ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Preparing For Eternal Life Chapter Five : Steps in Administering the Bath Laws of Gender of the person administering the bath: a) The person must be a male bathing the corpse of a male and a female bathing the corpse of a female.

The exception to this rule being if there is no other person to administer the bath and that the private parts of the body are concealed [Sayyid, Hadi Husayn (1988), p124] b) A husband is allowed to bathe his wife and she is allowed to bathe him but it is Makrooh for both of them to look at the private parts of the corpse [Sayyid, Hadi Husayn (1988), p124].

c) A woman can administer the bath to the corpse of a male child up to the age of three years concealing from view the private parts, and a man can bathe the corpse of a female of the same age, concealing her private parts. This is irrespective of there being someone of the same sex available to bathe the child [Sayyid, Hadi Husayn (1988), p124]. Preparation: a) To administer the bath, it is recommended that it be in a private room and that there is adequate light provided.

b) The deceased must be placed on a platform or plank rising above the floor. A second board can also be utilised to ensure that cleanliness is maintained. c) Their head needs to be slightly higher than the rest of the body. b) The body needs to be uncovered for washing except for the genital area. c) Place a tank/large dish at the base of the feet so that the water can be collected there.

d) The administrator will be required to give three consecutive purification baths to the deceased, following the same procedure each time, but with new water on each occasion. e) If the deceased is in a state of pollution due to the discharge of semen (Junub) or in the state of mensis ( Haaiz), the Junub or Haaiz bath need not be administered in addition to the three purification baths. 3.

Niyyat The administrator must recite their Niyyat as an essential part of their duty and it has to be said this way: "for the pleasure of God as the ultimate end in view I administer bath to this corpse with "plum-tree leaves" for first bath, for second bath say "with camphorised water', for the third bath say. "with pure water". It is fine to think the niyyat and not pronounce the words if you are not able.