Is There a Specific Prayer to Recite While Giving a Deceased Person a Ritual Bath?

Ritual Bath for the Deceased: Do You Need to Recite Prayers or Shahada?

Question: A woman asks if there is any specific prayer to recite while giving a deceased person a ritual bath, besides the Shahada (testimony of faith).

Answer: There is no specific prayer for giving a deceased person a ritual bath. Just as we perform our own baths without any specific recitation, the same applies to the deceased. It is recommended to say “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah) at the beginning of the bath. While giving the bath, it is permissible to seek forgiveness for the deceased, but there is no basis for reciting the Shahada or any other specific prayer at that time.

 Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi

Jeddah Dawah Center, Al-Salamah District, Saudi Arabia