Islamic Perception of Death

“Say: The Death from which you flee will truly overtake you: then will you be sent back to the Knower of all things secret and open: and He will tell (the truth of) the things that you did!” (Al-Jumu’a: 8)

The idea of Death is certainly nothing new or mysterious. We as Muslims believe in it, and understand it is a beginning of an ever lasting journey. If any one asked me as to how long would I live, my response will be I don’t know….may be tomorrow or may be till I am 90. So the in-evitability of death is definite, but it is clear from our actions that this idea has yet to be crystallized in our minds. Because if each and every one was to reflect their daily actions, it will be evident that they not being conducted as if we were prepared to meet our Lord soon. We carry out our life affairs expecting to see tomorrow and as if knowing that we have been given an extension on life.

Prophet said: “If you awoke in the morning, do not speak to yourself of the evening, and if you reach the evening, do not speak to your self of morning. Take from your life for your death, and from your health for your illness, as you, oh Abdullah, do not know what your name will be tomorrow” (Bukhari)

The common notion that plagues our ummah is that there is always time to ask for forgiveness. To turn over a new leaf, and to stop committing Haraam.There is time to perform Hajj or start learning our religion. We always have an excuse to postpone our obligations towards Allah…let me just get establish career wise, or let me dress islamically when I get married or what can I do when evil is every where. Although this is the very concept that Allah (swt) warns us in the Quran

“And of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil deeds until death faces one of them and he says ‘Now I repent’ nor of those who die while they are disbelievers. For them have we prepared a painful torment” (An-Nisa: 18)

And in another place the Prophet said:

“The clever one is he who disciplined himself and worked for what is after death, and the feeble one is he who followed his desires, then made (vain) prayers to Allah”

This among many other verses and sayings of the Prophet; remind us of our return to Allah. To worship him in each and every aspect of our lives not just the five pillars of Islam. To be great full of His bounties and to repent of our sins.

Due to the absence of an Islamic ruling system, and living under Capitalistic system that promotes separation of church and state; this has also affected our thinking. Unlike them we as Muslims believe that every action we perform is directly tied to hereafter. Because either we are doing it in accordance to Allah’s commandments that gain His pleasure or are disobeying Him.



Uthman bin Affan (RA), in the last Sermon he gave in his life, said: “Allah (swt) gave you this world to request the Akhirah (Hereafter), and did not give it to you for you to rely upon, for this World ends and Akhirah is ever lasting. So let not that which ends make you disregardful, nor keep you busy from that which lasts. Choose to seek that which lasts over that which ends; for this world will be cut off and our return is to Allah”

So the question is do we fear death due to love of this materialistic life or because we will be brought infront of our Lord. If I really understand this concept then:

• Am I fulfilling all the obligations of Allah (swt)
• When I invest or save my money is it done in Halal means
• When I buy a property/house or a vehicle is it attained through Halal contract
• Do I understand the concept of mixing with opposite gender whether through email, facebook or in person. Even if is harmless chat.
• Do I understand the effect of company that I surround my self with
• Do understand proper Islamic attire
• How is my relation ship with my parents and relatives

These are just a few of the examples from our daily lives that most of us probably face every day. Remembrance is not crying and wailing and blaming one’s self when one is on the brink of death, or attending a funeral or visiting graves alone. Rather, remembrance of death is when a believer imagines that he will meet his Lord at any moment, and his actions will be cut off, as will his ability for repentance. So he will be aware of himself, careful to obey Allah (swt), wary of his Lord ever second of his or her life.

So how would I know if I am truly ready to meet my Lord….

The Prophet (PBUH) said: “If the Nur (light) enters into the breast, it widens. Then someone asked: is there a visible sign of that, Oh Messenger of Allah? He said: Yes, increased renunciation of the dwelling of vanities, and the desire for the everlasting dwelling, and preparation for death before its time”

The purpose of this post is to be a reminder for each and every one of us to understand the importance and the temporary state of this life. To know that death is a gateway to the real life which is dependent on our actions from this given time on earth. To really ponder this concept of Death so that our affairs are in accordance with Allah's commandments.

I will end with the following verse to be a reminder for all of us.

“Know that the life of this world is but play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting and multiplying, (in rivalry) among yourselves, riches and children. It is as the likeness of vegetation after rain thereof the growth is pleasing to the tillers; soon it withers; then you will see it grow yellow; then it becomes dry and crumbles away. But in the Hereafter is a severe torment (for evil doers). And forgiveness from Allah and (His) good pleasure (for good doers). And what is the life of this world, but a deceiving enjoyment? Race one another (in seeking) Forgiveness from you Lord, and a Garden of bliss, the width whereof is as the width of heaven and earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His Messengers: that is the Grace of Allah, which He bestows on whom He pleases: and Allah is the Lord of the Grace abounding. (Al-Hadid: 20-21)

Abu Yusuf