him with earth. However, the first option is better: that we dig a pit for him and bury him in it. For if we were to place him on the surface of the ground and cover him with earth, the wind might carry the earth away and his corpse would then become exposed.

His statement, “Rather, he is to be covered over due to the absence of …,” means that the disbeliever must be covered over. This includes covering him with earth, placing him at the bottom of a well or the like, for the Prophet commanded that the polytheists slain at Badr be thrown into one of the wells of Badr. (1)

This is also so that people are not harmed by his odour, and so that his family are not distressed by seeing him.

His statement, “due to the absence of …,” means: due to the absence of someone to cover him over. If one of his relatives is available to undertake this, it is not lawful for a Muslim to assist them in it; rather, he should leave the matter to them.

“And when he begins washing him, he covers his private parts, removes his clothes, and screens him from people’s sight, …”

His statement, “And when he begins washing him, he covers his private parts”: the author now begins to explain how the deceased is to be washed.

His statement, “And when he begins washing him”: grammarians do not approve of this expression used by the jurists, because akhadha (began) here is a verb indicating commencement, and its predicate must be a verbal clause whose verb is in the present tense. Thus, according to the grammarians’ rule, the wording should be: “And when he begins to wash him.” Yet the jurists’ wording is not defective, since everyone understands that “when he begins his washing” means: when he commences washing him.

His statement, “his washing,” means washing the deceased.

His statement, “he covers his private parts,” means that this is obligatory for one who is seven years old or older. With regard to a man, the private parts are that which lies between the navel and the knee, and likewise with regard to