"Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him, and whoever hates to meet Allah, Allah hates to meet him."
Hadith Commentary: The Meeting with Allah
This profound narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i (1836) addresses the fundamental attitude a believer should cultivate toward the ultimate encounter with the Creator. The scholars explain that "loving to meet Allah" refers to eagerly anticipating the pleasure of divine vision in the Hereafter and yearning for Allah's mercy and paradise.
Spiritual Interpretation
Imam an-Nawawi clarifies that this love manifests through sincere worship, avoiding disobedience, and constantly preparing for death through righteous deeds. The "hatred" mentioned refers to those who neglect their religious obligations and fear punishment due to their spiritual negligence.
Scholarly Consensus
Classical commentators including Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali emphasize that this hadith establishes a reciprocal relationship between the servant and Allah. As one purifies their intention and increases in devotion, their longing for the divine encounter naturally intensifies, earning them Allah's pleasure both in this world and the next.
Practical Implications
This teaching from The Book of Funerals reminds believers to regularly reflect on death and the afterlife. The righteous predecessors would say: "He who remembers death frequently is honored with three things: quick repentance, contentment of heart, and vigor in worship." This hadith thus serves as both a warning and an encouragement for spiritual preparation.