The truth of life, one of the most bitter ones, is that people we love and whom we need, those whom we have no idea about, or even ourselves, are all going to die one day. Really hard to believe.
As it says in the Qur’an, in Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 156, “Who, when disaster strikes them, say, ‘Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.'” That’s a very, very strong reminder of our mortality, and when embraced, really helps put things into focus about what really matters in life. We forget time and again how short of a time we have on this earth and allow ourselves to get caught up in so much nothingness.
To a Muslim, death is not the end of life but promotion to another kind of existence. This world is an examination that Allah set up, and death is the end of that examination. No more actions can then be initiated—no more writing in the exam of life. It is our duty to ensure that we have done everything in our hands toward success before the test comes to an end. And just like in the actual test, this is a personal thing—no cheating, please.
At Myislam, we have collected 51 quotes on death and life to inspire reflection and drive you toward what really matters. Share this reflection if you find it useful.
51 Islamic Quotes on Death
Death is one of the most bitter realities about life: the knowledge that the people we love, the people whom we need, and even strangers whom we may know or not, will all pass away. In the end, we, too, shall know death. It can be the saddest thing to think about, yet at the same time, it is strangely a very powerful lesson for our finite times on earth.
This thought is very well captured in the Qur’an, Surah Baqarah, Ayat 156: “Who, when disaster strikes them, say, ‘Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.'” That is a very highly emotive and remedial way of remembering our mortality so that we remain focused on things of importance. In the hustle of daily living, we forget how limited our time on earth is and get distracted by so many things that do not carry much weight.
In Islam, death is not an end to life; rather, it is a form of migration into another dimension. The entire world is but a testing ground in relation to the life that follows death, and a person’s death is just the ending of the test. Just as in an examination there is no cheating; everyone had to prepare and do it himself or herself in order to pass the exam in the hereafter.
Here is a collection of 51 Islamic quotes about death and life. May they inspire and guide you on the things that truly matter.
1. “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.”
Verily, from Allah we came, and to Him, we return.
- “Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him, and whoever hates to meet Allah, Allah hates to meet him.”
(Source: Sahih Muslim 157, Grade: Sahih) - “I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death and I hate to disappoint him.”
(Source: Sahih Bukhari 6137, Grade: Sahih) - “None of you should long for death because of some misery that befalls him because of a calamity that has afflicted him. However, if he must do something, he should say: ‘O Allah, keep me alive as long as life is good for me, and cause me to die if death is better for me.'”
(Source: Sahih Bukhari 5437, Grade: Sahih) - “Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion?”
(Surat Al-Imran, Ayah 185) - “No one among you should wish for death. If he is pious, maybe he will add to his good deeds, and if he is a sinner, perhaps he will change for good.”
(Source: Sahih Bukhari 6808. Grade: Sahih) - “”The righteous (will be) amid gardens and rivers, In an Assembly of Truth, in the Presence of a Sovereign Omnipotent. (It will be said): ‘This is what was promised to you,- for every Returner, Watchful one, Who feared ((Allah)) the Most Gracious Unseen, and brought a heart returning (in repentance).”
- “When you see a funeral procession, then stand up for it until it passes or the deceased is placed in the grave.”
(Source: Sahih Bukhari 1245, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi) - “Verily, you only stand to glorify Allah, who is the receiver of souls.”
(Source: Musnad Ahmad 6394) - “And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter is the real life, if only they knew.”
(Surah Ankabut, Verse 64) - “A moment of patience in a moment of anger prevents a thousand moments of regret.”
(Ali ibn Abi Talib) - Hazrat Muhammad said, “If Allah wants to do good to somebody, He afflicts him with trials.”
(Source: Sahih Bukhari: Volume 7, Book 70, Number 548) - “To the world you may be a billionaire, a celebrity, or an icon, but to the Angel of Death you’re just another name on the list.”
- “Death can come at any time, so to die as a Muslim, you must live at all times as a Muslim. There is no time for later.”
- “Death is not the biggest disaster in life. The biggest disaster in life is when our fear of Allah dies while we are still alive.”
- “The worst of our faults is our interest in other people’s faults.”
