“Two things a human dislikes: death—which for a believer is better than trial—and lack of wealth, which lightens the reckoning.”

Narrated by Aḥmad (no. 23625), from the narration of Maḥmūd ibn Labīd –may Allah be pleased with him–.
Authenticated in Silsilat al-Aḥādīth al-Ṣaḥīḥah (no. 813) and Ṣaḥīḥ al-Targhīb wa al-Tarhīb (no. 3210).

Brief Explanation of the Hadith

The Prophet –may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him– informed in various narrations that this world is a place of trial, affliction, and tribulations, and that being deceived by it or clinging to it is a cause of destruction. He warned his nation against it with the strongest admonition. In this ḥadīth, he explained the nature of human beings: their dislike of death and love of wealth, even though death is better for the believer than falling into trials.
The essence of fitnah (trial) is testing and examination. The term is used in various contexts, such as falling into shirk (associating partners with Allah) or committing major sins. In this context, it may refer to the trials of this world and its adornments, and the preoccupation with wealth and its distractions, which divert the heart from Allah –exalted is He–.
No one in this world is free from trials as long as they are in the realm of accountability (dār al-taklīf); no one is safe from Allah’s decree, and no servant is spared the afflictions that may touch their faith, self, wealth, or family—except whom Allah steadies by His grace. Since this is the case, death is better for the believer than falling into misleading trials, as reflected in the Prophet’s –may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him– supplication: “O Allah, if You intend a trial for Your servants, take me to You without being afflicted by it.”
As for man’s dislike of having little wealth, it is because money is the means of livelihood, and attachment to it is instinctive by nature; through it a person meets their needs and seeks support for their sustenance. Yet the Prophet –may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him– explained that having little wealth is easier for the servant on the Day of Judgment during reckoning, for he will be asked two questions about it: from where did he earn it, and how did he spend it?
The less the wealth, the lighter the questioning and the easier the reckoning, and the owner is relieved of burden, even if the wealth was earned lawfully.
From this comes the name “wealth” (māl), for it inclines hearts away from Allah if its owner does not manage it according to the Shari‘ah, becoming a source of trial in this world and the Hereafter. This emphasizes asceticism regarding worldly possessions and contentment with little, following the example of the Prophet –may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him– who was the most ascetic regarding worldly matters and turned away from them.