Death and Life

[Yusufali 67:2]

He Who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving.

الَّذِي خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ طِبَاقًا مَّا تَرَى فِي خَلْقِ الرَّحْمَنِ مِن تَفَاوُتٍ فَارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَى مِن فُطُورٍ

[Pooya/Ali Commentary 67:2]

Refer to the commentary of Yunus: 14; Hud: 7; Kahf: 7; Anbiya: 35 for "that He may try which of you is best in deed."

Death is mentioned before life; and death is stated to have been created. This prove that death is not cessation of existence. Baqarah: 28 says: "When you were dead He gave you life. Again He will cause you to die and again bring you to life." In Najm: 44 also death is put before life.

Death is not cessation of existence but a change of direction or transforming into another form. The state before our present life, or the state after, is not known to us or unknowable to us, but our present life is given to us as a trial to either do good and move to a nobler state of existence or follow the evil delusions and go to a place where existence is eternal damnation.

Trial implies freedom of action and free will given to man, otherwise, if the theory of determinism is accepted, it would mean Allah does not know who will do what. Allah has given man intelligence, power of observation and contemplation and discretion to decide which path he will walk on. The idea of death reminds him about the life he will have after he crosses the frontiers of this life and enters a new state of existence. As he sows shall he reap. The consequences of his deeds in this life he shall face at once as soon as he leaves this world, and will continue to exist amid them, a state of existence known as barzakh as per Muminun: , till the day of judgement.

Intercession or forgiveness is not possible during this period. On the day of judgement intercession will be available and Allah shall forgive and grant pardon to those who will be recommended by the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt. See commentary of Baqarah: 48.

The law which will be applied to individuals and groups or communities has been clearly stated in Zilzal: 7 and 8:

"Whosoever has done (even) an atom's weight of good will behold it;

And whosoever has done (even) an atom's weight of evil will behold that."

Man must always be mindful of Allah's ever-prevalent authority so as to ward off evil and save himself from eternal damnation, and have hope in His mercy so that he may turn repentant unto Him after giving up sinning and evildoing.

67:12 - إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُم بِالْغَيْبِ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ {}

[Yusufali 67:12] As for those who fear their Lord unseen, for them is Forgiveness and a great Reward.

[Pooya/Ali Commentary 67:12] To fear the Lord is to love Him so dearly as not to do anything which is against His will, because though He cannot be seen with bodily senses, His presence is felt intensely by the true believer in his heart.