<b>Funeral: Sickness and Death</b>
1. When a person is about to die, lay him flat on his back comfortably, head directed towards the Ka’aba and slightly raised. Do not leave the person alone. Relatives should sit by his side and recite Kalima Tayyiba loudly so that he may also be induced to recite the Kalima on hearing it.
La i-laha il lallaahu Muhammadur rasoolullaah:
The dying person should not be asked to recite the Kalima as the time of death is very critical and it is possible that he may utter something blasphemous in the agony of death.
2. If the dying person recites the Kalima once, then others should now keep silence and should not try to make him repeat it continuously with a view that he may breathe his last with the Kalima on his lips. The actual aim is that the last word that a dying person utters should be Kalima and it is not necessary that he should keep repeating it till death. But if he speaks something else after reciting Kalima, then others should again start reciting Kalima till he repeats it once again.
3. When someone’s breath becomes irregular and quick, nose is twisted, legs become so relaxed that he cannot keep his knees standing and temples are depressed, then it should be understood that his end has come near and at such time all present should begin to recite Kalima loudly.
4. Recitation of Sura Yasin reduces the severity and pangs of death. It should be recited sitting towards the head or somewhere near the dying person.
5. At the time of one’s death no such thing should be said or done which may turn his mind towards worldly affairs because it is the time for him to present himself before Almighty Allah. Those present at that time should behave in such manner that the mind and heart of the dying person may turn away the world and be directed towards Allah. It is in the interest of the dying person that at such time his children or any other thing with which he had attachment should not be brought before him. Nor should anyone talk about them as this may turn his attention towards them and their love may be revived in his heart. It is very bad and most unfortunate that one should leave this world with its love in his heart and, Allah forbid, it would be a very bad death.
6. If at the time of death one utters something blasphemous or irreligious, it should not be talked about and communicated to others, but it should be taken as on account of senselessness and all present should pray for his deliverance and forgiveness by Allah.
7. When a person is dead his limbs should be put properly and a strip of cloth be tied from under his chin over the head so that his mouth may not remain open and his eyes should also be closed. His toes should also be tied together so that his legs may not remain spread. Cover the dead body with a clean sheet and expedite his bathing and shrouding.
8. While closing the mouth of the dead one should recite:
(Bismillahe-wa-alaa-millat-e-Rasoolillah)
9. After death, burn some incense near the dead body. Women in their menses or after birth discharge should not go near the dead.
10. It is not proper to recite the Holy Qur’an near the dead body till it is given bath.
