Deathbed Rituals in Shia Islam: What to Do When Someone Is Dying

The Moment Someone Enters the Dying Phase

In Shia jurisprudence, when a person enters the terminal phase of dying, they are classified as a muhtazar — a person on the threshold between this world and the next. This classification triggers a specific sequence of obligations and recommended acts for everyone present: family members, medical staff, and community members alike.

The urgency is real. These are not rituals that can be performed after death. They must happen while the person is still alive, however faintly.

Positioning Toward the Qiblah (Obligatory)

The single most important physical act is mandatory (wajib): the dying person must be positioned so that the soles of their feet face the Qiblah — the direction of the Holy Kaaba in Mecca.

Practically, this means the person lies flat on their back, with their feet pointing toward Mecca. If the hospital bed or room layout makes it impossible to rotate the entire bed, those present must adjust the patient's body to satisfy this orientation as closely as possible.

A location-specific Qiblah calculation or the compass feature in a Muslim prayer app can confirm the exact bearing for your location.

This positioning is not symbolic. Shia theology holds that the soul departs more easily when the body is correctly oriented, and that failing to position the dying person toward the Qiblah creates spiritual distress during the transition.

Recitations at the Bedside (Highly Recommended)

While the Qiblah positioning is obligatory, the recitations that follow are mustahabb — highly recommended but not mandatory. They are, however, universally practiced and considered essential by virtually all Shia families:

Surah Yasin (Chapter 36) — Recited softly at the bedside. This chapter is traditionally understood to ease the departure of the soul and relieve the agony of death. It is sometimes called "the heart of the Quran."

Surah as-Saffat (Chapter 37) — Recited alongside or after Surah Yasin for additional spiritual comfort.

Ayat al-Kursi (Verse 255 of Surah al-Baqarah) — A verse of protection and divine sovereignty, recited to provide the dying person with a sense of divine guardianship during the transition.

These recitations should be soft and calm. The atmosphere around the dying person should be peaceful and focused — Shia law specifically classifies several disruptive behaviors as makruh (detestable) during this time.

Prompting the Declaration of Faith

Those present should gently prompt the dying person to recite the Shahadatayn (the dual testimony of faith) and the statement of Faraj:

The Shahadatayn affirms belief in the oneness of God, the prophethood of Muhammad, and (in the Shia formulation) the guardianship of Imam Ali and the Twelve Imams.

The statement of Faraj is a declaration of divine attributes:

"La ilaha illallahul Halimul Karim; La ilaha illallahul 'Aliyyul 'Azim; Subhanallahi Rabbis-samawatis-sab'i wa Rabbil-aradhinas-sab'i; Wal-hamdu lillahi Rabbil-'alamin."

"There is no god but Allah, the Forbearing, the Generous; there is no god but Allah, the Sublime, the Great; Glory be to Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the seven earths; and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds."

If the dying person cannot speak, the reciter speaks these words aloud in their presence. The hearing itself carries spiritual benefit.

What to Avoid (Makruh Acts)

Shia jurisprudence lists specific behaviors that should be avoided around the dying person:

• Do not leave them alone — Someone should always be present
• Do not place heavy objects on their chest — this includes unnecessary medical equipment if it is no longer serving a clinical purpose
• Do not converse loudly about worldly matters — conversations in the room should be limited to prayers and comforting words
• Do not wail intensely — controlled expressions of grief are natural, but unrestrained wailing can cause distress to the dying person

Immediately After Death

The moment life ceases, a new set of physical actions becomes urgent — they must be done before the body stiffens:

1. Close the eyelids gently
2. Close the mouth and bind the jaw shut by wrapping a clean cloth strip under the chin and tying it over the crown of the head
3. Straighten the arms flat along the sides of the torso
4. Straighten the legs fully
5. Cover the body completely with a clean, opaque sheet
6. Illuminate the room — even at night, lights should remain on as a sign of respect

It is also recommended (mustahabb) to move the dying person to their customary place of prayer within the home, provided the move does not cause physical pain. After death, the body remains in this position until the ritual guardian (Wali) authorizes the next steps: transport to the washing facility and the beginning of ghusl preparation.

The Muslim (Shia) Funeral — Iran guide provides the complete sequence from these deathbed moments through burial, with transliterated prayers that family members can recite even without Arabic fluency.