Imamate of One Who Washes the Dead

Question

May a washer of the dead (ghassal) perform the duty of leading the prayer or not? And if he may, can he lead it in the very clothes he was wearing while washing the deceased? [Please give] an answer with evidence.

Answer

Washing the deceased is a fard kifaya (communal obligation) upon the Muslims, just as performing the funeral prayer over him is a fard kifaya: [ar]والصلاة عليه فرض كفاية كدفنه وغسله وتجهيزه، فإنها فرض كفاية.[/ar] “The prayer over him is a fard kifaya, like his burial, washing and preparation, for these are fard kifaya” (“al-Durr al-Mukhtar”).

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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