Q- A famous Hadith is attributed to Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): “Die before you die” موتوا قبل ان تموتوا. Though it has no chain, What/who is the earliest source of this saying?
Allamah Sakhawi (rahimahullah) has cited Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) to have stated that this is not proven as a Hadith. (Al-Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 1211)
Although I haven’t come across this as the specific statement of anyone, Mulla ‘Ali Qari (Rahimahullah) has mentioned it to be from amongst the proverbs and sayings of the Sufis.(See Al-Asrarul Marfu’ah, Hadith: 539). This statement may be quoted as a general encouragement for this noble deed, without attributing it to Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam).
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
3 links below
https://hadithanswers.com/clarification-regarding-the-narration-die-before-you-die/
https://hadithanswers.com/prepare-for-death/
https://hadithanswers.com/prepare-for-death-before-you-pass-away/