people: you find them pulling the clothes off roughly, especially winter clothing when it is on the deceased. This is contrary to mercy and gentleness.

His statement, “covering him with a cloth”: this is the fifth matter, namely, covering the deceased with a cloth—that is, covering him with a cloth that encompasses his entire body.

The evidence for this is that, when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, died, “he was covered with a striped Yemeni cloak” (1). A cloak is a garment used as an outer wrap which covers the entire body. The striped Yemeni cloak was a well-known type of garment in that time, brought from Yemen. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, however, was not stripped of his clothes; rather, his clothes remained on him and he was covered with a cloth (2).

Placing Him upon the Washing Table, Facing toward His Feet on a Downward Incline, and Hastening His Preparation if He Did Not Die Suddenly …

His statement, “placing a piece of iron upon his abdomen”: this is the sixth matter: placing a piece of iron upon the deceased’s abdomen. That is, it is also recommended that a piece of iron, or another heavy object, be placed upon his abdomen.

They cited as evidence for this a report that is questionable, and a rational consideration that is flawed.

As for the report, they narrated from Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: “Place something made of iron upon his abdomen” (3). This report is questionable, and I do not think it is authentically established from Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him. What appears from the practice of the Companions is that they did not do this.

As for the flawed rational consideration, they said that it is done so that the abdomen does not become bloated, by placing a piece of iron or something similarly heavy upon it.

But does this prevent bloating? I do not think it prevents it, because bloating