three times, with each washing using water and sidr, according to what we have described. Camphor is to be placed in the water in the third washing to tighten, cool, and scent it, according to the statement of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to the women who were washing his daughter: "Wash her with sidr an odd number of times, three, five, or more than that if you deem it necessary, and place camphor in the final washing." In the hadith of Umm Sulaym: "When you are at the final washing, whether it is the third or otherwise, take water that contains some camphor and some sidr, then put that in a new jar, pour it over her, and begin with her head until it reaches her feet." No whole sidr leaves are to be placed in the water because there is no benefit in them; for the sidr was commanded for cleaning, and that which is prepared for cleaning is only the ground form, which is why a living person performing ghusl would not use it except in that state. Abu Dawud said: I asked Ahmad: "They bring seven leaves of sidr and throw them into the water in the final washing." He disapproved of that and did not like it. When he finishes the third washing, he should not pass his hand over the belly of the deceased, so that nothing may exit from him and fall into his shrouds. Ahmad said: "The deceased is to perform wudu' once during the first washing." We have heard nothing but that he performs wudu' the first time. This, and Allah knows best, applies as long as nothing exits from him. Whenever something exits from him, he repeats the wudu', because that invalidates the wudu' of a living person and necessitates it. If the washer sees that he should increase beyond three because he has not been cleaned by them, or for other reasons, he washes him five or seven times, and he should not stop except at an odd number. Ahmad said: "It should not exceed seven." The basis for this is the statement of the Prophet (peace be upon him): "Wash her three, five, or seven times." He did not add more than that and made everything he commanded an odd number. He also said: "Wash her an odd number of times." If he is not cleaned by seven, it is better to wash him until he is cleaned, and he should not stop except at an odd number, due to his (peace be upon him) saying: "Wash her three, five, or seven times,"