Question:I am a student in the medical college, and sometimes I need to study on a cadaver. Once, I accidentally touched one of its organs without intention. Do I need to perform the ritual washing (Ghusl) for touching the deceased, knowing that I only touched the organ and not the whole body? I live in an apartment, so performing the full Ghusl is difficult for me.

Answer:In the name of Allah, know, my son, that touching any part of the deceased—whether it is attached to the rest of the body or separated—requires performing Ghusl for touching the dead. Prayer is not valid without performing this Ghusl. However, if you were wearing gloves and did not touch the organs directly, Ghusl is not required. When Ghusl is required, all prayers performed without it must be made up. Allah knows best.

Question:Why are the dead considered impure (najis) in Islam?

Answer:In the name of Allah, the dead person is not impure if he is a Muslim. Washing the deceased is a devotional duty similar to ablution (wudu) and ritual bathing (ghusl) for the living. Likewise, the ghusl of touching a corpse is also a devotional obligation. Allah knows best.

Question:If a foot or part of it is amputated, or a leg is amputated from mid-shin or from the knee, whether from a living person or a deceased one—and similarly, if a hand is amputated from mid-arm or from the elbow: 1.Is it obligatory to wash these parts with the three known washings (with lotus, camphor, and pure water)? 2.Is it obligatory to anoint them (tahnit)? 3.Is it obligatory to shroud them?

Answer:1: In the name of Allah, it is not obligatory in the mentioned case; rather, they should be wrapped in a cloth and buried. Allah knows best. 2: In the name of Allah, it is not obligatory. Allah knows best. 3: In the name of Allah, no, rather they should be wrapped in a cloth and buried. Allah knows best.

Question:Should the will of a deceased person to have their body transported be carried out if doing so requires legal procedures such as blood drainage or intestinal suction?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is not obligatory to carry out such procedures. These acts are forbidden, and it is not permissible to perform them or to take payment for them. In such a case, the will is not to be executed. However, if it is possible to transport the body without undergoing such procedures, such as by placing it in deep refrigeration and then transferring it to the desired location (e.g., Najaf al-Ashraf)—then there is no objection, and the will may be carried out, provided all other conditions of a valid will are met. Allah knows best.

Question:Is it permissible to bury a deceased Muslim in non-Muslim cemeteries if no Muslim cemetery is available, or if there are Muslim cemeteries but the deceased's guardian cannot afford the burial and preparation fees in Western countries or the cost of transporting the body to a Muslim country?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is permissible as long as the burial conditions are fulfilled. Allah knows best.

Question:All humans have sins, so how do we say in the funeral prayer, "O Allah, we know nothing of him except good"?

Answer:In the name of Allah, know, my son, that every deceased over whom we pray, we know that he died a Muslim and a believer in the guardianship of the Ahlulbait (PBUT). This is the good we are certain of. As for the sins he had, we assume that he repented from them, and we do not know of his lack of repentance. For whoever is in this condition, we know good of him and do not know evil of him. Allah knows best.

Question:Is it permissible to use a shroud that has verses of the Quran written on it for wrapping the deceased?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is permissible, but the written verses of the Quran shouldn't cover the private parts or feet of the deceased. Allah is the All-Knowing.

Question:On the night of burial, if charity (sadaqa) is given, is it still preferable to perform Al-Wahsha prayer or does charity not substitute for this prayer?

Answer:In the name of Allah, charity does not substitute for the Witr prayer on the night of burial. And Allah knows best.

Question:Is it disliked to visit graves at midnight?

Answer:In the name of Allah, there is no such evidence available to us. Allah knows best.

Question:Is there any Hadith that discourages visiting graves at midnight?

Answer:In the name of Allah, there is no such Hadith available to us. Allah knows best.