Chapter on Instructing the Dying (Talqin al-Muhtadarin)

Al-Husayn ibn Sa’id, from Safwan ibn Yahya and Fadalah, from Al-‘Ala, from Muhammad ibn Muslim, narrated from one of the Imams عليه السلام: I asked Imam عليه السلام: “Does the person who closes the eyes of the deceased need to perform ghusl (ritual purification)?” Imam عليه السلام said: "If he touches him while he is still warm, then no; but if he touches him after he (the deceased) has cooled down, he must perform ghusl." I asked: “Does the one who washes the body need to perform ghusl?” Imam عليه السلام said: "Yes." I asked: “Can he shroud the deceased before performing ghusl?” Imam عليه السلام said: "He washes the deceased, then washes his hands up to the shoulders, then shrouds the body, and afterward, he performs ghusl." I asked: “Does the one who carries the body (after ghusl) need to perform ghusl?” Imam عليه السلام said: "No." I asked: “Does the one who places the body in the grave need to perform wudu (ablution)?” Imam عليه السلام said: "No, unless he wishes to perform wudu due to contact with the soil of the grave."