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How could it be that an 'Abd ( an obedient servant of Allah ), who has completely reached the state of Ihsān (spiritual excellence) still hates death?


In reply to the following query:
[In the hadith qudsi: "I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him."]
I have read the above hadith many times over the part i don't understand is "he hates death and I hate hurting him" why an Abd who has completely reached the state of Ihsan (spiritual excellence), hates death. Is not death for us muslims a return to our beloved Allah according to Innā Lillāhi- wa innā ilaihi rājiūn.

He hates death because he is not sure of what will follow, just as the Sahaba whose typical state on the deathbed was restlessness between hope and fear.
He also hates death because it is the end of his good works and the beginning of his judgment, in fact death is called the minor Qiyama.
He also hates death because it is a time of trial and the Prophet ﷺ said:

The agony of death is a reality. (sakarat al-mawt haqq)

He also hates death because, as reported from Sayyidina ĘżUthman (ra), the Prophet ﷺ said he had not seen anything more horrific than the questioning of the grave.... Yes there is love of meeting one's Lord, but it is a long way yet between the last breath and that blessed moment.

May Allah ease for us the throes of death; grant us to remember Him in our last breath; widen for us our descent into the earth; console our fear with familiarity inside our grave; make firm our answers to the two angels; be with us with His Mercy upon rising, shade us with His Throne at the Station of Judgment, support us on the Bridge and at the Balance lest we are found wanting and slip, and conduct us safely to Dar al-Qarar to be with the Excellent Company! Amin.

GF Haddad ©

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2000-11-16
latest update: Thu, 12 Feb 2009
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