Five Important Sunnah Guidelines and Hadiths Regarding Death
1 — Sudden Death
Hadith — ʿUbayd ibn Khālid al-Sulamī (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Sudden death (for a disbeliever) is a seizure of Allah’s wrath.”
(Abu Dawood 3110)
2 — Sign of a Believer at the Time of Death
Hadith — Buraidah (رضي الله عنه):
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“At the time of a believer’s death, sweat appears on his forehead.”
(al-Tirmidhi 982 — graded Hasan)
3 — Providing Food for the Family of the Deceased
Hadith — ʿAbdullah ibn Jaʿfar (رضي الله عنه):
When the news of Jaʿfar’s (رضي الله عنه) death reached the Prophet ﷺ, he said:
“Prepare food for the family of Jaʿfar, for such a calamity has befallen them that they cannot cook.”
(Abu Dawood 3132, Ibn Majah 1610)
Note:
It is against the Sunnah for the bereaved family to prepare meals for others. The Sunnah is for others to send food to them.
4 — Sunnah Words of Condolence
Hadith — Usāmah ibn Zayd (رضي الله عنه):
When the Prophet ﷺ was informed that his grandson was in the throes of death, he sent the following words to his daughter:
“Indeed, to Allah belongs what He has taken, and to Him belongs what He has given, and everything with Him has an appointed term.”
He also instructed the messenger to tell her to be patient and seek reward from Allah.
(Bukhari 1284, Muslim 923)
Benefit:
At the time of condolence, it is Sunnah to recite this dua and to encourage the bereaved to be patient and hope for reward.
5 — Guidance After Death
Report — Final Will of Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه):
When death approached Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه), he said:
“Do not spread mats for me, do not light an incense burner, and hasten to carry me to the graveyard.”
(Silsilat al-Ahadeeth al-Saheehah 1444)
