the dispersal of his will, so that its reward may be hastened (15) for him through its execution for the beneficiary.

Section: It is recommended to remove the clothes of the deceased so that nothing comes out of him that would cause him to spoil, and so that they do not become soiled when they are removed. He should be covered with a garment that conceals his entire body. Aisha said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was covered with a hibara (striped) garment (16)." Agreed upon (17). The deceased should not be left on the ground because that accelerates his decay, but rather on a bier or a plank, for that is more preserving for him.

331 - Issue; He said: (When he begins his washing, he shall cover from his navel to his knees.)

The general principle is that it is recommended to strip the deceased when washing him and to cover his awrah (private parts) with an izar (waist wrapper). This is the apparent view of al-Khiraqi, [in the narration of] al-Athram from Ahmad, where he said: "He covers what is between his navel and his knees." This is the choice of Abu al-Khattab, and it is the madhhab (school) of Ibn Sirin, Malik, and Abu Hanifah. Al-Marwazi narrated from Ahmad that he said: "It pleases me that the deceased be washed while he has a garment on, and one inserts his hand from under the garment." He said: "Abu Qilabah, when he would wash a deceased person, he would drape him with a garment." Al-Qadi said: "The Sunnah is to wash him in a thin qamis (shirt) that water permeates, and which does not prevent it from reaching his body, and one inserts his hand into the sleeve of the qamis, then passes it over his body while water is being poured. If the qamis is tight, he should rip the head of the dakharih (gussets) (2) and insert his hand through it." This is the madhhab of al-Shafi'i, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was washed in his qamis (3). Sa'd said: "Do for me as was done...