The Book on Dying People

قُلْتُ لَهُ‌[4] مَاتَ مَيِّتٌ وَ هُوَ جُنُبٌ كَيْفَ يُغَسَّلُ وَ مَا يُجْزِئُهُ مِنَ الْمَاءِ فَقَالَ يُغَسَّلُ غُسْلًا وَاحِداً يُجْزِئُ ذَلِكَ عَنْهُ لِجَنَابَتِهِ وَ لِغُسْلِ الْمَيِّتِ لِأَنَّهُمَا حُرْمَتَانِ اجْتَمَعَتَا فِي حُرْمَةٍ وَاحِدَةٍ[5].

“I once said to him (the Imam) (a.s.), that there is one who has died after sexual relation but before Ghusl (bath). How is Ghusl (bath) prescribed for him and how much water is needed? He (the Imam) said, ’Only one Ghusl (bath) is sufficient for both reasons, each of which is inviolable requiring one inviolable act (G

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ إِذَا مَاتَتْ فِي نِفَاسِهَا كَيْفَ تُغَسَّلُ قَالَ مِثْلَ غُسْلِ الطَّاهِرَةِ وَ كَذَلِكَ الْحَائِضُ وَ كَذَلِكَ الْجُنُبُ إِنَّمَا يُغَسَّلُ غُسْلًا وَاحِداً فَقَطْ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who dies during her child- birth, how Ghusl (bath) to be given for her? He (the Imam) said, ‘It is just like cleansing Ghusl (bath) after blood discharge is over and so also is the case with a woman during her Hayd (menses) and after sexual relation: only o

فِي الْمَرْأَةِ إِذَا مَاتَتْ نُفَسَاءَ وَ كَثُرَ دَمُهَا أُدْخِلَتْ إِلَى السُّرَّةِ فِي الْأَدَمِ أَوْ مِثْلِ الْأَدَمِ نَظِيفٍ ثُمَّ تُكَفَّنُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A woman, who dies during her child-birth with a great deal of blood discharge, is placed in a clean bag of treated skin up to her bellybutton; then she is shrouded.’”

سَأَلْتُ الْعَبْدَ الصَّالِحَ ع عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ تَمُوتُ وَ وَلَدُهَا فِي بَطْنِهَا قَالَ يُشَقُّ بَطْنُهَا وَ يُخْرَجُ وَلَدُهَا.

“I once asked the virtuous servant of Allah about the case of a woman who dies with her child in her womb. He (the Imam) (a.s.), said, ‘Her belly is opened to remove her child.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ تَمُوتُ وَ يَتَحَرَّكُ الْوَلَدُ فِي بَطْنِهَا أَ يُشَقُّ بَطْنُهَا وَ يُسْتَخْرَجُ وَلَدُهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ زَادَ فِيهِ‌ يُخْرَجُ الْوَلَدُ وَ يُخَاطُ بَطْنُهَا[1].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who dies and the baby moves inside her belly; is it prescribed to cut open to take the baby out. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it must be cut open.’ In the narration of Ibn Abi ‘Umayr it is added that after taking out the baby the cut is stitched to close her b

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِذَا مَاتَتِ الْمَرْأَةُ وَ فِي بَطْنِهَا وَلَدٌ يَتَحَرَّكُ شُقَّ بَطْنُهَا وَ يُخْرَجُ الْوَلَدُ وَ قَالَ فِي الْمَرْأَةِ تَمُوتُ فِي بَطْنِهَا الْوَلَدُ فَيُتَخَوَّفُ عَلَيْهَا قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ أَنْ يُدْخِلَ الرَّجُلُ يَدَهُ فَيُقَطِّعَهُ وَ يُخْرِجَهُ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘If a woman dies and in her belly is a child that moves, her belly is cut open to take the baby out.’ He (the Imam), about the case of a woman in whose belly the baby dies and there is fear for her life, has said, ‘A man can use his hand to take

لَا يُمَسُّ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ شَعْرٌ وَ لَا ظُفُرٌ وَ إِنْ سَقَطَ مِنْهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَاجْعَلْهُ فِي كَفَنِهِ.[3]

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Nothing of the hairs or nails of a deceased is touched and if any of such things fall off, you must place them in his shroud.’”

كَرِهَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص أَنْ تُحْلَقَ عَانَةُ الْمَيِّتِ إِذَا غُسِّلَ أَوْ يُقَلَّمَ لَهُ ظُفُرٌ أَوْ يُجَزَّ لَهُ شَعْرٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has stated this Hadith. ‘’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said that it is detestable to shave a dead persons’ pubic hair, when giving Ghusl (bath), cut his nails or trim his hairs.’”

كُرِهَ أَنْ يُقَصَّ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ ظُفُرٌ أَوْ يُقَصَّ لَهُ شَعْرٌ أَوْ تُحْلَقَ لَهُ عَانَةٌ أَوْ يُغَمَّضَ لَهُ مَفْصِلٌ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Cutting the fingernails of a dead person, trimming hairs or shaving pubic hairs or softening body joints are detested matters.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمَيِّتِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ الشَّعْرُ فَيُحْلَقُ عَنْهُ أَوْ يُقَلَّمُ قَالَ لَا يُمَسُّ مِنْهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ اغْسِلْهُ وَ ادْفِنْهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a dead person whose body has hairs if it is required to shave or trim them. He (the Imam) said, ‘Nothing as such must be touched. Just give him Ghusl (bath) and bury.’”

إِذَا خَرَجَ مِنْ مَنْخِرِ الْمَيِّتِ الدَّمُ أَوِ الشَّيْ‌ءُ بَعْدَ الْغُسْلِ وَ أَصَابَ الْعِمَامَةَ أَوِ الْكَفَنَ قَرِّضْهُ بِالْمِقْرَاضِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If anything comes out of the nostrils of a deceased, like blood and so on, after Ghusl (bath) and such things come in contact with turban or shroud, such parts (of shroud) must be cut off and disposed.’”

إِذَا غُسِّلَ الْمَيِّتُ ثُمَّ أَحْدَثَ بَعْدَ الْغُسْلِ فَإِنَّهُ يُغْسَلُ الْحَدَثُ وَ لَا يُعَادُ الْغُسْلُ.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘After Ghusl (bath), if something happens, only that part is washed and repeating Ghusl (bath) is not required.’”

إِذَا خَرَجَ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ شَيْ‌ءٌ بَعْدَ مَا يُكَفَّنُ فَأَصَابَ الْكَفَنَ قُرِضَ مِنْهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If after shrouding a certain part of it (cloth) becomes unclean, it must be cut off and disposed.’”

تُغَسِّلُهُ امْرَأَتُهُ أَوْ ذَاتُ قَرَابَةٍ إِنْ كَانَتْ لَهُ وَ تَصُبُّ النِّسَاءُ عَلَيْهِ الْمَاءَ صَبّاً وَ فِي الْمَرْأَةِ إِذَا مَاتَتْ يُدْخِلُ زَوْجُهَا يَدَهُ تَحْتَ قَمِيصِهَا فَيُغَسِّلُهَا.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about a man who dies and there is no one to give him Ghusl (bath) except women. He (the Imam) said that his wife or a relative woman could give him Ghusl (bath). Women just pour water on him. In the case of a woman, her husband gives her Ghusl (bath) by reaching with his hand under her

