When al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī was on his deathbed, a few of his companions came upon him. They said: “Supply us with some words by which Allāh—the Exalted in Might—may make beneficial to us. He replied: “Indeed, I shall supply you with three statements after which you must stand up and leave me to face that which I find myself currently confronted with.

• As for what you have been forbidden from, be from among the most severe people in your abandonment of it.
• As for the acts of righteousness you have been ordered to engage in, be from among the most habitual, continual, eager, and arduous in your engagement with those acts.
• And know well that your steps are either for your benefit or your detriment. So examine and contemplate well the places you go to and fro.”

Al-Ḥasan ibn Dīnār said: Al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī would continually lose and regain consciousness [on his deathbed], all the while he would say: “Patience, expectation of reward, and complete submission to the order of Allāh”, until his soul was taken—may Allāh have mercy on him.

Source: Al-Thabāt: 136
Translated by: Riyāḍ al-Kanadī