Death in Quran (1) Death = Creature

The Quran is the first book on the face of the earth, which says that Death is but a creature. However, why has Allah created death?

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Interestingly, the verses 67:1-2 which say Death is created begin with “Blessed is Allah”

Blessed is Allah the exalted and transcendent above the attributes of created beings.

What do we mean when we bless the name of Allah?

We mean that we recognize and proclaim His beneficence to us.

In Allah’s hand and at His disposal, is

• All Sovereignty,
• All grace
• All Authority and
• All Power to bestow might and abasement, and
• All Power over the stores of all things

Allah has power over all things.

He is too holy to have children or partners

He is Able to do all that He wills

Allah is Lord of both visible and invisible worlds.

Allah Created Death and Life.

One of the results of Allah’s complete dominion of the universe and absolute power over all things is that He created death and life.

Herein, the Quran puts Death before Life,

Death is therefore not merely a negative state.

Death, then, is

• The state before life began, which may be nonexistence or existence in some other form:
• The state in which Life as we know it ceases, but existence does not cease
• The state of Barrier or Partition, after our visible Death and before Judgment; after that will be the new Life, which we conceive of under the term Eternity.

Why has Allah created death?

Allah created death and life that He may

• Try you between life and death,
• Test you in this life,

To see which of you is

• Best in conduct,
• Most obedient to Him
• More sincere in works

Thus, man should always be on the alert, considering every thought and every action.

When a person’s heart is alert, aware that this life is a test, and tries to keep on the right track, he is reassured of God’s forgiveness and grace. This gives man all the rest and comfort he needs.

Allah is

• the Mighty in retribution against those who disbelieve in Him
• The Mighty in His vengeance against those who disobey Him,
• The Forgiving to those who repent to Him;
• He forgives those who repent and believe in Him.

He is the Mighty in retribution against those who disbelieve in Him, (Forgiving) He forgives those who repent and believe in Him,

Creation, therefore, is not in mere game, or without a purpose with reference to man. The state before our present life, or the state after, we can scarcely understand. But our present Life is clearly given to enable us to strive by good deeds to reach a nobler state.

Allah is so Exalted in Might that He can perfectly carry out His Will and Purpose, and that Purpose is Love, Mercy, and Goodness to His creatures.

The truth Islam establishes in people’s hearts does not depict God as chasing humans to afflict or punish them.

Allah wants them to be aware of the purpose behind their existence and of their true nature. Allah wants them to rise to the level worthy of His honor when He blew of His own spirit into them, elevating them above many of His other creations.

When the believers have absorbed this truth and hold to it, they will find that His grace, mercy and forgiveness are always available to them.

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The verses 67:1-2 in different translations:

QARIB:

1-Blessed be he in whose hand is the kingdom, he is powerful over all things,

2-Who created death and life that he might examine which of you is best in deeds, and he is the almighty, the forgiving,

SHAKIR:

1-Blessed is he in whose hand is the kingdom, and he has power over all things,

2-Who created death and life that he may try you– which of you is best in deeds; and he is the mighty, the forgiving,

PICKTHAL:

1-Blessed is he in whose hand is the sovereignty, and, he is able to do all things.

2-Who hath created life and death that he may try you which of you is best in conduct; and he is the mighty, the forgiving,

YUSUFALI:

1-Blessed be he in whose hands is dominion; and he over all things hath power;-

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;-

Angels in Islam (35) the curse of the Angels

The Angels love what Allah loves and curse what Allah curses.The disbelievers have merited total banishment from the Truth and from the world of the Angelic realm.

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The meanings of the verses 2:161=162:

But those who disbelieve, and die while they are disbelievers in Allah and His Messenger are veiled from religion and from the Truth

Upon them shall be:

1)    The curse of Allah

2)    The curse of the Angels

3)    The curse of people altogether,

That is, they deserve such a curse in this life and in the next;

People here is said to be people in general. The believers curse the disbelievers in the life of this world; and, both the believers and the disbelievers will curse the disbelievers in the Afterlife.

It is interesting to know that the friendship of the disbelievers in the life of this world will change to enmity in the Afterlife so that the friendly disbelievers will curse each other in the Afterlife.

In the Afterlife, they are Abiding and ever dwell therein in this curse and in the Eternal Fire.

