What befalls the Muslim at the time of death in the severity of the dying process, which expiates his sins

Question:
May Allah reward you with good and do you good. If a person suffers severe hardship at the time of his death, is that an expiation for his sins? And what is the lesson to be drawn from that? May Allah reward you with good?

Answer:
A believer is not struck by fatigue or illness, not even a thorn that pricks him, except that Allah the Exalted expiates some of his sins thereby, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said. Thus, the illness, injuries, and calamities that befall him are all expiations for his sins and a raising of his ranks with Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He. Included in this is the severity of the dying process that befalls him at death, for that is something for which Allah rewards him and by which He expiates his sins.