Death in Islam is an entirely different concept:
The concept of death in Islam can be understood by following
“ Whose so ever you may be, death will overtake you even if you are in fortresses built up strong and high!”
Death is a firm reality. No one can escape from it. It is coming nearer and nearer every hour, every day. According to world factbook 2007, 2 people die each second. Regardless of age, status health, everyone will reach this inescapable destiny.
In Islam it is not a disaster; instead, death is simply leaving one world and entering another world. Allah has created human beings only to worship HIM; this life is a test to see who will fulfill the purpose.
Allah says in the Quran:
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
“And I did not create the Jinn and mankind except to worship Me.”
Allah says:
ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَٱلْحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفُورُ
“[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”
(AlQuran 67:2)
Is Death Painful or Not (Death In Islam):
We see many examples of death each day. We perceive that death is not pained total, but it is not the case; instead, the pain of dying is based on how well a person fulfilled their purpose in life.
Let’s consider the example of two people whose destinations are the same. The first person prepares himself by taking knowledge about the destination and its culture, but the second person is careless and wastes his time and life for the moment. When the second person arrives at the unknown destination, he feels scared and confused. So this is the case with life.
Allah says in the Quran.
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَ أَحَدَهُمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ قَالَ رَبِّ ٱرْجِعُونِ
“When death comes to one of them, he says, My Lord, send me back!
لَعَلِّىٓ أَعْمَلُ صَٰلِحًا فِيمَا تَرَكْتُ ۚ كَلَّآ ۚ إِنَّهَا كَلِمَةٌ هُوَ قَآئِلُهَا ۖ وَمِن وَرَآئِهِم بَرْزَخٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ
That I might do righteousness in that which I left behind.” No! He is saying only a word; behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected.”
The reality of life:
This life is a test that ends in death. Life is divided into two parts the life of this world and the hereafter. Eternal life is more beneficial than the life of this world.
In Islam it is inescapable. Our purpose in this life is to worship Allah Almighty, perform acts of righteousness, and avoid all that is forbidden. Our actions in this world decide our destination. The belief in the hereafter guarantees success in the next life; if a person believes in the hereafter, he will benefit in this world too.
Things Beneficial after Death:
The prophet (PBUH) told them things that benefit the person after dying.
- a charity that he had given (which continues to benefit others),
- beneficial knowledge which he had left behind (i.e., authored or taught),
- supplication on his behalf by a righteous child.
Allah says in the Quran.
ٱللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى ٱلْأَنفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَا وَٱلَّتِى لَمْ تَمُتْ فِى مَنَامِهَا ۖ فَيُمْسِكُ ٱلَّتِى قَضَىٰ عَلَيْهَا ٱلْمَوْتَ وَيُرْسِلُ ٱلْأُخْرَىٰٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
“It is Allah Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep. He keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for a term appointed. Verily, in this are signs for a people who think deeply.”
