What Should we do for a Person who is about to die?
Question:
Assalamualaikum, Ustadz.
I’d like to ask, is there any deeds that we should do for our grandmother, who is now aged 80 years old and currently in critical condition? For this whole week, her grandchildren has been guiding her reciting “Laa ilaaha illallaah” and has been reciting the Qur’an for her, and we are all has sincerely let her go, so what else that we should do for her? Please give us an explanation. Wassalamualaikum
From: Abu Panji
Answer:
Wa’alaikumsalam warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu. May Allah grant us all the good end in our lives.
Firstly:
If it is possible, the family should advise her to repent, ask for Allah’s forgiven, be patient, accept the destiny, and think good to Allah. The Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- said:
لا يموتن أحدكم إلا وهو يحسن بالله الظن
“Let not one of you dies except by having good thought to Allah.” (Narrated by Muslim, from Jabir Ibn Abdillah Al-Anshary).
Secondly:
If she has any obligations to be settled to anyone, it should be settled or fulfilled immediately (for example: debt, mandate, etc). If it is not possible, then she should write or make a will regarding it.
Thirdly:
If possible, There should be a member of the family who stands by at her side, so if anytime she is about to die, he or she could ask or guide her to recite “laa ilaaha illallaah” (talqin).
The Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- said:
لقنوا موتاكم لا إله إلا الله
“Guide those among you who are about to die (to recite) “Laa ilaaha illallaah.” (Narrated by Muslim, from Abu Sa’id Al Khudry).
He -may peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- also said:
من كان آخر كلامه لا إله إلا الله دخل الجنة
“Whoever, whose last words is “laa ilaha illa” will go to heaven.” (Narrated by Abu Daud, from Mu’adz Ibn Jabal, and classed as valid by Sheikh Al Albany).
Fourthly:
Pray for her many times to get the good end, particularly at the time of her last breath, and do not say anything except good things at that time.
The Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- said:
إذا حضرتم المريض أو الميت فقولوا خيرا فإن الملائكة يؤمنون على ما تقولون
“If one of you are attending the sick, or the one who is about to die, then say the good things, because indeed, the angels are approving of whatever you say.” (Narrated by Muslim, from Umm Salama).
As for reciting the Qur’an, or chapter Yaa sin, when someone is about to die, then there is no valid hadith regarding this deed.
And Allah knows best.
Answered by: Ustadz Abdullah Roy, Lc.
Article of www.whatisquran.com