Ghusl Jabīrah Explained: How to Wash a Deceased Person When Wounds or Bandages Make Full Washing Impossible

Ghusl jabīrah is a form of ritual washing carried out in specific situations when complete washing of the deceased’s body is not possible due to wounds, fractures, or bandages. In this case the healthy parts of the body are washed fully and the injured or covered parts are wiped (masḥ).

Can the deceased be given ghusl jabīrah in the presence of an excuse or injury?

Yes. If there is a wound or an excuse that makes full washing of the deceased’s body difficult or impossible, ghusl jabīrah is performed.

Conditions for performing ghusl jabīrah

• Presence of an excuse or injury: There must be a wound or a bandage that makes washing that part of the body impossible.

• Inability to remove the dressing: Removing the bandage would aggravate the injury or harm the deceased’s body.

Method of performing ghusl jabīrah

• Washing the healthy parts: The sound (uninjured) parts of the deceased’s body are washed completely.

• Wiping over dressings: On the parts covered by dressings or bandages, masḥ (wiping) is performed.

  

Important notes

• Medical opinion: It is preferable to obtain the physician’s view beforehand regarding the type and severity of the injury and whether washing or wiping over it is appropriate.

• Attention to the legal rules: To perform ghusl jabīrah correctly according to ritual law, it is best to follow the precise jurisprudential rulings and, if necessary, seek guidance from a mujtahid or someone knowledgeable in religious law.

Additional clarifications to better understand ghusl jabīrah

• Difference between ghusl jabīrah and full ghusl: In a full ghusl (complete washing) the entire body is washed, whereas in ghusl jabīrah the parts that cannot be washed are wiped over.

• Legal ruling: In specific circumstances and when its conditions are met, ghusl jabīrah suffices.