PREPARATION FOR THE LAST JOURNEY

Those present near the dying person have certain responsibilities. These are given below, with particular reference to the condition of the Prophet (SAW) at the time of his demise.

Presence of the closest person:

It is the duty of those present near the dying person to let such a person remain with him who is dearer to him and on whom he has confidence. This is to put him at ease, in case he wishes to give any additional instructions regarding his will or to mention any other important matter. In the last week before his death, Allah's Messenger (SAW) stayed in the house of his beloved wife

Hazrat 'Aisha (RAA) and she was the one who was with him till the last few moments of his life.

Reminder for the Will:

On this occasion, the companion who is with the dying person can remind him, that in case he owes anything to others or wishes to leave any instructions regarding his responsibilities, these can be included in the will. Others who are present can also write these instructions down.

Five days before his death, the Prophet (SAW) gave a few instructions related to his will.

According to one narration, he (SAW) said:

"The curse of Allah falls upon the Jews and Christians for they have made their prophets' tombs place of worship." (Bukhari and other books ofhadith)

According to another narration, he also said:

"Do not make my tomb a worshipped idol." (Muwatta Imam Malik)

Then he offered himself for qisas (retaliation)and invited the people to repay any injuries he might have inflicted on them, saying:

"He whom I have ever lashed his back, I offer him my back so that he may avenge himself on me. He whom I have ever blasphemed his honour, here I am offering my honour so that he may avenge himself."

Then he (SAW) repeated the things he had said previously about enmity and other things. A man then said: "You owe me three dirhams." The Prophet (SAW) repaid him. (Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum)

Avoiding Noise and Commotion:

Those present should try not to make a noise near the dying person. Noise, not only increases his distress, but if he wishes to say something , due to being feeble, his voice will not be heard.

Four days before the Prophet (SAW)'s death, when people were debating noisily over a matter, he (SAW) ordered them to go away and leave him alone. (Muttafiq Alaih) or [[ Hazrat Ibn Abbas reported that in the illness before his death, when people's clamour and disagreement became excessive , the Prfrophet SAW said: "Get up and leave me." (Razin)]]

Then he (SAW) further gave three recommendations for inclusion in his will; firstly, that Jews, Christians and polytheists should be expelled out of Arabia; secondly, that delegations should be honoured and entertained in a way similar to the one he used to do; thirdly, that the Holy Book and the Sunnah (his tradition) was to be adhered to.(Al-Raheeq Al-Makhtum)

What should those present say?

On seeing an increase in the agony of death those around the dying person should not say anything which will make him feel dejected or regretful at leaving the world. Instead, they should talk about the extent of Allah's mercy and forgiveness. It is narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said:

"When you are with one who is ill or dying speak good words, for the angels say Amen to what you say." (Muslim)

Therefore, at such a time when supplications and wishes are granted, only those words should be uttered which will prove beneficial for the person who is dying.

The Last Act of Worship:

If the dying person wishes to use his last moments of life to perform an act of worship, e.g to pray, those present should help him to perform ablution or turn him on his side, or if he so wishes, to help him try to get up to pray.

A day before his death, the Prophet (SAW) felt that he was well enough to perform the prayer;

so he went out leaning on two men in order to perform the noon prayer. Hazrat Abu Bakr (RAA) who was then about to lead the prayer withdrew when he saw him coming; but the Prophet (SAW) made him a gesture to stay where he was and said: "Seat me next to him." They seated him on the left hand side of HazratA^u Bakr (RAA). The Prophet (SAW) led the prayer, and Abu Bakr (RAA) followed him and raised his voice at every 'Allahu Akbar' (Allah is the Greatest) the Prophet said, so that the people may hear clearly. (Bukhari)

Breathing his last:

Due to the severity of his condition, if the dying man does not have the stamina to recite it himself, the person who is close to him should pass his hand over the dying person while reading the Mu 'auyidhat (Surah An-Nas and Surah jtil-Falaq) and the masnoon (prescribed) du 'as. Prior to his death, Hazrat Aisha (RAA), used to support the Prophet(SAW) against her chest and recite these two surahs and the du 'as he (SAW) had taught her and blow her breath over him and make him rub his body with his own hand, for its blessings.

His (SAW) Last Act:

Even when in the throes of death, the Prophet (SAW) was as particular about cleanliness and purity as he was in his lifetime. The last thing he did before his death, apart from addressing Allah, was to use Miswaak to clean his teeth.

Hazrat 'Aisha(RAA) relates that "While he was undergoing the pangs of death, Abdur Rahman Bin Abu Bakr (her brother) came in with a miswaak in his hand, while I was leaning the Messenger of Allah against me. I noticed that he (SAW) was looking at the miswaak, so I asked himtSAW)-for I knew that he (SAW)wanted it-'Would you like me to take it for you?'

He(SAW) nodded in agreement. I took it and gave it to him (SAW). As it was too hard for him(SAW), I asked him (SAW): 'Shall I soften it for you?' He (SAW) nodded in agreement. So I softened it with my saliva and he (SAW) passed it on his teeth." (Bukhari).

The Last Words:

When a Muslim is experiencing the pangs of death, the other Muslim should prompt the dying person to read Kalima-Tayyaba by SHHpty starting to read __(Arabic)_____(La ilah aillallah) himself, so that the dying person will do the same. There is no need to make him repeat it unless the dying person talks about something else, in which case, it should be recited again.

This is to ensure that the last words before dying should be_____(Arabic)    .  La ilaha illallah, so that Allah-willing, he will enter Paradise.

{{ThereisaHadith:                  .

"Instruct your dying to say 'la ilaha illalidh^' and if he says it he will ultimately enter Paradise, no matter how much he is punished before that."(Muslim)}} or [[ "If a person's last words are 'There is no god but Allah, he will enter Paradise. (Abu Dawood)]]

Hazrat 'Aisha relates that: " At the time of his death, there was a water container available at hand with some water in it. He (SAW) put his hand in it and wiped his face with it and said:

_________Arabic)________ ____

Translation: 'There is no god but Allah . Death is full of agonies.'

After that, he raised his hand or his finger up and said:

___________Arabic____________________

Translation:"0 Allah forgive me and have mercy upon me and join me to the Companionship on high." (Muttafiq 'Alaih)

IN BOX:

If only our last words would be Allah's remembrance!

In our daily lives, particularly in hospitals, many patients depart this world before our very eyes. We thus witness the different behaviours and last words of a variety of people, which point us in the direction of their particular interests and priorities in life. A Muslim's last words should be Kalima Tauheed, but unfortunately, due to being totally preoccupied with worldly affairs, "even in his dying moments, a person clings to that which he holds dear. For e.g in the case of a person who loves music, the last utterance was the lyrics and the words of the songs he used to hear; for someone who was fond of watching lewd stage and TV programs which corrupt one's morals, his last words were nothing but obscene language. As for the person who was a habitual