§  When the signs of death are clearly evident then turn him towards his right side; and turn his face towards the Qiblah as this is a Sunnah and it is also permitted that he be positioned to lie on his back with his feet towards the Qiblah which would turn his face towards Qiblah itself but in this case, keep the head slightly raised, but if it is difficult to turn the face towards the Qiblah as it may cause him any discomfort then let him leave in the original position.

§  Make ‘Talqeen’ when the soul of dying person is displaying difficulty in reaching his throat, recite loudly beside the dying person i.e., ‘اَشْھَدُ اَن لَّا اِلٰہَ  اِلَّا اللّٰہُ وَ اَشْھَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَّسُوْلُ اللّٰہ’ but do not ask him to recite.

§  If he recites Kalima then stop ‘Talqeen’; but if he speaks again thereafter then make ‘Talqeen’ again as his last words should be ‘لَا اِلٰہَ  اِلَّا اللّٰہُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوْلُ اللّٰہ’.

§  ‘Talqeen’ should be made by a virtuous person, not by someone who is happy on his death. The presence of the pious and virtuous people beside a dying person is a good thing; recitation of Surah Yaseen at that time and use of fragrant incenses such as Luban (frankincense) Agerbatti (incense sticks) is also desirable.

§  There should not be any picture of live objects in the house or a dog, remove them immediately if found because the angels of mercy do not enter a place that has these things.

§  After a person’s soul leaves his body, take a broad strip of cloth, pass it under the jaws, bring it on to the head and tie it to keep the jaws together Close the eyes and straighten the limbs. This should be done by any family member of deceased such as father or son, who can be more gentle when doing this. (Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 1, pp. 807)

Dear Islamic brothers! Whenever you find any of your relatives, beloved ones, friends or any Muslim in such a state, practice upon these above mentioned Madani pearls. A little attention will be immensely beneficial for a dying person. Especially ‘Talqeen’ must be done as the blessed Hadis describes the glad tiding for the one who recites Kalimah at the time of death.

Sayyiduna Ma’az Bin Jabal رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ reported, the Blessed and Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated, ‘If anyone’s last words are ‘لَا اِلٰہَ  اِلَّا اللّٰہُ’, he will enter Jannah’. (Abu Dawood, vol. 3, pp. 255, Hadis 3116)

Renowned commentator, Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan عَـلَيْهِ رَحْـمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ الْـحَـنَّان has stated in the context about the aforementioned blessed Hadis, ‘Though one may keep reciting Kalimah throughout his life, but one must recite the Kalimah at the time of death because salvation will be bestowed with the blessing of this Kalimah’. (Mirat-ul-Manajih, vol. 2, pp. 446)

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ grants us the passion to be the well-wishers of Muslims and bless us with the privilege to do Zikr-o-Azkar (recitation) beside them at the time of their death.

اٰمِيۡن بِجَاهِ النَّبِيِّ الۡاَمِيۡن صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيۡهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب           صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers! Death throes are beyond description, but some pious predecessors رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَالٰی have described them with the help of these examples for making us understand and realize the severities of death. Let’s listen to a few parables in this connection.