English

PREPARING THE SHROUD (KAFAN) OF DEAD

When he completes his vow by death, his eyes must be closed, his hands stretched out, his mouth shut, his legs extended, his jaws pulled, and his shrouds prepared. The shroud is required to consist of three pieces; an apron, a shirt, and a loincloth. However, it is recommended to add a fourth piece, which is a special wrap usually used by the people of Yemen, or any other loincloth. It is furthermore recommended to use a fifth piece of clothes with which the thighs and the hip are tied up. Moreover, it is recommended to used a sixth piece of clothes as a turban.

In addition, some camphor that has not been coped with fire may be added in a quantity ranging between thirteen and a third dirham, four mitigals, or one dirham at least. If this is unfeasible, any quantity may be used.

On each of these shrouds, the following words my be written down: so and so

۔۔۔ يَشْهَدُ اَنْ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللهُ

[so-and-so] bears witness that there is no god save Allah,

وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ

One and Only and having no associate,

وَ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُوْلُ اللهِ

that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah,

وَ اَنَّ عَلِيًّا اَمِيْرُ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ

that 'Ali is the commander of the believers,

وَ الْاَئِمَّةَ مِنْ وُلْدِهِ۔۔۔

and that the Imams from his progeny:

اَلْحَسَنُ وَالْحُسَيْنُ

al-Hasan, al-Husayn,

وَ عَلِىُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ

'Ali the son of al-Husayn,

وَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ

Muhammad the son of 'Ali,

وَ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ

Ja'far the son of Muhammad,

وَ مُوْسَى بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ

Musa the son of Ja'far,

وَ عَلِىُّ بْنُ مُوْسٰى

'Ali the son of Musa,

وَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ

Muhammad the son of 'Ali,

وَ عَلِىُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ

'Ali the son of Muhammad,

وَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ

al-Hasan the son of 'Ali,

وَالْقَاۤئِمُ الْحُجَّةُ

and the Rising Argument-person,

عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ

peace be upon them all

اَئِمَّتُہُ اَئِمَّۃُ الْہُدٰی اَلْاَبْرَارُ

are his Imams. They are the pious leaders to true guidance.

This inscription may be written with water with which soil of Imam al-Husayn’s tomb or asba’ (apparently the soil of a certain mountain) is mixed. It must not be written with black color.