Core Jurisprudential Rules · Page 3

1. Lay the person flat on their back with the soles of their feet facing the holy Qiblah.
2. Geometrical validation: if they were to sit upright, their face would face the Qiblah.
3. Applies universally to every dying believer: male or female, adult or child.
4. Obligatory where physically possible without causing pain, injury or severe distress.

Islamic narrations describe supplications intended to bring ease during the final moments of life. They include remembrances to recite while one is healthy and words to prompt a person to repeat at their bedside as death approaches.

The final moments of life, known as the throes of death (sakarāt al-mawt), can be difficult and a cause of anxiety for many people. Narrational texts describe supplications and practices associated with easing the process of dying and reducing its hardships. Some practices are mentioned below.

Supplication

The Prophet’s Supplication at the Time of His Passing

دُعَاءُ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ عِنْدَ وَفَاتِهِ

The Messenger of Allah (sa), as he approached death, had a vessel of water near him. He would dip his hand into it, wipe his face with the water, and say the following supplication. [1]

English Translation

O Allah, help me through the agonies of death.

Transliteration

Allāhumma aʿinnī ʿalā sakarāti al-mawt.

Supplication

The Prophet’s Supplication for Ease at Death

دُعَاءُ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ لِتَسْهِيلِ سَكَرَاتِ الْمَوْتِ

It is narrated from the Messenger of Allah (sa) that one should supplicate as follows for ease during the throes of death. [2]

English Translation

O Allah, whoever believes in You and bears witness that I am Your Messenger, make meeting You beloved to him, make Your decree easy for him, and diminish his wealth.

Transliteration

Allāhumma man āmana bika wa shahida annī rasūluka, faḥabbib ilayhi liqāʾaka, wa sahhil ʿalayhi qaḍāʾaka, wa aqlil mālahu.

Supplication

The Prophet’s Supplication for ʿAbd Allāh ibn Rawāḥah

دُعَاؤُهُ ﷺ لِعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ رَوَاحَة

The Messenger of Allah (sa) was informed that ʿAbd Allāh ibn Rawāḥah was gravely ill. He rose and went to him, and we accompanied him. When we entered, we found him unconscious and unresponsive, while women wept and cried out at his bedside. The Prophet called him three times, but he did not answer. The Prophet then recited the following supplication. The account relates that he died at that time. [3]

English Translation

O Allah, this is Your servant. If his appointed lifespan, sustenance, and allotted time in this world have come to an end, then receive him into Your Paradise and mercy. But if his appointed lifespan, sustenance, and allotted time have not yet come to an end, then hasten his recovery and grant him well-being.

Transliteration

Allāhumma hādhā ʿabduka, in kāna qadi inqaḍā ajaluhu wa rizquhu wa atharuhu, fa-ilā jannatika wa raḥmatika, wa in lam yanqaḍi ajaluhu wa rizquhu wa atharuhu, faʿajjil shifāʾahu wa ʿāfiyatahu.

Supplication

The Prophet’s Supplication at a Dying Person’s Bedside

دُعَاءُ طَلَبِ الْمَغْفِرَةِ عِنْدَ الْمُحْتَضَر

Imam al-Ṣādiq (as) related that the Messenger of Allah (sa) learned that a man was approaching death and went to him with some companions. The man lay unconscious. The Prophet asked the Angel of Death to leave him for a moment so that he could question him. When the man regained consciousness, he said that he had seen much whiteness and much blackness and that the blackness was nearer. The Prophet told him to recite the following words. The man recited them and lost consciousness again. The Prophet again asked for his burden to be lightened so that he could question him. On waking, the man said the whiteness was now nearer. The Prophet said that Allah had forgiven their companion. Imam al-Ṣādiq instructed those present at a dying person’s bedside to prompt that person to repeat these words. [4]

English Translation

O Allah, forgive my many acts of disobedience towards You, and accept from me the little obedience I have offered You.

Transliteration

Allāhumma ighfir liya al-kathīra min maʿāṣīka, waqbal minnī al-yasīra min ṭāʿatika.

Supplication

Imam ʿAlī’s Supplication at a Dying Person’s Bedside

دُعَاءُ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلِيٍّ (ع) عِنْدَ الْمُحْتَضَرِ

According to a narration, whenever the Commander of the Faithful, Imam ʿAlī (as), attended a dying person, he prompted the person to repeat the following supplication. After the person recited it, the Imam said that there was no cause for concern. [5] A similar supplication is also narrated from the Messenger of Allah. After a dying person recited it, the Prophet reportedly said: “Praise be to Allah, who has delivered him from the Fire.” [6]

English Translation

There is no god but Allah, the Most High, the Magnificent. Glory be to Allah, the Lord of the seven skies, and the Lord of the seven earths and all that lies between them, and the Lord of the Magnificent Throne. All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.

