Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 150

Helping a dying Person to Pronounce 'La Ilaha Illahllah'

باب تلقين المحتضر لا إله إلا الله

This short chapter holds one of the most tender duties a Muslim can perform for another: gently helping a dying person bring the testimony of faith to their lips. The Arabic term is talqin, prompting or coaching, where those at the bedside softly remind the departing soul of La ilaha illallah without pressuring or scolding.

The central idea is the immense weight of a person's final words. As you read these two hadith together, notice the hope they carry: that a life can be sealed on its highest note, and that loving company at the end is a gift we give one another.

Hadith 917

Mu`adh bin Jabal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

عن معاذ رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏ "‏من كان آخر كلامه لا إله إلا الله دخل الجنة‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه أبو داود والحاكم وقال‏:‏ صحيح الإسناد‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He whose last words are: `La ilaha illallah' (There is no true god except Allah) will enter Jannah.'' [Abu Dawud].

In plain words

Whoever's final words in this life are the declaration that there is no true god except Allah is promised Paradise, which is why these words are so precious at the end.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 917 In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 24

Hadith 918

Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ “لقنوا موتاكم لا إله إلا الله‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Exhort your dying men to recite: 'La ilaha illallah' (There is no true god except Allah)." [Muslim].

In plain words

We are encouraged to gently remind a dying person to say the testimony of faith, so it may be among their last words.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 918 In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 25