Question (Q-14):
I know that the Sunnah method of shrouding a deceased female includes five pieces of cloth. However, I wish to know in which sequence these pieces of cloth should be placed i.e. which one will remain at the top and which one will be at the bottom?
Answer:
Answer with the assistance of the All Knowing Lord: In the Name of the Almighty
The cloth that is to be above all the other pieces of cloth when shrouding a female is Al Khirqah (the chest covering – described as Sinahband in Urdu) below which is Al Lifāfah (the outer sheet) below which is Al Izār (lower garment) below which is Al Qamīs (the upper garment) – after putting on Al Qamīs, Al Khimār (head and hair covering) is to be placed over it.
It is stated in Al Fatāwā Al Hindiyyah;
وأما المرأة فتبسط بها اللفافة والإزار علي ما بينا للرجل ثم توضع علي الإزار وتلبس الدرع ويجعل شعرها ضفيرتين علي صدرها فوق الدرع ثم يجعل الخمار فوق ذلك ثم يعطف الإزار واللفافة كما بينا في الرجل ثم الخرقة بعد ذلك تربط فوق الثديين كذا في المحي 1
“As for the female, Al Lifāfah and Al Izār will be spread out for her in the manner we described for the male (i.e. Al lifāfah will be spread out first and then Al Izār will be spread out above Al Lifāfah so that Al Izār is under Al Lifāfah when tying). Thereafter she will be placed on Al Izār and shrouded in Al Qamīs. Her hair will be placed on her chest in two locks. Thereafter Al Khimār will be placed above Al Qamīs. After this Al Izār and Al Lifāfah will be tied around her as we clarified for the male. After this Al Khirqah will be tied above the area of the breasts. This is what is stated in Al Muhīt Al Burhānī.”
It is stated in Radd ul Muhtār with reference to At Tuhfah;
2تربط الخرقة فوق الأكفان عند الصدر فوق الثديين
“Al Khirqah will be tied over all other sheets besides the chest – above the breasts.”
It is stated in Jadd ul Mumtār after quoting the words of Al Fatāwā Al Hindiyyah (above);
3 وهو كما تري نص صريح لا يقبل التأويل فما فيه وفي التحفة والتبيين والفتح فعليه فليكن التعويل
“This is as you can see, explicit clarification which does not leave any room for interpretation. So what is stated in Radd ul Muhtār, At Tuhfah, At Tabyīn and Al Fath is what should be relied upon.”
It is stated in Al Fatāwā Ar Ridhwiyyah;
قال العبد الضعيف غفر الله تعالي له وهذا كما تري نص صريح لا يقبل التأويل في أن الخرقة تربط فوق الأكفان جميعا حتي اللفافة 4
“The weak servant – Allah the Almighty forgive him (words of humility from Al Imām Ahmad Ridhā Khān Al Qādirī Allah shower mercy upon him) stated that this as you can see is explicit clarification which does not leave any room for interpretation that Al Khirqah is to be tied over all the cloths of shrouding including Al Lifāfah.”
Allah Glorified and Exalted is He knows best
Written by: Shaykh Omar Khan (Allah preserve him)
Verified by: Muftī Shamsulhudā Khān Misbāhī (Allah preserve him)
