Islamic Prayers and Practices for the Dying

Holding vigil

When members of the family are keeping vigil, they take turns at reading from the Quran at the bedside. In particular, they read the 36th chapter (surah) which is known as the heart of the Quran. The above link also offers an audio reading that could be played.

When death is close

When the end is near, the family member closest to the key person asks them to make Talqeen, that is they urge the dying person to say the Islamic declaration of faith known as the Shahada.

The Shahada: “I bear witness that there is no god except Allah; One is He, no partner hath He, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Messenger.”

Additional Muslim death traditions and practices

This article explains the deathbed vigil, the level of imam involvement, placement of bed facing Mecca, variations on continuing daily prayers, the use of a clean stone for symbolic washing, reading from the Quran and saying the Shahada