and if a man dies while only women are present, or a woman dies while only men are present, tayammum (dry ablution) is performed for the deceased, just as is done for a khunthā mushkil (a person of indeterminate sex). It is unlawful for a Muslim to wash or bury a disbeliever; if no one else can attend to the corpse he merely covers it with earth so that it is out of sight.

When the washing begins, the washer first covers the deceased’s private parts, removes the clothing, and screens the body from view. Anyone not specifically appointed to assist should not be present, for his attendance is disliked. The washer then raises the dead person’s head to a position close to sitting,1 gently presses the abdomen, and at that moment pours a generous amount of water. He wraps a cloth around his hand, performs istinjāʾ,2 and it is forbidden to touch the private parts of anyone seven years old or older. It is recommended that the remainder of the body also be touched only through a cloth.

Next he performs wuḍūʾ for the deceased as a recommended act. He does not pour water into the mouth or the nostrils; instead, with two water-moistened fingers he passes between the lips, wiping the teeth, and passes them in the nostrils, cleansing them without letting water enter. After that he intends the ritual washing, pronounces the basmalah, and with the lather of sidr (lotus-leaf) washes only the head and beard. He then washes the right side, the left side, and finally the whole body three times, passing his hand over the abdomen each time. If three washes do not cleanse the body, he repeats the process until it is clean, even if that exceeds seven washes.

Camphor is added to the water of the final wash. Hot water, soapwort, and a comb or toothpick may be used when needed. The moustache is trimmed, the nails clipped, and the hair is not combed. Afterward the body is dried with a cloth. If the deceased is a woman, her hair is divided into three braids and laid behind her.

Should anything be discharged from the body after the seventh wash, the opening is packed with cotton; if that does not hold, with clean clay. The soiled area is then washed and a fresh wuḍūʾ is performed. If something emerges after the body has been shrouded, the washing is not repeated.