Question
Please quote the Hadith and reference about death being a gift for the Believer.
Answer
Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded the following Hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (radiyallahu ‘anhuma). Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Death is a gift for a Believer”
(Al Mu’jamul Kabir; Refer: Targhib, vol. 4 pg. 335 and Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 2 pg. 320)
‘Allamah Mundhiri and Hafiz Haythami (rahimahumallah) have declared the chain of narrators reliable.
This Hadith has also been recorded in other Hadith collections. ‘Allamah ‘Iraqi (rahimahullah) has declared one chain sound. (This could possibly be the chain in Tabarani referred to above).
(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 4 pg. 319, Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 9418 and 9730. Refer: Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 4341. Also see: Fathul Wahhab, vol. 1 pg. 147/148 and Al Mudawi, Hadith: 3257/1395 Ahmad Siddiq Al Ghumari)
‘Allamah Munawi (rahimahullah) explains that since death frees a person from the hardships of this world and is a means of reaching the Hereafter, it is regarded as a gift. Were it not for death, Jannah would have not been created.
(Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 3257)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar