What is Death?

Death is not the end of life. Death is the beginning of a new stage of life. A wise person uses present opportunities to prepare himself so he can be found eligible for Paradise in eternity.

Death is a grave reality which every man and woman has to face. No matter whether one is big or small, powerful or weak, there is no exception to this general rule. What is Death? Death, in short, “is a compulsory exit from this world and a compulsory entrance into the next world.”

Life is a journey and death is the end of this journey. Death means that man will emerge from the present world and enter into the world of the Hereafter. This admission is for all eternity. Returns are possible from other journeys, but the journey to death is such that it is not possible to return to the previous world. This aspect of death is so serious that, in the words of the Hadith, it is going to demolish pleasures of every kind. (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 4258) One who remembers death as a reality will start living in the Hereafter in this life itself.

Death is such an event that the individual suddenly becomes alone. His house, his family, his companions, his business, his fame and greatness—everything suddenly gets separated from him. He goes to a place where he is completely destitute and helpless.

Furthermore, he had the opportunity in this world to use his resources to make a world for himself, but, after death, all these resources will leave him. If he wants to make a new plan for his life again and re-build his life, it will not be possible to do so in the Hereafter. Death is not the end of life. Death is the beginning of a new stage of life. It is a wise person who uses present opportunities for what is to come tomorrow.