What Is Ghusul, and Why Is It Required?
Ghusul, or bathing of the body of the deceased, is a requirement prior to the Janazah prayer and burial. Ghusul is a mechanism of purifying the body, i.e., the outward aspect of the deceased person, and the Janazah prayer is the final prayer of purifying and consecrating a soul back to its Creator.
It is preferable that family members wash the deceased body, but it is not an obligatory requirement that the washers be family members. The body of the deceased must be handled delicately and with absolute respect. The actual ritualistic process of Ghusul will be taught in a separate lesson, and we will reflect in this lesson on the reasons why Ghusul is required.
Cleanliness and Purity in Islam
Islam teaches us that cleanliness is half of faith and purity is a fundamental aspect of being a good Muslim. People will pass away in different states, and all are required to be ritually washed to ensure that all Muslims have a dignified burial. Some bodies of deceased people may secrete bodily fluids, and there may be residual impurities that are required to be removed; this is a natural fact of the passing of a human body, and we should engage with this fact with maturity and sensitivity. After washing, the body is also perfumed with rose water and other fragrances.
Why Is It Important to Clean a Body Before Burial?
Why is it important to clean a body that is being returned underground in the earth?
- We must remember that the journey of a person continues in the grave, and this is not the end of the existence of that person but is actually the beginning of their journey in the afterlife that commences in the grave.
- We come into this world in a state of purity, so it is only rational to leave this world in a state of purity. The human body is an Amanah, a trust entrusted to us on this Earth, and when the body returns to the Lord, it must be presented respectfully with utmost cleanliness and purity.
- In the grave, a person will be questioned by pure angels made of light, and the deceased will answer questions about Allah Almighty, the beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and about the practice of their faith. It is a spiritual milestone in the journey of every human soul, and thus it is of paramount importance to be clean and presentable in such circumstances.
- The most important reason to be clean and washed is the fact that the deceased person will have the opportunity of seeing an image of the holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) as part of the questioning process. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) is the most pure in creation, and it goes without saying that it is vitally important that those people who have the honour of seeing the Holy Prophet (peace be upon Him) should be presented with utmost cleanliness and purity.
Emotional and Psychological Benefits for the Family
There are also psychological benefits to participating in administering Ghusul for the family members who are grieving for their deceased loved ones. The process of giving Ghusul to another allows family members to serve their beloved one final time, and this can be a source of great peace and comfort. It is also reassuring for those in mourning when they wash, perfume and beautify the body of their loved one that death is not gloomy for a Muslim but a point of celebration for the believer returning to their Lord.
Ghusul as a Sacred Community Responsibility
Even in the case of a person washing someone they are unrelated to, the actions and purification rituals of any deceased person are a sacred rite enacted by another. It is a reminder to any person that one day we must all pass in this way. It is a reassurance to the Muslim that Allah Almighty has ensured that even this final journey will be dignified and purified for us by making Islam a religion of mutual caretaking and brotherhood.
A Blessed Opportunity for Reward
It is good for all Muslims to partake in the experience of bathing the deceased at least once. Not only is this a sacred responsibility upon a Muslim community but also a blessed opportunity for great reward from Allah Almighty for those people who give their time performing Ghusul for people who have passed away. May Allah Almighty ease the journey for all souls returning to Him and accept everyone’s efforts in preparing a soul for this final return.