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ أَ يَصْلُحُ لَهُ أَنْ يَنْظُرَ إِلَى امْرَأَتِهِ حِينَ تَمُوتُ أَوْ يُغَسِّلَهَا إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ‌[1] عِنْدَهَا مَنْ يُغَسِّلُهَا وَ عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ هَلْ تَنْظُرُ إِلَى مِثْلِ ذَلِكَ مِنْ زَوْجِهَا حِينَ يَمُوتُ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ إِنَّمَا يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ أَهْلُ الْمَرْأَةِ كَرَاهَةَ أَنْ يَنْظُرَ زَوْجُهَا إِلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ يَكْرَهُونَهُ مِنْهَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man if he can look at his wife when she is dying or give her Ghusl (bath) if there is no one for her Ghusl (bath) and if a woman can look at her husband in such a condition. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful. Only relatives of the woman may not like her husband to look

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُغَسِّلُ امْرَأَتَهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الثَّوْبِ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man if he can give Ghusl (bath) to his dead wife from behind a cloth. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he can do so from behind a cloth.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَمُوتُ وَ لَيْسَ عِنْدَهُ مَنْ يُغَسِّلُهُ إِلَّا النِّسَاءُ هَلْ تُغَسِّلُهُ النِّسَاءُ فَقَالَ تُغَسِّلُهُ امْرَأَتُهُ أَوْ ذَاتُ مَحْرَمِهِ وَ تَصُبُّ عَلَيْهِ النِّسَاءُ الْمَاءَ صَبّاً مِنْ فَوْقِ الثِّيَابِ‌[2].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who dies and there is no one to give him Ghusl (bath) except women. He (the Imam) said, ‘His wife can give him Ghusl (bath) or a woman of his relatives and other woman can just pour water from behind the cloth.’”

سَمِعْتُ صَاحِباً لَنَا يَسْأَلُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ تَمُوتُ مَعَ رِجَالٍ لَيْسَ فِيهِمْ ذُو مَحْرَمٍ- هَلْ يُغَسِّلُونَهَا وَ عَلَيْهَا ثِيَابُهَا قَالَ إِذاً يُدْخَلَ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ‌[1] وَ لَكِنْ يَغْسِلُونَ كَفَّيْهَا.

“I once heard a friend of ours ask abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a woman who dies among men and none of them is of her relatives in that case can they give her Ghusl (bath) with her clothes on her. He (the Imam) said, ‘Thereby that feeling is apt to get in them, instead they must only wash her both palms (hands).”’

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[2] عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ إِذَا مَاتَتْ فَقَالَ يُدْخِلُ زَوْجُهَا يَدَهُ تَحْتَ قَمِيصِهَا إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ‌[3].

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about the case of a woman who dies. He (the Imam) said, ‘Her husband can reach out with his hand under her shirt up to the elbows.’”

يُدْفَنُ وَ لَا يُغَسَّلُ وَ قَالَ فِي الْمَرْأَةِ تَكُونُ مَعَ الرِّجَالِ بِتِلْكَ الْمَنْزِلَةِ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ مَعَهَا زَوْجُهَا فَإِنْ كَانَ مَعَهَا زَوْجُهَا فَلْيُغَسِّلْهَا مِنْ فَوْقِ الدِّرْعِ وَ يَسْكُبُ عَلَيْهَا الْمَاءَ سَكْباً وَ لْتُغَسِّلْهُ امْرَأَتُهُ إِذَا مَاتَ وَ الْمَرْأَةُ لَيْسَتْ مِثْلَ الرَّجُلِ الْمَرْأَةُ أَسْوَأُ مَنْظَراً حِينَ تَمُوتُ.

“About a man who dies on a journey or a strage land and there is no one other than women with him, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘He is buried without Ghusl (bath).’ He (the Imam) said that the same rule applies to woman in such condition unless her husband is among them, in which case he gives her Ghusl (bath) from

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَخْرُجُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَ مَعَهُ امْرَأَتُهُ يُغَسِّلُهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ أُمَّهُ وَ أُخْتَهُ وَ نَحْوَ هَذَا يُلْقِي عَلَى عَوْرَتِهَا خِرْقَةً.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who goes on a journey with his wife (and she dies), can he give her Ghusl (bath)? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he can do so and so also is the case of his mother and sister. Such person’s private parts are covered with a piece of cloth.’”

