The Fiqh of travelling from the Flight Home to the Enduring Home (11)

The correct view is: This differs according to the condition of the dying.

- If he is a disbeliever, then he is commanded with it by saying: “Say La Ilaha Illalah.”

The proof to that is the Hadith of Al Musayyab ibn Hazn (may Allah be pleased with him) that when death came to Abu Talib, the uncle of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the Prophet commanded him by saying: “O uncle! Say La Ilaha Illalah.”[1] If he had said it, he would have become one of the winners; otherwise he shall be a loser. However, if he did not, he is a disbeliever in principle.

- If he is a believer with strong faith and can handle what he is commanded to do, then he is commanded to say: “La Ilaha Illalah.”
The proof to that is the Hadith of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) visited a man from the Ansar (and in a narration, from Banu-Najjar), so he said: “O uncle! Say La Ilaha Illalah.”[2]

The reason for the Prophet's saying to him “O uncle” is that the man was from Banu-Najjar and Banu-Najjar are the maternal uncles of `Abdul-Muttalib, the grandfather of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

- If he is a believer with a weak faith and cannot handle the issue, he is not commanded with it but should be reminded of the testification of faith so that he can hear and remember it.

The reason is: He needs leniency and kind treatment in such situation, so he may get bored or speak badly when someone commands him. So, it is better to show leniency to him and speak gently with him so as to come out of this world in the best condition. 

                             

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[1] Narrated by Al Bukhari number (1360). Narrated by Muslim number (24).

[2] Narrated by Ahmad number (12543) and An-Nasa'y said: it is correct on the condition of Muslim