Preparing For Eternal Life

Chapter Three : a Person in the Pangs of Death

And Allah says in the Quoran:

"O you who believe! Be careful of (your duty to) Allah with the care which is due to Him, and do not die unless you are Muslims." [3;101/2]

It is related that the Holy Prophet visited an Ansar at the time of his death when it was narrated to him from the dying man that he was pleading with Allah [S.W.T] for kindness as he was afraid of his sins. The Holy Prophet [S.A.W] said that in feeling this way Allah [S.W.T.] would definitely reward his hopes and save him from those things which he was afraid of. [Qummi, Shaikh Abbas (1999), pg 114]

The Holy Prophet [S.A.W.], in another tradition, stated that visiting a dying person and asking them to recite the following:

"Allaahuumagh-firlil katheera min ma-a's'iyatika wa iqbal minnil yaseera min t'aa-a'tika."

[ Allah! Pardon my sins which are many and accept my deeds which are very little.] [Qummi, Shaikh Abbas (1999), pg 114] If you are present with someone who is passing away and experiencing the pangs of death' it is recommended, by a reliable source from Imam Muhammad al-Baqir [A.S.], that you make him recite this "Kalemate Farj":

"Laa ilaaha illallaahul h'aleemul kareem laa ilaaha illallaahul a'liyyul a'z'eem subh'aanallahi rabbis samaawaatis sab-i'wa maa baynahunna wa rabbil a'rshil a'z'eem. Wal-h'amdu lillaahi rabbil a'alameen."

[There is no God except Allah the Generous and Patient. There is no God except Allah the Almighty and All-Wise. Pure is that Allah Who is the Creator of seven heavens and the seven earths and all that is in them and between them; He is the Lord of all these things and Arsh. And all praise is due to Allah Who is the Lord of all the worlds.] [Qummi, Shaikh Abbas (1999), pg 115]

According to another source, it is recommended that Quor'an should be recited with the person who has become sick, 24hrs around the clock, before they pass away, then as the body is being washed, then through to when the body is buried and the grave is covered in sand.

It is recommended that a person who is passing away or experiencing the pangs of death', [if possible], lay him/her flat with the feet and face facing Holy Ka'aba, insh'Allah.

Chapter Four : When a Person Becomes Deceased

And Allah says in the Quoran:

"Every soul must taste of Death" [21;35, 29;57]

When the person has become deceased, the following 8 steps must be done: Shut the mouth and the eyes of the corpse and cover the face of the corpse. Fasten the two jaws with a strip so tightly so that the mouth does not open. Straighten both legs.

Cover the corpse with a sheet or cloth.

Provide light where the corpse is kept if the person has died at night.

Announce the death with the view to enable the faithful to attend the funeral.

Avoid undue delay in bathing and shrouding the corpse with the Kafan. If death takes place at night, the funeral ceremonies should not be postponed for the day and vice versa. If there is any doubt about the death taking place, they should wait till they are certain about it. [Qummi, Shaikh Abbas (1999), pg 119]

Washing the Body of the Deceased

It is wajib (obligatory) on every believing Muslim, (male or female depending on the sex of the deceased), to administer the bathing of the deceased Muslim , to provide Kafan if not already provided, shroud the deceased and offer prayers at the burial of the deceased. If one, or several people, perform these tasks, all others are exempt from doing so. [Sayyid, Hadi Husayn (1988), pg.111]

It is more than likely that if you are required to perform the very blessed task of bathing the body of a deceased person, it will be a person that is a relative or friend, unless this duty is part of your profession or you are in a crisis situation.

It is very important that the bathing is done with a very gentle touch and recommended dua'as are recited.

It is wajib that the person who is going to administer the baths gets permission from the Heir of the deceased person before administering the baths if the administrator is not the Heir themselves. If it is impossible to get permission, the bath may be performed without the permission.

According to Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (A.S.), a Momin who bathes the body of another deceased Momin, recites the following dua'a:

"Allaahumma inna haad'aa ba'danu a'bdikal moo'mini wa qad akhrajta rooh'ahoo minhoo wa farraqta baynahumma fa-a'fwaka a'fwaka." [O Allah this is the body of Your Momin whose spirit You have taken from it and have thus separated the two So Your forgiveness is sought, Your forgiveness is sought.] [Qummi, Shaikh Abbas (1999), pg 123]

The person administering the bath should remain busy in prayers to Allah and in imploring (requesting) for His forgiveness and repeatedly reciting; "A'fwaka A'fwaka"

[Thy Pardon, Thy Pardon] [Sayyid, Hadi Husayn, (1988), pg 128]