The Ghusl (bath) Necessary for Touching a Dead Body and Washing or Touching When the Body Is Still Warm or Has Become Cold

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One who gives Ghusl (bath) to a dead person must himself also take a Ghusl (bath). I then asked, ‘What is one required to do after touching a dead body when it is still warm? He (the Imam) said, ‘Ghusl (bath) is not obligatory for him in such a case. One must take Ghusl (bath) after touching a dead body when it has become cold? I then asked, ‘What is the rule for one who places a dead body in the grave?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Ghusl (bath) is not obligatory on him; he touches the cloth only.’”

“I once asked one of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about a man who closes the eyes of a deceased if he must take Ghusl (bath) because of touching a dead body. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he does it when the dead body’s natural temperature is not lost, Ghusl (bath) is not obligatory on him; if he touches it after body temperature is lost, then he must take Ghusl (bath).’ I then asked if one who gives Ghusl (bath) to the deceased is required to take Ghusl (bath). He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he is required to take Ghusl (bath).’ I then asked if he is required to take it before shrouding the deceased. He (the Imam) said, ‘He gives Ghusl (bath) to the deceased first, then washes his own hands clean of any objects and shrouds the deceased before himself taking Ghusl (bath).’ I then asked if those who carry the deceased are required to take Ghusl (bath). He (the Imam) said, ‘No, they are not required to take Ghusl (bath).’ I then asked if those who place the deceased in the grave are required to take Wudu’. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, they are not required to take Wudu’; however, they can take Wudu’ (Tayammum) with the soil of the grave if they so wanted.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Those who give Ghusl (bath) to a deceased, themselves must take Ghusl (bath). If one kisses a deceased when the dead body is still warm, one is not required to take Ghusl (bath); but if he touches the dead body or kisses it when it has become cold, must take Ghusl (bath) and it is not harmful to touch or kiss after the dead body is given Ghusl (bath).”’

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who touches a dead body: if it is proper for him to take Ghusl (bath) for it. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is only necessary if it is the dead body of a human being.’ I then asked about a man whose clothes become polluted because of contact with a dead body. He (the Imam) said, ‘He must wash the polluted area.’”

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, prohibit taking Ghusl (bath) because of entering the grave.”

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah kissed ‘Uthman ibn Maz’un after his death.”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if a man’s clothes come in contact with a dead body after the deceased is given Ghusl (bath), he is not required to wash them. If they become polluted because of such contact before the dead body is given Ghusl (bath) he must wash them.’”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if one who gives Ghusl (bath) to a dead person is required to take Ghusl (bath). He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he is required to take Ghusl (bath).’ I then asked if one who places the deceased in the grave is required to take Ghusl (bath). He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he is not required to take Ghusl (bath) because he only touches the cloth.’”