547. Dua for Death Agony from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
The Prophet (ﷺ) dipped his hands in water at the time of his death, wiped his face with it and said,
Dua for Death Agony in Arabic
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ إِنَّ لِلْمَوْتِ سَكَرَاتٍ
Dua for Death Agony English Transliteration
Laa 'ilaaha 'illAllahu 'inna lilmawti sakaraat
Dua for Death Agony English Translation
There is none worthy of worship but Allah, surely death has agonies.
Hadith about the Dua
Arabic Text
حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عِيسَى بْنُ يُونُسَ، عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي ابْنُ أَبِي مُلَيْكَةَ، أَنَّ أَبَا عَمْرٍو، ذَكْوَانَ مَوْلَى عَائِشَةَ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ كَانَتْ تَقُولُ إِنَّ مِنْ نِعَمِ اللَّهِ عَلَىَّ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم تُوُفِّيَ فِي بَيْتِي وَفِي يَوْمِي، وَبَيْنَ سَحْرِي وَنَحْرِي، وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ جَمَعَ بَيْنَ رِيقِي وَرِيقِهِ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ، دَخَلَ عَلَىَّ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ وَبِيَدِهِ السِّوَاكُ وَأَنَا مُسْنِدَةٌ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَرَأَيْتُهُ يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِ، وَعَرَفْتُ أَنَّهُ يُحِبُّ السِّوَاكَ فَقُلْتُ آخُذُهُ لَكَ فَأَشَارَ بِرَأْسِهِ أَنْ نَعَمْ، فَتَنَاوَلْتُهُ فَاشْتَدَّ عَلَيْهِ وَقُلْتُ أُلَيِّنُهُ لَكَ فَأَشَارَ بِرَأْسِهِ أَنْ نَعَمْ، فَلَيَّنْتُهُ، وَبَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ رَكْوَةٌ ـ أَوْ عُلْبَةٌ يَشُكُّ عُمَرُ ـ فِيهَا مَاءٌ، فَجَعَلَ يُدْخِلُ يَدَيْهِ فِي الْمَاءِ فَيَمْسَحُ بِهِمَا وَجْهَهُ يَقُولُ " لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، إِنَّ لِلْمَوْتِ سَكَرَاتٍ ". ثُمَّ نَصَبَ يَدَهُ فَجَعَلَ يَقُولُ " فِي الرَّفِيقِ الأَعْلَى ". حَتَّى قُبِضَ وَمَالَتْ يَدُهُ.
Narrated Aisha: It was one of the favors of Allah towards me that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) expired in my house on the day of my turn while he was leaning against my chest and Allah made my saliva mix with his saliva at his death. `Abdur-Rahman entered upon me with a Siwak in his hand and I was supporting (the back of) Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (against my chest ). I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) looking at it (i.e. Siwak) and I knew that he loved the Siwak, so I said ( to him ), "Shall I take it for you ? " He nodded in agreement. So I took it and it was too stiff for him to use, so I said, "Shall I soften it for you ?" He nodded his approval. So I softened it and he cleaned his teeth with it. In front of him there was a jug or a tin, (The sub-narrator, `Umar is in doubt as to which was right) containing water. He started dipping his hand in the water and rubbing his face with it, he said, "None has the right to be worshipped except Allah. Death has its agonies." He then lifted his hands (towards the sky) and started saying, "With the highest companion," till he expired and his hand dropped down. [Bukhari: 4449]
Benefits of Dua of Death Agony from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
This dua of death reminds every muslim to keep faith strong and remember Allah’s mercy, especially when facing the pain and fear of sakaratul maut in the last moments of life.
- Allah gives peace to the heart of a muslim who says this dua of death.
- Saying la ilaha ilallah in sakaratul maut helps keep Iman strong till the end.
- This islamic prayer for death brings hope and eases the pain of maut for believers.
- The remembrance of Allah in this dua for death brings Barakah in the last breath.
- Kalima in this dua helps a muslim leave the world with Allah’s name on the tongue.
When to Recite Dua of Death
This dua of death reminds us to remember Allah and the pain of sakaratul maut, bringing Barakah and peace to the heart when facing death or seeing someone in their last moments.
- When a loved one is in sakaratul maut, softly recite the dua of death for ease.
- At the bedside of a dying Muslim, say la ilaha ilallah as islamic prayer for death.
- If you feel scared of maut, remember this dua for death to keep your Iman strong.
- During illness or pain, use the dua of death to seek Allah’s mercy and Barakah.
- After hearing news of someone’s passing, make this dua in remembrance of Allah.
How to perform Dua of Death
This dua of death is a strong reminder that only Allah is worthy of worship and that death brings pain. Saying la ilaha ilallah during sakaratul maut helps the dying person and brings peace to the heart.
- Sit by the person in sakaratul maut and softly recite la ilaha ilallah for comfort.
- Remind the dying one with this islamic prayer for death, keeping your words gentle and slow.
- Say this dua for death agony, thinking about Allah’s mercy and the truth of life and death.
- Ask family to join in this remembrance of Allah, repeating the kalima for Barakah and unity.
- After the person passes, keep reciting this dua of death, seeking forgiveness and peace from Allah.
Summary
The Dua for Death Agony from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a strong dua of death that reminds us about sakaratul maut and the pain at the end of life. Saying la ilaha ilallah in this islamic prayer for death is a big Amal and brings the remembrance of Allah in hard times.
This masnoon dua is a muslim prayer that helps the dying person and gives Barakah. It is a dua for death that every Muslim should know and use for themselves and others. In the end, this dua in islam gives hope and makes the heart strong in the face of maut ki dua.