Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

dear Mr Burhan

assalamo aleikum

i want to know the procedure of a death woman regarding gusal (bath) how may women can give gusla? if a lady in period can do it? is it compulsory for a lady to have a long hair to cover her breast after her death? after giving the bath to the deceased is it allow to put surma, perfume etc for her? pls. give me in detail. i will appreciate

jazakallah

a sister

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Answer:

Funeral burial of dead woman

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: how may women can give gusla?

There is no minimum or maximum number stipulated in Shariah Law regarding how many sisters need to be available to give their deceased sister a ‘ghusl’ before her burial. If only one woman is available to perform the ‘ghusl’ of the deceased sister, there is absolutely no harm; but it is only obvious that if there were two or three sisters available, the performance of the ‘ghusl’ of the deceased sister would be easier for them.

Your Question: if a lady in period can do it?

There is absolutely nothing in the Shariah Law which prohibits or forbids or discourages a menstruating woman from performing the ‘ghusl’ on her deceased sister; thus it would be absolutely lawful for a menstruating woman to perform the ‘ghusl’ of a deceased sister, if she wishes to do so.

Your Question: is it compulsory for a lady to have a long hair to cover her breast after her death?

The length or style of hair a believing woman (or man) can sport is entirely upto their taste and liking; and there is nothing in Shariah Law which stipulates that a believing woman must have short or long hair.

The believing men and women can adopt any style or length they wish for their hair. The guidance or restrictions that Islam lays upon the believers regarding their hair are:

1. The style should not resemble a style which is specific to the pagans.
2. The style should not resemble a style which is specific to the opposite sex.

Your Question: after giving the bath to the deceased is it allow to put surma, perfume etc for her?

The Prophet (saws) said: "When you apply perfume (to the dead), apply it an odd number of times after washing it."

Related by AlBaihaqi, Al-Hakim and Ibn Hibban.

Abu Wa'il said: "Ali ibn Taalib (r.a.) had some musk, and he requested that it be applied to his body upon his death. This was of what was left from the perfume used on the body of the Prophet (saws) upon his death."

It is considered a Sunnah and highly recommended that some perfume be applied to the body of deceased after their ‘ghusl’, regardless of whether the deceased is a male or a female.

But to apply adornments of beauty like ‘surma’, or lip-stick, or make-up, or adorn the deceased with jewelry, etc. is absolutely disliked and not permissible.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan