Q: As-salaam-alaikum. I want to clarify a statement told to me when my mother passed away last year. If a woman dies and family wish to view her before she is buried, I know that all women can do so, who in the males can view her? I was told that my male cousins could view her because they were related to her by my father, This seemed odd? so, thru marriage she was aunt but, her daughter’s husbands could not view her? I think it was wrong. I use the guideline of mahram for this and thought only her sons, brothers, fathers? could view her, which is right?

A: Walaikumsalam,

I appreciate your question. The rule for viewing and associating with people in a close manner is general (A’am), likewise, this same rule can be applied to the deceased, and thus the viewing process can be made very simple:
Those that are permissible for you to be with without violation are parents, children, uncles, aunts, grandparents, etc. Likewise, those that qualify to be mahrams would be allowed to view the body without sanction. Such people can also be part of the viewing of the deceased. That which remains halal for us to interact without sanction when alive will remain halal for us to view when deceased.

As far as husband is concerned, he can see the his wife. Under general conditions, he should not touch her. By contrast, a wife can see and touch her husband. After all, a man does not have a waiting period (iddat), a woman does, thus although her nikah is terminated, certain of her rights still remain, therefore her touching the deceased husband will be allowed, and not the other way around.

May Allah (SWT) forgive your mother and award your mother jannatul firdos , ameen.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.