Is it recommended to trim the deceased's long body hair?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Funerals
Primary text
It is recommended to cut the long body hair of the deceased. This is the view of Al-Hasan, Bakr ibn Abd Allah, Sa'id ibn Jubayr, and Ishaq. The evidence is the Prophet's instruction to treat the deceased as one treats a bride (arus), and brides are beautified by removing unsightly growth like facial hair. Furthermore, leaving the hair makes the deceased's appearance unseemly, similar to closing the eyes and mouth.
Supporting text
Abu Hanifa and Malik hold that nothing should be removed from the deceased's body, as cutting something from the body is not recommended, similar to circumcision. The difference is argued on the basis that hair removal is a recommended act in life that causes no harm, thus it is prescribed after death like ghusl, whereas circumcision involves potential harm.