The chastisement shall not be lightened for them, not even for a blink of an eye,

The doom will not be lifted or reduced, neither will they be reprieved.

Their torment will not be deferred.

No respite shall be given them, in which to have time to repent or to excuse themselves.

It follows that:

The Angels love what Allah loves.

The Angels curse what Allah curses.

The disbelievers have merited total distance, privation, banishment from the Truth and from the world of the Angelic realm.

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The verses 2:161-162 in different translations:

QARIB:

But those who disbelieve, and die disbelieving shall incur the curse of Allah, the Angels, and all people. They are there (in the fire) for eternity neither shall the punishment be lightened for them; nor shall they be given respite.

SHAKIR:

Surely those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers, these it is on whom is the curse of Allah and the Angels and men all; abiding in it; their chastisement shall not be lightened nor shall they be given respite

PICKTHAL:

Lo! Those who disbelieve, and die while they are disbelievers; on them is the curse of Allah and of Angels and of men combined. They ever dwell therein. The doom will not be lightened for them, neither will they be reprieved.

YUSUFALI:

Those who reject faith, and die rejecting, – on them is Allah’s curse, and the curse of Angels, and of all mankind; they will abide therein: their penalty will not be lightened, nor will respite be their (lot).

Chapter 6 of the Quran (89 the outcome of Men seeking Devils’ Help

The men who seek devils’ help will say: “But now we have arrived at the term which you have appointed for us’, that is, the Day of Judgment.” This statement expresses extreme regret on their part. Allah will say to them: ‘The Fire is your lodging, your abode, to abide therein’

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Ayah 6:128 describes the outcome of those unbelievers who seek help of the jinn (devils) in order to fight against the truth and mentioned in the article “Chapter 6 of the Quran (78) the Prophet Enemies” of this series; the verse says:

And mention, the day when Allah shall gather them all His creatures together, and it will be said to them: ‘O assembly of jinn, you have seduced and put away much of mankind’ by misleading them.

Then their friends, those who disbelieved and obeyed them will say,

‘Our Lord, we enjoyed one another, mankind enjoyed what the jinn adorned for them of desires, while the jinn enjoyed mankind’s obedience to them; how many human beings have erred by seeking help in you.

But now we have arrived at the term which you have appointed for us’, that is, the Day of Judgment.

This statement expresses extreme regret on their part.

Allah, exalted be He, will say, to them, by the tongues of the angels:

‘The Fire is your lodging, your abode, to abide therein’ — except what Allah wills, of those times when they will exit from it in order to drink boiling water, which is located outside it, as Allah, has said: Then they shall return to the Hell-fire [Read the verse 37:68];

According to the scholars, this pertains to those whom Allah knows will believe.

Surely your Lord is Wise, in His actions; He is the Knower of His creatures.

Allah wills that they abide in hell for eternity.

Lo! Your Lord is Wise; He decreed that they will abide in hell for ever,

Your Lord is Aware of them and of their punishment.

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The verse 6:128 in different translations

QARIB:

On the day when he assembles them all together, ‘o company of jinn, you have seduced mankind in great numbers.‘

And their guided ones among the humans will say: ‘lord, we have enjoyed each other.

But now we have reached the term which you have appointed for us. ‘He will say: ‘the fire shall be your lodging, and there you shall remain for ever except as Allah will.‘

Your lord is wise, knowing.

SHAKIR:

And on the day when he shall gather them all together: o assembly of jinn! You took away a great part of mankind.

And their friends from among the men shall say: our lord! Some of us profited by others and we have reached our appointed term which thou didst appoint for us.

He shall say: the fire is your abode, to abide in it, except as Allah is pleased; surely your lord is wise, knowing

PICKTHAL:

In the day when he will gather them together (he will say): o ye assembly of the jinn! Many of humankind did ye seduce.

And their adherents among humankind will say: our lord! We enjoyed one another, but now we have arrived at the appointed term which thou appointedst for us.

He will say: fire is your home. Abide therein for ever, save him whom Allah willeth (to deliver).

Lo! Thy lord is wise, Aware.

YUSUFALI:

One day will he gather them all together, (and say): “o ye assembly of jinns! Much (toll) did ye take of men.”

