1.         Why do Muslims not make preparation for death, despite knowing that it is inevitable?

2.         You say that beholding the Almighty is the greatest of all favours; then why do you disobey Him?

Sayyiduna Hasan Basri رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه replied: These things belong to deeds, not creed [i.e. beliefs]. You ponder whether you have attained anything by wasting your life in fire-worshipping. A Muslim no matter how poor character he has – at least believes in the Oneness of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. Look! You have worshipped this fire for seventy years. If both of us jump into it, it would burn us equally. Your lifelong fire-worshipping will not protect you from this fire. However, my Lord and Creator عَزَّوَجَلَّ has the power to protect me from it. If He عَزَّوَجَلَّ wills, this fire cannot harm me at all.

Saying this, he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه picked up flames of fire but they did not burn him at all. Seeing this, Sham’oon was very much impressed but responded disappointingly, ‘I worshipped fire for seventy years. Is there any benefit of embracing Islam at deathbed?’ Sayyiduna Hasan Basri رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه continued to make individual effort. At last, the fire-worshipper said, ‘I can become a Muslim on condition that you give me a written agreement, stating that  Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ will forgive all of my sins after I become a Muslim.’ Writing the same subject matter-containing agreement, he handed it over to him. The fire-worshipper said, ‘Enter the evidence of just people in it.’ He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه satisfied this demand of his as well.

Thereafter, he embraced Islam and made a will that Sayyiduna Hasan Basri رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه give Ghusl to him after his death and place the agreement onto his hand so that it serves as a proof for his Islam on the Day of Judgement. Making this will, he recited the Kalimah of Shahadah and passed away. Sayyiduna Hasan Basri رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه executed his will. The same night, he              رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه had a dream in which he saw that the ex-fire-worshipper who had become a newly-reverted Muslim dressed in very precious attire [i.e. clothing] with a studded and attractive crown over his head he was walking in Paradise. He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه asked, ‘How were you treated?’ He replied, ‘The Almighty عَزَّوَجَلَّ forgave me and granted me such rewards that cannot be