What is the recommended number and type of shrouding garments for a woman?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Funerals
Primary text
The majority of scholars hold that a woman should be shrouded in five garments. This is recommended because women require more covering in life due to the extent of their private parts compared to men, and thus require the same consideration after death. Because women wear stitched garments (which are the most complete form of covering) during the state of Ihram while living, it is recommended to clothe them in similar garments after death. A man is treated differently. Evidence for this is the narration from Layla bint Qanif al-Thaqafiyyah regarding the shrouding of Umm Kulthum, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), where the Prophet provided the *hiqw* (loincloth/waist wrap), the *dir'* (chemise/tunic), the *khimar* (head covering), the *milhafah* (outer wrap), and then a final outer cloth, totaling five garments.
Supporting text
There is a differing view mentioned where Al-Khiraqi mentioned only one outer wrapping cloth, implying the order would be: the cloth wrapped around the thighs first, then the *izar* (loincloth), then the *qamees* (tunic/chemise), then the *maqna'* (head covering), and finally wrapped in a single *laffafah* (outer wrap). However, the soundest position, supported by the traditions of Layla and Umm 'Atiyyah (who received an *izar*, *dir'*, *khimar*, and two additional cloths), is that the five garments consist of the *izar*, *dir'*, *khimar*, and two *laffafah* cloths.