Life and death is a momentous topic in each religion. Understanding the meaning of life and death can help people to live in the world with the right attitude and gain liberation after death.

In Islam, it is also primary for each Muslim to learn the significance of life. So how does Islam view life and death?

How Does Islam View Life?

Quran, the sacred book of Islam, explains what life is. In the Islamic central religious text, both the origin and meaning of life have been expounded exactly. We can know about them from some Islamic Quran verses.

The Explanation to The Origin of Man

1. “We created man out of the extract of clay, then We made him into a drop of life-germ, then We placed it in a safe depository, then We made this drop into a clot, then We made the clot into a lump, then We made the lump into bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh,12 and then We caused it to grow into another creation.13 Thus Most Blessed is Allah, the Best of all those that create.” (Qur'an 23)

2. Just think36 when your Lord said to the angels: “Lo! I am about to place a vicegerent on earth,” they said: “Will You place on it one who will spread mischief and shed blood while we celebrate Your glory and extol Your holiness?” He said: “Surely I know what you do not know.” (Qur'an 2:30)

3. “And when I proportioned him and breathed of My spirit into him, then prostrate yourselves to him.” (Qur'an 38:72)

From these texts, we can learn that in Islam, man is created by Allah. Allah uses the material of the earth to create the body of man and grant soul to man. Thus, the soul is the core of a human’s life. It drives the body to think and move. The body is only a tool for the soul to experience life.

Moreover, it is easy to see that man has a high status and special tasks because Allah orders all angles to kneel before him and arrange him to be the agent of the world.

The Answer to The Meaning of The Life

1. We did not create the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in play. (21:16)

2. And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (51: 56)

3. And He is Who has made you successors of others on the earth and has exalted some of you over the others in degrees of rank, that He may try you by that which He has given you. Surely, thy Lord is quick in punishment; and surely He is Most Forgiving, Merciful. (6: 166)

It is clear from these verses that Allah creates things with intentions and everything that exists in the world has its significance.

Man is created to worship and serve the Lord. God create man and tested him to inspire the potentiality that man was bestowed.

The soul is the core of life and the object for trial. The body is only a carrier. How a man treats and uses his body will be a crucial part of the test.

To provide a circumstance for man to develop his soul, God also creates the other part of the world and empowers people to control myriad things. Hence, after death, people will recognize God for how he uses the resources on earth. This is the reason that people are called the “agents ” of Allah on the earth.

The Right Attitude Towards The Hardships in Life

Do people think that they will be let go merely by saying: “We believe,” and that they will not be tested, for We indeed tested those who went before them?2 Allah will most certainly ascertain those who spoke the truth and those who lied. (29:2-3)

The verse throws light on how people shall treat the predicaments in life. The journey of life is not bland. From infancy to old age, we will meet various trials. Especially during the process that we grow up from a child to be an adult, the challenges will be more and more comprehensive.

These difficulties are tests from the lord. Allah tests men to identify the sincere from the hypocritical. He will judge us according to how we cope with setbacks.

Each time when we encounter an obstacle, we can use the wisdom granted by Allah to solve the problems and experience the grace that the Lord bestows on us.

How Does Islam View Death?

For the atheist, death represents the end of life. However, in Islam, death is merely a transition phase between this life and the hereafter. It is the general basis of Islam belief. The teachings about death are often mentioned in Quran.

1. “Death, from which you are fleeing, will certainly catch up with you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the Unseen and the Visible and He will inform you about what you did.” [Surah-al-Jumu’ah: 8]

2. “Every self will taste death. You will be paid your wages in full on the Day of Resurrection. Anyone who is distanced from the fire and admitted to the garden has triumphed. The life of the world is just the enjoyment of delusions”. [3:185]

3. But those who disbelieve say, "The Hour will not come to us." Say, "Yes, by my Lord, it will surely come to you. [ Allah is] the Knower of the unseen." Not absent from Him is an atom's weight within the heavens or within the earth or [what is] smaller than that or greater, except that it is in a clear register. That He may reward those who believe and do righteous deeds. Those will have forgiveness and noble provision. But those who strive against Our verses [seeking] to cause failure - for them will be a painful punishment of foul nature. (34:3-5)

4. “No self can die except with God’s permission, at a pre-determined time.” [Surah Al ‘Imran: 145]

The verses show the view of Islam about death. In Islam, the current life is short. No matter how we spend our lives, we will finally die. But death is not the end of life. When the end of the world comes, all of us will revive again and accept the judgment from Allah.

On Resurrection Day, the Lord will show his mercy and justice. The strong believers who do good will go up to heaven and those who deny Allah and do all kinds of evil will be punished severely. Hence, Muslims should do more benefactions in their lives to prepare for the world after death.

Since we are created by Allah and he gives us precious lives, we do not have the right to end our lives at will. For that reason, committing suicide is one of the greatest sins.

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