Q: Can a woman in menses wash the dead? In our city the woman charges $XXX to wash each body. There are 6 of them and they would not take no for an answer. The dying have turned into a business for the living. Subhanaalah.These women do not care if they are in menstruation. Does it matter? (email)

A: A woman in her menses should not wash the body, they should seek out woman that are not on their menses for this task.  Explain to these women that the deceased are most in need of the angels of Mercy to be present around them. Having a woman that is menstruating around the deceased would not be favorable when other more ‘pure’ alternatives do exist. If help is needed when others are incompetent and a ‘pure’ woman is not present, then a woman in menses being present to assist would be allowed yet makrooh. To intentionally take part in a makrooh act is a sin when alternatives exist.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.