Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 147

Supplication when one is disappointed about his Life

باب ما يقوله من آيس من حياته

The book now turns to the final hours of life and what a believer says when hope of recovery fades. Both narrations come from Aishah and draw us close to the Prophet (peace be upon him) in his last illness, choosing his words at the very edge of death. Notice that even then his supplication reaches upward, asking forgiveness, mercy, and the company of the highest companions, ar-Rafiq al-A'la, the exalted assembly of the prophets and the righteous.

Read together, these two hadith teach how to die well. One prayer seeks nearness to Allah and His chosen friends; the other simply asks for help through the genuine pangs of death. There is no pretence here that dying is easy, only a believer turning, to the last breath, toward his Lord.

Hadith 911

`Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:

عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت‏:‏ سمعت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم الله عليه وسلم الله عليه وسلم وهو مستند إلي يقول‏:‏ اللهم اغفر لي وارحمني وألحقني بالرفيق الأعلى‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

While the Prophet (ﷺ) was reclining against me (during his last illness) I heard him saying: "Allahumma-ghfir li, warhamni, wa alhiqni bir Rafiqil-A`la (O Allah, forgive me, bestow Your Mercy on me and let me join with the exalted companions.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

In his final illness the Prophet's own words reached upward, asking Allah for forgiveness, mercy, and to be joined with the highest and most honoured company.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 911 In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 18

Hadith 912

'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:

وعنها قالت‏:‏ رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو بالموت عنده قدح فيه ماء وهو يدخل يده في القدح، ثم يمسح وجهه بالماء، ثم يقول‏:‏ ‏ "‏اللهم أعني علي غمرات الموت وسكرات الموت‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه الترمذي‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) when he was at the point of death. He had a drinking bowl with water in it. He would dip his hand into the bowl, and wipe his face. Then he would supplicate, "O Allah! Help me over pangs and agony of death." [At-Tirmidhi].

In plain words

Near death the Prophet wiped cool water on his face and asked Allah for help through the real pains of dying, showing it is honest to seek Allah's aid in that hard moment.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 912 In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 19