"The Messenger of Allah said: 'Prompt your dying ones to say La ilaha illallah (there is none worthy of worship except Allah)."'
Hadith Text & Reference
"The Messenger of Allah said: 'Prompt your dying ones to say La ilaha illallah (there is none worthy of worship except Allah).'"
Source: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1826 | Book: The Book of Funerals
Meaning & Significance
This noble hadith establishes the profound Islamic practice of reminding those near death to utter the testimony of faith. The phrase "La ilaha illallah" constitutes the foundation of Islamic belief, affirming Allah's absolute oneness and exclusive right to worship.
Scholars explain that this gentle prompting serves multiple spiritual purposes: it reinforces the dying person's faith at this critical moment, provides comfort through remembrance of Allah, and potentially becomes their final words - a matter of great importance in Islamic tradition where one's ending is believed to reflect their spiritual state.
Juridical Ruling & Methodology
The majority of classical scholars consider this practice to be a confirmed Sunnah (recommended act) based on this and other authentic narrations. The prompting should be done gently and respectfully, without causing distress to the dying person.
Imam an-Nawawi states in his commentary: "One should prompt with kindness and soft speech, repeating the testimony in a clear but gentle manner near the dying person's ear." The scholars emphasize that the objective is reminder, not coercion, as the ultimate acceptance rests with Allah's mercy.
Spiritual Dimensions
Ibn al-Qayyim explains that the deathbed represents the ultimate test where one's lifelong beliefs are crystallized. The Shahadah at this moment serves as the seal of one's earthly journey and the key to divine mercy.
This practice reflects Islam's comprehensive care for the believer from life through death, ensuring the soul departs with the remembrance of its Creator. The continuous chain of Muslims performing this duty for their loved ones represents a beautiful manifestation of communal spiritual support.