Transliteration

Lā ilāha illā Allāhu al-ʿAliyyu al-ʿAẓīm. Subḥāna Allāhi Rabbi as-samāwāti as-sabʿ. Wa Rabbi al-araḍīna as-sabʿi wa mā baynahumā, wa Rabbi al-ʿArshi al-ʿAẓīm, wal-ḥamdu lillāhi Rabbi al-ʿālamīn.

Supplication

Lady Fāṭimah’s Supplication After the Noon Prayer

دُعَاءُ سَيِّدَةِ نِسَاءِ الْعَالَمِينَ فَاطِمَةَ الزَّهْرَاءِ (ع)

Lady Fāṭimah al-Zahrāʾ (sa) recited a supplication after the noon prayer in which she asked Allah to make death easy. [7]

English Translation

Glory be to the Possessor of exalted and sublime might. Glory be to the Possessor of lofty and magnificent majesty. Glory be to the Possessor of glorious and eternal sovereignty. All praise belongs to Allah, by Whose favour I have attained whatever I have attained of knowledge of Him, devotion in His service, and longing for Him. And do not give power over me to any obstinate ruler or rebellious devil. By Your mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful. There is no power and no strength except through Allah, the Most High, the Magnificent. And may Allah’s salutations and abundant Salaam be upon Muhammad and his Family.

Transliteration

Subḥāna dhī al-ʿizzi ash-shāmikhi al-munīf. Subḥāna dhī al-jalāli al-bādhikhi al-ʿaẓīm. Subḥāna dhī al-mulki al-fākhiri al-qadīm. Wal-ḥamdu lillāhi alladhī biniʿmatihi balaghtu mā balaghtu mina al-ʿilmi bihi wal-ʿamali lahu war-raghbati ilayhi. Wa lā tusalliṭ ʿalayya sulṭānan ʿanīdan wa lā shayṭānan marīdā. Biraḥmatika yā arḥama ar-rāḥimīn, wa lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāhi al-ʿaliyyi al-ʿaẓīm. Wa ṣallā Allāhu ʿalā Muḥammadin wa ālihi wa sallama taslīmā.

Supplication

Imam al-Sajjād’s Supplication at the Time of Death

دُعَاءُ الإِمَامِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ السَّجَّادِ (ع)

Imam al-Sajjād (as) recited the following supplication as he approached death, repeating it continually until he passed away. Allah’s salutations be upon him. [8]

English Translation

O Allah, have mercy on me, for You are the Most Generous. O Allah, have mercy on me, for You are the Most Merciful.

Transliteration

Allāhumma irḥamnī fa-innaka Karīm. Allāhumma irḥamnī fa-innaka Raḥīm.

Supplication

Imam al-Ṣādiq’s Supplication to Ḥarīz al-Sijistānī

دُعَاءُ الإِمَامِ الصَّادِقِ (ع) لِحَرِيزٍ السِّجِسْتَانِيِّ

Ḥarīz al-Sijistānī reports: We were with Imam al-Ṣādiq (as) when a man came and said, “O son of the Messenger of Allah, my brother has been approaching death for three days, and his passing has become difficult.” The Imam instructed him to say the following supplication and then to move his brother’s bedding to the place where he prayed. By Allah’s will, his passing would be made easier. [9]

English Translation

O Allah, ease the agonies of death for him.

Transliteration

Allāhumma sahhil ʿalayhi sakarāti al-mawt.

Supplication

Imam al-Ṣādiq’s Supplication Late at Night

دُعَاءُ الإِمَامِ الصَّادِقِ (ع) فِي جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ

ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn al-Ḥajjāj relates that late at night Imam al-Ṣādiq (as) would recite the following supplication aloud so that his household could hear it. [10]

English Translation

O Allah, help me through the terror of what awaits me after death, grant me spaciousness in the narrowness of the grave, grant me the best of what comes before death, and grant me the best of what comes after death.

Transliteration

Allāhumma aʿinnī ʿalā hawli al-muṭṭalaʿ, wa wassiʿ ʿalayya ḍīqa al-maḍjaʿ, warzuqnī khayra mā qabla al-mawt, warzuqnī khayra mā baʿda al-mawt.

