SAEDNEWS: Islamic Shrouding (Kafan): Differences Between Men’s and Women’s Shrouds, Obligations, and Recommended Practices
According to Saednews, In Islam, shrouding a deceased Muslim man or woman is a collective religious obligation (Wajib Kifai). A kafan is the cloth used to cover the deceased’s body before burial. The obligatory shroud consists of three pieces for both men and women, but the recommended additional pieces differ. The following explains the requirements and differences between men’s and women’s burial shrouds.
The obligatory kafan consists of three pieces, which are the same for both men and women:
1. Mizar (Waist Cloth): This piece must cover the body all around from the navel to the knees. It is preferable for it to extend from the chest to the feet. (Najafi, Jawahir al-Kalam, 1426 AH, Vol. 2, pp. 457–458.)
2. Qamis (Shirt): This piece must cover the body all around, from the shoulders to halfway down the lower legs. It is preferable for it to extend to the feet. (Tabataba’i Yazdi, Al-Urwa al-Wuthqa, 1409 AH, Vol. 1, pp. 402–403.)
3. Izar (Full-Body Shroud): This piece must cover the entire body from head to feet. It must be wide enough for one side to overlap the other. Preferably, it should be long enough to be tied at both the head and feet. (Tabataba’i Yazdi, Al-Urwa al-Wuthqa, 1409 AH, Vol. 1, pp. 402–403.)
The obligatory parts of the shroud are the same for Muslim men and women. The differences concern the recommended additional pieces. These include a turban for men and a head covering, along with additional wrapping cloths, for women.
The use of a third wrapping cloth is also mentioned among the recommended practices for women, whereas it is not specifically recommended for men in the same way.
There is no difference between Muslim men and women regarding the obligatory shroud. The differences relate only to the recommended additions.
- Head Covering (Khimar or Headscarf): A white piece of cloth is placed over the deceased woman’s head and arranged like a headscarf. (Najafi, Muhammad Hasan, Jawahir al-Kalam, Vol. 4, p. 216.)
- Additional Chest Wrapping: A piece of cloth is wrapped around the breasts and tied at the back. (Najafi, Muhammad Hasan, Jawahir al-Kalam, Vol. 4, p. 210.) The use of a second full-body wrapping cloth is particularly emphasized as a recommended practice for women.
- Turban (Imama): A turban is recommended for the deceased Muslim man. It is arranged by placing the middle of the cloth over the head, passing both ends underneath the chin, and laying them across the chest. (Najafi, Muhammad Hasan, Jawahir al-Kalam, Vol. 4, pp. 207–209.)
