WHAT SHOULD A TERMINALLY ILL PERSON DO, AND WHAT CAN OTHERS DO FOR THEM?

 

🔺 WHAT SHOULD A TERMINALLY ILL PERSON DO, AND WHAT CAN OTHERS DO FOR THEM? 🔺

By Asma bint Shameem

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Every soul has an appointed time. None of us knows when our journey in this world will end, but we know that we will eventually return to ALLAH Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala.

A serious or terminal illness can be an opportunity to reflect, repent, put things right and prepare for the Hereafter. However, we should never assume that every illness is a sign that death is near. Illness is a test, and we ask ALLAH to make it a means of mercy, forgiveness and reward.

🔺 WHAT SHOULD A TERMINALLY ILL PERSON DO?

1️⃣ Make sincere Tawbah. Turn to ALLAH in sincere repentance for past sins, regret them and resolve not to return to them.

2️⃣ Seek forgiveness from others. Apologise to anyone you may have wronged and make amends where possible.

3️⃣ Forgive those who have hurt you. Free your heart from hatred and resentment, seeking the reward of ALLAH.

4️⃣ Strengthen family ties. Reconnect with relatives and resolve disputes wherever possible.

5️⃣ Settle your debts. Make arrangements to repay what you owe and return anything entrusted to you.

6️⃣ Prepare your will. Clearly document your debts, trusts and other obligations. If you wish to leave a charitable bequest, remember that Islamic inheritance rules generally permit a bequest of up to one-third of the estate to non-heirs, subject to the relevant rulings.

7️⃣ Have good thoughts about ALLAH. Never despair of His mercy, regardless of how many mistakes you have made.

8️⃣ Spend your remaining time in obedience. Avoid sinful activities and focus on what pleases ALLAH.

9️⃣ Guard your five daily prayers. Continue praying according to your ability. Islam provides concessions for the sick.

🔟 Increase your good deeds. Remember ALLAH, recite and reflect upon the Qur’an, give Sadaqah, make Du'aa and perform voluntary acts of worship according to your strength.

1️⃣1️⃣ Keep the Hereafter in perspective. Choose good company that encourages faith, patience and remembrance of ALLAH. Do not neglect beneficial relationships or necessary worldly responsibilities.

Remember: A person who is ill is not required to exhaust themselves with worship. ALLAH knows their condition and does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.

🔺 WHEN DEATH APPROACHES: WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

1️⃣ Speak good words and make Du'aa.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“When you visit a sick or dying person, say good things, for the angels say Ameen to whatever you say.”

📚 Sahih Muslim

Therefore, speak gently, offer reassurance, make Du'aa and avoid frightening the person or discussing matters that may cause unnecessary distress.

2️⃣ Gently remind them of the Shahadah.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Prompt your dying ones to say: Laa ilaaha illallaah.”

📚 Sahih Muslim, 916

The words mean: There is no deity worthy of worship except ALLAH.

Remind the person gently and without repeatedly pressuring them. If they say the Shahadah, allow them to rest unless they begin speaking about something else and need a gentle reminder.

The Prophet ﷺ also said that whoever has Laa ilaaha illallaah as their final words will enter Paradise.

📚 Sunan Abi Dawood; authenticated by scholars

3️⃣ Make Du'aa for forgiveness and mercy.

Among the beautiful supplications reported from the Prophet ﷺ near the end of his life was:

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالرَّفِيقِ الْأَعْلَى

Allahummaghfir lee, warhamnee, wa alhiqnee bir-Rafeeqil-A'laa.

“O ALLAH, forgive me, have mercy on me, and join me with the Highest Companionship.”

📚 Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim

4️⃣ Maintain hope in ALLAH's mercy.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“None of you should die except while thinking positively of ALLAH.”

📚 Sahih Muslim

A believer should balance hope in ALLAH's mercy with sincere repentance and trust in His wisdom.

5️⃣ Remind the person of ALLAH's mercy.

Speak words that bring comfort, remind them of ALLAH's forgiveness and encourage them to hope for a good ending. Do not make promises about an individual's final outcome, for that knowledge belongs to ALLAH alone.

🔺 IMPORTANT REMINDERS ABOUT RELIGIOUS PRACTICES

❗ Do not attribute unverified practices to the Sunnah.

Regarding the recitation of Surah Yaseen for a dying person, scholars have differed over the authenticity of the relevant Hadith. Some consider it recommended, while others consider the narration weak. It is therefore important not to claim that all scholars agree on this matter.

📚 Islam Q&A: What to Recite When Someone Is Dying

❗ Avoid superstitious and unsupported rituals.

Do not engage in practices involving shirk, appeals to anyone besides ALLAH, or rituals falsely presented as obligatory religious teachings. Examples include ritual slaughter at the bedside or circling a sick person with objects as a supposed religious requirement.

Our worship must be guided by the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah.

❗ Do not abandon medical care.

Seeking appropriate medical treatment, providing comfort and caring for the sick are compatible with placing one's trust in ALLAH. A terminal diagnosis does not mean that the person should be deprived of treatment, pain relief or compassionate care.

🔺 A FINAL REMINDER TO ALL OF US

We do not know when our final hour will arrive. Let us repent before we are unable to do so, settle our obligations, forgive one another, maintain our prayers and prepare for the day we return to our Creator.

May ALLAH grant us sincere repentance, patience during illness, relief from suffering, forgiveness for our sins and a beautiful ending.

May our final words be:

لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ

Laa ilaaha illallaah.

May ALLAH be pleased with us when we meet Him, admit us into Jannatul-Firdaws and protect us from a bad ending.

Āmeen Yā Rabbal-‘Ālamīn.

وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ

And ALLAH knows best.