سَمِعْتُ صَاحِباً لَنَا يَسْأَلُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ تَمُوتُ مَعَ رِجَالٍ لَيْسَ مَعَهُمْ ذُو مَحْرَمٍ هَلْ يُغَسِّلُونَهَا وَ عَلَيْهَا ثِيَابُهَا فَقَالَ إِذاً يُدْخَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ‌[4] وَ لَكِنْ يَغْسِلُونَ كَفَّيْهَا.

“I once heard a friend of us ask abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a woman who dies among men and none of them is of her relatives if they can give her Ghusl (bath) with her clothes on her. He (the Imam) said, ‘Thereby that feeling is apt to get in them, instead they must only wash her both palms (hands).”’

يُدْخِلُ زَوْجُهَا يَدَهُ تَحْتَ قَمِيصِهَا فَيُغَسِّلُهَا إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ.

“About the case of a woman who dies and there is no other woman to give her Ghusl (bath), abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Her husband can reach out with his hand up to his elbow under her shirt to give her Ghusl (bath).”’

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[1] عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُغَسِّلُ امْرَأَتَهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ إِنَّمَا يَمْنَعُهَا أَهْلُهَا تَعَصُّباً.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about the case of a woman who dies, if her husband can give her Ghusl (bath). He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, but her relatives may hinder due to intolerance.’”

تُغَسِّلُهُ عَمَّتُهُ وَ خَالَتُهُ فِي قَمِيصِهِ وَ لَا تَقْرَبُهُ النَّصَارَى وَ عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ تَمُوتُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَ لَيْسَ مَعَهَا امْرَأَةٌ مُسْلِمَةٌ وَ مَعَهَا نِسَاءٌ نَصَارَى وَ عَمُّهَا وَ خَالُهَا مُسْلِمَانِ قَالَ يُغَسِّلَانِهَا وَ لَا تَقْرَبُهَا النَّصْرَانِيَّةُ كَمَا كَانَتِ الْمُسْلِمَةُ تُغَسِّلُهَا غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهَا دِرْعٌ فَيُصَبُّ الْمَاءُ مِنْ فَوْقِ الدِّرْعِ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ م

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about a Muslim man who dies on a journey and there is no other Muslim man with him but there are Christian men with him and his paternal and maternal aunts who are Muslimah how to be given Ghusl (bath) is give to him. He (the Imam) said, ‘His aunts must give him Ghusl (bath) from behin

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَنْ غَسَّلَ فَاطِمَةَ ع قَالَ ذَاكَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع كَأَنَّكَ اسْتَفْظَعْتَ ذَلِكَ‌[2] مِنْ قَوْلِهِ فَقَالَ لِي كَأَنَّكَ ضِقْتَ مِمَّا أَخْبَرْتُكَ فَقُلْتُ قَدْ كَانَ ذَلِكَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ لِي لَا تَضِيقَنَّ فَإِنَّهَا صِدِّيقَةٌ لَمْ يَكُنْ يُغَسِّلُهَا إِلَّا صِدِّيقٌ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ مَرْيَمَ ع لَمْ يُغَسِّلْهَا إِلَّا عِيسَى ع قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَم

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Who gave Ghusl (bath) to Fatimah, ‘Alayha al- Salam ? He (the Imam) said, ‘That was ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.). It seems as if you find it astonishing to hear such words.’ He (the Imam) said to me, ‘It seems you are strained because of what I told you.’ I said, ‘I pray to Allah to ke

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع حَدِّثْنِي عَنِ الصَّبِيِّ إِلَى كَمْ تُغَسِّلُهُ النِّسَاءُ فَقَالَ إِلَى ثَلَاثِ سِنِينَ.

‘It is up to three years of age.’”

