Informed at Time of Death

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “He who loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him; and he who dislikes meeting Allah, Allah abhors meeting him.” I (Aishah) said: “O Messenger of Allah! So far as the feeling of aversion to death is concerned, we all have this feeling.” Thereupon the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “I do not mean that. What I meant is that when a (true) believer is given the glad tidings of the Mercy of Allah, His Pleasures and His Jannah (at the time of death), he loves to meet Allah, and Allah also loves to meet him. When a disbeliever is given the news of the Torment of Allah and His Wrath (at the time of death), he dislikes to meet Allah and Allah also abhors to meet him.” [Sahih Muslim]

Abu Hazim was asked: “How will the returning to Allah be like?” He said: “As for the obedient, his return is like that of a loved one who was absent, so his family is eager for his return. As for the sinner, it will be like the return of a slave, who ran away, when he returns to his angry master.” [quoted in Silent Moments by Abdul-Malik Al-Qasim, page 114]

This hadith tells us that the glad tidings of Jannah are given to believers at the time of their death. A believer, therefore, starts longing to meet Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) as a result of the good news he/she has received.

Prophets are the only people who are given the choice by Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) at the time of their death, to choose between remaining on earth longer or returning to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). Nothing is dearer to a Momin than returning to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) and escaping the trial of life, which he spent in constant hardship, straining to avoid the temptations of the Shaytaan.

Rasul Allah’s last words and motions were the affirmation of his desire to meet Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) in preference to staying on earth. He raised his hand or his finger up, looked upwards to the ceiling and moved his lips. So Aisha (radi Allahu anha) listened to him. She heard him say: “With those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, with the Prophets and the Truthful ones (As-Siddeeqeen), the martyrs and the good doers. O Allah, forgive me and have mercy upon me and join me to the Companionship on high.” [Sahih Bukhari] Then at intervals he uttered these words: “The most exalted Companionship on high. To Allah we turn and to Him we turn back for help and last abode.” [Sahih Bukhari]

Safwan bin Saleem said, “Death carries relief to the believer from the afflictions of this life, even though death has its agonies and calamities,” his eyes then became tearful. [As-Siyar, vol. 5, p. 366. Quoted in Silent Moments]

On the other hand, at the time of a disbeliever’s death he/she receives the terrible news of Jahannum’s punishment in store for him/her. He/she regrets having lost the chance to act righteously. They missed preparing for the life that they will now enter. A disbeliever, therefore, hates to die, so that he/she may escape Allah's punishment. They hate to go from what they have built (their temporary life) to what they have destroyed (their everlasting life).