6/3. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 1446 — Dhikr for the Dying and Living
What was narrated concerning urging the dying person to say La ilaha illallah
Dhikr for the Dying: La Ilaha Illallahul Halimul Karim
Sunan Ibn Majah : 1446
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 1446
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَامِرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا كَثِيرُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " لَقِّنُوا مَوْتَاكُمْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ الْحَلِيمُ الْكَرِيمُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ " . قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ كَيْفَ لِلأَحْيَاءِ قَالَ " أَجْوَدُ وَأَجْوَدُ " .
Ishaq bin ‘Abdullah bin Ja’far Narrated from:
It was narrated from Ishaq bin ‘Abdullah bin Ja’far that his father said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Urge your dying ones to say: “La ilaha illallahul-Halimul-Karim, Subhan-Allahi Rabbil-‘Arshil-‘Azim, Al-Hamdu Lillahi Rabbil-‘alamin (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the Forbearing, the Most Kind. Glory is to Allah, Lord of the magnificent Throne; praise is to Allah, the Lord of the worlds).’” They said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what about those who are alive?’ He said: ‘Even better, even better.’”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 1446In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 14English translation : Vol. 1, Book 6, Hadith 1446
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 1446
This Hadith about dhikr for the dying gives a longer wording to be prompted near death. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said to urge the dying ones to say La ilaha illallahul-Halimul-Karim, Subhan-Allahi Rabbil-Arshil-Azim, Al-Hamdu Lillahi Rabbil-alamin. The translation in the text includes belief in Allah, praise of Allah, and glorifying Him as Lord of the magnificent Throne and Lord of the worlds. When the Companions asked about those who are alive, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said it is even better. So the Hadith is not only about the dying. It also encourages the living to say these words of remembrance with love and faith.
What we learn from this hadith
- The dying may be prompted with words of tawhid, praise, and glorification.
- The same dhikr is described as even better for living people.
- The Hadith connects final moments with remembrance of Allah.
