6/8. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 1459 — Odd Washes and Right Side
What was narrated concerning washing the deceased
Washing the Deceased an Odd Number of Times
Sunan Ibn Majah : 1459
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 1459
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَهَّابِ الثَّقَفِيُّ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، حَدَّثَتْنِي حَفْصَةُ، عَنْ أُمِّ عَطِيَّةَ، بِمِثْلِ حَدِيثِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَكَانَ فِي حَدِيثِ حَفْصَةَ " اغْسِلْنَهَا وِتْرًا " . وَكَانَ فِيهِ " اغْسِلْنَهَا ثَلاَثًا أَوْ خَمْسًا " . وَكَانَ فِيهِ " ابْدَءُوا بِمَيَامِنِهَا وَمَوَاضِعِ الْوُضُوءِ مِنْهَا " . وَكَانَ فِيهِ أَنَّ أُمَّ عَطِيَّةَ قَالَتْ وَامْشِطْنَهَا ثَلاَثَةَ قُرُونٍ .
Umm 'Atiyyah Narrated from:
It was narrated from Ayyub who said: “Hafsah narrated to me, from Umm ‘Atiyyah” and it is similar to the Hadith of Muhammad. And in the narration of Hafsah it says: “Wash her an odd number of times.” And: “Wash her face three or five times.” And “Start on her right, with the places washed in ablution.” And it says that Umm ‘Atiyyah said: “And we combed her hair into three braids.”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 1459In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 27English translation : Vol. 1, Book 6, Hadith 1459
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 1459
This Hadith about washing the deceased adds details to the report of Umm Atiyyah. It mentions washing the deceased an odd number of times, and also mentions three or five washings. The narration says to start with her right side and with the places washed in ablution. It also says that her hair was combed into three braids. These details show that washing the deceased was done with order, care, and respect. The Hadith does not present the process as careless or rushed. It teaches that even after death, the body is treated with dignity, and the people carrying out the washing should follow clear guidance.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Hadith mentions washing the deceased an odd number of times.
- It teaches starting with the right side and the places of wudu.
- The deceased’s hair was combed into three braids in this narration.
