camphor for janazah

Camphor for janazah

Camphor is a terpenoid aromatic odor present in the wood of camphor (Cinnamomum camphora), a very common tree in Borneo and Taiwan. It is also obtained synthetically from pinene. Pure camphor is a white crystalline solid, which is translucent mass with a penetrating and characteristic odor.

Camphor is used topically to relieve pain, but has also been used to treat warts, hemorrhoids, chilblains and osteoarthritis. Camphor is commonly used to treat respiratory diseases that cause inflammation of mucous membranes. Sometimes it has been used as rubefacient to increase local blood flow. Orally, camphor used as an expectorant, and flatulence for the treatment of respiratory diseases.It is also used for the dead person

Camphor and indications

Topical administration

For the treatment of pruritus, ointments are used with 3.11% camphor, applied 3 or 4 times daily.
For treating cough, ointments are applied with 4-5% camphor on the chest
For the treatment of osteoarthritis: it described a topical cream based camphor, glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate for the treatment of joint pain
Administration by inhalation:

The vapors produced by adding a tablespoon of camphor on a pint of hot water breathing
Camphor is accepted by the FDA for topical, oral and inhalation use

Boukhari and Mouslim noted that Umm Atiyah ansarite, Allah be pleased with her said: « The Prophet, had come to see us while we were doing the mortuary toilet to his daughter. He has said: « Wash the three times or five or more if necessary. Do it with cedar and water and then put in the final wash of camphor or something like... »

This hadith is clear evidence that the death must be washed with water mixed with cedar and that his last washing should be done with water mixed with camphor.

 After having crushed Cedar leaves it in a water is agitated until the appearance of the foam and then it is rubbed with the body of the dead.

It is possible that the reason in the use of this material (Cedar) lies in its great faculty of cleaning.

For the majority of Ulema the first washing should be done with pure water that contains neither Cedar nor a another matter.

Al Kherchi which is one of Ulema Maliki said: « The first washing should be done with pure water for purification of the death, the second with water containing of Cedar for its cleaning and the third with water containing camphor to give his body a high resistance »