Hanut: Difference between revisions

Hanut refers to wiping camphor on seven parts of the dead body of a Muslim which touch the ground in prostration. It is obligatory and mixing it with the soil from the grave of Imam al-Husayn (a) is recommended.

In fiqh terminology, hanut refers to camphor wiped over seven parts of the dead body (or the shroud of a dead person), by which the dead body is scented. Wiping camphor on the dead body is called “tahnit”.

Wiping camphor on the dead body of a Muslim is obligatory; but, wiping it on the dead body of a person who is wearing ihram clothes is not permissible because using fragrance is not permissible for a person wearing ihram. However, wiping camphor on the dead body of a woman during her ‘idda of death and also wiping camphor on the dead body of a person who has been mu’takif is obligatory while using perfume has been forbidden for them (when they were alive) and they do not join in the rule of those who wear ihram clothes.

There are disagreements on whether wiping camphor on the dead body should be performed before shrouding it, after it, or after putting the loincloth and before putting on the shirt or whether it is permissible to be performed in any of the mentioned cases. However, it is better if it is performed before shrouding.

There is a disagreement about the method of hanut. Some fiqh scholars consider wiping camphor on different parts of the dead body obligatory and some others have considered only touching camphor with the body sufficient and have considered wiping it as recommended.

The common view is that the obligatory amount of hanut is as much as it is called so. However, some fiqh scholars have said that it should be at least the size of one dirham and less than that is not sufficient. According to the mentioned common view, it is recommended that it should not be less than one dirham or according to another report, it should not be less than one mithqal, and it is better if it is about four dirhams or according to another report, four mithqals, and it is even better if it amounts to 13 dirhams and one third of a dirham.

If there is little camphor which is not sufficient to be used for both the ghusl of the dead body and hanut, it should be used for ghusl and between performing hanut on the forehead and other parts, the forehead is prior.

Mixing camphor with the soil from the grave of Imam al-Husayn (a) is recommended, but it should not be wiped over the parts which would be considered as disrespect. Also, according to some sources’ clear statement, it is recommended that performing hanut begins from the forehead. The appearance of some sources’ statements implies its obligation.