عَنْ أَبِي عِنَبَةَ الْخَوْلَانِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ: ((إِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْرًا عَسَلَهُ))، قِيلَ: وَمَا عَسَلَهُ؟ قَالَ: ((يَفْتَحُ اللَّهُ لَهُ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ، ثُمَّ يَقْبِضُهُ عَلَيْهِ))
Sayyiduna Abu Unbah Khaulani (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: When Allah Almighty intends good for a servant, He makes him beloved among the people. Someone asked, "What is meant by making him beloved?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: Allah Almighty grants him the ability to do righteous deeds before his death, and then causes him to die in that state.