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Praise be to Allah, the Ever-Living who does not die, and peace and blessings upon him who embodied the finest qualities. This is an article about death: its meaning, some of its attributes, and a reminder of it before we encounter it
The Meaning of Death
Linguistically, death means stillness and the cessation of strength. Technically, it is the departure of the soul from the body
A Recurrent, Inevitable Event That Affects Everyone
Death is a recurrent event in our daily lives, with global statistics indicating that two people die every second, excluding wartime fatalities. Death is a mysterious phenomenon, affecting everyone regardless of age, social or financial status, or health. It encompasses the young and old, rich and poor, strong and weak, healthy and ill. All are powerless before it; there is no escape, delay, or mediation, as Allah says, “When their time comes, they cannot delay it for a single moment nor can they advance it” [An-Nahl 16:61]
It is a definitive truth, determined by the appointed time from the Lord of the worlds, as Allah states, “And no soul can die except by Allah’s permission, at a decreed time” [Aal Imran 3:145]. Each soul will taste death and will be recompensed on the Day of Resurrection, and he who is removed from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has indeed succeeded, as the worldly life is only a delusion of enjoyment [Aal Imran 3:185]. Death will inevitably come to all; humans and jinn alike, as Allah says, “Every soul on earth will taste death” [Ar-Rahman 55:26]. It is inevitable, even if one takes refuge in fortified towers, as Allah says, “Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you are within lofty towers” [An-Nisa 4:78]
Allah, the Exalted, says to those who try to evade and flee from death, *"Say, indeed, the death from which you flee — it will surely meet you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you about what you used to do"* (Quran, Surah Al-Jumu'ah, 62:8). Even if some people are deeply invested in anti-aging remedies, assuming they might be beneficial, they will inevitably face death, either through their own end or the end of the universe, as confirmed by divine law and scientific knowledge. Death is unstoppable, as the Almighty indicates in *"Say, then avert death from yourselves if you should be truthful"* (Quran, Surah Aal-e-Imran, 3:168), and in *"Say, never will fleeing benefit you if you flee from death"* (Quran, Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:16)
The timing or place of death is unknown to humankind. As Allah says, "And no soul knows what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul knows in what land it will die" (Quran, Surah Luqman, 31:34)
Given that death overtook even the Prophet Muhammad, it will inevitably befall everyone else. Allah says to him, “You are to die, and they are to die” [Az-Zumar 39:30]. It is futile to seek eternity, for as Allah says, “We have not granted immortality to any human before you” [Al-Anbiya 21:34]
And in a rhetorical question to those who deny or overlook this truth, Allah says: "And We did not grant to any human before you immortality; so if you die, would they be immortal?" (Quran, Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:34)
Prepare for the Afterlife
Since death is inevitable, every person should prepare for what follows it. The Prophet said, “Every soul sets out, either liberating itself or bringing about its ruin.” With death, one either transitions from the difficulties of this life to the eternity and perfect pleasure of the Hereafter and the gracious companionship with the Lord of creation, or to consequences of sins and punishments in the Fire
Death is a critical matter if not given its due attention. Each moment of life counts either for or against a person. "If we reflect, we find that a single year contains millions of moments. Let a person be wary of allowing their time to pass in ways that harm them and instead preserve it, investing it in all that brings beauty and benefit in both this world and the hereafter. For once death comes, they will no longer be able to act, as God says about some: 'Until, when death comes to one of them, they say, "My Lord, send me back so that I may do good in that which I have left behind." No! It is but a word he speaks, and behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected.' [Al-Mu'minun, 99-100]. With death, deeds come to an end, but those who are mindful strive to leave lasting impacts that continue to bring them rewards, as God says: 'And enduring good deeds are better with your Lord in reward and better in hope.' [Al-Kahf 18:46]. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: 'When a person dies, all their deeds cease except for three: ongoing charity, knowledge from which people benefit, or a righteous child who prays for them' (agreed upon). It is unfortunate and regrettable for a person to leave behind negative effects that increase their sins after death, as indicated by God’s words: 'Indeed, it is We who bring the dead to life and record what they have put forth and their traces, and all things We have enumerated in a clear record.' [Ya-Sin 36:12]."