مَنْ غَسَّلَ مَيِّتاً فَلْيَغْتَسِلْ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ مَسَّهُ مَا دَامَ حَارّاً قَالَ فَلَا غُسْلَ عَلَيْهِ وَ إِذَا بَرَدَ ثُمَّ مَسَّهُ فَلْيَغْتَسِلْ قُلْتُ فَمَنْ أَدْخَلَهُ الْقَبْرَ قَالَ لَا غُسْلَ عَلَيْهِ إِنَّمَا يَمَسُّ الثِّيَابَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One who gives Ghusl (bath) to a dead person must himself also take a Ghusl (bath). I then asked, ‘What is one required to do after touching a dead body when it is still warm? He (the Imam) said, ‘Ghusl (bath) is not obligatory for him in such a case. One must take Ghusl (bath) after t

قُلْتُ الرَّجُلُ يُغَمِّضُ عَيْنَ الْمَيِّتِ عَلَيْهِ غُسْلٌ قَالَ إِذَا مَسَّهُ بِحَرَارَتِهِ فَلَا وَ لَكِنْ إِذَا مَسَّهُ بَعْدَ مَا يَبْرُدُ فَلْيَغْتَسِلْ قُلْتُ فَالَّذِي يُغَسِّلُهُ يَغْتَسِلُ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَيُغَسِّلُهُ ثُمَّ يُكَفِّنُهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَغْتَسِلَ قَالَ يُغَسِّلُهُ ثُمَّ يَغْسِلُ يَدَهُ مِنَ الْعَاتِقِ ثُمَّ يُلْبِسُهُ أَكْفَانَهُ ثُمَّ يَغْتَسِلُ قُلْتُ فَمَنْ حَمَلَهُ عَلَيْهِ غُسْلٌ قَال

“I once asked one of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about a man who closes the eyes of a deceased if he must take Ghusl (bath) because of touching a dead body. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he does it when the dead body’s natural temperature is not lost, Ghusl (bath) is not obligatory on him

يُغَسِّلُ الَّذِي غَسَّلَ الْمَيِّتَ وَ إِنْ قَبَّلَ إِنْسَانٌ الْمَيِّتَ وَ هُوَ حَارٌّ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ غُسْلٌ وَ لَكِنْ إِذَا مَسَّهُ وَ قَبَّلَهُ وَ قَدْ بَرَدَ فَعَلَيْهِ الْغُسْلُ- وَ لَا بَأْسَ أَنْ يَمَسَّهُ بَعْدَ الْغُسْلِ وَ يُقَبِّلَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Those who give Ghusl (bath) to a deceased, themselves must take Ghusl (bath). If one kisses a deceased when the dead body is still warm, one is not required to take Ghusl (bath); but if he touches the dead body or kisses it when it has become cold, must take Ghusl (bath) and

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَمَسُّ الْمَيْتَ أَ يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يَغْتَسِلَ مِنْهَا قَالَ لَا إِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ مِنَ الْإِنْسَانِ وَحْدَهُ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُصِيبُ ثَوْبُهُ جَسَدَ الْمَيِّتِ فَقَالَ يَغْسِلُ مَا أَصَابَ الثَّوْبَ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who touches a dead body: if it is proper for him to take Ghusl (bath) for it. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is only necessary if it is the dead body of a human being.’ I then asked about a man whose clothes become polluted because of contact with a dead body. He

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَنْهَى عَنِ الْغُسْلِ إِذَا دَخَلَ الْقَبْرَ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, prohibit taking Ghusl (bath) because of entering the grave.”

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَبَّلَ عُثْمَانَ بْنَ مَظْعُونٍ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah kissed ‘Uthman ibn Maz’un after his death.”

