Preparation for death lies in repenting from sin, clearing oneself of injustices, and turning to Allah through acts of obedience.
Visiting the sick is recommended, for al-Bukhari (1240) and Muslim (2162) transmit from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet ﷺ said: “The Muslim has six rights over his fellow Muslim: when you meet him, greet him with peace; when he invites you, respond; when he asks your advice, give him sincere counsel; when he sneezes and praises Allah, say, ‘May Allah have mercy on you’; when he falls ill, visit him; and when he dies, follow his funeral.”
During the visit one should recite a healing supplication (ruqya). The best of these is what al-Bukhari (5742) records from Anas: the Prophet’s ruqya was, “Allāhumma Rabba an-nās, mudhhib al-baʾs, ishfi anta ash-shāfī, shifāʾan lā yugādir saqamā” — “O Allah, Lord of mankind, remover of distress, heal, for You alone are the Healer; grant a cure that leaves no illness behind.” Concerning Sūrat al-Fātiḥah, the Prophet ﷺ said in the hadith related by al-Bukhari (2276), “How did you know that it is a ruqya?” One should also pray that the patient’s term be extended, lift his spirits, and refrain from staying too long. There is no harm in informing the patient about the state of his illness, even if the listener is not a physician, provided it is not mere complaining. Patience is recommended, and is obligatory to the extent that it prevents any prohibited speech or action.
It is desirable for the sick person to think well of Allah, for Muslim (2877) narrates from Jabir that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Let none of you die except while holding a good opinion of Allah, Exalted is He.” In another authentic report He says: “I am as My servant thinks of Me.”
Seeking treatment with lawful means is permissible, as in the hadith of Abu Hurayrah recorded by al-Bukhari (5678): “No disease is sent down without Allah sending down for it a cure.”
When the illness becomes critical, the patient should be reminded—gently—of repentance, settling debts, and making any necessary bequests, without alarming him about the nearness of death.
When death approaches, it is Sunnah for those present to prompt him softly to say the two testimonies of faith and to turn him