Is The Smile On The Face Of A Dead Person an Indication Of Good Ending ?

Question:

Is The Smile On The Face Of A Dead Person An Indication Of Husn Al Khātimah (I.E. Good Ending Of One’s Worldly Life)?

Shaykh Muhammad Al-Wassãbi :

Husn al-khātimah has been mentioned in various hadīths. So we should rely solely on what was reported from the Messenger (peace be upon him) regarding it and should not add to it based on opinion. From the opinion-based signs of husn al-khātimah is the dead person being light. Some people consider this to be from husn al-khātimah— that his body was extremely swift and easy (when carried) over people’s shoulders. This is not a proof. It might be because his body is lean, yet knowing whether or not a person’s actions are righteous is something else.

Ok then what if his body were fat? Would it be said that this is from sū’ al-khātimah (i.e. evil ending)?

Pay no attention to this. Husn al-Khātimah is when (a Muslim) dies while fasting, performing haj, praying, doing jihaad, when he dies upon a good ending, upon a righteous deed. In this case, you say: Maashaallaah! Wishing him good but not affirming Paradise for him. Conversely, sū’ al-khātimah is when one dies while not praying (i.e. abandoning prayer), (visiting) a sorcerer, while drunk, or committing robbery or any forbidden act. However, affirm for him neither Paradise nor Hell.

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