What is the required burial shroud (kafan) for a female child who has not reached puberty?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Funerals
Primary text
The burial shroud for a female child who has not reached puberty consists of two wraps (lafafain) and a shirt (qamees), and it does not include a head covering (khimar). Ibn Sirin shrouded his daughter, who had neared puberty (a'asarat), in a shirt and two wraps. This is supported by reports concerning Baqir (who used two wraps) and Ahmad's statement that the Baqir is a shirt without sleeves. The rationale is that an immature female is not obligated to cover her head during prayer.
Supporting text
There is a differing report from Ahmad stating that the ruling for a woman applies to a female child upon her reaching puberty, which is the apparent view in Al-Marwadhi's narration. This is based on the implication of the Prophet's saying, "Allah does not accept the prayer of a menstruating woman except with a head covering," suggesting those who are not menstruating do not require one for prayer, and thus not for the shroud.