It is recommended for those in attendance to awaken in him a sense of hope in Allah’s mercy, so that in this situation hope outweighs fear. During sound health, however, hope and fear should remain in equilibrium; when fear predominates, it may cast a person into despair, and when hope predominates, it may lull him into feeling secure from Allah’s plan.

When the sick person enters the throes of death, it is sunnah for those present to prompt him to say: La ilaha illa Allah (there is no deity except Allah), for the Prophet ﷺ said, “Prompt your dying ones to say La ilaha illa Allah,” reported by Muslim. The purpose is that he depart this life upon the word of pure monotheism and that it be his last utterance, for a hadith traced back to Muʿadh states: “Whoever’s last words are La ilaha illa Allah will enter Paradise.” The prompting should be done gently and not repeated excessively, lest it weary him in that condition.

It is also recommended to turn him toward the qiblah.

Surah Ya Sin should be recited in his presence, for the Prophet ﷺ said, “Recite Surah Ya Sin for your dying ones,” reported by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah and deemed authentic by Ibn Hibban. The phrase “your dying ones” refers to the person whose death is imminent; once he has actually died, nothing is to be recited over him. Reciting the Quran for the deceased after death is an innovation, whereas reciting it for one who is approaching death is a sunnah.