Musnad Ahmad

When the time of death approached for Hazrat Amr bin Aas (may Allah be pleased with him), he was overcome with weeping. His son, Hazrat Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him), asked him, "Why are you crying? Do you feel apprehension about death?" He replied, "By Allah! Not from death, but from the matters that will occur after death." His son said, "You remained steadfast upon goodness." Then he mentioned the companionship of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the conquests of Syria. Hazrat Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "You have left out the best thing, that is, the testimony of 'There is no god but Allah.' I have had three states, and in each state I know about myself. First, I was a disbeliever and among all people the most severe against the Prophet (peace be upon him). If I had died in that state, Hell would have been obligatory for me. When I pledged allegiance to the Prophet, I was more modest before him than anyone else. For this reason, I never looked at the Prophet (peace be upon him) with full gaze, nor did I ever respond to him in my desires, until he joined Allah the Exalted. If I had died in that time, people would have said, 'Congratulations to Amr, he accepted Islam, he was upon goodness, he died in that state, it is hoped that he will attain Paradise.' Then I became involved in government and other matters. Now I do not know whether this is a cause of punishment or reward for me. But when I die, do not weep over me, do not bring any praiser or fire with the funeral, tie my lower garment tightly because I will be questioned, throw earth over me gently and scatter it all around, for the right side has no more right than the left side. Do not fix any wood or stone on my grave, and when you have finished covering me with the earth, stay at my grave for as long as it takes to slaughter a camel and distribute its meat, so that I may find comfort with you."