Understanding Death in Islam by Quran Verses
In Islamic teachings, death is not the end but a transition to the eternal afterlife. The Quran provides deep insights into the nature of life, death, and resurrection, guiding believers on how to prepare for their inevitable departure from this world. These verses highlight Allah’s absolute authority over life and death and serve as a reminder of our return to Him.
In this article, we will explore 13 powerful Quran verses about death, providing both Arabic text and English translations for a comprehensive understanding.
Quran Verses About Death
Verse #1: Life and Death Are in Allah’s Hands
كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَكُنتُمْ أَمْوَاتًا فَأَحْيَاكُمْ ۖ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
Translation: How can you disbelieve in Allah when you were lifeless and He brought you to life; then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you back to life, and then to Him you will be returned? (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:28)
Verse #2: The Obligation of Making a Will Before Death
كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ إِن تَرَكَ خَيْرًا الْوَصِيَّةُ لِلْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ۖ حَقًّا عَلَى الْمُتَّقِينَ
Translation: Prescribed for you when death approaches any one of you if he leaves wealth is that he should make a bequest for his parents and near relatives according to what is acceptable – a duty upon the righteous. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:180)
Verse #3: No One Dies Without Allah’s Permission
وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَنْ تَمُوتَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ كِتَابًا مُؤَجَّلًا
Translation: No soul can die except by Allah’s permission at a decreed time. (Surah Aal-E-Imran 3:145)
Verse #4: Every Soul Will Taste Death
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ
Translation: Every soul shall taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. (Surah Aal-E-Imran 3:185)
Verse #5: Death is Unavoidable
أَيْنَمَا تَكُونُواْ يُدْرِككُّمُ الْمَوْتُ وَلَوْ كُنتُمْ فِى بُرُوجٍ مُّشَيَّدَةٍ
Translation: Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you should be within towers of lofty construction. (Surah An-Nisa 4:78)
Verse #6: The Certainty of Death
ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ لَمَيِّتُونَ
Translation: Then indeed, after that you are to die. (Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:15)
Verse #7: The Final Return to Allah
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ
Translation: Every soul will taste death. Then to Us will you be returned. (Surah Al-Ankabut 29:57)
Verse #8: Even the Prophet Will Die
إِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ وَإِنَّهُم مَّيِّتُونَ
Translation: Verily, you will die, and verily, they (too) will die. (Surah Az-Zumar 39:30)
Verse #9: A Challenge to Those Who Claim Righteousness
قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ هَادُوا إِن زَعَمْتُمْ أَنَّكُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ لِلَّهِ مِن دُونِ النَّاسِ فَتَمَنَّوُا الْمَوْتَ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
Translation: Say, “O you who are Jews, if you claim that you are allies of Allah, excluding the [other] people, then wish for death, if you should be truthful.” (Surah Al-Jumu’ah 62:6)
Verse #10: Death is a Test from Allah
الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا
Translation: [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. (Surah Al-Mulk 67:2)
Verse #11: The Intensity of Death’s Moment
وَجَاءَتْ سَكْرَةُ الْمَوْتِ بِالْحَقِّ ذَٰلِكَ مَا كُنتَ مِنْهُ تَحِيدُ
Translation: And the intoxication of death will bring the truth; that is what you were trying to avoid. (Surah Qaf 50:19)
Verse #12: Angels Take the Soul at Death
وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَتَوَفَّاكُم بِاللَّيْلِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا جَرَحْتُم بِالنَّهَارِ ثُمَّ يَبْعَثُكُمْ فِيهِ لِيُقْضَى أَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى
Translation: And it is He who takes your souls by night and knows what you have committed by day. Then He revives you therein [i.e., by day] that a specified term may be fulfilled. (Surah Al-An’am 6:60-61)
Verse #13: Witnessing Death and Giving Testimony
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا شَهَادَةُ بَيْنِكُمْ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ
Translation: O you who believe! When death approaches any of you, and you make a bequest, then take the testimony of two just men among you. (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:106)
Conclusion on Quran Verses
These Quran verses about death serve as powerful reminders of our purpose in this world and our ultimate return to Allah. May Allah grant us a good end and eternal success in the Hereafter. Ameen.