Supplication · Part 1

Part 1: Initial Supplication for Ease at Death

دُعَاءُ «اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِي الْمَوْتِ»

Imam al-Ṣādiq (as) instructed people to offer the following supplication for ease at death. He then instructed them to perform two rakʿahs of prayer and, after the prayer, recite the second supplication below. [11]

English Translation

O Allah, grant me Your favour in death. O Allah, help me through death. O Allah, help me through the agonies of death. O Allah, help me through the distress of the grave. O Allah, help me through the narrowness of the grave. O Allah, help me through the darkness of the grave. O Allah, help me through the loneliness of the grave. O Allah, help me through the terrors of the Day of Resurrection. O Allah, grant me Your favour throughout the long Day of Resurrection. O Allah, wed me with the big-eyed houris.

Transliteration

Allāhumma bārik lī fī al-mawt. Allāhumma aʿinnī ʿalā al-mawt. Allāhumma aʿinnī ʿalā sakarāti al-mawt. Allāhumma aʿinnī ʿalā ghammi al-qabr. Allāhumma aʿinnī ʿalā ḍīqi al-qabr. Allāhumma aʿinnī ʿalā ẓulmati al-qabr. Allāhumma aʿinnī ʿalā waḥshati al-qabr. Allāhumma aʿinnī ʿalā ahwāli yawmi al-qiyāmah. Allāhumma bārik lī fī ṭūli yawmi al-qiyāmah. Allāhumma zawwijnī mina al-ḥūri al-ʿīn.

Supplication · Part 2

Part 2: Supplication After Two Rakʿahs

دُعَاءُ «اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِي الْمَوْتِ»

After performing two rakʿahs, recite:

English Translation

O Allah, Your command is inevitable, Your destiny is inevitable, and Your decree is inevitable. There is no power and no strength except through You. O Allah, whatever decree You have ordained for us and whatever destiny You have determined for us, grant us, alongside it, patience that overcomes and subdues it. And make it a means of ascending towards Your pleasure, increasing our good deeds, our distinction, our dignity, our honour, our glory, our prosperity, and our nobility in this world and the Hereafter. And do not let it diminish our good deeds. O Allah, whatever gifts You have bestowed upon us, whatever virtues You have favoured us with, or whatever honours You have granted us, grant us alongside them gratitude that overcomes and subdues them. And make it a means of ascending towards Your pleasure, increasing our good deeds, our dignity, our honour, and Your favours and generosity towards us in this world and the Hereafter. O Allah, do not let these gifts become a cause of arrogance, pride, temptation, Your displeasure, or punishment for us, nor a cause of disgrace in this world or the Hereafter. O Allah, we seek refuge in You from slips of the tongue, an evil standing, and a light balance of deeds. O Allah, send Your salutations upon Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad. And bring our good deeds to our remembrance at the time of death, and do not let us behold our deeds with bitter regret. Do not disgrace us when Your decree comes to pass, and do not expose us because of our sins on the Day we meet You. Make our hearts remember You and never forget You, and stand in awe of You as though they could see You, until we meet You. Send Your salutations upon Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad. Transform our evil deeds into good deeds, and make our good deeds a means of attaining higher ranks. And transform our ranks into chambers of Paradise. And make our chambers lofty and exalted. O Allah, grant abundance to those among us who are poor, from the vastness of what You have decreed upon Yourself. O Allah, send Your salutations upon Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad. And graciously bestow upon us guidance for as long as You preserve our lives, dignity for as long as You keep us alive, forgiveness when You take our souls, protection throughout the remainder of our lives, and abundance in the sustenance You provide us. Grant us help in bearing whatever You have entrusted to us, and steadfastness in fulfilling whatever You have placed upon our shoulders. Do not hold us to account for our wrongdoing, do not judge us according to our ignorance, and do not lead us gradually towards ruin because of our sins. Make the finest words we speak firmly established within our hearts. Make us great in Your sight, yet humble in our own eyes. Let us benefit from what You have taught us, and increase us in beneficial knowledge. I seek refuge in You from a heart that does not humble itself, from an eye that does not shed tears, and from a prayer that is not accepted. Protect us from the evil of trials and tribulations, O Guardian of this world and the Hereafter.

