Life & Death as per Quran
Thinking about life and death in general, the Quranic teachings accentuates the temporary and uncertain nature of life here on Earth; the fact that this life is nothing but a test, that we would be returned to our creator one day and the life hereafter is the one we should be focus on. We never know when is our last day here! We never know how much time is left before we are called back to join our creator! We never know when is our last hour here on Earth!
[Quran 56:60] We have destined (Qadar)/ordained death among you and We are not to be overcomed!
No matter how much people try to escape from death, it will reach everyone.
[Quran 50:19] And the intoxication of death will bring the Haq- the absolute truth & justice; that is what we were trying to avoid.
This is human nature that we tend to ignore the fact that we would die one day; we tend to view our deaths as a distant happening. Whereas Allah tells us in no unclear terms that it’s near, nearer than we realize. And we should start preparing for our life after, by focusing on our good deeds, doing charity and sadaqa with our efforts and wealth for the benefit of others, we should focus on putting our deeds forward, as if we are sowing the seeds for the benefits in the hereafter.
[Quran 70:6-7] Certainly, they see it (resurrection) as distant, but We see it as near
The Quran at its several places discusses death. Death is inevitable. Sooner or later we all will be facing it and everyone and everything is Faani/perishable, will cease to exist sooner or later.
[Quran 55:26] All that is on earth is faani/ will perish/die
[Quran 3:185] Every Nafs will taste death, and you will only be given your compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion
In other words, Quran says that it is our nafs who has to taste death. Death here on Earth is the termination of an individual comprehensive being, capable of believing and disbelieving, and not of Life itself. Life does not end with death. As we all know Allah has made this worldly life as a test and a preparation ground for the afterlife. With death, this worldly life comes to an end, but that starts the judgment and the life hereafter. As per Quranic teachings death is not the termination of life, rather the continuation of life in another world.
We learn from Quran that death is like sleeping. Every night, during sleep, our soul visits ALLAH.
[Quran 6:60] And it is He who gather you by night and knows what you have committed by day. Then He revives you therein that a specified term may be fulfilled. Then to Him will be your return; then He will inform you about what you used to do.
[Quran 39:42] It is Allah that takes the souls at death; and those that die not during their sleep: those on whom He has passed the decree of death, He keeps back, but the rest He sends for a term appointed. Verily in this are Signs for those who reflect.
In the same way that a person does not cease to exist in sleep, similarly he does not cease to exist in death. And in the same way that a person comes back to life when waking from sleep, also he/she will be revived on the Day of Judgement. Hence, Quran views death merely as a stage in human existence. Physical death should not be feared but one should, however, worry about the hereafter, the day of judgment, our scales of deeds and what we have put forth for ourselves for the life after death.
[Quran 21:35] Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned.
Thus, every person on this earth has been given an opportunity to prepare and put forth for the life to come where God will resurrect us and judge every individual as per his/her deeds and beliefs. We will be entitled to rewards or punishment, based on our good or bad deeds. This opportunity is right here right now, here on earth to ensure that we in the life hereafter earn the heaven, with our heavier scales, our deeds on the right side and our strong Emaan. Death is the gateway to the beginning of the afterlife.
[Quran 67:2] He (Allah) who created death and life, so that He may test you as to which of you is better in deeds. And He is the All-Mighty, the Most-Forgiving
[Quran 63:10] And spend out of what We have given you before death comes to one of you, so that he should say: My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give Sadaqa/ charity and be among the righteous/ those who do good deeds.
[Quran 3:102] O you who have believed, do taqwa of Allah as per His Haq- due right and die not except in a state of being a Muslim
I Pray that may Allah gives me death in a state of being a Muslim and I pray the same for each and every one of you. Ameen sum ameen.