It is recommended for the family of the sick, his friends and those who wish him good to remind him to strive to repent to Allah, SubhanaHu wata’ala (SWT) and to feel remorse over what he has neglected in regard to Allah SWT. They should encourage him to be determined to obey Allah SWT and to compensate the injustices done to servants, returning their rights no matter how small, because the rights of Allah SWT are built upon forgiveness, and the rights of servants are built on disputes.
Verily repentance is required of every believing person as Allah SWT says in the Quraan: “And all of you repent to Allah, O believers, so that you may be successful” (Surah Al- Nur: 31)
Repentance is more obligatory upon the sick, he requires it more, and the reward for it is great. Losing the opportunity to repent causes great loss, thus, it is best he repents before it is too late, as Allah SWT says “And repentance is not for those who commit wrong and then death approaches them, and they say I have repented now” (Surah Nisa: 18).
Therefore, it is important for the sick to have a will, if he has not already made one, as the prophet said ﷺ “It is not befitting for a Muslim who has anything concerning which a will should be made, to abide for two nights without having a written will with him.” [agreed upon, ibn Umar Hadith- See Al Lulu’ Wa al Marjaan: 1052].
However, if it is written for the sick person to be cured from his sickness by the will of Allah SWT, it is better to remind him of his loyalty to Allah SWT for what He has given him during his sickness- from repentance and good deeds. He should thank Allah SWT and be loyal to his promise. It is important for the sick person to keep his promise, for Allah SWT has said “And keep your promises verily the promise will be questioned.” (Surah Al Isra: 34).
Allah SWT has praised those who are God fearing and righteous in the verse “And those who keep their promises if they keep them.”
The scholars have said: The sick should be concern about improving their manners, and he should avoid confrontation and arguments in matters considering worldly life. He should mentally prepare himself by thinking about how these are his final moments and how he should end his life by doing good deeds to add to his scale. He should ask forgiveness from his wife, his children, all of his family, his workers, his neighbours, and his friends, and anyone who he has any relationship with. He should try his best to reconcile with them.
Additionally, he should devote his time to reading the Qura’an, and remembering Allah SWT, reading the sayings of the pious people and their state before death, he should be mindful of the prayer, and he should stay away from impurity that would prevent him from fulfilling his religious duties.
Furthermore, he should not accept the sayings of naysayers in that matter, for that is what he has been burdened with, and the naysayer is the ignorant friend and the hidden enemy. He should advise his family to be patient upon him, and not to wail over him as this is one of the practices of the times before Islam, likewise crying excessively should be avoided. He should also advise them to leave the innovative practices done on funerals, but they should instead make dua (pray) for him, because the prayer of the living benefits the dead (See Al-Majmou 118/5, 119)
And from the valid evidence: Man should strive to end his time on this earth performing good, because verily actions are how they are ended, and from the saying: “Oh Allah Make the best of my life its end” – [ classified as a weak hadith by al Haythami in al-Majma’ 113/10]
In a similar narration on this matter, the hadith of Anas: “When Allah wants good for a slave, He puts him in action.” It was said: “How does he put him in action O Messenger Of Allah?” He said: “By making him meet up with the righteous deeds before death.” [classified as authentic by Al tirmidhi – hadith 2142]. In another version of the narration, instead of “put him in action” it is said: (commend him) that his status is risen among the people.
Also, the hadith of Abu Umamah: “ If Allah SWT wished His slave good He would purify him before his death” Abu Umamah was asked “and how is the slave purified?” He replied “ Good deeds that he is inspired by until death takes him” (attributed in al-Jami’ as-Sagheer to Tabarani, hadith 306).