When A Muslim Is At The Point Of Death

Family members of the dying person and his most pious friends should be informed and should be present at his side to help him turn his thoughts to Allah, encourage him very gently to repent, remind him about all the good deeds that he did, about Allah’s mercy, and Allah’s forgiveness so that he may anticipate Allah’s mercy and Allah’s favors.

Allah in the Qur’an said:

{وَمَن يَقْنَطُ مِن رَّحْمَةِ رَبِّهِ إِلَّا الضَّالُّونَ}

‘Translation’ {...And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord, but those who are misguided.} [Surah Al-Hijr:56].

Prophet Muhammad, Peace be upon him, said: «Let no Muslim die except expecting and hoping the best from Allah» (Reported by Muslim)

Those who are present near a dying Muslim should do the following:

1) They should be kind and patient.

2) They should never leave him alone.

3) They should give him hope, not allowing him to collapse out of pain or panic. They should prompt him very gently (Encouragement without insistence) every now and then to say the Shahada: "La ilaha ella Allah", which means ‘There is no God but Allah,’ in a very kind and sincere manner as these may be his last words.

Abu-Saeed Al-Khuduri reported that Prophet Muhammad, Peace be upon him, said: «Help Muslims who are dying to say: ‘La ilaha ella Allah’» (Reported by Muslim). They should make Dua’ (Supplicate) to Allah to help him go through situation easy, and forgive him.

Note:

1) There is no authentic proof of reading chapter (Yasin) beside a dying Muslim.

2) There is no authentic proof of directing the dying Muslim to the Qiblah.

3) There is no Islamic teaching of putting the Quran under the head of a dying Muslim.

4) There is no Islamic teaching of asking junubs (Those who did not take a shower after a sexual act), or menstruating women, to leave the room.