Ruling on Reciting Surat Yasin for the Dying

Q: Is it permissible to recite Surat (Yasin) at the time of death?

A: Reciting Surat (Yasin) at the time of death is mentioned in a hadith of Ma'qil ibn Yasar, in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: A group of scholars graded it as authentic, believing its chain to be good and that it was narrated by Abu Uthman al-Nahdi from Ma'qil ibn Yasar. Others weakened it, stating that the narrator is not Abu Uthman al-Nahdi but another unknown person. Therefore, the well-known hadith on this matter is weak due to the obscurity of Abu Uthman, so it is not recommended to recite it for the dying. Those who recommended it did so because they thought the hadith was authentic. However, reciting the Qur'an for the sick person is a good thing, and perhaps Allah will benefit him through it. As for specifying Surat (Yasin), the basis is that the hadith is weak, so there is no basis for specifying it.