Their friends amongst men will say: “our lord! We made profit from each other: but (alas!) we reached our term – which thou didst appoint for us.”

He will say: “the fire be your dwelling-place: you will dwell therein for ever, except as Allah willeth.”

For thy lord is full of wisdom and knowledge.

This is Allah (18) Allah Classifies the Muslims into three types

What is the final residence of the Believers?

What the Believers will say when they enter the Paradise?

What the Believers will wear in the Paradise?

Is there gold and or silk in the Paradise?

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Many people do not know Allah. This series is an attempt to help them in order to know and acknowledge their Creator.

Verses 35:32-35 of the Noble Quran talks about:

1) Allah Classifies the Muslim’s community into three types,

2) What is the final Dwelling of the Believers?

3) What the Believers will say when they enter the Paradise?

4) What the Believers will wear in the Paradise? And

5) Is there Gold and or Silk in the Paradise?

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The meaning of verse 35:32:

Then Allah gave the Book, the Quran, to those of Our servants whom Allah chose, namely, the Muslim’s community.

Yet some of them are those who wrong themselves, by failing to act fully in accordance with it, and

Some of them are moderate, acting in accordance with it most of the time, and

Some are those who take the lead in performing good works, so that in addition to Allah’s acquiring knowledge, He disseminates it and shows others the way [to proper conduct as well as acting in accordance [with the Quran], by the leave of Allah, by His will. That, bequest to them of the Book, is the greatest favor!

In other words, the verse means:

Then, after we sent Gabriel with the Quran to Muhammad Allah gave the Scripture as inheritance, He gave the honor of memorizing, writing and reciting the Quran (unto those whom Allah has elected of His bondmen, by means of faith, i.e. the community of Muhammad.

But of them are some who wrong themselves through committing enormities, and these will not be saved unless there is intercession in their favor, or unless they are forgiven or when Allah’s promise is fulfilled

and of them are some who are lukewarm, some of them did good works and evil works in equal measure; these will be slightly taken to task and then be saved,

and of them are some who outstrip (others) through good deeds in the life of this world and among those brought near to the Garden of Eden in the Hereafter, by Allah’s given success and beneficence.

That selection and outstripping is the great favor, the greatest grace that Allah can bestow upon them!

The meaning of verse 35:33:

Allah then showed their abode, saying: Gardens of Eden! the chamber of the Beneficent is their dwelling, with the Gardens surrounding it. They enter them wearing armlets of gold and pearl; this is the attire of women while the attire of men will be made of gold (and their raiment therein) in Paradise (is silk).

The meaning of verse 35:34:

And they will say, ‘Praise be to Allah Who has removed, all, grief from us. Truly our Lord is Forgiving, of sins, Appreciative, of obedience,

In other words, they say, the inhabitants of Paradise say, in Paradise: (Praise be to Allah) thanks and gratitude belong to Allah (who hath put grief) the grief of death, evanescence and the terrors of the Day of Judgment;

It is also said that this means: the grief of the risks involved in the life of this world (away from us. Lo! Our Lord is Forgiving) He forgives great sins, (Bountiful) He is grateful for even the slightest of good works,

The meaning of verse 35:35:

Who out of His favor has made us to dwell in the Abode of [everlasting] Stay, wherein no toil shall touch us, nor shall we be touched by any fatigue’, lack of strength caused by exhaustion, [and this is] because [religious] obligations no longer apply therein (the second of these [‘fatigue’], which is consequent upon the first [‘toil’], is mentioned in order to make explicit the non-existence [of any toil in Paradise]).

In short, the verse says: Who, of His grace, out of His great favor, (has installed us in the mansion of eternity) in Paradise, (where toil touches us not nor can weariness affect us) in Paradise.

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Verses 35:32-35 in different English translations:

QARIB:

32) Then, we gave the book as an inheritance to those of our worshipers whom we chose. among them, is he who was harmful to himself, and some who minimize, and some who, by the permission of Allah, race in charity, this is the greatest virtue.

33) They shall enter the gardens of eden, where they shall be adorned with bracelets of gold and with pearls, and there, their robes shall be of silk.

34) They shall say: ‘praise belongs to Allah who has removed all sorrow from us. indeed, our lord is the forgiver, the thanker.

