Is it permissible for a man to

Q 2: Is it permissible for men to wash the bodies of their dead wives or daughters? Moreover, is it permissible for women to wash the bodies of their dead husbands or sons?

(Part No. 8; Page No. 365) A: The original ruling is that dead men are to be washed by men and dead women are to be washed by women. However, it is permissible for men to wash their dead wives and visa versa. This is proven by a narration in which the Messenger (peace be upon him) said to `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her): Would it distress you if you were to die before me so that I could wash your corpse, wrap you in a shroud, pray over you, and bury you? (Related by Ahmad and Ibn Majah). Moreover, Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) willed that his corpse would be washed by his wife, Asma' bint `Umays (may Allah be pleased with her), and Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) willed that her corpse would be washed by her husband, `Aly (may Allah be pleased with him). Furthermore, women are not allowed to wash dead males who are more than seven years old and visa versa.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.