WHAT TO DO WHEN A PERSON IS SEVERELY ILL
Almighty Allah states in the
Glorious Quran:
"Every soul must taste Death". (Surah
Aale Imraan: Verse 185)
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has stated:
"Allah says, 'I have nothing to give but Paradise as a reward to my
believer slave, who, if I cause his dear friend (or relative) to die, remains
patient (and hopes for Allah's reward).'" (Abu Hurairah - Bukhari)
Death is something that everyone has to face. It is Sunnat-e-Mu'akkadah
to remember death at all times. A Muslim must always be prepared for death.
Death can come at anytime. When it is established that a person is in the last
stages of his life, the following should be done:-
1.1 He or she should be made to lie facing the direction of the Qibla, lying
on his or her right side. If this is not possible, then it is sufficient to
let the person lie on his or her back with the face and soles of the feet
facing the direction of Qibla.
1.2 When doing this, the person's head should be lifted slightly to allow the
face to be directed towards the Qibla.
1.3 In the last moments, Surah Yaseen and the Tasbih "Laa ilaaha ilal
laa" should be recited near the person continuously.
1.4 The Kalima should be read in front of him or her, but he or she should not
be commanded to recite the Kalima.
1.5 If the dying person is a minor (Na Baaligh), and able to distinguish
between right and wrong, then too, Kalima should be recited before him or her.
1.6 If the person speaks or makes any other Dhikr, then he or she should be
reminded to recite the Kalima. This will ensure that the Kalima
is his or her last words.
1.7 A person who is ill or who is dying should always be given hope that
Almighty Allah is Most Merciful and Forgiving. They should be reminded to have
faith in Almighty Allah at all times and that His infinite mercy will pardon
all sins.
1.8 If a person shows despair or is not confident about the Mercy of Allah,
then it is compulsory to give that person hope.