Kafan Wrapping Rules in Islam: The Three Shroud Layers for Shia Burial

The Three Obligatory Pieces

Shia jurisprudence requires three specific shroud pieces for both men and women. All three are obligatory (wajib) — skipping any one of them invalidates the shrouding.

Loincloth (Mi'zar) — Must cover from the navel to the knees at minimum. The recommended length extends from the chest to the feet for more complete coverage.

Shirt (Qamis) — Must cover from the shoulders to the mid-calf. Ideally, it extends over the feet. This is not a sewn garment — it is a length of cloth draped over the body.

Outer Wrapper (Izar or Lifafah) — Must cover the entire body with enough length to be tied at both the head and the feet. This is the final, outermost layer that encloses everything.

Fabric Requirements

The rules on fabric are non-negotiable:

• White cotton is the standard. The cloth must be opaque enough that the body is not visible through it.
• Pure silk is forbidden for a male deceased. The required shroud fabric is white cotton.
• Gold-threaded fabric is forbidden for any deceased.
• Animal-derived fabric from animals whose meat is haram (forbidden to eat) — such as pigskin leather or non-halal animal hide — cannot be used.
• The cloth must be clean and lawfully acquired. Stolen fabric or cloth purchased with forbidden earnings invalidates the shrouding.

Additional Recommended Pieces

Beyond the three obligatory layers, Shia tradition includes several recommended (mustahabb) additions:

Chest Band (Sinaband) — For female deceased. A cloth band that binds the torso from approximately five inches above to five inches below the bust. This preserves modesty during transport and burial.

Veil or Scarf — For female deceased. Covers the head and hair in the manner of prayer attire.

Turban ('Amama) — For male deceased. A cloth wrap carefully arranged around the head.

These optional pieces add modesty and dignity but are not required for the burial to be valid.

What to Write on the Shroud

It is a recommended practice to inscribe sacred texts on the outer wrapper using ink mixed with sacred soil from the shrine of Imam Husayn in Karbala (Turbah or Khak-e-Shifa). The traditional inscriptions include:

• The Shahadatayn (the dual testimony of faith)
• The names of the twelve infallible Imams
• The Ziyarat Ashura (a devotional text commemorating Imam Husayn)
• The Dua Jaushan Kabir (the "Great Armor" prayer containing 1,001 names of God)

Pre-inscribed kafan sets are available from Shia religious suppliers, particularly those based in Karbala, Iraq. These come with the sacred texts already written in ink mixed with Karbala soil. For diaspora families, ordering these in advance is worth considering — sourcing them on short notice after a death is difficult.

The Jareedatain: Fresh Green Twigs

Before the outer wrapper is closed, two fresh green twigs (jareedatain) are placed inside the shroud:

• The first twig goes on the right side, touching the bare skin of the collarbone
• The second twig goes on the left side, resting over the shirt layer

These twigs are believed to act as a source of divine mercy for the deceased's soul. Traditionally, they come from a date palm, pomegranate tree, or any fresh green branch. The key is that they must be alive and moist — dried twigs do not fulfill the recommendation.

In Western countries where fresh palm fronds or pomegranate branches are not readily available, any fresh green twig serves the purpose. Some mosque burial committees keep these on hand.

The Tahnit Step (Before Wrapping)

Shrouding follows immediately after the tahnit — the application of ground camphor to the seven points of the body that touch the earth during prayer prostration: the forehead, both palms, both kneecaps, and the tips of both big toes.

The tahnit must be completed before the kafan is applied. Wrapping the body without first applying camphor to these seven points leaves the tahnit incomplete.

Practical Sequence

1. Complete the three-stage ghusl (ritual washing)
2. Apply camphor to the seven prostration points (tahnit)
3. Lay the outer wrapper flat
4. Place the shirt layer on top of it
5. Place the loincloth on top
6. Position the body on the layered cloths
7. For female deceased: apply the chest band and veil
8. Place the jareedatain twigs as described
9. Wrap the loincloth first, then the shirt, then the outer wrapper
10. Tie the wrapper at the head and feet

The duration depends on the team's experience and the facility's preparation; allow enough time for the full sequence rather than scheduling to a fixed estimate.

For a step-by-step visual walkthrough of the shrouding process alongside the ghusl and burial procedures, the Muslim (Shia) Funeral — Iran guide includes printable protocol handouts designed for use in the washing room.