Share Hadith
When Zaynab, one of the Prophet's daughters died, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) entered upon the women who were washing her, and Umm ‘Atiyyah al-Ansāriyyah was one of them. He wanted to teach them how to wash her, so that she would come out of this world and meet her Lord in a state of cleanness and purity. He ordered them to wash her three or five times, or more if it was necessary. For extra cleanness and a solid corpse, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered them to add Sidr (ground lotus leaves) to the water and to add camphor in the last wash. This would solidify the dead body, and with the perfume, insects would stay away from it. Moreover, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) advised them to start with her right organs, which are washed in ablution, and asked them to let him know when they finished. They informed him after they were done with washing her, and he gave them his lower garment, which touched his pure body, to be the first thing they wrap her body in. He wanted that to be a blessing for her in her grave. The women who were washing Zaynab undid her hair, washed it, and plaited it into three braids, one at the forehead and two at the sides, and they threw them to her back.