Lessons and Reflections on Death
Death holds numerous lessons, bringing severe grief and painful loss for some, and a significant reminder of the reality of this life and accepting Allah's decree for others. Regardless of a person's status, it is impermissible to fall into despair upon losing someone or to stop performing good deeds because of it. Allah says, “Muhammad is no more than a Messenger; other Messengers have passed on before him. If he dies or is killed, will you turn back on your heels? And whoever turns back on his heels will not harm Allah at all; and Allah will reward the grateful."” [Aal Imran 3:144]
If the warning against such behavior is related to the death of the best of creation (peace be upon him), then it is even more so when it concerns others, whether they are a father, mother, spouse, child, or anyone else. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Two matters are considered disbelief among people: lamenting over the deceased and disparaging lineage' (Muslim: 139). It is not a characteristic of a believer to become weakened by the death of someone or to question divine decree with 'if only' (in regret), as this is a trait of disbelievers. Allah describes some of them when they lamented the death of others by saying, 'If they had been with us, they would not have died' (Al-Imran 3:156)
The point is that life does not stop for anyone's death; everyone is on their way to their Lord and meeting Him. The blame lies with the living who do not prepare themselves for what comes after death
The Final Moments
No one knows for certain how their last moments will be. However, the wise seek a good ending and prepare for it. Allah describes the state of the righteous at the time of death, “Indeed those who have said: Our Lord is Allah and then remained on a right course - the angels will descend upon them [saying]: Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise which you were promised. We [angels] were your allies in worldly life and [are so] in the Hereafter And you will have therein whatever your souls desire and you will have therein whatever you request [or wish]. As accommodation from a [Lord who is] Forgiving and Merciful” [Fussilat 41:30-32]. For the wrongdoers, Allah describes their agony, “And if you could but see when the wrongdoers are in the overwhelming pangs of death while the angels extend their hands [saying] "Discharge your souls Today you will be awarded the punishment of [extreme] humiliation for what you used to say against Allah other than the truth and [that] you were toward His verses being arrogant” [Al-An’am 6:93]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "When a person dies, angels come to him. If he is a righteous person, they say: 'O good soul, that was in the good body, come out in a good manner, and rejoice with a spirit and fragrance, and a Lord who is not angry.' This continues to be said until his soul is taken out, and then it ascends to the heavens. They seek permission to enter, and it is asked: 'Who is this?' They reply: 'So-and-so.' The angels say: 'Welcome to the good soul that was in the good body; enter in a good manner and rejoice with a spirit and fragrance, and a Lord who is not angry.' This continues until it reaches the sky where Allah, the Exalted, is
If he is a wicked person, they say: 'O evil soul, that was in the evil body, come out in a despicable manner, and rejoice with boiling water and purulent fluid, and others like it.' The soul continues to be taken out, and then it ascends to the heavens. They seek permission to enter, and it is asked: 'Who is this?' They reply: 'So-and-so.' The angels say: 'No welcome to the evil soul that was in the evil body; return in a despicable manner, for the doors of the heavens will not be opened for you.' It is then sent down from the heavens and goes to the grave. The righteous man is sat and told the same as in the first narration, and the wicked man is sat told the same as in the first narration."
Among the matters related to the moments of departure is that a person should make a will before death if they have rights owed to them or if they owe rights to others. This is one of the practices of the prophets, peace be upon them. Allah says about Ibrahim (Abraham) and his sons in their will regarding Islam: 'And Ibrahim instructed his sons, and so did Yaqub (Jacob). O my sons, indeed Allah has chosen for you this religion, so do not die except while you are Muslims' (Al-Baqarah 2:132)."
Death is the beginning of a life that is either better or worse
Allah says: 'And if you are killed in the cause of Allah or die, then forgiveness from Allah and mercy are better than what they accumulate' (Al-Imran 3:157). With the death of a believer, he transitions to something better than what the people of this world collect. This is one reason why many scholars have stated that it is commendable for a believer to love death. Al-Sam'ani said: 'It is preferable for a believer to love death because through it he is freed from sins and reaches what he loves, if he is destined for good.' Some of the early generations said: 'Only a suspicious person hates death.'
However, loving death does not mean one should seek it before its time, for one is not created to die; rather, death comes at its appointed time. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'None of you should wish for death; if he is a good person, perhaps he will increase in goodness, and if he is a wrongdoer, perhaps he will seek repentance
As for the disbeliever, his ultimate destination is the Fire, where he will remain forever if he dies in disbelief and has received the message (of Islam) or was able to receive it but deliberately turned away from it. Allah says: "Indeed those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers - never would the [whole] capacity of the earth in gold be accepted from one of them if he would [seek to] ransom himself with it For those there will be a painful punishment and they will have no helpers" [Aal-Imran 3:91]
And if a person dies without having received the message (of Islam), or if he received it but did not meet the conditions for understanding it, or if he was prevented by obstacles, then his matter is with Allah. Allah says: 'And We would not punish until We had sent a messenger' (Al-Isra 17:15). And He says: 'Indeed, those who have divided their religion and became sects, you have nothing to do with them. Their affair is with Allah, then He will inform them of what they used to do' (Al-An'am 6:159)
In conclusion: Allah says: 'And fear a Day when you will be returned to Allah. Then every soul will be compensated for what it earned, and they will not be wronged' (Al-Baqarah 2:281)
And the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him, and whoever dislikes to meet Allah, Allah dislikes to meet him' (Agreed upon)."
- "Science Is Making Anti-Aging Progress – But Do We Want to Live Forever?" Harvard Gazette. Retrieved from https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2024/05/science-is-making-anti-aging-progress-but-do-we-want-to-live-forever/.
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