Definition of Death
Death is a certainty decreed by God for all of creation without exception. It is an inevitable reality that entails the separation of the soul from the body, marking the transition from worldly life to the Hereafter. The earthly realm is transient, drawing people in despite its fleeting nature, while the Hereafter is a domain of permanence and stability. Consequently, one faces either suffering and torment or bliss and everlasting joy. Numerous scriptural texts from the Qur’an and the Sunnah substantiate the certainty of death.
Quranic Verses Regarding Death
Below are some notable verses from the Qur’an that discuss the topic of death:
- Allah says: {Every soul shall taste death, and only the Countenance of your Lord, full of glory and honor, will remain}.
- Allah states: {Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you are in fortified towers. And if a good deed touches them, they say, ‘This is from Allah,’ but if an evil befalls them, they say, ‘This is from you.’ Say, ‘All is from Allah.’ So what is [wrong] with those people that they hardly understand a statement?}.
- Allah says: {He Who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deed, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving}.
- Allah proclaims: {And We did not grant immortality to any human before you; so if you die, will they be eternal?}.
- Allah states: {And He is the Subduer over His servants, and He sends guardians over you, until, when death comes to one of you, Our messengers take him, and they do not neglect their duty}.
- Allah says: {Every soul will taste death, and We will test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us will be your return}.
- Allah mentions: {And who is more unjust than one who invents about Allah a lie or says, ‘It has been revealed to me,’ while nothing has been revealed to him, and one who says, ‘I will reveal the like of what Allah has revealed.’ And if you could see when the wrongdoers are in the pangs of death, and the angels extending their hands, [saying], ‘Discharge your souls! Today you will be awarded the punishment of degradation for what you used to say against Allah unrightfully and for your turning away from His verses.’}.
- Allah says: {Say, ‘The Angel of Death, who is assigned to you, will take you; then to your Lord, you will be returned.’}.
- Allah mentions: {And if you could see when the angels take the souls of those who disbelieve, striking their faces and their backs, [and saying], ‘Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire.’}.
- Allah declares: {Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that have not died during their sleep. He keeps that for which He has decreed death and sends the others for a specified term. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who give thought.}.
- Allah says: {So why, when it has [reached] the throat, and you are at that moment looking on – and We are nearer to it than you, but you do not see – why not, if you are not to be compensated? Return it, if you should be among the truthful?}.
- Allah mentions: {And the agony of death has come with truth; that is what you were trying to avoid.}.
- Allah states: {No! When it has reached the collarbones and it is said, ‘Who will cure?’ and the expiring brings together the leg with the leg; to your Lord, that Day will be the procession.}.
- Allah proclaims: {And it is not for a soul to die except by permission of Allah at a decree determined. And whoever desires the reward of this world – We will give him thereof; and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter – We will give him thereof. And We will reward the grateful.}.
- Allah says: {Indeed, Allah has knowledge of the Hour and sends down the rain and knows what is in the wombs. And no soul knows what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul knows in what land it will die. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.}.
- Allah states: {And do not think that those who have been killed in the cause of Allah are dead; rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision.}.
- Allah declares: {And for every nation is a term; so when their term comes, they will not remain behind an hour, nor will they precede [it].}.
- Allah says: {Every soul will taste death. And you will be given your full compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is removed from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has indeed attained [his desire]. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.}.
- Allah states: {Say, ‘Indeed, the death from which you flee – indeed, it will meet you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you of what you used to do.’}.
- Allah says: {And do not say about those who are killed in the cause of Allah, ‘They are dead.’ Rather, they are alive, but you perceive [it] not.}.
- Allah states: {And Allah will never delay a soul when its time has come, and Allah is Acquainted with what you do.}.
- Allah proclaims: {Those whom the angels take in death, [being] pure, they say, ‘Peace be upon you; enter Paradise for what you used to do.’}.
- Allah mentions: {And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.}.
Hadith About Death
One notable Hadith emphasizes the importance of remembering death. It has been reported by Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “I came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) among ten men. A man from the Ansar said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, who is the wisest of people and the most prudent?’ The Prophet replied, ‘The one who remembers death the most and prepares for it the most; those are the wise ones who have achieved the honor of this world and the dignity of the Hereafter.'” The term ‘wise’ refers to a person who is intelligent, well-mannered, and perceptive.