Do Not Wish for Death: The Hadith and the Dua to Say Instead
When life feels too heavy, a person may say “I wish I were dead.” The Prophet ﷺ taught us not to wish for death because of hardship, and he explained why with real mercy: every extra day of a believer’s life is a chance for more good. He also gave us a dua to say instead, which leaves the choice to Allah.
At a glance
- Source: Sahih Muslim 2682 and Sahih al-Bukhari 5671
- Narrated by: Abu Hurairah and Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with them)
- Grade: Sahih (Muslim and Bukhari)
- Topic: Not wishing for death; patience in hardship
- Put it into practice: Learn the dua from Bukhari 5671 for hard days
The hadith: do not wish for death
لاَ يَتَمَنَّى أَحَدُكُمُ الْمَوْتَ وَلاَ يَدْعُ بِهِ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُ إِنَّهُ إِذَا مَاتَ أَحَدُكُمُ انْقَطَعَ عَمَلُهُ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَزِيدُ الْمُؤْمِنَ عُمْرُهُ إِلاَّ خَيْرًا
Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said: “None amongst you should make a request for death, and do not call for it before it comes, for when any one of you dies, he ceases (to do good) deeds and the life of a believer is not prolonged but for goodness.”
Sahih Muslim 2682 · Narrated by Abu Hurairah · Translation adapted from Sunnah.com
The reason is in the hadith itself. Our deeds stop when we die, and for a believer, a longer life only means more good: more prayers, more dhikr, more kindness, more chances to be forgiven.
Either more good, or a chance to repent
In another narration the Prophet ﷺ said that there is hope in more life, whoever we are:
لاَ يَتَمَنَّى أَحَدُكُمُ الْمَوْتَ إِمَّا مُحْسِنًا فَلَعَلَّهُ يَزْدَادُ، وَإِمَّا مُسِيئًا فَلَعَلَّهُ يَسْتَعْتِبُ
“None of you should long for death, for if he is a good man, he may increase his good deeds, and if he is an evil-doer, he may stop the evil deeds and repent.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 7235 · Translation from Sunnah.com
So no one is “too far gone” for more time to matter. A good person can add to their good, and someone who has made mistakes can still turn back to Allah.
The dua to say instead
The Prophet ﷺ knew that hardship can be overwhelming, so he did not just forbid the wish; he gave us words to say:
لاَ يَتَمَنَّيَنَّ أَحَدُكُمُ الْمَوْتَ مِنْ ضُرٍّ أَصَابَهُ، فَإِنْ كَانَ لاَ بُدَّ فَاعِلاً فَلْيَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ أَحْيِنِي مَا كَانَتِ الْحَيَاةُ خَيْرًا لِي، وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا كَانَتِ الْوَفَاةُ خَيْرًا لِي
“None of you should wish for death because of a calamity befalling him; but if he has to wish for death, he should say: O Allah! Keep me alive as long as life is better for me, and let me die if death is better for me.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 5671 · Narrated by Anas ibn Malik · Translation from Sunnah.com
اللَّهُمَّ أَحْيِنِي مَا كَانَتِ الْحَيَاةُ خَيْرًا لِي، وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا كَانَتِ الْوَفَاةُ خَيْرًا لِي
Allahumma ahyini ma kanatil-hayatu khayran li, wa tawaffani idha kanatil-wafatu khayran li
O Allah! Keep me alive as long as life is better for me, and let me die if death is better for me.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5671 · Translation from Sunnah.com
This dua hands the matter back to Allah, who knows what is best for us. It turns a moment of despair into an act of trust.
Remembering death the right way
Islam does not ask us to ignore death. Allah reminds us:
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۖ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ ٱلنَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلْغُرُورِ
Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.
Surah Ali Imran 3:185 · Translation: Saheeh International (Quran.com)
Remembering death should make us use our time well, not wish our time away. The believer prepares for death by living fully for Allah.
If you are struggling: if you are going through something so heavy that you find yourself wishing you were not alive, please do not carry it alone. Talk to someone you trust, your local imam, or a doctor or counselor. If you feel you might act on these thoughts, contact your local emergency number or a crisis line right away. Seeking help is part of trusting Allah, not a lack of it.
Key lessons
- The Prophet ﷺ forbade wishing for death because of hardship.
- A believer’s life only adds good: more deeds, or more chances to repent.
- Instead, say: O Allah, keep me alive as long as life is better for me.
- Patience, dua and asking for help are the believer’s response to trials.
Questions people ask
Is it allowed to wish for death in Islam?
The Prophet ﷺ said none of us should wish for death because of a calamity (Sahih al-Bukhari 5671) and explained that a believer’s life only adds good (Sahih Muslim 2682). For personal situations, ask a qualified scholar.
What dua should I say instead of wishing for death?
Allahumma ahyini ma kanatil-hayatu khayran li, wa tawaffani idha kanatil-wafatu khayran li: O Allah, keep me alive as long as life is better for me, and let me die if death is better for me (Sahih al-Bukhari 5671).
Why should we not wish for death?
Because deeds end with death. A good person may add to their good, and a wrongdoer may repent (Sahih al-Bukhari 7235).
May Allah grant us patience in hardship, long lives filled with good deeds, and a good ending when our time comes.
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