washing a mahram relative in cases of necessity. However, if a man dies among unrelated women, or a woman among unrelated men, or an intersex person (khuntha mushkil) dies, they should be subjected to tayammum (dry ablution). This is the view of Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib, al-Nakha'i, Hammad, Malik, the People of Opinion (Ashab al-Ra'y), and Ibn al-Mundhir. Abu al-Khattab narrated a second version, that the deceased is washed from over their garment, where water is poured over the garment, and they are not touched. This is the view of al-Hasan and Ishaq. Our evidence is what Tammam al-Razi narrated in his "Fawa'id", with his chain of narration from Makhul, from Wathilah, who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "If a woman dies among men, and there is no mahram relative between her and them, she shall be subjected to tayammum just as men are subjected to tayammum." Furthermore, because washing without touching does not achieve purification nor the removal of impurity; in fact, the impurity might even increase, and it does not guarantee protection from looking at the private parts. Thus, resorting to tayammum is more appropriate, just as it would be if water were unavailable.

Section: It is permitted for women to wash a child without disagreement. Ibn al-Mundhir said: All scholars whose opinions are preserved have reached a consensus that a woman may wash a young boy. Ahmad said: It is permitted for them to wash whoever is under seven years of age. Al-Hasan said: If the child is weaned, or older. Al-Awza'i said: A child of four or five. The People of Opinion said: One who has not yet begun to speak. Our argument is that one who is under seven has not been commanded to pray, and has no 'awrah (intimate area), so he resembles those whom they permitted. As for one who has reached seven but not reached ten, Abu al-Khattab narrated two versions regarding him. The correct view is that it is not permitted for women to wash someone who has reached ten, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "And separate them in their sleeping places," and he commanded that they be struck for prayer at the age of ten. Regarding those under ten, it is possible that...