Love of the world and fleeing from death

It has been reported from the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) that a time is to come for my Ummah when other nations will, taking (you) as a delicious morsel, rush open you just as people do on dining tables. “Someone asked, O Messenger of ALLAH! Shall our number be reduced at that time to such an extent that in order to devour us, other nations will unite and rush upon us?” The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, “At that time your number will not be little but you will be weightless like straw floating on flood (water) and that your awe will get out of the hearts of your enemy and cowardice and low spirits will find a place in your hearts”. On this a person enquired “What will be the cause of this cowardice (finding a place in the hearts?) The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) replied, “Because you will start loving the world and will flee from death and will hate it”. [Abu Daud, Ma’arif-ul-Hadis]

Hadrat Anas (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that the Apostle of ALLAH said, “A time is coming to men when he who adheres to his religion will be like one who seizes live coal in his fist.” (i.e. Just as it is difficult to retain live coal in hand, so it would be difficult to adhere to religion). [Tirmizi, Mishkat]