Benefit of the shroud of the deceased

20-1-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

What is the importance of the Islamic shroud for the deceased, especially since – on the Day of Resurrection – all people will be raised as naked as newborns?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

One of the greatest benefits of the shroud is to screen the deceased and his private parts from the eyes of those who bury him. It also screens any changes which may take place in the bodies of some of the dead. Furthermore, with it, one complies with the command of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, about the obligation of the shroud. In the following Hadeeth, “If anyone of you undertakes the burial of his brother, dress him well with a good shroud.” [At-Tirmithi]

It is narrated that he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said about the one in the state of Ihraam who died in ‘Arafah: “Wash his dead body with water and Sidr and shroud him in his two garments.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Allaah Knows best.