Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

I`m Iftekhar Ali from Fiji Islands. 31 yrs of age. I Have a question to pose. One of our family member has passed. He was a very popular person when it comes to Islamic culture. His name was Abdul Sujjah Karmani khan. Before his death he told his wife that if he dies first than she shall give Gusul to him.Now this has shook many muslim community as he was a very renound person.Most say that the gusul should not be given by his wife. Please carify this and if you could give some reference. Mr Khan was love by the people of Fiji and aboard. Upon his death the news went to bbc channel.More than 5000 people were garthered during his funeral .May Allah Tallah reward him Jannah. Was-SalaamAli 

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Answer:

Can wife give ghusl to dead husband

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Fiqh-us-Sunnah Fiqh 4.31

The jurists are agreed on the permissibility of a wife washing the body of her dead husband. Hadrat Aishah (r.a.) said: "Had I known then what I know now, I would not have allowed anyone, except his wives, to wash the body of the Prophet (saws)." Related by Ahmad,Abu Daw'ud, and by al-Hakim.

The majority of scholars consider it permissible, as is shown by a report, narrated by ad-Daraqutni and Al-Baihaqi, that Hadrat Ali (r.a.) ibn Abi Taalib washed the body of his deceased wife Hadrat Fatimah (r.a.) upon her death. This is also supported by a hadith that the Prophet (saws) said to 'Aishah: "If you die before me, I will myself wash you and enshroud you." Related by Ibn Maajah.

There is absolutely no restriction and it is absolutely permissible and lawful in Shariah for a husband/wife to even wash the body of their deceased spouse, if indeed they wish or choose to do so.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan