Supplication at the Departure of the Soul

Question: Is there a specific supplication to be said when the soul leaves the body of the dying person and when he is lowered into the grave?

Answer: At the moment of death itself, what is reported is that he is prompted to say lā ilāha illā Allāh (none has the right to be worshipped except Allah), in accordance with the Prophet’s ﷺ words: “Prompt your dying ones to say lā ilāha illā Allāh,” and his statement: “Whoever’s last words are lā ilāha illā Allāh will enter Paradise.”

Therefore, it is proper and recommended to prompt the dying person at that time to say lā ilāha illā Allāh, doing so gently, without repeated insistence or causing him difficulty—rather, with kindness.

Regarding the burial, it has been narrated that when the deceased is placed in the grave one should say, “In the name of Allah and upon the religion of the Messenger of Allah,” as related by Imām Aḥmad and others.

No other wording has been established for the moment of death besides prompting the dying person to say lā ilāha illā Allāh, nor for placing him in the grave besides, “In the name of Allah and upon the religion of the Messenger of Allah.” Anything not established in the Sunnah is a blameworthy innovation.