Mishkat al-Masabih

Sulaiman b. Surad reported God’s messenger as saying, "He who dies of an internal trouble will not be punished in his grave.” Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it, the latter saying this is a gharib tradition.

Anas told that when a young Jew who was a servant of the Prophet became ill the Prophet went to visit him and, sitting down by his head, said to him, “Accept Islam.” He looked at his father who was beside him, and he said, "Obey Abul Qasim.” So he accepted Islam, and the Prophet went out saying, "Praise be to God who has saved him from hell.” Bukhari transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, '"If anyone visits an invalid, one cries out from heaven, ‘May you be good, may your walk be good, and may you come to an abode in paradise!”’ Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas said that when ‘Ali came out after visiting the Prophet during the painful illness of which he died, the people asked, “How is God's messenger this morning, Abul Hasan?” He replied, “Praise be to God, he is getting better.” Bukhari transmitted it.

This black woman came to the Prophet and said, “Messenger of God, I am subject to fits and become uncovered, so make supplication to God for me.” He replied, “If you wish you may endure it and be rewarded with paradise, but if your wish I shall make supplication to God to cure you.” She said, “I shall endure it.” Then she added, “But since I become uncovered, make supplication to God that that may not happen.” He then made supplication for her. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Yahya b. Sa'id said that when a certain man died in the time of God’s messenger another said, “Congratulations to him! He has died without being afflicted by illness.” God’s messenger then said, “I’m sorry for you. What do you know about it? (literally, ‘What makes you know?’ After this one understands some such words as, ‘that lack of illness is a mark of honour.’) Would that God had afflicted him with illness, and it had atoned for his evil deeds!” Malik transmitted it in mursal form.

Shaddad b. Aus and as-Sunabihi told how, when they went to visit an invalid, they said to him, “How are you this morning?” He replied, “I am quite comfortable this morning.” Shaddad told him to rejoice that his evil deeds had been atoned for and his sins remitted, for he had heard God’s messenger declare that God who is great and glorious says, “When I afflict a servant of mine who is a believer and he praises me for the affliction I have brought upon him, he will rise from that couch of his as sinless as he was the day his mother gave birth to him.” The Lord who is blessed and exalted will say, “I fettered and afflicted my servant, so record for him what you were recording for him when he was well.” Ahmad transmitted it.

‘A’isha reported God’s messenger as saying, “When a man’s sins are numerous and he has no good deeds wherewith to atone for them, God afflicts him with sorrow to remove them from him.” Ahmad transmitted it.

Jabir reported God’s messenger as saying, "When one visits an invalid he continues to plunge into mercy till he sits down, and when he sits down he is immersed in it.” Malik and Ahmad transmitted it.

Thauban reported God’s messenger as saying, "When one of you has an attack of fever the fever is a portion of hell, so he should quench it with water, bathing in a flowing stream facing the direction of the current and saying, ‘In the name of God. O God, heal Thy servant and varify Thy messenger’ after the morning prayer before sunrise. He should dip himself in it three times a day for three days, and if he is not cured in three days, then for five days, and if he is not cured in five days, then for seven, and if he is not cured in seven days, then for nine, for it will hardly last more than nine days by the permission of God who is great and glorious.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition.

Abu Huraira said that fever was mentioned in the presence of God’s messenger, and when a man reviled it the Prophet said, "Do not revile it, for it removes sins as fire removes the dross of iron.” Ibn Majah transmitted it.

He said that God’s messenger said to an invalid whom he visited, "Cheer up, for God most high says, ‘It is my fire to which I give power over my believing servant in the world to be his portion of hell on the day of resurrection.” Ahmad, Ibn Majah and Baihaqi, in Shu'ab al- iman, transmitted it.

Anas reported God’s messenger as stating that the Lord who is glorious and exalted says, "By my might and glory, I will not take out of the world anyone I intend to forgive till I get payment for every sin which hangs on his neck by illness in his body and scarcity in his provision.” Razin transmitted it.

Shaqiq said he visited ‘Abdallah b. Mas'ud when he was ill, and he began to weep. On being reproved by someone he said, "I am not weeping because of the illness, because I heard God’s messenger say that illness is an atonement; I am weeping simply because it has come to me when my powers are weakened and did not come when I was active, because a servant of God has recorded for him such reward when he is ill as was being recorded for him before he became ill and the illness prevented him from doing .” Razln transmitted it.

Anas said the Prophet was not accustomed to visit an invalid till he had been ill for three days. Ibn Majah and Baihaqi, in Shu'ab al- iman, transmitted it.

‘Umar b. al-Khattab reported God’s messenger as saying, “When you visit an invalid tell him to make supplication for you, for his supplication is like that of the angels.” Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas said that staying for a short time and making little noise when visiting an invalid is part of the sunna. He reported God’s messenger as saying, when their clamour and disagreement became excessive, ‘‘Get up and leave me.”(This was during the Prophet's last illness, the disagreement taking place regarding the advisability of the Prophet giving them further written instructions.) Razin transmitted it.

Anas reported God's messenger as saying, “A visit should last as long as the time between the two milkings of a she-camel.”(The reference is to the practice of drawing some milk from the camel, then leaving her for a little for her young to suck milk. When she then let her milk flow copiously she was milked again.) In the version of Sa'id b. al-Musayyib in mursal form it says, “The best type of sick visit is when one gets up and departs soon.”(While this is more explicit to one who is not familiar with the milking of camels, the meaning is the same as in the form given by Anas.) Baihaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-iman.

Ibn ‘Abbas said the Prophet once visited a man and asked him what he would like. When he replied that he would like some wheaten bread the Prophet said, “Let anyone who has any wheaten bread send it to his brother,” adding, “When any of you has an invalid who expresses a desire for something, give it to him to eat.” Ibn Majah transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr said that when a man who had been born in Medina died there, the Prophet prayed at his funeral and said, “Would that he had died somewhere else than in his birthplace!” On being asked why he had said that he replied, “When a man dies somewhere else than in his birthplace a space will be measured for him in paradise equal to the distance between his birthplace and the place where he died.” Nasa’I and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s messenger as saying, “Dying abroad is treated as martyrdom." Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who dies of an illness dies as a martyr, or he will be guarded from the trial in the grave, and will have his provision brought him morning and evening from paradise." Ibn Majah and BaihaqI, in Shu'ab al-iman, transmitted it.

The martyrs and those who die on their beds will apply to our Lord who is great and glorious for a decision regarding those who die of plague. The martyrs will say, “Our brethren were killed just as we were and those who died a natural death will say, “Our brethren died on their beds just as we died.”. Our Lord will reply, “Look at their wound, for if their wounds resemble those of people who have been killed they are of their number and will be associated with them, for their wounds have resembled theirs." Ahmad and Nasa’i transmitted it.

Jabir reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who runs away from plague like him who runs away from battle, but he who meets it with endurance will have a martyr’s reward." Ahmad transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, "None of you must wish for death; neither one who does well, for perhaps he may do still more good, nor one who does ill, for perhaps he may seek to please God.” Bukhari transmitted it.

He reported God’s messenger as saying, "None of you must wish or pray for death before it comes to him. When one dies his hope is cut off, but the continued life of a believer only brings him more good.” Muslim transmitted it.

Anas reported God's messenger as saying, "None of you must wish for death because he is afflicted by evil circumstances, but if he cannot help doing so he should say, ‘O God, give me life as long as life is better for me, and take me when death is better for me.’ ” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘Ubada b. as-Samit reported God's messenger as saying, "If anyone wishes to meet God, God wishes to meet him; but if anyone does not wish to meet God, God does not wish to meet him.” When ‘A'isha or one of his wives said she did not want to die, he replied, "That is not what I mean; but when death comes to a believer he is given glad tidings of God’s good pleasure and regard, so nothing is dearer to him than what lies before him, and he wishes to meet God and God wishes to meet him. But when an infidel approaches death he is given tidings of God’s punishment and chastisement, so nothing is more objectionable to him than what lies before him, and he does not wish to meet God and God does not wish to meet him.” In ‘A’isha's version it says that death precedes the meeting with God. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Qatada used to tell that when a funeral was brought past God’s messenger he said, "He is at rest, or others are at rest from him.” When asked what he meant by these words he replied, "The believing servant is at rest from the toil and harm of the world and departs to God’s mercy, but servants (i.e.. mankind), the country, the trees and the animals are at rest from the profligate.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar told of God’s messenger taking him by the shoulders and saying, ‘‘Be in the world as though you were a stranger or one who is passing through.” Ibn ‘Umar used to say, “In the evening do not expect to see the morning and in the morning do not expect to see the evening, but take something when in health to serve you in time of illness and something in your life to serve you in your death.” Bukhari transmitted it.

Jabir said he heard God’s messenger say three days before his death, “See that none of you dies without having good expectations from God.” Muslim transmitted it.

Mu'adh b. Jabal told of God’s messenger saying that if they wished he would tell them the first thing God would say to the believers on the day of resurrection and the first thing they would say to Him. When his hearers expressed a desire to be told, he said that God would say to the believers, “Did you wish to meet me?” and that they would reply, “Yes, our Lord.” He would ask them why, and they would reply that it was because they hoped for His forgiveness and pardon. He would then say, “My forgiveness has become necessary for you.” transmitted it in Sharh as-sunna and Abu Nu'aim in al-Hilya.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “Keep much in your remembrance the cutter off of delights, i.e., death.” Tirmidhi, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Ibn Mas'ud told of the Prophet saying to his companions one day, “Show due respect towards God.” On their replying, “Prophet of God, we show due respect towards God, praise be to God,” he said, “That is not what I mean; but he who shows due respect to God must guard the head and what it retains, must guard the belly and what it contains, and keep death and decay in remembrance; and he who desires the next world must abandon the adornment of this world. He who does that has shown due respect towards God.” Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it, the latter saying this is a gharib tradition.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s messenger as saying, ‘‘The gift to a believer is death.”( i.e. death is the means by which he gains an introduction to the delights of paradise.) Baihaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-iman.

Buraida reported God’s messenger as saying, “The believer dies with the sweat on his brow.” Tirmidhi, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

‘Ubaidallah b Khalid reported God’s messenger as saying, “Sudden death is an act of punishment out of anger.” Abu Dawud transmitted it. Baihaqi in Shu'ab al-iman and Razin in his book made an addition, saying “An act of punishment out of anger for the infidel and a mercy for the believer.”

Anas said that the Prophet visited a young man who was dying and asked him how he was. He replied, “I am hoping in God, messenger of God, but I am afraid of my sins,” whereupon God's messenger said, “The two cannot come together in a man’s heart at such a time without God giving him what he hopes for and granting him security from what he fears.” Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying that this is a gharib tradition.

Jabir reported God’s messenger as saying, “Do not wish for death, for the terror of the place whence one looks down in severe. It is part of a man’s happiness that his life should be long and God who is great and glorious should supply him with repentance.” Ahmad transmitted it.

We sat attentive to God’s messenger who gave us an exhortation and softened our hearts. Then Sa'd b. Abu Waqqas wept copiously and said, “Would that I were dead! ” God’s messenger said, “Do you wish for death in my presence, Sa'd?’’ repeating it three times. He then said, “Sa'd, if you have been created for paradise, it will be better for you if your life is prolonged and your deeds are good.” Ahmad transmitted it.

Haritha b. Mudarrab said he visited Khabbab who had been cauterised seven times. He said that were it not for the fact that he had heard God’s messenger say that no one must wish for death he would wish for it. He added, “I have seen myself in the company of God’s messenger when I did not possess a dirham, but now there are 40,000 dirhams in my house.” His shroud was produced, and when he saw it he wept and said, “No shroud was found for Hamza (the Prophet’s uncle. He was killed at Uhud and his remains were treated with indignity by Hind.) but a garment with black and white stripes, which did not reach his feet when put over his head and did not reach his head when put over his feet. It was eventually stretched over his head and grass was put on his feet.” Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it, but Tirmidhi did not include the passage from “His shroud was produced” to the end.

Abu Sa'id and Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, “Recite to those of you who are dying, ‘There is no god but God. ’ ” Muslim transmitted it.

Umm Salama reported God’s messenger as saying, “When you are with one who is ill or dying speak good words, for the angels say Amen to what you say.” Muslim transmitted it.

She reported God’s messenger as saying, “If any Muslim who suffers some calamity says what God has commanded him, ‘We belong to God and to Him do we return ; O God, reward me for my affliction and give me something better than it in exchange for it,’ God will give him something better than it in exchange.” When Abu Salama died she said, “What Muslim is better than Abu Salama whose family was the first to emigrate to God’s messenger? ”(He and his wife, Umm Salama, were among those who emigrated to Abyssinia. Abu Salama died of wounds received at the battle of Uhud, and the Prophet later married Umm Salama.) She then said the words, and God gave her God’s messenger in exchange. Muslim transmitted it.

She said that God’s messenger came in to Abu Salama when his eyes were fixedly open. Closing them he said, “When the soul is taken the sight follows it.” Some of his family wept and wailed, so he said, “Do not supplicate for yourselves anything but good, for the angels say Amen to what you say.” He then said, “O God, forgive Abu Salama, raise his degree among those who are rightly guided, and grant him a succession in his descendants who remain. Forgive both us and him, Lord of the universe, make his grave spacious for him and grant him light in it.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘A’isha said that when God’s messenger died he was covered with a striped Yemen garment. (Bukharl and Muslim.)

Mu`adh b. Jabal reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone’s last words are ‘There is no god but God,’ he will enter paradise.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Ma'qil b. Yasar reported God’s messenger as saying, “Recite sura. Ya Sin(Qur’an, xxxvi) over your dead.”(This is a literal translation. The meaning is probably those who are on the point of death.) Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

‘A’isha said that God’s messenger kissed ‘Uthman b. Maz'un (The first of the Emigrants to die in Medina after returning from Badr) when he was dead, and the Prophet wept so much that his tears flowed over ‘Uthman's face. Tirmidhl, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

She said that Abu Bakr kissed the Prophet when he was dead. Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.