On the Deathbed

This book is about the conditions of those who preceded us at the time of death. What was their state during these final moments of their lives? What were the last words/advice they spoke?

The book begins with the state of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) on his deathbed, followed by the four rightly-guided caliphs, and thereafter various companions, taabi'in, great imams, and other individuals.

When death came to Bilal, he said: "Tomorrow we shall meet the beloved: Muhammad and his party." His wife then said: "Oh, what a tragedy!" But Bilal replied to her: "Oh, what joy!"

Abu Hurayrah wept during his illness, and he was asked: "What makes you weep?" He replied: "I do not weep for the sake of this world of yours, but I weep because of my long journey and my meager provisions. Indeed, I am heading toward either Paradise or Hellfire, and I do not know to which of the two I will be taken!"

When death came to Aamir ibn Abdillaah, he began to weep, and he was asked: "What makes you weep?" He replied: "I do not weep out of fear of death or love for this world, but I weep because I will miss fasting during the hot days and praying during the winter nights."

When death came to one of the kings, he cried out: "O You whose Kingdom does not perish! Have mercy on him whose kingdom has perished!"

Author: Abu Bakr ibn Abi ad-Dunya
Translator(s): Ridouane Mallouki
Publisher: Daaralthaar