Chapter on Guiding the Dying, Positioning Them at Death, Procedures for Their Final Moments, Washing Them, and Placing Them in Shrouds

The Shaykh (Al-Mufid), may Allah سبحانه وتعالى support him, narrated to me from Abu al-Qasim Ja‘far ibn Muhammad, from his father, from Sa‘d ibn ‘Abdullah, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa, from Ibn Sinan, from Muhammad ibn ‘Atiyyah: He (Muhammad ibn ‘Atiyyah) said: "When you bring your brother to the grave, do not lower him suddenly. Place him about two or three arm-lengths below the edge of the grave so that he may be prepared. Then place him in his niche (Lahd) and press his cheek against the ground. Uncover his face. The one closest to him should stand near his head. Then recite Surat al-Fatiha, Surat al-Ikhlas (Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad), the two protective Surahs (al-Mu‘awwidhatayn), and Ayat al-Kursi. After that, let him say whatever supplications he knows until he completes them for the deceased."