Is ritual bathing (Ghusl) obligatory after washing a deceased Muslim?
Chapter on What Necessitates Ghusl
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
Ritual bathing (Ghusl) is not obligatory after washing a dead body. This position is held by Ibn Abbas, Ibn Umar, Aisha, Al-Hasan, Al-Nakha'i, Al-Shafi'i, Ishaq, Abu Thawr, Ibn al-Mundhir, and the Companions of the Opinion (Ahl al-Ra'y). The evidence for this view is derived from the general practice, as washing a human being does not necessitate Ghusl, similar to washing a living person. Furthermore, concerning the hadith stating obligation, Imam Ahmad considered the narration from Abu Hurairah to be merely a statement by the Companion (Mawquf) and not a directly traceable saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Supporting text
A dissenting view, held by Ali, Abu Hurairah, Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib, Ibn Sirin, Al-Zuhri, and favored by Abu Ishaq al-Jawzajani, is that Ghusl is obligatory. This is supported by a tradition narrated by Abu Hurairah, where the Prophet (peace be upon him) reportedly said: "Whoever washes a dead person should perform Ghusl, and whoever carries a dead person should perform Wudu'" (Tirmidhi graded this Hadith as Hasan). Ibn al-Mundhir noted that there is no firmly established Hadith supporting this obligation, which is why they do not act upon it regarding Wudu' for carrying the deceased.