THE CONCEPT OF DEATH

The temporary period of man’s life before death is a preparation ground and the eternal period of life after death, is where one reaps the reward for one’s actions.

The dictionary defines death as the permanent cessation of life. Unfortunately, this dictionary definition of death presents a negative picture of death. It reminds us that man may have been born as a complete man, but his life ended after a very limited period. That is why his desires remained unfulfilled.

Compared to this definition, Islam presents a positive concept of life, according to which death marks the second phase of human life. According to Islam, man has been created as an eternal being. Then his lifespan has been divided into two phases—life before death and life after death. The period of life before death is a preparation ground, while the period after death is when one reaps the reward for one’s actions. According to this creation plan, man ought to regard the period of life before death as a preparatory period and must spend all of it in preparation for the second phase. On the other hand, the stage of life after death is only for reaping the reward for one’s actions and not for further action.

The event of death is indeed a message for life. The message is: what you have to do, do today itself in the life before death as no one will be given time for preparation in the afterlife. Successful is one who prepares for eternal Paradise in his life before death.