Dr. Asiya Staff asked 1 week ago
My question is: how much 'Pardah' (modesty/covering) is required between one woman and another? And when giving the funeral bath (Ghusl) to a deceased woman, how much of the body must be covered? Do we cover it with a large sheet during the bath, or is covering from the neck to the knees sufficient? Is it a problem if the shins/lower legs are exposed?
My second question is: when shrouding (Kafan) the deceased, can we put a loose-fitting, unstitched suit (without sleeves) on the body under the three sheets to make it easier? Also, if there is water or fluid discharging from the body, can we place cotton or a pad?
Lastly, the deceased was somewhat heavy, and I felt that the three sheets might leave the body uncovered because the width of the cloth seemed quite small. Please provide guidance.
1 Answers
Dr. Asiya Staff answered 1 week ago
You asked about Pardah (modesty) and how much a woman's body should be covered—whether to use a large sheet during the bath (Ghusl) or if covering from the navel to the knees is enough (meaning, is there any harm if the shins are exposed?).
If you look at the Hadith, there is a mention of five pieces of cloth for the shroud (Kafan), which includes the chest-wrap (Sinaband), the waist-wrap, and the others.
Regarding your other point: if there is any discharge, then yes, do use cotton.
As for what you said about covering from the navel to the knees being sufficient—I feel it is even better if one person holds the sheet from one side and another person from the other side, like a tent, to ensure total privacy.
Just hearing about death and the deceased makes one's hair stand on end. May Allah grant us all the ability to prepare for the hereafter and take us from this world with ease and safety (Afiyat). Ameen.
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