A deceased person in a state of iḥrām is treated like one who is still alive in that state: he is washed with water and lotus leaves, no perfume is brought near him, a male is not clothed in stitched garments, his head is left uncovered, and a female’s face is likewise not covered.

A martyr1 is not washed unless he was in a state of major ritual impurity; he is buried2 in his blood and his clothes after any weapons or leather gear have been removed. If those garments have been stripped from him, he is shrouded in something else. The funeral prayer is not offered for him. However, if he fell from his mount, was found dead with no apparent wound, survived long enough to eat or drink after being carried away, or lingered for a long time3, he is washed and the funeral prayer is performed for him.

If a miscarried fetus has reached four lunar months, it is washed and prayed over; if washing is impossible, tayammum is performed for it.

The washer must conceal anything he sees of the deceased that is unbecoming.

Section

The cost of the shroud4 is taken from the deceased’s estate before debts and all other claims. If he leaves no property, the obligation falls on those who were required to support him—except that a husband is not obliged to shroud his wife.

It is recommended5 that a man be wrapped in three white sheets that have been fumigated6 with incense. The sheets are spread one atop the other, the embalming scent is placed between them, the body is laid upon them on its back, some of the scent mixed with cotton is inserted between the buttocks, and a split cloth is tied over it.