Transliteration

Allāhumma lā budda min amrika, wa lā budda min qadarika, wa lā budda min qaḍāʾika, wa lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā bika. Allāhumma fa-mā qaḍayta ʿalaynā min qaḍāʾin, wa qaddarta ʿalaynā min qadarin, fa-aʿṭinā maʿahu ṣabran yaqharuhu wa yadmaghuhu. Wajʿalhu lanā ṣāʿidan fī riḍwānika, yunmī fī ḥasanātinā wa tafḍīlinā, wa suʾdudinā wa sharafinā wa majdinā wa naʿmāʾinā wa karāmatinā fī ad-dunyā wal-ākhirah. Wa lā tanquṣhu min ḥasanātinā. Allāhumma wa mā aʿṭaytanā min ʿaṭāʾin, aw faḍḍaltanā bihi min faḍīlatin, aw akramtanā bihi min karāmatin, fa-aʿṭinā maʿahu shukran yaqharuhu wa yadmaghuhu. Wajʿalhu lanā ṣāʿidan fī riḍwānika, wa fī ḥasanātinā wa suʾdudinā wa sharafinā, wa naʿmāʾika wa karāmatika fī ad-dunyā wal-ākhirah. Allāhumma wa lā tajʿalhu lanā asharan wa lā baṭaran wa lā fitnatan wa lā maqtan wa lā ʿadhāban, wa lā khizyan fī ad-dunyā wal-ākhirah. Allāhumma innā naʿūdhu bika min ʿathrati al-lisān, wa sūʾi al-maqām, wa khiffati al-mīzān. Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā Muḥammadin wa āli Muḥammad. Wa laqqinā ḥasanātinā fī al-mamāt, wa lā turinā aʿmālanā ʿalaynā ḥasarāt. Wa lā tukhzinā ʿinda qaḍāʾika, wa lā tafḍaḥnā bisayyiʾātinā yawma nalqāk. Wajʿal qulūbanā tadhkuruka wa lā tansāka, wa takhshāka ka-annahā tarāka ḥattā nalqāk. Ṣalli ʿalā Muḥammadin wa āli Muḥammad. Wa abdil sayyiʾātinā ḥasanātin, wajʿal ḥasanātinā darajāt. Wajʿal darajātinā ghurufāt. Wajʿal ghurufātinā ʿāliyāt. Allāhumma wa awsiʿ lifaqīrinā min saʿati mā qaḍayta ʿalā nafsik. Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā Muḥammadin wa āli Muḥammad. Wa munna ʿalaynā bil-hudā mā abqaytanā, wal-karāmati mā aḥyaytanā, wal-maghfirati idhā tawaffaytanā, wal-ḥifẓi fīmā yabqā min ʿumurinā, wal-barakati fīmā razaqtanā. Wal-ʿawni ʿalā mā ḥammaltanā, wath-thabāti ʿalā mā ṭawwaqtanā. Wa lā tuʾākhidhnā biẓulminā, wa lā tuqāyisnā bijahlinā, wa lā tastadrijnā bikhaṭāyānā. Wajʿal aḥsana mā naqūlu thābitan fī qulūbinā. Wajʿalnā ʿuẓamāʾa ʿindaka, wa fī anfusinā adhillah. Wanfaʿnā bimā ʿallamtanā, wa zidnā ʿilman nāfiʿā. Aʿūdhu bika min qalbin lā yakhshaʿ, wa min ʿaynin lā tadmaʿ, wa ṣalātin lā tuqbal. Ajirnā min sūʾi al-fitan, yā Waliyya ad-dunyā wal-ākhirah.

Supplication · Part 1

Initial Refuge Recital (7 times)

كَلِمَاتُ الْفَرَجِ وَالتَّعَوُّذِ

Imam al-Bāqir (as) said that when you attend a sick person whose passing has become difficult, tell that person to recite the first supplication seven times. Then prompt the person with the Words of Relief. The narrator asked, “O son of the Messenger of Allah, what are the Words of Relief?” The Imam recited the second passage below. He then instructed that the person be turned toward the place where they used to pray; by Allah’s permission, their passing would be eased. [12]

English Translation

I seek refuge in Allah, the Magnificent, Lord of the Magnificent and Noble Throne, from every throbbing vein and from the evil of the scorching heat of the Fire.

Transliteration

Aʿūdhu billāhi al-ʿAẓīmi Rabbi al-ʿArshi al-ʿAẓīmi al-Karīm, min kulli ʿirqin naffārin wa min sharri ḥarri an-nār.

Supplication · Part 2

The Words of Relief (Kalimāt al-Faraj)

كَلِمَاتُ الْفَرَجِ وَالتَّعَوُّذِ

English Translation

There is no god but Allah, the Most Forbearing, the Most Generous. There is no god but Allah, the Most High, the Magnificent. Glory be to Allah, the Lord of the seven skies and the Lord of the seven earths, and all that is within them, all that lies between them, and all that lies beneath them. And the Lord of the Magnificent Throne. All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.

