What to Do While Attending to a Dying Person

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By Sheikh Ahmad Kutty

Attending to the needs of, and comforting a dying person is a great Islamic duty. While doing so, one should be compassionate and gentle. Speak to the dying in a manner that inspires hope, and avoid all unpleasant discussions. Since the angels are present during this time, one must abstain from all kinds of unseemly conduct. The Prophet (upon whom be Allah’s blessings and peace), while visiting Abu Salmah who was on the verge of death, told his family, “Speak only good words for the angels are saying Ameen.” (Reported by Muslim)

Ideally, the dying person’s closest relatives and friends, especially those who are most conscious of Allah, should be comforting him. They should make every effort to direct his thoughts to Allah and remind him of Allah’s infinite mercy.

The following steps should be taken as death draws near:

1. Help the person to rest on his (*) right side, facing the direction of the Qiblah (the Ka’bah in Makkah). If this is impossible due to his condition, then he should be allowed to lie on his back. His feet must be stretched in the direction of the Qiblah and his head slightly raised so that he would be facing the Qiblah.
2. Objects such as musical instruments, statues and any other Islamically objectionable things should be removed from the room.
3. He should be persuaded to seek sincere repentance for all his sins.
4. Exhort him to take care of his worldly obligations by leaving a testament or will.
5. The Qur’an should be recited in an audible voice without disturbing him. It is preferable to read Surah Yaseen (Chapter 36)
6. When the signs of death become visible, he should be persuaded to say the Kalimat as -Shahadah (the testimony of Oneness):

Laa ilaaha illa Allah Muhammadu Rrasoolullah

“There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

(*) Please note that the pronoun used in all the articles refers to both gender, male and female, unless specified otherwise.

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