['Aalim Network QR] Kafan with Duas Written on it

[Mustafa Rawji <mrawji@sciborg.uwaterloo.ca>]

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|       In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the All-Merciful       |\
|  Greeting of Allah be upon Muhammad and the pure members of his House |\
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Salamun alaykum,

	The replies to the following questions were kindly provided by
Mulla Asghar.

Wasalaam,

Mustafa Rawji
Moderator, 'Aalim Network 

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QUESTION: 
 	
Subject: Kafan with Duas Written on it...

Assalam Alaikum!

1.  I would appreciate a clarification on a subject that has me (and a few 
others) confused. I bought a few "Kafans" from Karbala about 9 years ago. 
These kafans have some duas (I assume they are duas) written on them.  
Since then, I have been told that such Kafans should not be used and they 
are "useless" now. I hear conflicting arguments on this subject; so could 
you please inform me as to what to do with these kafans now

Some have suggested that it's okay to place a piece of this kafan with duas 
on it, on the chest of the "Mayyat" (instead of using the whole kafan). 
Someone has suggested that instead of discarding the whole kafan, I should 
cut it into small pieces and donate it to the mosque so that the "Mayaat 
Committee" can use it whenever the need arises. Is it okay to do so?

2.  Also, do I have to pay Khums/Zakat on these kafans? I have given away 
some to family members too. What should I tell them? 

3.  Another pertaining issue is placing an Aqeeq with names of Allah (SWT) 
and/or the Panjetan (A.S.) written on it, in the mouth of a "Mayyat". 
Again, a conflicting declaration -- yes, you can do so; no, you can't. 

Please help clarify these issues!


ANSWER:

Salamun Alaikum,

Kafan with Duas or Ayats of Quran or the names of Allah, Prophet and Aimma
written on them, should be kept near the head of the Mayyit.  There is no
need to destroy the Kafan or cut them into pieces.

Similarly, Aqiq with the Ayats, Duas or the holy names should not be kept
in the Mayyit's mouth.

If Kafan was purchased from the wealth upon which Khums was paid, there is
no KHUMS on it.  If Khums was not paid, then 1/5 of the price of Kafan
should be paid as Khums.

As you know, Kafan is usually from the estate of the deceased, before it
desolves upon the heirs.  In this situation also, if Khums has not been
paid, it must be paid before Kafan is provided.

Zakat does not apply.

Asgharali M.M. Jaffer