Transliteration

Lā ilāha illā Allāhu al-Ḥalīmu al-Karīm. Lā ilāha illā Allāhu al-ʿAliyyu al-ʿAẓīm. Subḥāna Allāhi Rabbi as-samāwāti as-sabʿi, wa Rabbi al-araḍīna as-sabʿi, wa mā fīhinna wa mā baynahunna wa mā taḥtahunna. Wa Rabbi al-ʿArshi al-ʿAẓīm, wal-ḥamdu lillāhi Rabbi al-ʿālamīn.

Essential Shariʿi Guidelines for the Prayer

1. The body (6 yrs and above), in a coffin, is laid on its back before the congregation.
2. The head of the deceased is positioned to the right side of the congregation.
3. Those praying stand facing the Qiblah in one or more rows.
4. The Imam stands by the chest facing Qiblah, with the head to his right.
5. It is strongly recommended to be in wuḍūʾ.
6. No rukūʿ or sujūd. The prayer is offered standing with five takbīrs.

English Translation

O’ Allah! Send salutations upon Muhammad and the descendants of Muhammad as long as salutations last, as long as blessings endure and as long as mercy continues! O’ Allah! Send salutations upon the soul of Muhammad and the descendants of Muhammad in the souls, in the bodies, in the graves, in the forms, in the clay and in the lights. By Your mercy! O’ Merciful of the merciful!

Transliteration

Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā Muḥammadin wa āli Muḥammadin mā dāmat al-ṣalawāt, wa ṣalli ʿalā Muḥammadin wa āli Muḥammadin mā dāmat al-barakāt, wa ṣalli ʿalā Muḥammadin wa āli Muḥammadin mā dāmat al-raḥmah. Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā rūḥi Muḥammadin wa āli Muḥammadin fī al-arwāḥ, wa ṣalli ʿalā jasadi Muḥammadin wa āli Muḥammadin fī al-ajsād, wa ṣalli ʿalā qabri Muḥammadin wa āli Muḥammadin fī al-qubūr, wa ṣalli ʿalā ṣūrati Muḥammadin wa āli Muḥammadin fī al-ṣuwar, wa ṣalli ʿalā turbati Muḥammadin wa āli Muḥammadin fī al-turāb, wa ṣalli ʿalā nūri Muḥammadin wa āli Muḥammadin fī al-anwār, bi-raḥmatika yā arḥam al-rāḥimīn.

Part 1: The Covenant of Tawhid · Page 19

English Translation

Peace be upon the people of “There is no god but Allah” from the people of “There is no god but Allah.” O people of “There is no god but Allah”! By the right of “There is no god but Allah”, how did you find the utterance of “There is no god but Allah” from “There is no god but Allah”? O “There is no god but Allah”! By the right of “There is no god but Allah”, forgive whoever uttered “There is no god but Allah”, and gather us in the company of whoever uttered “There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, Ali is the beloved/guardian of Allah.”

Transliteration

Assalāmu ʿalā ahli lā ilāha illallāh, min ahli lā ilāha illallāh, yā ahla lā ilāha illallāh! Bi-ḥaqqi lā ilāha illallāh, kayfa wajadtum qawla lā ilāha illallāh? Min lā ilāha illallāh, yā lā ilāha illallāh! Bi-ḥaqqi lā ilāha illallāh, ighfir liman qāla lā ilāha illallāh, waḥshurnā fī zumrati man qāla lā ilāha illallāh, Muḥammadun Rasūlullāh, ʿAlīyyun Walīyullāh.

Part 1: The Call & The Interrogation of Munkar & Nakeer · Page 21

Part 2: The Core Beliefs & Expansion of the Grave · Page 22

English (summary of the prompt)

The deceased is addressed by name and reminded to hold to the covenant of Tawhid — bearing witness that there is no god but Allah, alone without partner; that Muhammad (sa) is His servant and Messenger, master of the Prophets and Seal of the Messengers; and that ʿAlī is the Commander of the Faithful, followed by the Twelve Imams named in turn. The deceased is reassured not to fear the two angels (Munkar and Nakīr) and is taught the answers: “Allah is my Lord, Muhammad is my Prophet, Islam is my religion, the Qurʾan is my Book, the Kaʿbah is my Qiblah, and the Imams are my Imams.” The core beliefs — death, the questioning of the grave, resurrection, the Path, the Scale, the scattering of the records, Paradise and the Fire, and the certainty of the Hour — are affirmed as true. It closes with the prayer that Allah keep the earth away from the deceased’s sides, raise the soul to Himself, grant it a clear proof, and grant His pardon.