In Islamic funeral rites, what is the minimum number of ceremonial washings?

• A. 1 time
• B. 2 times
• C. 3 times
• D. 4 times

Answer: (C)

In Islamic funeral rites, a ceremonial washing of the deceased, known as ghusl al-mayyit, is performed to purify the body. The minimum number of washings is three. This baseline aims to ensure thorough cleansing of the entire body. The practice is rooted in traditional reports describing the Prophet’s own washing, which is commonly understood to involve three washings, with the final rinse often done with water scented with camphor or perfume. While some circumstances or schools allow for additional washings (such as seven) to address persistent impurity or odor, three is the standard minimum. After the washing, the body is dried and shrouded.