6/4. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 1447 — Say Good Things Near the Sick
What was narrated concerning what is to be said to the sick person when death approaches
Say Good Things Near the Sick and Dying
Sunan Ibn Majah : 1447
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 1447
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ شَقِيقٍ، عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ، قَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " إِذَا حَضَرْتُمُ الْمَرِيضَ أَوِ الْمَيِّتَ فَقُولُوا خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ الْمَلاَئِكَةَ يُؤَمِّنُونَ عَلَى مَا تَقُولُونَ " . فَلَمَّا مَاتَ أَبُو سَلَمَةَ أَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَبَا سَلَمَةَ قَدْ مَاتَ . قَالَ " قُولِي اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَلَهُ وَأَعْقِبْنِي مِنْهُ عُقْبَى حَسَنَةً " . قَالَتْ فَفَعَلْتُ فَأَعْقَبَنِي اللَّهُ مَنْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِنْهُ . مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ .
It was narrated that Umm Salamah said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘When you visit one who is sick or dying, say good things, for the angels say: Amin to whatever you say.’ When Abu Salamah died, I came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Abu Salamah has died.’ He said: ‘Say: “Allahummaghfir li wa lahu, wa a’qibni minhu ‘uqba hasanah (O Allah, forgive me and him, and compensate me with someone better than him).’” She said: ‘I said that, and Allah compensated me with someone better than him: Muhammad the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).’”
[1] , [2] See also no. 1598Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 1447In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 15English translation : Vol. 1, Book 6, Hadith 1447
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 1447
This Hadith about saying good things near the sick and dying teaches careful speech at a sensitive time. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said that when people visit someone sick or dying, they should say good things because the angels say Amin to what they say. The report then shows Umm Salamah after Abu Salamah died. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم taught her to ask Allah for forgiveness for herself and him, and to ask for a good replacement. She said the dua, and Allah compensated her with someone better: Muhammad the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم. The lesson is clear: at illness and death, words matter. Choose dua, mercy, and hope.
What we learn from this hadith
- People should speak good words around the sick or dying.
- The Hadith says angels say Amin to what is said in that moment.
- Dua after loss should include forgiveness and asking Allah for good.
