the midst of his family." There is no harm in waiting for a duration that allows a group to gather for him, due to the hope of gaining their supplications for him when they pray over him, provided that one does not fear for him [due to decomposition] or that it does not cause hardship to the people. Ahmad stated this explicitly. If the state of the deceased is uncertain, one should look for the appearance of signs of death, such as the relaxation of his feet, the separation of his palms, the leaning of his nose, the extension of the skin of his face, and the sinking of his temples. If he dies suddenly, such as by electrocution (or being struck by lightning/shock), or out of fear of war or a beast, or falls from a mountain, he should be waited for until these signs appear and his death is certain. Al-Hasan said regarding the one struck by such a shock: He should be waited for for three days. Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, said: He might change in the summer within a day and a night. It was said: So what do you say? He replied: He should be left for as long as it is known that he is dead. It was said to him: From morning until night? He said: Yes.

Section: It is recommended to hasten the settlement of his debt, due to what was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The soul of the believer is suspended by his debt until it is paid off for him" (13). Al-Tirmidhi said: This is a hasan (good) hadith. If it is impossible to pay off his debt immediately, it is recommended for his heir or someone else to guarantee it on his behalf, as Abu Qatadah did when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was brought a funeral and did not pray over it; Abu Qatadah said: "Pray over him, O Messenger of Allah, and the debt is upon me." So he prayed over him. Narrated by al-Bukhari (14). It is recommended to hasten