A son bathing his elderly parents, and shaving their pubic area

Q: What is the ruling on a son removing impurities, purifying the private parts and shaving pubic hair for his parents who are too old? What is the ruling on the daughter undertaking this? What the ruling on a man undertaking this for his old relatives, such as his paternal or maternal uncle or his brother? (Part No. 25; Page No. 249


A: There is nothing wrong with washing the private parts of people who are not able to do this themselves, on the condition that this is done from behind a barrier that covers their `Awrah (parts of the body that must be covered in public). The person performing this cleansing process should wear gloves or the like to avoid touching the `Awrah directly. He is also permitted to shave the pubic hair of a disabled person, and here it is permissible to uncover the `Awrah, since it is a necessity. Men should do this for men, and women for women, if possible. If not, it is not wrong for a man to do this for a woman or vice versa where necessity so demands. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says, ...while He has explained to you in detail what is forbidden to you, except under compulsion of necessity May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.


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