and with the vowel u. With the vowel a, it denotes a place—that is, the place of entry—whereas with the vowel u, it denotes causing someone to enter. Accordingly, the pronunciation with the vowel a is preferable: “Broaden the place of his entry.” What is meant is the grave—that Allah may make it spacious for him—for the grave may either constrict the deceased until his ribs interlock—may Allah protect us—or it may be expanded for him as far as the eye can see. Thus, you ask Allah to broaden his entrance.

His statement, “And wash him with water, snow, and hail”: washing with water means using water on whatever has become soiled or affected by something harmful, in order to remove the impurity and harm.

What is meant here by washing is the removal of the effects of sins; it does not mean washing something physical, since the physical washing of the deceased has already taken place before he is shrouded.

This is why he said: “with water, snow, and hail.”

Some scholars raised an objection here, saying: Hot water cleanses more thoroughly, so why did he say, “with water, snow, and hail”?

The answer is that what is meant is washing him from the effects of sins, and the effects of sins are a burning fire; thus, that which counteracts them is water and coolness.

As for his statement, “snow and hail,” the difference between them is that snow falls without clouds: it descends from the atmosphere like drizzle and then freezes.

Hail, on the other hand, falls from clouds. Some linguists call it ḥabb al-ghamām (cloud-grains), because it falls like grains.