إِنْ كَانَ غُسِّلَ الْمَيِّتُ فَلَا تَغْسِلْ مَا أَصَابَ ثَوْبَكَ مِنْهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ لَمْ يُغَسَّلْ فَاغْسِلْ مَا أَصَابَ ثَوْبَكَ مِنْهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if a man’s clothes come in contact with a dead body after the deceased is given Ghusl (bath), he is not required to wash them. If they become polluted because of such contact before the dead body is given Ghusl (bath) he must wash them.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَ يَغْتَسِلُ مَنْ غَسَّلَ الْمَيِّتَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ مَنْ أَدْخَلَهُ الْقَبْرَ قَالَ لَا إِنَّمَا يَمَسُّ الثِّيَابَ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if one who gives Ghusl (bath) to a dead person is required to take Ghusl (bath). He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he is required to take Ghusl (bath).’ I then asked if one who places the deceased in the grave is required to take Ghusl (bath). He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he is not required to

دَخَلَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ قَيْسٍ الْمَاصِرُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ- أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الْمَيِّتِ لِمَ يُغَسَّلُ غُسْلَ الْجَنَابَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع لَا أُخْبِرُكَ فَخَرَجَ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ فَلَقِيَ بَعْضَ الشِّيعَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْعَجَبُ لَكُمْ يَا مَعْشَرَ الشِّيعَةِ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ هَذَا الرَّجُلَ وَ أَطَعْتُمُوهُ وَ لَوْ دَعَاكُمْ إِلَى عِبَادَتِهِ لَأَجَبْتُمُوهُ وَ قَدْ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ مَسْأَلَ

1. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah has narrated from Ibrahim ibn ‘Ishaq from Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Daylamiy from his father who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once ‘Abd Allah ibn Qays al-Masir visited abu Ja’far (a.s.), and said, ‘Tell me why a dead body is given Ghusl (bath) because o

سُئِلَ مَا بَالُ الْمَيِّتِ‌[2] يُمْنِي قَالَ النُّطْفَةُ الَّتِي خُلِقَ مِنْهَا يَرْمِي بِهَا.

‘It is the seed from which he is created that he throws out.’”

قَالَ: إِنَّ الْمَخْلُوقَ لَا يَمُوتُ حَتَّى تَخْرُجَ مِنْهُ النُّطْفَةُ الَّتِي خُلِقَ مِنْهَا مِنْ فِيهِ أَوْ مِنْ عَيْنِهِ‌[3].

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), has said that a creature does not die until the seed from which it is created comes out through his mouth or his eye.”

أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ غَسَّلَ مُؤْمِناً فَقَالَ إِذَا قَلَّبَهُ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ هَذَا بَدَنُ عَبْدِكَ الْمُؤْمِنِ قَدْ أَخْرَجْتَ رُوحَهُ مِنْهُ وَ فَرَّقْتَ بَيْنَهُمَا فَعَفْوَكَ عَفْوَكَ‌[1] غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ ذُنُوبَ سَنَةٍ إِلَّا الْكَبَائِرَ.

Tf any believer, when washing the dead body of a believer says, “O Allah, this is the body of Your believing servant from which its spirit has come out and is just separated, please grant him forgiveness, and please grant him forgiveness.’” Allah then forgives his one year’s sins except the major ones.”

مَنْ غَسَّلَ مَيِّتاً فَأَدَّى فِيهِ الْأَمَانَةَ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ قُلْتُ وَ كَيْفَ يُؤَدِّي فِيهِ الْأَمَانَةَ قَالَ لَا يُحَدِّثُ بِمَا يَرَى‌[2].

Tf one washes a dead body and keeps the trust, Allah grants him forgiveness.’ He was asked, ‘What is the trust?’ The Imam replied, ‘Does not make public whatever he sees.’”

مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ يُغَسِّلُ مُؤْمِناً وَ يَقُولُ وَ هُوَ يُغَسِّلُهُ رَبِّ عَفْوَكَ عَفْوَكَ إِلَّا عَفَا اللَّهُ عَنْهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Any believing person who when washing the dead body of a believing person says, “O Allah grant him forgiveness,” Allah then grants forgiveness to him also.’”

