used for hunut and to

يُكَفَّنُ الرَّجُلُ فِي ثَلَاثَةِ أَثْوَابٍ وَ الْمَرْأَةُ إِذَا كَانَتْ عَظِيمَةً فِي خَمْسَةٍ دِرْعٍ وَ مِنْطَقٍ وَ خِمَارٍ وَ لِفَافَتَيْنِ‌[2].

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘A deceased man is shrouded in three pieces of fabrics. A deceased woman of greatness is shrouded with five pieces of fabrics, the shirt, loincloth, veil and the two pieces of fabric (to tie down around her chest and the lower part of her body from the waist down to her knees).”

لَا يُجَمَّرُ الْكَفَنُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A shroud is not perfumed”

لَا يُسَخَّنُ الْمَاءُ لِلْمَيِّتِ‌[3] وَ لَا يُعَجَّلُ لَهُ النَّارُ وَ لَا يُحَنَّطُ بِمِسْكٍ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘There is no need for warming up of water for Ghusl (bath) of a deceased, starting up a fire and perfuming the shroud.”’

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ لَا تُجَمِّرُوا الْأَكْفَانَ وَ لَا تَمْسَحُوا مَوْتَاكُمْ بِالطِّيبِ إِلَّا بِالْكَافُورِ فَإِنَّ الْمَيِّتَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْمُحْرِمِ‌[4].

‘You must not perfume shrouds and your deceased one’s except with camphor; a deceased person is like one in the state of Ihram.’”

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ص نَهَى أَنْ تُتْبَعَ جَنَازَةٌ بِمِجْمَرَةٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Holy prophet, has said, ‘You must not walk behind the procession for a deceased with a brazier, censer.’”

أَجِيدُوا أَكْفَانَ مَوْتَاكُمْ فَإِنَّهَا زِينَتُهُمْ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Prepare good quality shroud for your deceased ones; it is beautification for them.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَيْسَ مِنْ لِبَاسِكُمْ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَحْسَنَ مِنَ الْبَيَاضِ فَأَلْبِسُوهُ مَوْتَاكُمْ.

‘In your dresses the best is white. Dress up with them your deceased ones also.’”

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ لَيْسَ مِنْ لِبَاسِكُمْ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَحْسَنَ مِنَ الْبَيَاضِ فَأَلْبِسُوهُ وَ كَفِّنُوا فِيهِ مَوْتَاكُمْ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that the Holy prophet has said, ‘No other clothes in your clothes is better than white, so dress up and shroud your deceased ones in white.”

يُسْتَحَبُّ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِي كَفَنِهِ ثَوْبٌ كَانَ يُصَلِّي فِيهِ نَظِيفٌ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ‌[2] يُسْتَحَبُّ أَنْ يُكَفَّنَ فِيمَا كَانَ يُصَلِّي فِيهِ.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘It is desirable to keep for shroud a piece which one has used in Salah (prayer). It should be clean; it is desirable.”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى مِنْ كِسْوَةِ الْكَعْبَةِ شَيْئاً فَقَضَى بِبَعْضِهِ حَاجَتَهُ وَ بَقِيَ بَعْضُهُ فِي يَدِهِ هَلْ يَصْلُحُ بَيْعُهُ قَالَ يَبِيعُ مَا أَرَادَ وَ يَهَبُ مَا لَمْ يُرِدْ وَ يَسْتَنْفِعُ بِهِ وَ يَطْلُبُ بَرَكَتَهُ قُلْتُ أَ يُكَفَّنُ بِهِ الْمَيِّتُ قَالَ لَا.

from “Abd al-Malik who has said the following: “I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man who has purchased a certain amount of the covering of al-Ka‘bah of which he has used a certain amount for his needs, and a certain amount is left with him. Can he sell? He (the Imam) said, ‘He can sell whatever he wants or gi

تَنَوَّقُوا فِي الْأَكْفَانِ فَإِنَّكُمْ تُبْعَثُونَ بِهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Try to make your shrouds look beautiful; you will be raised with your shrouds.’”

الْكَتَّانُ كَانَ لِبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ يُكَفَّنُونَ بِهِ وَ الْقُطْنُ لِأُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص.

‘The Israelites used silk for shroud; and cotton is for the followers of the Holy prophet, Muhammad, O Allah grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause.’”