40 – On the authority of Anas—may Allah be pleased with him—the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “None of you should wish for death because of a hardship that has befallen him. If he must do so, then let him say: ‘Allāhumma aḥyinī mā kānati’l-ḥayātu khayran lī, watawaffanī idhā kānatil-wafātu khayran lī’ (O Allah, keep me alive so long as life is better for me, and cause me to die when death is better for me).” Agreed upon.

In this ḥadith the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbids a person to long for death on account of some harm that has descended upon him. A calamity may strike a servant, overwhelm his strength, and exhaust him, so he begins to yearn for death and says, “Lord, take my soul,” whether the words leave his tongue or remain confined to his heart. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), however, prohibited that, saying, “None of you should wish for death because of a hardship that has befallen him,” for that very hardship may turn out to be good for him.

If you are afflicted, then instead say: “O Allah, help me to persevere through it,” until Allah supports you and enables you to be patient; that will be better for you. Wishing for death is unwise, for you do not know—death might be worse for you and bring no relief. As the poet said:

Laysa man māta fasta rāḥa bimayyit;
Innamā’l-mayyitu mayyitu’l-aḥyā’
(The one who dies and then finds rest is not truly dead;
The truly dead are the living whose hearts are lifeless.)

A person may die only to move—Allah’s refuge is sought—into retribution and the torment of the grave. Yet if he remains in this world, he might be granted the chance to seek pardon, repent, and return to Allah, and that would be far better for him. Therefore, when adversity strikes, do not wish for death. If the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade a person to wish for death merely because of the distress that has come upon him, then how about someone who