Surah Ya-Sin, based on the Prophet’s saying, peace and blessings be upon him: “Recite Ya-Sin over your dying ones.” (1) This hadith is disputed and has been criticized. Whoever considers it sound may act upon it. His saying, peace and blessings be upon him, “over your dying ones,” means those who are in the throes of death. They are called “dying ones” in consideration of what they will become. Referring to something by what it will become is found in the Arabic language. An example is the cupbearer’s statement to Joseph: “Indeed, I saw myself pressing wine.” [Joseph 12:36] Yet he was not pressing wine; rather, he was pressing grapes that would become wine.

Some scholars have mentioned that one benefit of reciting Ya-Sin is that it facilitates the departure of the soul, because it contains that which makes one long for Paradise, such as His saying, Exalted is He: “It was said, ‘Enter Paradise.’” [Ya-Sin 36:26] Causing one to long for Paradise facilitates the departure of the soul. Thus, when a person is given glad tidings—may Allah make us and you among those whose souls are given the glad tidings of Paradise—when he is given the glad tidings of Paradise, it becomes easier for him; he loves to meet Allah, and Allah loves to meet him. It also contains: “Indeed, the companions of Paradise, that Day, will be joyfully occupied— they and their spouses, reclining on couches in the shade.” [Ya-Sin 36:55–56] And at its end is an affirmation of Allah’s power, Glorified and Exalted is He, to bring the dead to life.

But should it be recited silently or aloud, or is there further detail to the matter?

The answer is that his saying, “Recite over your dying ones,” (2) indicates that it should be