35) Through his bounty he has made us to live in the abode of everlasting life, where neither weariness nor fatigue shall touch us. ‘

SHAKIR:

32) Then we gave the book for an inheritance to those whom we chose from among our servants; but of them is he who makes his soul to suffer a loss, and of them is he who takes a middle course, and of them is he who is foremost in deeds of goodness by Allah’s permission; this is the great excellence

33) Gardens of perpetuity, they shall enter therein; they shad be made to wear therein bracelets of gold and pearls, and their dress therein shall be silk

34) And they shall say: (all) praise is due to Allah, who has made grief to depart from us; most surely our lord is forgiving, multiplier of rewards,

35) Who has made us alight in a house abiding for ever out of . his grace; toil shall not touch us therein, nor shall fatigue therein afflict us

PICKTHAL:

32) Then we gave the scripture as inheritance unto those whom we elected of our bondmen. but of them are some who wrong themselves and of them are some who are lukewarm, and of them are some who outstrip (others) through good deeds, by Allah’s leave. that is the great favour!

33) Gardens of eden! they enter them wearing armlets of gold and pearl and their raiment therein is silk.

34) And they say: praise be to Allah who hath put grief away from us. lo! our lord is forgiving, bountiful,

35) Who, of his grace, hath installed us in the mansion of eternity, where toil toucheth us not nor can weariness affect us.

YUSUFALI:

32) Then we have given the book for inheritance to such of our servants as we have chosen: but there are among them some who wrong their own souls; some who follow a middle course; and some who are, by Allah’s leave, foremost in good deeds; that is the highest grace.

33) Gardens of eternity will they enter: therein will they be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls; and their garments there will be of silk.

34) And they will say: “praise be to Allah, who has removed from us (all) sorrow: for our lord is indeed oft-forgiving ready to appreciate (service):

35) “Who has, out of his bounty, settled us in a home that will last: no toil nor sense of weariness shall touch us therein.”

Chapter 50 of the Quran (15) the Happiest Event in Paradise

In the previous article, Allah-fearing servants will see with joy their eventual dwelling that is the Eternal garden, the Paradise.

Now, the Paradise is not far anymore from them.

This is what they were promised in the life of the world.

 

The verse 50:34 says:

Then, It will be said to them ‘Enter it in peace!

That is to say, be secure from every fear.

Today, you do not have to fear from Allah’s chastisement

Today, you do not have to fear from hunger

Today, you do not have to fear from thirst

Today, you do not have to fear from any disease

Today, you do not have to fear from ageing

Today, you do not have to fear from death

Today is the day of immortality, the day when the dwellers of Paradise will enter it to abide therein for eternity.

Today, is the day of everlastingness in Paradise

 

O believers, O dwellers in Paradise! What do you want herein?

 

The verse 50:35 says:

 

Do you want food? You will have whatever you wish of any kind of food; and with Allah there is yet more as extra for what you will request.

 

Do you want soft drinks? You will have whatever you wish of any kind of drinks; and with Allah there is yet more as extra for what you will request.

 

Do you want servants to serve you? You will have whatever you wish of servants; and with Allah there is yet more as extra for what you will request.

 

Do you want amusements? You will have whatever you wish of any kind of amusements ; and with Allah there is yet more as extra for what you will request.

 

In conclusion:

There, in Paradise, the dwellers have all that they want, and there is more with Allah.

And it is said that this means: in every hour and in every day, they have with Allah an increase in honor and reward.

Regardless of all of that, the happiest and thrilled event in Paradise is beholding Allah’s Countenance; and this is another story.

I (the author) wish to be one of the attendances of this Cheeriest Event!

 

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The verses 50:34-35 in different translations

 

QARIB:

34) Enter it in peace. this is the day of eternity! ‘

35) There they have all that they desire, and with us is much more.

 

SHAKIR:

34) Enter it in peace, that is the day of abiding

35) They have therein what they wish and with us is more yet

 

PICKTHAL:

34) Enter it in peace. this is the day of immortality.

35) There they have all that they desire, and there is more with us.

 

YUSUFALI:

34) “Enter ye therein in peace and security; this is a day of eternal life!”

35) There will be for them therein all that they wish,- and more besides in our presence.