WHEN SIGNS OF DEATH START SHOWING UP
The
blessed Companion Aboo Sa’eed Khudri radiyallahu anhu narrates that the
Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam said, “Prompt the dying among you to
say (the kalimah): Lã ilãha illallãh (I declare that there is no god but
Allah).” (Muslim)
The blessed Companion Ma’qil Ibne Yasãr
radiyallahu anhu narrates that the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam
said, “You should recite Soorah Yãseen over the dying among you.”
(Musnade-Ahmad, Aboo Dãwood, Ibne Mãjah)
IN THE AGONY OF DEATH
Turn
the face of the dying person towards the Qiblah. Let him or her make
the following prayer, “O Allah, forgive me and have mercy on me and have
me join higher companions.” (Tirmizi)
RULINGS
1.
Soon after the signs of death become obvious, make the dying person lie
on his back with the Qiblah on his right. Turn the face slightly
towards the Qiblah, raise the head a little by placing a pillow or some
other head-rest, in which case also, the dying person will be considered
as facing the Qiblah. But leave the dying person as he is if he feels
uncomfortable while being made to face the Qiblah. One should sit down
close by and say loudly, “Ash’hadu allã ilãha illallãhu wahdahoo lã
shareeka lahoo wa ash’hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhoo wa rasooluh.” (I
bear witness that there is no god but Allah. He is One, there is no
partner with Him; and I bear witness that Muhammad sallalahu alayhi
wasallam is His Servant and His Messenger.) Given his condition, do not
ask him to recite the kalimah, for that is a time of great trial – who
knows what he might say under stress.
2. After the dying person
has recited the kalimah once, leave it at that. Do not try to make him
say the kalimah non-stop in an effort to see that he breathes his last
whilst reciting it. For, the purpose is simply to make sure that the
last words he says should be the kalimah. It is not at all necessary
that the recitation of the kalimah continues right through the last
breath. However, should he return to the mundane and the ordinary
concerns of life, start reciting the kalimah again. When he, taking the
cue, recites it, then be silent.
3. When breath loses its
momentum and starts heaving faster and legs sag down, unable to stay up
and the nose-top turns aside and the temples collapse inwards, take
these signs to be the certain knock of death. At this time, start
reciting the kalimah in a raised voice.
4. Reciting Soorah Yãseen
lightens the hardship of death. Recite it sitting on the side of his
head or anywhere else near the body, or ask someone else to do it.
5.
At a time such as this, say nothing which may divert his attention to
the concerns of worldly life, for this is the time to leave the mortal
world and be present in the majestic Court of Allah Almighty. Do say
that which turns his heart away from the concerns of the mortal world
and diverts it towards the thoughts of his Creator, for it is here that
the well being of the dying lies. At a time like this, bringing his
children and family members before him, or anyone else he loved most, or
to remind him of things or people in a nostalgic manner causing him to
be swamped in the thoughts of loves lost, is a terrible thing to do to
him. It is not nice that he says farewell to his life in the world so
bound by its fond memories.
6. If, at the time of death, some
unfortunate remark bordering on kufr (the denial of Faith) escapes the
lips of the dying person, feel or say nothing about it. Instead, take it
to be a slip of his reason under the stress of approaching death. When
man loses his reason, he stands forgiven for his sayings and deeds. Keep
praying that Allah Almighty forgives him.
7. When death comes,
all concerned should say, “Innã lillãhi wa innã ilayhi rãji’oon” (Surely
to Allah we belong, and to Him we are to return) and make the following
prayer, “O Allah, help me in my hour of trial and replace it for me
with what is better.” (Tirmizi)
8. When death becomes obvious and
certain, take a strip of cloth, wide enough to pass under the chin,
bring it on to the head, tie a knot, then close the eyes gently and
pray, “I begin with the Name of Allah while being faithful to the
Religion of His Messenger sallalahu alayhi wasallam. O Allah, make his
matter easy on him and that which he is to face after death, and make
him the blessed beholder of Thy Sighting, and make that to which he has
departed better than what he has departed from.” (Durre-Mukhtãr)
9.
Then straighten hands and feet, bring toes of the feet close together
and tie them with a strip of cloth. Then, throw a sheet over the dead
body and place it on a cot or a flat wooden bunk. Do not leave it lying
on the ground. It is advisable to place some weight on the stomach lest
it inflates. Allow no impure persons (in need of a bath, including women
in conditions that exempt them from offering Salãh etc.) near the dead
body. (Durre-Mukhtãr)
Now inform relatives and friends of the deceased so that they can all participate in his funeral prayers.
10. Some incense (such as oblibanum, lobãn or Frankincense), if available, may be placed near the deceased.
11. Reciting the Qur’ãn near the deceased before the washing of the body is not correct.
12.
All funeral arrangements including the shrouding of the dead body have
to be made very quickly. Start with locating a gravesite and the
preparation of the grave. Collect everything needed for the stages of
washing, shrouding, funeral and burial.
13. If a person dies on a
Friday, it is better to make all arrangements and bury the deceased
before the Jumu’ah congregational Salãh. Holding on to the prepared body
with the thought that there will be a lot of participants in the
Janãzah salãh after Jumu’ah is makrooh (detested). (Shãmi)
LET THERE BE NO WAILING OVER THE DECEASED
It
has been related in a Hadeeth that once the Prophet sallalahu alayhi
wasallam paid a visit to a Sahãbi who was on his deathbed. Seeing him in
that condition, the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam broke in tears.
When people saw him in that state, they too started weeping. He then
said to them, “Listen to me O people, and listen well. Allah Almighty
certainly does not apprehend the weeping eye and the hurting heart, for a
Servant of Allah has no control over these.” Then, pointing to the
tongue, he added, “But a mistake made by this, that is, on intentional
mourning and wailing, He punishes, and on reciting ‘Innã lillãhi wa innã
ilayhi rãji’oon’ (To Allah we belong and to Him we are to return), and
on raising hands of prayer and on seeking of His Forgiveness, He bestows
His Mercy.” (Bukhãri, Muslim)
KISSING THE DECEASED
After
the deceased has been given the required ghusl (bath), it is
permissible to kiss the deceased under intense desire to express love or
personal devotion as it was with the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam
when he kissed ‘Uthmãn Ibne Maz’oon radiyallahu anhu and wept. Very
similar to this, the noble Companion Aboo Bakr radiyallahu anhu kissed
the forehead of the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam after his
departure from this mortal world. (Zãdul-Ma’ãd)
ALL FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE SWIFT
It
has been narrated that once the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam came
to visit Talhah Ibne Barã radiyallahu anhu when he was sick. Seeing his
critical condition, he said to the people around him, “I feel that the
time of his death has arrived. If it does come to pass, I should be
informed and funeral arrangements be made with haste, for it is not
appropriate that the dead body of a Muslim be left amidst his family
members for long.” (Aboo Dãwood)
‘Abdullah Ibne ‘Umar radiyallahu
anhuma narrates that he heard the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam
saying, “When one among you dies, do not keep him in the house for long.
Make haste in taking him to the grave and burying him.” (Bayhaqi,
Shu’abul-Imãn)
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