Now that death is more painful than this and is more painful...

Now that death is more painful than this and is more painful than all the worldly torments.[^7] He was asked: Why is it that we see (occasionally) an unbeliever, who at the moment of death is not in pain and who dies[^8] while he is relating (stories) or laughing or talking; and the same is the case with some believers. Again both among the believers and unbelievers there are some who endure hardships during the pangs of death.

He said: Whatever happiness the believer enjoys is part of his early reward; and whatever pain he suffers is the forgiveness of his sins. So that he may arrive in the next world in a state of cleanliness, purity and spotlessness, fit for the reward of Allah. And without there being anything to keep him from it.

And whatever of ease is to be found in the case of some unbeliever is the compensation for his good actions in this world, so that when he arrives in the next world, there remains naught to him save that which brings torment on him. And whatever of distress comes upon an unbeliever there (at the moment of death) is the commencement of the punishment of Allah, inasmuch as (the reward) of his good actions is at an end.

That is because Allah, the Mighty and Glorious, is just and does not act wrongfully. Imam Musa bin Ja'far al-Kazim visited a person while he was perspiring during the pangs of death and unable to answer anyone who called him. (Seeing this the persons round about) said: O son of the Messenger of Allah, we wish to know what the condition of our friend is and what death is.

He said: Verily death is a purifier, it purifies the believers from sins; and it is the last pain which afflicts them,[^9] and the atonement of the last sin (or burden) upon them; whereas death separates the unbelievers from their good actions, and is the last delight or favor or comfort which reaches them. It is the last reward in respect of their good acts. As for your companion, he is completely purged from sins,[^10] and completely purified from crimes.

He is cleansed so that he is pure - pure as a garment purified of its filth - and is made fit to associate with us, the People of the House, in our house, the Abode of Eternity. One of the companions of the Imam 'Ali ar-Rida, on whom be peace, fell ill. Imam ar-Rida went to visit him and said to him: How do you find yourself? He said: I met death after you (left me),[^11] meaning the severity of the pain which befell him. The Imam said: how did you find it?[^12] He said: (It was) a severe pain.