and to his Companions (1); to renounce every innovation and sinful whim, keeping well away from them. Fear Allah as He ought to be feared, and do not depart this life except as Muslims, for that is the counsel of the earlier and the later generations. Whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for him and will provide for him from where he does not expect. So fear Allah as much as you are able. Attend the Friday prayer and stay with the main body of the Muslims; hold fast to the Sunnah and to faith, and strive for deep understanding of the religion. Whoever among you is present when I am dying should prompt me to say: “There is no god but Allah alone, without partner, and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.” Take care (2) to trim the nails and the moustache before death, if Allah wills. When my final moment comes, if a menstruating woman is with me, let her withdraw, and let incense be burned at my bedside (3).
92– Shaykh al-Islam said (4): Abu Yaʿla al-Khalil ibn ʿAbd Allah al-Ḥafiẓ informed us (5); Abu al-Qasim ibn ʿAlqamah al-Abhari (6) reported; ʿAbd al-Raḥman ibn Abi Ḥatim al-Razi, from Abu Shuʿayb and Abu Thawr, from Abu ʿAbd Allah Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafiʿi—may Allah have mercy on him—who said: “The statement concerning the Sunnah upon which I stand, and upon which I have seen our companions stand, the people of …”