In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to forget that our time in this world is limited. Many often avoid thinking about this and instead distract themselves with worldly pursuits. The Quran addresses this tendency: You have been distracted by gathering, until you reach the graves. Certainly, you will come to know! (Quran 102:1-3). Islam teaches that death is not the end, but a transition to another phase of existence. Understanding the Islamic perspective on death can offer profound insights, not just for Muslims, but for anyone seeking to live a more meaningful and purposeful life.
The Inevitability of Death: A Wake-Up Call
Whether you are a Muslim, Christian, Jew, or atheist, we all agree on one thing: death is inescapable. The Quran states: Every soul will taste death. Then to Us will you be returned (Quran 29:57). This verse serves as a powerful reminder of our mortality and the temporary nature of worldly life. It encourages us to pause and reflect: Are we living in a way that we’d be content with if today were our last day? Are we prepared for what comes after?
In Islam, the best preparation for death is to live a righteous life. This doesn’t mean a life of austerity or constant seriousness, but rather one of balance, kindness, and mindfulness of our actions and their consequences. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Live in this world as if you are a stranger or a traveler passing through” (Sahih al-Bukhari). This hadith captures the reality of this world – it is like an airport terminal or a bus station. Therefore, one should not be overly obsessed with excessive materialism and instead focus on actions that have lasting spiritual value.
The Moment of Truth
In Islam, the moment of death is when the soul is taken by the Angel of Death, known as Azrael. The Quran describes this moment: He reigns supreme over all of His creation, and sends recording-angels, watching over you. When death comes to any of you, Our angels take their soul, never neglecting this duty (Quran 6:61).
For those who lived righteously, this moment is described as peaceful: Those whose lives the angels take in a state of purity, saying (to them), ‘Peace be on you; enter Paradise, because of (the good) which you did (in the world)’ (Quran 16:32).
Islam provides a vivid description of what occurs at the moment of death, based on teachings attributed to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. The experience is said to differ greatly depending on the person’s faith and deeds in life.
For a person who lived a righteous life, death is described as a peaceful event. According to a saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him:
“When the believing slave is about to depart this world and enter the Hereafter, angels with radiant faces descend from heaven. They bring with them a shroud and perfume from Paradise, and sit as far as the eye can see. The Angel of Death then approaches and sits by the person’s head, saying, ‘O pure soul, come out to the forgiveness and pleasure of Allah.’”
The soul is said to leave the body easily, described as flowing “like a drop of water from a cup.” The angels then take the soul, wrap it in the heavenly shroud, and perfume it with a scent described as the most fragrant musk on earth.
The journey of the soul continues after it leaves the body. The hadith describes:
“The angels ascend with the soul, and as they pass by groups of angels, they are asked, ‘Who is this pure soul?’ They reply with the person’s best names known on earth. Upon reaching each heaven, they request entry, and the gates are opened.”
When the soul reaches the seventh heaven, Allah is said to decree: “Record the book of My slave in ‘Illiyyun (the highest heaven) and return him to the earth. For I created them from it, and to it I shall return them, and from it I shall bring them forth once again.”
In contrast, for those who led a life contrary to Islamic teachings, the experience is described as difficult. The hadith states:
“For the disbeliever, the soul is extracted harshly. As the angels ascend with it, they pass by groups of angels who ask, ‘Who is this evil soul?’ The angels reply using the worst names by which the person was known on earth. When they reach the lowest heaven and request entry, the gates are not opened.”
The Quran is then quoted: For them the gates of heaven will not be opened, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of the needle (Quran 7:40).
Life in the Grave and Beyond
Islam holds that the journey of the soul does not end with death. After burial, it’s believed that two angels, one named Munkar and the other Nakir, question the deceased about their faith. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him said: “When the deceased is buried, two blue-black angels come to him. One is called Munkar and the other Nakir. They ask him, ‘What did you use to say about this man (Prophet Muhammad)?’ He will say what he used to say (in this world): ‘He is the slave of Allah and His Messenger…’” (Tirmidhi)
The soul then enters a state called Barzakh, a period between death and resurrection. The Quran mentions this intermediate state: And behind them is a barrier (barzakh) until the Day they are resurrected (Quran 23:100). While the exact nature of this state is known only to Allah, it’s understood to be a time of waiting until the Day of Judgment.
For the righteous, this period is understood to be one of peace and anticipation of Allah’s mercy. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is reported to have said: “When a believer dies, he is shown his place in Paradise morning and evening” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3240). Conversely, for those who led sinful lives, this period may involve discomfort as a preview of accountability to come.
Reflection and Action: The Time is Now
Reflecting on death prompts us to contemplate the fundamental questions of our existence: Why are we here? Is there a greater purpose to life beyond our daily routines and material pursuits? These thoughts naturally lead us to consider the concept of a higher power or Creator. If there is a God, what is our relationship to this Divine being? How does this relationship, or lack thereof, shape our understanding of life and our place in the universe?
Moreover, pondering death inevitably raises questions about what, if anything, comes after. Is death truly the end, or is it a transition to another form of existence? If there is an afterlife, how does that possibility influence the way we live our lives now? These are not easy questions to grapple with, but they are essential in forming a comprehensive worldview and understanding our place in the grand scheme of existence.
Such reflections challenge us to look beyond the immediate and consider the eternal. They invite us to examine our beliefs, our actions, and the very foundations of our worldview. For those who believe in an afterlife, it raises the question of how prepared we are for what comes next. For those who don’t, it prompts consideration of how to find meaning in a finite existence.
Islam teaches that it’s never too late to turn towards righteousness and seek answers to these profound questions. The Quran says: O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow – and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Aware of what you do (Quran 59:18). This verse is a call to action, encouraging us to be mindful of our spiritual state and to seek understanding before our time in this world comes to an end.
Conclusion
In Islam, understanding death is not about living in fear, but about living with purpose and consciousness of our ultimate destiny. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler” (Sahih al-Bukhari), reminding us of life’s temporary nature.
The Quran emphasizes this perspective:
And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter – that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew. (Quran 29:64)
This teaching encourages us to prioritize our actions based on their consequences in the afterlife. It calls us to live lives of meaning, virtue, and devotion, always conscious of our return to Allah.
As you reflect on these teachings, consider how this awareness of death and the afterlife might reshape your priorities and actions. The path to righteousness is open to all, as the Quran states, Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves (Quran 2:222). The opportunity for change is always present, but the time to act is now. Have more questions? Call 877-WhyIslam, you deserve to know!