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Is the repentance of one who repented from sins and abandoning prayer and fasting at the throes of death accepted, while he does not know that these are the throes of death, but rather thinks that he is still alive?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Scholars unanimously agree on the acceptance of a servant's repentance as long as they have not yet rattled, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Indeed, Allah accepts the repentance of a servant as long as he has not yet rattled," and based on Allah’s Almighty saying: "But repentance is not for those who do evil deeds until, when death approaches one of them, he says, 'Indeed, I have repented now.'"

If the intention of "intoxication" (sakrah) is the death rattle (ghargharah) and the soul reaching the throat, then repentance at that point is neither beneficial nor accepted. However, if the intention is fainting or unconsciousness that subsides before the onset of the death rattle, then it appears that it does not prevent the acceptance of repentance, as in the story of the Jewish boy who embraced Islam before his death. There is no consideration for a person not knowing that he will die when the death rattle is present.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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