FUNERALS: ACCORDING TO THE QUR’AN AND SUNNAH pdf

Funerals: According to the Qur’an and Sunnah

FUNERALS: ACCORDING TO THE QUR’AN AND SUNNAH

Words at the Time of Dying

Both Abu Sa’id al-Khudri and Abu Hurayrah guoted the Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam as saying “Prompt your dying ones (to say): la ilaha illallah.” [Sahih Muslim, vol.2, #1996] and, “…

whoever’s last words before dying are: la ilaha illallah, will enter Paradise one day, even if he is afflicted before that by punishment.” [This addition is only found in Sahih ibn Hibban, authenticated in Irwa al-Ghalil, vol.3, pg.150]

This statement does not simply mean that we should mention shahadah, but the dying person should be instructed to say the shahadah, as is evident from the Prophet’s statement, “… whoever’s last words are: la ilahha illallah…”

Muslims are also encouraged to be present when non-Muslims are dying in order to present Islam to them, in the hope that they will accept Islam prior to their deaths.

For the acceptance of Islam at this point to be of any benefit, it must be based on knowledge, it must be expressed sincerely and with certainty, and it must take place before the actual throes of death begin.

Allah’s Messenger said, “I testify that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah.

Any servant who meets Allah with those two {testimonies}, having no doubt in them, will enter Paradise.” [Muslim, vol.l, p.20, #41, Narrated Abu Hurayrah]