Circumcision is evaluated based on this, due to the harm it involves. When the hair is removed, it is placed with the deceased in his shrouds, because it belongs to the deceased; thus, it is recommended to place it in his shrouds just like his body parts. Likewise, everything removed from the deceased—such as hair, nails, or other things—is to be washed and placed with him in his shrouds in the same manner.

Section: As for nails [if they are long], there are two narrations regarding them. The first is that they are not to be clipped. Ahmad said: His nails are not to be clipped, but their dirt is to be cleaned. This is the apparent meaning of the words of al-Khiraqi, due to his statement: "A toothpick (khilal) is used if there is a need for it." The toothpick is used to remove what is under the nails, because the nail does not appear as prominently as the mustache, so there is no need to cut it. The second [narration] is that it is to be clipped if it is excessive. This was explicitly stated, because it is from the Sunnah and there is no harm in it, so its removal is legislated just like the mustache. It is possible to interpret the first narration as applying when [the nails] are not excessive. As for the pubic hair, the apparent meaning of al-Khiraqi’s words is that it is not removed, due to his omission of mentioning it. This is the opinion of Ibn Sirin, Malik, and Abu Hanifa, because its removal requires uncovering the private area, touching it, and exposing the deceased, which is prohibited and not to be done for other than a mandatory reason. Furthermore, the private area is covered, and one can dispense with removing it by keeping it covered. It is narrated from Ahmad that its removal is a Sunnah act, which is the opinion of al-Hasan, Bakr ibn Abd Allah, Sa'id ibn Jubayr, and Ishaq, because Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas sheared the pubic hair of a deceased person, and because it is hair whose removal is a Sunnah, making it analogous to the mustache. The first [opinion] is more appropriate. The mustache differs from the pubic hair because it is visible and becomes unsightly to look at, and its removal does not require uncovering or touching the private area. If we hold the view that it should be removed, Hanbal narrated that Ahmad was asked: "Do you think depilatory paste (nura) should be used?" He said: "A razor or scissors, by which the hair from his pubic area is removed." Al-Qadi said: It is removed with depilatory paste because it is easier and does not involve touching it. The basis for Ahmad's statement is that it is the action of Sa'd, and one cannot be certain that depilatory paste will not damage the skin of the deceased.