What is the ruling on a woman washing a man and a man washing a woman, with evidence and the bases of the Hanafis?
Scholars have agreed on the permissibility of a wife washing her deceased husband. They cite as evidence that Asma bint Umays washed her husband, Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with them both, and none of the Companions objected to that. The majority of scholars also hold that a man may wash his deceased wife, citing as evidence that Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, washed Fatimah, may Allah be pleased with her, and the Prophet's ﷺ saying to Aisha: "Had you died before me, I would have washed you and shrouded you." The Hanafis disagreed with this, but the hadiths and the practice of the Companions are an argument against them. Based on this, it is permissible for each spouse to wash the other upon death.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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