Washing and praying over a woman wh...

Egypt's Dar Al-Ifta

Washing and praying over a woman who dies in childbirth

Question

How should a woman who dies in childbirth to be washed and prayed over?

Answer

Jurists from the four schools of jurisprudence unanimously agree that a woman who dies in childbirth is to be washed and prayed over. She is subject to the same ruling as martyrs in the Hereafter and receives the same reward. Imam Ibn Qudama states in Al-Mughni (2:405), “A martyr who was not killed in battle—such as one who dies by drowning, from an abdominal illness, under a collapsed structure, or in childbirth—is to be washed, and the funeral prayer is to be offered for them. We know of no contesting opinion on this matter except what was reported from al-Hasan—that the funeral prayer should not be performed for a woman who dies in childbirth on the basis that she is considered a martyr. However, our evidence is the hadith stating that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed the funeral prayer for a woman who died in childbirth.”

And Allah Almighty knows best.

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