Washing of the Deceased

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "During the time of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, a man from the people of Medina was unable to speak due to throes of death. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم entered upon him and said: 'Say: There is no god but Allah سبحانه وتعالى.' But the man was unable to say it. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم repeated it to him, but he still could not say it. At the head of this man was a woman, and He asked her: 'Is this man’s mother present?'" She said: 'Yes, O’ Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, I am his mother.' He asked her: 'Are you pleased with him or displeased?' She said: 'I am displeased with him.' The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said to her: "I would like that you become pleased with him," She said: 'I am pleased with him for your sake, O’ Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم.' He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم then said to him: "Say: There is no god but Allah سبحانه وتعالى.'" (the man) replied: "There is no god but Allah سبحانه وتعالى." Then He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: 'Say: O’ One who accepts the small and forgives the great, accept from me the small and forgive the great, for You are the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.' (the man) said it, and then He asked him, 'What do you see?' (the man) replied: 'I see two dark figures approaching me.' He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: 'Repeat the supplication.' So he repeated it, and He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: 'What do you see now?' (the man) replied: 'They have moved away from me, and two white figures have come in, and the dark figures have left. I no longer see them, and the white figures are now drawing close to me to take my soul.' The man then passed away thereafter.