Can the story of an imam who apostatized from Islam and died as a disbeliever be relied upon for lessons and admonitions?

Stories have a profound impact on education and guidance, and they are frequently mentioned in the Quran. In the story of the man in Egypt who committed to the mosque for the adhan (call to prayer) and prayer, and who radiated the beauty of worship, it is narrated that he saw the daughter of a Christian homeowner. He became infatuated with her, abandoned the adhan, went down to her, and sought to marry her. He converted to Christianity to marry her, then died by falling from the roof of the house. Thus, he died having neither his religion nor her.

Similarly, Ibn al-Jawzi in Dhamm al-Hawa, Ibn Hajar al-Haytami in az-Zawajir, Ibn Hibban in al-Majruheen, and Ibn Kathir in al-Bidaya wa an-Nihaya narrated similar stories. Among them is the story of Abdah ibn Abd al-Rahim, who was one of the mujahidin. When the Muslims besieged a city in the land of Rome, he looked at one of its women and fell in love with her. He converted to Christianity and married her. The Muslims denounced him for this, to which he replied: "Know that I have forgotten the entire Quran except for His saying: "Perhaps those who disbelieved will wish they had been Muslims. Let them eat and enjoy themselves and be diverted by [false] hope, for they are going to know." And I have acquired wealth and children among them."

All these stories illustrate the importance of taking heed from endings and fearing an evil ending.