Chapter on Guiding the Dying, Positioning Them at Death, Procedures for Their Final Moments, Washing Them, and Placing Them in Shrouds

Narrated from him and from Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Ali, from Abdullah bin al-Salt, from Ali bin al-Hakam, from Saif bin Amira, from Ishaq bin Ammar who said: I asked Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, about the one who drowned - should he be given ghusl (ritual washing)? Imam عليه السلام replied: “Yes, he should be given ghusl and istibra' (confirmation of death).” I asked: “How is istibra' done?” Imam عليه السلام said: “He is left for three days before being buried unless signs of decay appear earlier, in which case he is given ghusl and buried. The same applies to one struck by lightning, as it is possible he might be presumed dead while still alive.”