It is narrated from Abdur Rahman bin Shamasah that when the time of death approached for Sayyiduna Amr bin Al-Aas (may Allah be pleased with him), he was overcome with weeping. His son Abdullah said to him: "Why are you crying? Is it because of the fear of death?" He replied: "No, by Allah, not because of death, but because of the stages that come after death." Abdullah said: "You have performed many good deeds," and then he began to remind him of the moments spent in the company of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and his conquests in Syria. Sayyiduna Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "You have left out the best thing of all—that I have professed and acknowledged the testimony of faith. There are three stages of my life, and in each stage I have known myself. In the first stage, I was a disbeliever and a fierce enemy of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). If I had died in that state, Hell would have been obligatory upon me. When I pledged allegiance at the hand of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), I felt the greatest awe of him. I never looked at the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) with a full gaze, and whatever I wished to ask him, I would never ask a second time. This continued until the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) passed on to Allah. This was due to my shyness before him. If I had died in those days, people would have said: 'Congratulations to Amr, he became a Muslim and lived the best life; Paradise is hoped for him.' After that, I became a ruler and was involved in many affairs. I do not know whether those matters will be established in my favor or against me. When I die, do not weep over me at all, and do not let any eulogizer or anyone carrying fire go with my funeral. Shroud me well, for Allah's angels will take a strict account from me, and cover me well with earth, for surely my right side does not deserve more earth than my left side. And do not place wood or stone on my grave. When you have finished burying me, remain by my grave for as long as it takes to slaughter a camel and prepare its meat, so that I may feel some comfort from your presence."