THE TRANSIENT NATURE OF LIFE
Reflections on Death and Beyond

THIS article explores the transient nature of human existence, with a particular focus on the concept of death and what lies beyond.

Human beings, according to the Quran, have their ultimate abode in the eternal world of Paradise. However, after birth, humans are placed in the current world for a limited period. This temporary sojourn in the world is essentially a test, where individuals are evaluated based on their deeds and character. Completing this test, regardless of gender, results in selection and entry into Paradise. Those who do not pass the test, on the other hand, are considered the rejected lot and are separated from the chosen ones.

Death, in essence, serves as a mere transition station in the eternal journey of life. It does not interrupt the eternal sequence of human existence but is rather a fleeting moment within the continuum of life. Death has no fixed time or duration, and individuals do not know when it will occur. The crucial aspect of death is that it is not part of human programming; it is a direct divine decision. God does not reveal the time of a person’s death, neither directly nor indirectly.

This lack of awareness about one’s death is why most people do not contemplate it. People continue to lead their lives until they suddenly pass away. According to the Quran, man is an eternal creature. No one can disrupt this eternal continuity of human existence. However, when God deems that a person’s test period is complete, He intervenes. He removes the individual from the present world and transfers him to the eternal world that awaits.

This intervention period is referred to as the “period of transition” or “passage,” which is what death truly represents. It signifies a transfer from one place to another, rather than the end of life.

This perspective highlights the importance of self-development and cultivating a unique mindset for success in life. It emphasizes the concept of “anti-programming” thinking, where individuals must think against their default programming. Those who succeed in adopting this revolutionary way of thinking will understand the matter of death, prepare for the stages of life before and after death, and truly grasp the transient nature of our worldly existence.