Question:

Is there any authenticity to the saying that washing the dead removes 40 major sins?

Answer:

The Hadeeth:

من غسل ميتا فكتم عليه غفر الله له أربعين مرة ومن كفن ميتا كساه الله من سندس وإستبرق في الجنة ومن حفر لميت قبرا فأجنه فيه أجرى الله له من الأجر كأجر مسكن أسكنه إلى يوم القيامة

Abu Rafi reported that the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) said: “He who washes a Muslim and conceals what he sees (bad smell, appearance, etc.) Allah grants him forgiveness forty times. And he who digs for him (a grave) and buries him would be granted a reward similar to providing for him a dwelling until the Day of Resurrection. And he who shrouds him, Allah will clothe him on the Day of Resurrection from the silk garments of jannah.

المجلد: صحيح الترغيب و الترهيب
رقم الحديث: 3492
الحديث: 3492 – ( صحيح ){  رواه } الحاكم وقال صحيح على شرط مسلم

Although there is another narration to this hadeeth Shaykh Albany criticizes.

Answered by

AbdulFattaah bin Uthman
Abu Fajr