Is the wife obligated to wash her deceased husband before the washers enter, and is this act a Sunnah, an obligation, or an innovation?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If a Muslim dies, those present must wash and prepare the body. The washing should be done first with pure water, then with water and sidr (lote tree leaves), and then with water and camphor (or perfume). This washing is the same whether performed by the wife or someone else. However, she is not obligated to wash him if someone else is available to do so on her behalf.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/67286
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 67286
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy