This series is taken from the book "Manar As-Sabeel Sharh Ad-Daleel". Ad-Daleel is a "matn", i.e., an extremely abbreviated text in fiqh. These "mutoon" were usually only 50 - 100 pages and were memorized by students of traditional knowledge. Ad-Daleel dates from the early eleventh Islamic century. To this we add the commentary wrapped around this text called "Manar As-Sabeel", which was written in the late thirteenth Islamic century. This commentary on the original text comprises two average size volumes. On top of this, we are benefitting from footnotes derived from a book called "Irwa' Al-Ghaleel" by Sh. Nasir Ad-Deen Al-Albaaniy, shaikh of the hadith in the 20th century. Sh. Al-Albaniy's book is large filling eight volumes. In it, he does a very in-depth analysis of each and every hadith or athar which appears in "Al-Manar". The edition we are using has an abbreviated footnote on each such narration which gives us the most important information which we need - the LEVEL of the hadith whether sahih, hassan, dhaeef, etc.
It is expected that you will TAKE YOUR OWN NOTES during this course. The web pages/handouts (for those present in the class) will contain the "matn" only. The discussion will include the hadith used as evidence as well as mention of their authenticity or lack thereof. Following the traditional method, you should strive to MEMORIZE if not the actual words, at least the meanings of the matn in order to get the fruit - the RULINGS of the fiqh involved. Your notes on the hadith and other discussion will be a resource for you in understanding the origins, evidences and reasoning involved in these rulings.
It is sunnah to prepare for death - and to make remembrance of it frequently.
It is makrooh (disliked) to moan
or to wish for death - except out of fear of fitnah (trials)
It is sunnah to visit a Muslim who falls ill
And to remind him so say "Laa ilaaha illaa Allahu" when death approaches, once
and not to repeat it more than that, unless he talks after it
and reading Al-Fatiha and Ya Seen (this is doubtful)
and turning him to face the qibla while on his right side (doubtful on death bed)
There is nothing wrong with kissing the deceased nor in looking at them even after they are wrapped.
Washing the dead body is fardh kifaya (collective obligation)
Conditions for the water are that it is purifying (tahoor) and lawful for use
Conditions for the washer are that he/she be Muslim, sane and above the age of rushd or tamyeez. (conditions for every act of ibada (worship)
And the best is that he/she be trusted and knowledgeable of the rulings of washing.
And the most appropriate is the one the deceased requested in his will for the task (if any).