(Ali Ibn Abi Talib, RA) - The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) rose to his feet at the passing by of a bier, and he was told, “This is the bier of a Jew.” He said, “Wasn’t it occupied by a soul from which example and fear should be taken?”
Source: Sahih Bukhari 1312 - “The Faithful do not die; rather, they transition from this perishable world to the world of eternal existences.”
- “My Lord! You have surely granted me some power and taught me something from the interpretation of visions. ˹O˺ Creator of the heavens and the earth! You are my Guardian in this world and the Hereafter. Send me as one who submits and join me with the righteous.”
(Surah Yusuf, Verse 101) - “Death is a blessing to a Muslim. Remember and speak well of your dead, and refrain from speaking ill of them.”
- “Life without Allah is like an unsharpened pencil; it has no point.”
- “Everybody wants to change the world, but nobody wants to change themselves.”
- “The world is not the resting place; it is the testing place.”
- “And verily, it is We who give life, and who give death: it is We who remain Inheritors (after all else passes away).”
(Surah al-Hijr, Verse 23) - The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “If the Day of Judgment erupts while you are planting a new tree, carry on and plant it.”
This quote is very powerful, showing the aspect of sadaqah jariyah: do a lot of good that will be benefiting others even after death. - “When you become too dependent upon someone, Allah will either snatch away or take away or remove that particular individual from your life just to show you where the real source of strength is. Yes, we all need people in our lives but never at the cost of dis/remembrance of Allah! He alone won’t disappoint! “
(Mufti Menk) - “He who created death and life to see which of you is the best in deed. And He is the Mighty, the Forgiving.”
(Surah Mulk, Verse 2) - “And if you see, when the wrongdoers are in the agonies of death, and the angels send forth their hands: ‘Yield ye your souls! This day ye shall receive your reward, a penalty of disgrace for sinners, and because ye were arrogant in guiding about Allah’s signs, overweening with pride thereto.
- “On the Day every soul will be confronted with all the good it has done and all the evil it has done, it will wish that there were a great distance between it and its evil. And Allah cautions you against Himself. And Allah is full of kindness to the servants.”
(Surat Imran, Ayah 30) - “Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as a trial; and to Us, you will be returned.”
(Surah Anbiya, Verse 35)
- “Indeed, Allah knows those among you who keep others back (from fighting) and those who say to their brothers, ‘Come to us,’ while they do not go to battle except for just a little while.”
(Surah Luqman, Verse 18) - “O soul that is at rest! Return to your Lord, well-pleased (with Him), well-pleasing (to Him). So enter among My servants, and enter into My paradise.”
(Surah Al-Fajr, Verses 27-30) - The martyrs are of five kinds: one who dies of plague, one who dies of a stomach disease, one who drowns, one who dies under debris and one who dies in the path of Allah the Exalted.
(Sahih Bukhari 2674, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi)
Notice that it shows that martyrdom is not obtained by rushing stupidly into an unnecessary fight. - “Gabriel came to me to give me the good news that whoever from my nation died without setting up partners with Allah will enter Paradise.”
I asked, “Even if he committed fornication and theft?” The Prophet
replied, “Even if he committed fornication and theft.”
.Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 1180, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi - “Hell is your wonted home wherein you will dwell except as Allah willeth. Lo. Thy Lord is Knowing, Wise.”
(Chapter al-An’am, Verse 128) - Ibn ‘Umar used to say, “If you survive till the evening, do not expect to be alive in the morning, and if you survive till the morning, do not expect to be alive in the evening. Take from your health for your sickness, and from your life for your death.”
Sahih Bukhari #6416 - Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah said, “Remember frequently the thing that cuts off pleasures”, meaning death.
(at-Tirmidhi) - “Ya Allah, Let my death only reach me when you have forgiven my sins and you are pleased with me.”
- “Life isn’t guaranteed at all but death is absolutely guaranteed for all, yet we still prepare for life more than death.”
- “And in the end, there’s only me, my Lord, and my deeds.”
- Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said, “Race to good actions as fast as you can. What are you waiting for except delayed poverty, oppressive wealth, debilitating illness, dottering senility, a swift death, or the Dajjal? Or are you waiting for an unseen evil, or the Last Hour? The Last Hour will be most bitter and terrible.”