كَانَ فِيمَا نَاجَى اللَّهَ بِهِ مُوسَى قَالَ يَا رَبِّ مَا لِمَنْ غَسَّلَ الْمَوْتَى فَقَالَ أَغْسِلُهُ مِنْ ذُنُوبِهِ كَمَا وَلَدَتْهُ أُمُّهُ.

‘One of the matters that Moses spoke about before Allah was this, “O Allah, what is the reward for one who washes a dead body?” The answer was, “I wash his sins as if his mother has just given him birth.’””

مَنْ كَفَّنَ مُؤْمِناً كَانَ كَمَنْ ضَمِنَ كِسْوَتَهُ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘One who provides shrouding (materials) for a believing person is like one whose dressing (needs) is guaranteed up to the Day of Judgment.’”

مَنْ حَفَرَ لِمَيِّتٍ قَبْراً كَانَ كَمَنْ بَوَّأَهُ بَيْتاً مُوَافِقاً إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘One who prepares the grave for a believing person is like one who provides him a desirable dwelling up to the Day of Judgment.”’

رَوَى أَصْحَابُنَا أَنَّ حَدَّ الْقَبْرِ إِلَى التَّرْقُوَةِ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَى الثَّدْيِ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ قَامَةِ الرَّجُلِ حَتَّى يُمَدَّ الثَّوْبُ عَلَى رَأْسِ مَنْ فِي الْقَبْرِ وَ أَمَّا اللَّحْدُ فَبِقَدْرِ مَا يُمْكِنُ فِيهِ الْجُلُوسُ قَالَ وَ لَمَّا حَضَرَ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع الْوَفَاةُ أُغْمِيَ عَلَيْهِ فَبَقِيَ سَاعَةً ثُمَّ رَفَعَ عَنْهُ الثَّوْبَ ثُمَّ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَو

the depth of the grave is up to one’s collarbones. Certain ones have said that it is up to one’s chest and still others say that it is up to the whole height of a man, so one can pull the sheet over the head of those in the grave. The depth of Lahad is as high as one can sit straight inside. He (the narrator) has said

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ حِينَ احْتُضِرَ إِذَا أَنَا مِتُّ فَاحْفِرُوا لِي وَ شُقُّوا لِي شَقّاً فَإِنْ قِيلَ لَكُمْ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص لُحِدَ لَهُ فَقَدْ صَدَقُوا[1].

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), when about to leave this world said, ‘When I die dig a grave for me as a straight cut in the ground, as opposed to digging straight and then digging horizontally a passage to accommodate the body which is called Lahad. If people say that the Messenger of Allah was place in Lahad, accept it as true.’

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص لَحَدَ لَهُ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Abu Talhah al-Ansariy prepared Lahad for the Messenger of Allah.’”

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ص نَهَى أَنْ يُعَمَّقَ الْقَبْرُ فَوْقَ ثَلَاثَةِ أَذْرُعٍ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Holy prophet, prohibited digging the grave deeper than three hands (yards).”

يَنْبَغِي لِأَوْلِيَاءِ الْمَيِّتِ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يُؤْذِنُوا إِخْوَانَ الْمَيِّتِ بِمَوْتِهِ فَيَشْهَدُونَ جَنَازَتَهُ وَ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَيْهِ وَ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لَهُ فَيُكْتَبُ لَهُمُ الْأَجْرُ وَ يُكْتَبُ‌[3] لِلْمَيِّتِ الِاسْتِغْفَارُ وَ يَكْتَسِبُ هُوَ الْأَجْرَ فِيهِمْ وَ فِيمَا اكْتَسَبَ لِمَيِّتِهِمْ مِنَ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The guardians of a deceased should inform the brothers (in belief) of the deceased about his death so they may attend his funeral services, perform prayer and appeal on his behalf for forgiveness (from Allah). Thus, a reward for them is written down as well as forgiveness. Also the pe

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْجِنَازَةِ يُؤْذَنُ بِهَا النَّاسُ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Should people be informed to attend the funeral of a deceased person?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Yes, people should be informed.’”