Short answer
Sit with them, keep them calm, and gently say the shahada (La ilaha illallah) near them so they can repeat it. This is called talqin and it is sunnah in all four schools. Turn them toward the qiblah if it is easy, and say only good words around them.
Talqin of the dying, saying the shahada aloud near them without ordering them to say it, is sunnah. Laying them on the right side facing the qiblah is sunnah, and lying on the back with the feet toward the qiblah is also accepted. Talqin at the grave after burial is not part of the relied-upon Hanafi practice.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- Also recommends a talqin at the grave after burial, reminding the dead person of their answers to the questions of the grave.
- Hanbali
- Most later Hanbali scholars also recommend a talqin at the grave after burial.
Explanation
When someone you love is close to death, your presence matters more than any words. Sit near them, hold their hand, and keep the room calm. The Prophet ﷺ told us to prompt the dying with La ilaha illallah. This is talqin (prompting). Say it softly so they hear it. Do not tell them "say it", because a person in pain may refuse, and that is a hard moment for everyone.
If they say the shahada once, do not keep repeating it. Repeat it only if they speak about something else afterwards, so that their last words are the words of faith. The hadith promises Paradise to the one whose last words are La ilaha illallah.
- Turn them gently onto their right side facing the qiblah, or on their back with the feet toward the qiblah, if it does not cause pain. In a hospital bed, do what is easy.
- Recite Quran near them. Hanafi books recommend Surah Yasin; see Surah Yasin.
- Speak of Allah's mercy and help them think well of Him.
- Say only good words. The angels say amin to what is said at this time.
When they pass away, close their eyes gently, tie the jaw with a soft strip of cloth, straighten the limbs, cover the body, and say Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. Then make dua for them. Ask the hospital about releasing the body quickly so the washing and burial are not delayed. See dua for a dead person for the words to say.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:156
ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَٰبَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌۭ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيْهِ رَٰجِعُونَ ﴿١٥٦﴾
Who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return."
This is the phrase to say when death or any loss comes.
Quran, Surah Qaaf 50:19
وَجَآءَتْ سَكْرَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ بِٱلْحَقِّ ۖ ذَٰلِكَ مَا كُنتَ مِنْهُ تَحِيدُ ﴿١٩﴾
And the intoxication of death will bring the truth; that is what you were trying to avoid.
Death has its own hardship, so the dying person needs gentle company.
Sahih Muslim 916
Sahih... لقنوا موتاكم لا إله إلا الله ...
"Prompt your dying ones with La ilaha illallah."
This is the basis of talqin for the dying.
Sunan Abi Dawud 3116
Graded sahih... من كان آخر كلامه لا إله إلا الله دخل الجنة ...
"Whoever's last words are La ilaha illallah will enter Paradise."
This is why we hope the shahada is the last thing they say.
Sahih Muslim 919
Sahih... إذا حضرتم المريض أو الميت فقولوا خيرا فإن الملائكة يؤمنون على ما تقولون ...
"When you are with the sick or the dying, say good things, for the angels say amin to what you say."
Only good words should be spoken around the dying.
Sahih Muslim 2877
Sahih... لا يموتن أحدكم إلا وهو يحسن بالله الظن ...
"Let none of you die except while thinking well of Allah."
Reminding the dying of Allah's mercy is part of caring for them.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Salah, Bab al-Jana'iz. Talqin of the dying and turning them to the qiblah.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Salah, Bab Salat al-Janazah. Not ordering the dying to say the shahada, and the discussion of talqin after burial.
- Nur al-Idah with Maraqi al-Falah, Bab Ahkam al-Jana'iz. What is done when death approaches and right after it.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.