(at-Tirmidhi) - “People go to Allah after death but a wise person goes to Allah before their death.”
- “Today you own the pieces of land, but tomorrow a land will own you.”
- “Life is a journey from Allah to Allah.”
- “Put aside your pride, set down your arrogance, and remember your grave.”
- “It doesn’t matter how rich you are; you can’t bribe the angel of death.”
- “Death does not see your age, gender, nationality or religion. It will come unexpectedly, so be prepared always.”
- “Believe it, there is life after death, there is accountability after death. And this sense of accountability frightens everybody.”
- “Allah gives you life, then makes you die; He then assembles you for the Day of Judgement about which there is no doubt, but most people are ignorant.”
(Surat Jathiya, Ayahs 24-26) - “Nay, the death from which you flee from, nay, it shall certainly meet you, then you shall be sent back to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, then He shall inform you of what you used to do.”
(Surah Jumu’ah, Verse 8) - “Today you own pieces of land, but tomorrow a land shall own you.”
Life is too short, and for some, it’s extra short. What is one act you can do that will make another person in your life happy or smile? How often the smallest of things are done in terms of real work but make a huge difference? Be of service to others; help unselfishly. After all, you will be judged by your actions at the end. Why not then be a person who’s positive and optimistic? What have you got to lose?
Harness the power of sadaqah jariyah. Just as those wealthy in this dunya compound money, so compound your rewards so you will be a billionaire in positive deeds on the Day of Judgment, and that will serve you better than having all riches in the world.
islamic quotes about death FAQs
What is the Islamic perspective on death?
Death, to a Muslim, is merely an opener from life to the hereafter. It is the close of our examination period, as it were, on Earth and the beginning of an endless journey toward the weighing of one’s deeds and determining one’s final abode. Life on Earth is fleeting; the afterlife is forever.
What does the Quran say about death?
Death and the associated preparedness, in view of this fact, is repeatedly brought out in the Quran. For example, Surah Al-Imran, Verse 185, states, “Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection…” This is to emphasize that man should live a righteous life for the sake of the afterlife.
How does Islam prepare its adherents for death?
Islam ensures that Muslims live a life of righteousness while carrying out their responsibilities toward Allah and humanity. This means doing what is good, shunning evil actions, being merciful to God over past misdeeds, and remembering death in order to keep things in perspective.
Why do the Muslims say, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un” upon somebody’s death?
The phrase “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un” means “Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.” The phrase reminds us that life is short and we are all going to leave one day, returning to Allah. It is said to show surrender to the will of Allah while requesting Allah to be forbearing upon one at times of loss.
What does the Hadith about death in Islam really mean?
Hadiths are sayings of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him that guide on how to confront death and the afterlife. They remind one to lead a righteous life, not to pray for death in despair, and to be prepared for the event at all times by doing good deeds.
How do the Islamic teachings help Muslims cope with the death of a loved one?
Comfort can be derived from the Islamic teachings: the reminder that death is definitely part of life and that souls will be rewarded for good deeds or punished for evil deeds on the Day of Reckoning. The deceased is prayed for, patience is sought, and families are reminded that they shall all meet again in the afterlife.
What are some common Islamic practices at the time of one’s passing?
After death, the body is washed, shrouded, and a funeral prayer called Salat al-Janazah is offered. The dead body is buried with its face towards Qiblah, that is towards the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca. Muslims have been encouraged to pray for the dead and give solace to the family of the deceased.
Why is it important to remember death in Islam?
The remembrance of death keeps the Muslim feet on the ground, reminding one about the ephemerality of life and the kind of living that is PLEASING TO ALLAH. It averts people from excessive attachment to the world and sets the believer to work for the hereafter.
Share some famous Islamic quotes about death.
Some of the famous quotes are:
“Every soul will taste death.” (Quran 3:185)
“Remember often the thing that cuts off pleasures,” i.e., death. Hadith, at-Tirmidhi
“Life is a journey from Allah to Allah.”
What is sadaqah jariyah, and what does it have to do with death?
Sadaqah jariyah is that type of charity which continues right until the Servant of Allah dies. Examples include building a well, funding education, or planting trees. It gives incentive to Muslims to do such work through which they may keep on earning rewards in the hereafter as well.
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