7th December 2015
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
Question. Are we allowed to scrape off nail varnish from a deceased person?
الجواب حامداً و مصلياً
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer
In general principle, the rules pertaining to bathing a deceased person do not differ from a living person. This is why scholars state that the Sunnah method of bathing during one’s lifetime also applies to the same individual when passing away.[1] The obligatory acts therefore would apply, that is, anything left on the limb preventing water reaching to the skin must be removed for the Ghusl to be complete.[2] In this regard, it is not only permissible but necessary to remove the nail varnish from the deceased person for the ghusl to be complete.
[1] Badai Sanai Kit ābus Salāh Fasl fi kaifiyyati Ghuslil Mayyit, p. 309 vol 2
ثُمَّ يُوَضَّأُ وُضُوءَهُ لِلصَّلَاةِ لِمَا رُوِيَ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – أَنَّهُ قَالَ «لِلَّاتِي غَسَّلْنَ ابْنَتَهُ ابْدَأْنَ بِمَيَامِنِهَا، وَمَوَاضِعِ الْوُضُوءِ مِنْهَا» ؛ وَلِأَنَّ هَذَا سُنَّةُ الِاغْتِسَالِ فِي حَالَةِ الْحَيَاةِ فَكَذَا بَعْدَ الْمَمَاتِ
[2] Hindiyah Kitabu Taharat Bāb al Ghusl, p. 16 vol 1
وَإِنْ كَانَ عَلَى ظَاهِرِ بَدَنِهِ جِلْدُ سَمَكٍ أَوْ خُبْزٌ مَمْضُوغٌ قَدْ جَفَّ فَاغْتَسَلَ وَلَمْ يَصِلْ الْمَاءُ إلَى مَا تَحْتَهُ لَا يَجُوزُ