What is the minimum requirement for shrouding the deceased?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Funerals
Primary text
The minimum amount of cloth required for shrouding is one piece that covers the entire body. This minimum sufficiency is established by the general permissibility of two cloths and the evidence from Umm 'Atiyyah's narration regarding the Prophet's daughter.
Supporting text
The view held by Al-Qadi is that three pieces of cloth are the minimum required for one who is able to provide them; a narration to this effect is attributed to 'A'ishah. The justification for this higher minimum is that if less than three were permissible, then shrouding with less would not be allowed for someone who has orphans, as a precaution for the orphans' rights.