Question

Is there any Hadith regarding ifaqatul mayyit about a person becoming better or showing signs of recovery before passing away?

 

Answer

I have not come across any Hadith which explicitly mentions this. This is usually referred to as ‘Ifaqatul Muhtadar’ (إفاقة المحتضر) or ‘Sahwatul mawt’ (صحوة الموت).

Imam Ibnul Jawzi (rahimahullah) has alluded to something similar in Saydul Khatir, without mentioning any narrations.

(Saydul Khatir, pg. 161)

 

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also experienced this. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radiyallahu ‘anhu) was leading the Fajr Salah on the morning that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) departed from this temporary abode. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) opened his curtain and ushered him to continue leading the Salah. The Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum) were overjoyed thinking that he recovered.

(Refer: As Siratun Nabawiyyah Fi Daw-il Qurani Was Sunnah, vol. 2 pg. 593)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar