Death
Inheritance law according to the Quran
Some Muslims believe that you are not allowed to write a will before dying and that inheritance is strictly based on the percentages specified in the Quran. However, not only is writing a will allowed, it’s even a prescribed duty for all Muslims. This is proven in verse 2:180.
كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ إِن تَرَكَ خَيْرًا الْوَصِيَّةُ لِلْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ۖ حَقًّا عَلَى الْمُتَّقِينَPrescribed for you when death approaches [any] one of you if he leaves wealth [is that he should make] a bequest (will) for the parents and near relatives according to what is acceptable / reasonable / fair — a duty upon the righteous. (2:180)
In other words, if you do not make a will, then you violate verse 2:106.
According to verse 5:106, when you make a will, you need two witnesses.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا شَهَادَةُ بَيْنِكُمْ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ حِينَ الْوَصِيَّةِ اثْنَانِ ذَوَا عَدْلٍ مِّنكُمْ أَوْ آخَرَانِ مِنْ غَيْرِكُمْ إِنْ أَنتُمْ ضَرَبْتُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَأَصَابَتْكُم مُّصِيبَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۚ تَحْبِسُونَهُمَا مِن بَعْدِ الصَّلَاةِ فَيُقْسِمَانِ بِاللَّهِ إِنِ ارْتَبْتُمْ لَا نَشْتَرِي بِهِ ثَمَنًا وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَىٰ ۙ وَلَا نَكْتُمُ شَهَادَةَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا إِذًا لَّمِنَ الْآثِمِينَO you who have believed, testimony [should be taken] among you when death approaches one of you at the time of bequest — [that of] two just men from among you or two others from outside if you are traveling through the land and the disaster of death should strike you. Detain them after the prayer and let them both swear by Allah if you doubt [their testimony, saying], “We will not exchange our oath for a price, even if he should be a near relative, and we will not withhold the testimony of Allah . Indeed, we would then be of the sinful.” (5:106)
According to verse 4:7, one must leave a will for parents and near relatives.
لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَالْأَقْرَبُونَ وَلِلنِّسَاءِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَالْأَقْرَبُونَ مِمَّا قَلَّ مِنْهُ أَوْ كَثُرَ ۚ نَصِيبًا مَّفْرُوضًاFor men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much — an obligatory share. (4:7)
Some Muslims may argue that Quran chapter 4 (surah Nisaa) abrogates or replaces the requirement to make and follow a will in verse 2:180. However, upon careful analysis, it becomes clear that the inheritance verses in Surah Nisaa only apply after any debts have been paid and the will has been executed. Of course, if no will exists, the specific inheritance percentages specified in Surah Nisaa would apply.
… مِن بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍ يُوصِي بِهَا أَوْ دَيْنٍ …(the distribution stipulated) … after (Arabic: ba’di) any will (Arabic: wasiyyatin) which he has made or any debts … (4:11)… مِّن بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍ تُوصُونَ بِهَا أَوْ دَيْنٍ …(the distribution stipulated) … after (Arabic: ba’di) any will (Arabic: wasiyyatin) which was made or any debts … (4:12)
Obviously, if the distribution stipulations in chapter 4 were only to be followed, then there would be no point in God requiring everyone to make a will (2:180).
Furthermore, according to verse 2:181, no one has the authority to prevent someone from making a will or to change an existing will.
فَمَن بَدَّلَهُ بَعْدَمَا سَمِعَهُ فَإِنَّمَا إِثْمُهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يُبَدِّلُونَهُ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌThen whoever alters the bequest (will) after he has heard it — the sin is only upon those who have altered it. Indeed, God is Hearing and Knowing. (2:181)
However, according to 2:182, if one feels any wrongdoing on the part of the person making the will (testator), then they are allowed to reconcile / correct the issue with the testator.
فَمَنْ خَافَ مِن مُّوصٍ جَنَفًا أَوْ إِثْمًا فَأَصْلَحَ بَيْنَهُمْ فَلَا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌBut if one fears from the bequeather [some] error or sin and corrects that which is between them, there is no sin upon him. Indeed, God is Forgiving and Merciful. (2:182)
Some Muslims get a headache when trying to understand verses 4:11–12 to determine shares of an inheritance. If Muslims just followed the Quranic requirement to create a will, then there would be no need to feel guilty or confused when trying to understand verses 4:11–12. Nevertheless, one must keep in mind that a will (wasiyya) should be made with fairness / reasonableness (bil-ma’rufin) in mind. It should not intend to hurt or compromise (ghayra mudarrin — 4:12) other beneficiaries, e.g. by not giving a fair portion to one’s closest relatives.
In the end, only God knows which relatives such as parents or children are nearer to one in benefit.
آبَاؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَاؤُكُمْ لَا تَدْرُونَ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ لَكُمْ نَفْعًاYour parents or your children — you know not which of them are nearest to you in benefit. (4:11)
Obviously, the benefit of God allowing people to create a will is so that people have the flexibility to adjust shares taking into account certain circumstances that may exist, e.g. if a sole parent has two children and one child is filthy rich and the other is poor, the parent has the authority to give more to the poor child since that child, obviously, would need the money more than the rich kid.
If a will doesn’t exist or if a will leaves a remainder to be divided, then one must follow the distribution stipulations in 4:11–12. I have made a flowchart to help with this matter. It can be found at
http://quranbasedislam.com/inheritance-flowchat
What happens when a will doesn’t exist and Quranic distribution shares don’t add up to 100%?
This is a common question asked when people try to divide an inheritance when there is no will. For example, if the deceased has no legal heirs / relatives except for one sister, then the Quran states that the sister gets ½ of the inheritance. So what must be done with the remaining half?
First of all, you should never be in this situation to begin with because the Quran requires that you create a will (2:180) and nowhere in the Quran does it limit what percentage of your wealth can be specified in the will. So, if people just follow the Quran’s mandates, they can make a will accounting for 100% of their wealth and there would be no problems. Of course, debts must be paid first.
Secondly, if for some reason there is no will, which unfortunately seems to happen very often, then in the event the Quranic inheritance distribution shares don’t add up to 100%, then the remainder logically needs to be divided somehow. The Quran does not specify what to do with the remainder. This may be so as to offer flexibility in dividing the remainder to whoever deserves it based on each family’s situation. For example, if the only legal heirs are two sisters and there is no will, then the Quran indicates that the sisters share 2/3 of the inheritance, i.e. each gets 1/3. The remaining 1/3 can be allocated based on the appointed executor(s) judgment keeping in mind verse 2:180 which requires allocation be fair and appropriate (bil-ma’rufin) and verse 4:12 which requires that allocation not be done with the intention of hurting anyone (ghayra mudarrin). Following are examples of ways the remaining 1/3 can be divided:
- if one sister is filthy rich and the other is poor, then logically the poor sister would be more in need of the extra inheritance and therefore may deserve some or all of the remaining 1/3
- if there are other relatives or orphans or needy people present during the time of the inheritance distribution, then according to verse 4:8, they should and could get the remaining 1/3
- if both sisters are equal financially and there are no other relatives, orphans or needy people present, then the two sisters could divide the remaining 1/3 equally
Obviously, the best person to decide how their inheritance should be distributed would be the person who dies. For that reason, it makes sense that God would require everyone to make a will. Inheritance executors, e.g. probate court judges, probably don’t know how to best distribute any remaining inheritance and they probably don’t want to make decisions regarding someone else’s wealth. Again, that is why it is imperative that everyone make a will, even if that will closely matches the Quranic inheritance distribution stipulations with slight modifications to adds up to 100%.
The example above is where the Quranic distribution percentage don’t add up to 100%. There’s also the possibility where the percentages add up to over 100%. Consider the following example where a man dies and is survived by his wife, 3 daughters and both parents.
In this example, the distribution exceeds 100% by 12.5%. Since that makes no sense, the only logical thing to do is reduce everyone’s percentage proportionally to reach 100%. Again, this would not be an issue if the deceased had just made a will with a 100% distribution. This is exactly what is done in the online Islamic inheritance calculator at
http://inheritance.ilmsummit.org/projects/inheritance/home.aspx
Are the Quranic distribution percentages fair?
Many people insist that they must follow the Quranic percentages even though verse 2:180 mandates that everyone make a will and distribute their inheritance with fairness and reasonableness. Now, let’s consider a hypothetical situation whereby a man is married to someone for 20 years. His parents have passed away and he has no siblings. The man then divorces his wife and remarries. One day after his 2nd wedding, he dies without having written a will. In this particular case, the Quranic percentages would result in the following distribution:
As you can see, the ex-wife of 20 years gets nothing and the new wife of 1 day gets 100%. This clearly violates verse 2:180 because it’s clearly an unfair and unreasonable distribution considering the duration of the marriages. This is yet another example which shows why it is absolutely necessary, not to mention mandatory, to make a will. Without one, there’s a good chance that inheritance distributions would not be fair.
With a will, is there a limit to how much you can distribute?
Some Muslims will argue that the most you can allocate in a will is 1/3 (33%) of your total assets. This value is nowhere to be found in the Quran. It comes from the hadith. For proof as to why the hadith is invalid, please see my other book titled: Analysis of Validity of Prophet Muhammad’s Hadith — Is It Truly From Muhammad And Valid Islamic Law?
As stated in verse 22:78, God has not made His religion difficult or overly complex.
وَجَاهِدُوا فِي اللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِ ۚ هُوَ اجْتَبَاكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍAnd strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. … (22:78 part)
It’s usually people who tend to make God’s religion difficult and overly complex. At the end of the day, according to verse 64:16 what matters most is that you make an effort to do the best you can.
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَاسْمَعُوا وَأَطِيعُوا وَأَنفِقُوا خَيْرًا لِّأَنفُسِكُمْ ۗ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَSo fear God [by keeping your duty to him] as best as you can / what you are able (Arabic: ma is’tata’tum) and listen and obey and spend [in the way of God]; it is better for your selves. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul — it is those who will be the successful. (64:16 part)
Judgment Day questions
This is a hypothetical dialogue between God and someone we’ll call “Ahmed”. The dialogue takes place on Judgment Day after the end of the world. This hypothetical dialogue is for educational purposes only.
God:
When you were alive on earth, did you tell people that listening to music was forbidden / haram in Islam? Don’t lie. I’m God. I already know the answer.
Ahmed:
Yes, God. Since it is haram, I told people that it was haram to listen to music.
God:
What makes you think that listening to music is haram? Did you find that law in the Quran? Don’t lie to me. I’m God. And I authored the Quran!
Ahmed:
It’s not in the Quran but it’s quite clear in the hadith (Sahih Bukhari) that music is haram.
God:
Hmmm … in the Quran, I did not forbid the listening of music but you believe that I forbade listening to music because someone claimed to hear Prophet Muhammad say that listening to music was haram.
Ahmed:
Well, since the hadith from Prophet Muhammad said that listening to music was haram, I assumed that it was God’s law.
God:
Did you read the Quran while you were alive on earth?
Ahmed:
Yes, of course! I read it thousands of times all throughout my life.
God:
Great! Did you understand what you were reading?
Ahmed:
Well, not really. Arabic is not my native language.
God:
So you read the Quran thousands of times all throughout your life but didn’t even understand what you were reading?
Ahmed:
Well, I figured I didn’t need to because I learned Islam from my parents, teachers in school and the community in general. Also, most Muslims believe the prophet’s hadith to be valid.
God:
So you just assumed your parents, the community, and popular belief are correct?
Ahmed:
Well, yes. How could they all be wrong?
God:
Well, if you took time to actually understand the Quran, you’d know why they could be wrong. I gave an example in verses 21:52–68 and 2:170 describing how Prophet Abraham’s father and community were all idol-worshippers. Also, I clearly stated in verse 6:116 that if you follow popular belief, you will be mislead. I also stated in verse 47:24 that you should study and understand the Quran. In verse 17:36, I also forbade people from believing in and following something without understanding it or seeing proof first.
Ahmed:
What about the hadith? I studied it and many people forwarded many wise sayings of the Prophet Muhammad to me almost daily on WhatsApp, especially during Ramadan?
God:
Like I said, if you took the time to understand the Quran as instructed in verse 47:24, you’d find that in verses 45:6, 68:36–38 and 6:114 that I forbade the following of any book or hadith besides the Quran.
Ahmed:
But the hadith are statements from the Prophet himself. Since the prophet gave us the Quran, shouldn’t we also believe everything else he said?
God:
Like I said, if you took the time to understand the Quran, you’d find in verses 10:15, 46:9, 6:50, 7:203 that even Muhammad himself only followed what was revealed to him. In other words, Muhammad himself would not have followed the hadith that you and most Muslims on earth followed.
Ahmed:
Wasn’t everything he said revealed to him from God?
God:
Like I said, if you took the time to understand the Quran, you’d know that only the Quran was a revelation from God. Everything else Muhammad said was not inspired by God. This is proven in verse 66:1 where I asked Muhammad why he forbade something which I never forbade in the Quran. Therefore, if I never said in the Quran that listening to music was forbidden, then no one else including Muhammad could make up a law in My name saying that music was forbidden.
Ahmed:
If what you’re telling me is true, and since you’re God, it must be true, then I’m afraid most people on earth were misinformed because most of them took the hadith as God’s law.
God:
I know. That’s why I said in verse 6:116 that if you follow popular belief, you will be misled because most people only follow assumptions without seeking proof.
Ahmed:
But how could we only follow the Quran when it is incomplete? Everyone told me that the hadith was necessary to explain the Quran.
God:
Like I said, if you took the time to understand the Quran, you wouldn’t be asking that question. I told you in verses 6:115 and 6:38 that the Quran is complete. I also said in verses 6:114 and 12:111 that it was very detailed. I also said in verse 25:33 that it is the best explanation (ahsan tafsir).
Ahmed:
But the Quran doesn’t explain how to pray. Only the hadith explains how to pray.
God:
That’s not true. How did you learn how to pray?
Ahmed:
My parents taught me.
God:
So you are assuming that the hadith explains in detail how to pray?
Ahmed:
Well, I’ve been told that the hadith explains how to pray.
God:
There you go again, just blindly believing whatever people tell you without proof.
Ahmed:
But I was told by Islamic scholars. Surely they can be trusted, right?
God:
The hadith was written 200+ years after Muhammad died. If only the hadith explains how to pray, then how did people pray during the 200+ years before the hadith was written?
Ahmed:
Hmmm …. I guess they learned from their parents and the community.
God:
In verse 22:26, it’s clear that people prayed during the time of Prophet Abraham. In verse 2:43, I told the Children of Israel (Jews) to pray with others who pray. In verse 3:43, I told Mary, mother of Prophet Jesus (Isa), to pray with others who pray. The Quran makes it clear that praying began way before Prophet Muhammad’s time. The Quran also details many aspects of prayer such as ablution (wudhu) (4:43; 5:6), prayer direction (qiblah) (2.143–44), prayer times (4:103; 11:114; 17:78; 24:58; 30:18; 2:238: 20:58), prostration (Sujood) (4:102; 48:29), standing position (3:39; 4:102), call to prayer (adhan) and congregation prayer (62:9), etc. People have been praying long before the hadith and they learned from their parents, generation after generation, just like you did.
Ahmed:
I see ….
God:
The hadith only mentions certain aspects of prayer. The fact that not even a single hadith explains the details of a complete prayer is suspicious considering the thousands of hadith that have been recorded.
Ahmed:
Sighhh …. I guess I should have paid more attention to the actual “meaning” of the Quran instead of just making the “sounds” of the Arabic recitation. So now what?
God:
Well, in verse 5:44, I told people that if they judge by any book besides the Quran, then they are kafir. Also, in verse 16:116 I told people not to spread false information in the name of God. You judged by telling people that God made listening to music haram even though I never said that in the Quran.
Ahmed:
Oh shit! Can I go back to earth to fix my mistakes?
God:
I knew you were going to say that. I even said so in verses 23:99–100.
Ahmed:
But I didn’t know.
God:
You had your entire life to figure this out. You repeatedly recited the Quran numerous times but never bothered to understand the meaning. Didn’t I give you a brain so that you could use it? Instead, you just blindly followed people like cows. I made this very clear in verses 8:22, 7:179 and 25:44.
Ahmed:
So will I go to Hell?
God:
Well, not necessarily. You’re actually not dead yet. You are sleeping right now and this entire dialogue is in your dream. I will cause you to wake up in precisely 2 hours, 7 minutes, 30 seconds and 14 milliseconds. After you wake up, I suggest you remember what we talked about in this dream. Remember, according to verse 28:56, I only give guidance to whoever I want. Don’t ignore it!
Can anyone help me on the Day of Judgment?
Many Muslims believe that prophet Muhammad or someone special can help them on the Day of Judgment. However, the Quran makes it clear that no one, including Prophet Muhammad, can intercede and help anyone on that day. This is proven in verse 82:17–19.
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا يَوْمُ الدِّينِ ثُمَّ مَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا يَوْمُ الدِّينِ يَوْمَ لَا تَمْلِكُ نَفْسٌ لِّنَفْسٍ شَيْئًا ۖ وَالْأَمْرُ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلَّهِAnd what can make you know what is the Day of Recompense? Again, what can make you know what is the Day of Recompense? It is the Day when a soul will not possess for another soul [power to do] a thing; and the command, that Day, is [entirely] with Allah. (82:17–19)
According to verse 46:9, prophet Muhammad doesn’t know what will happen to himself let alone anyone else. His job was just to warn people.
قُلْ مَا كُنتُ بِدْعًا مِّنَ الرُّسُلِ وَمَا أَدْرِي مَا يُفْعَلُ بِي وَلَا بِكُمْ ۖ إِنْ أَتَّبِعُ إِلَّا مَا يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ وَمَا أَنَا إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌSay, “I am not something original among the messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow that which is revealed to me, and I am not but a clear warner.” (46:9)
According to verses 7:188 and 10:49, prophet Muhammad had not power of good or harm to himself and he had no knowledge of the unseen.
قُل لَّا أَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِي نَفْعًا وَلَا ضَرًّا إِلَّا مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ ۚ وَلَوْ كُنتُ أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ لَاسْتَكْثَرْتُ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ وَمَا مَسَّنِيَ السُّوءُ ۚ إِنْ أَنَا إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَSay (O Muhammad), “I hold not for myself [the power of] benefit or harm, except what Allah has willed. And if I knew the unseen, I could have acquired much wealth, and no harm would have touched me. I am not except a warner and a bringer of good tidings to a people who believe.” (7:188)قُل لَّا أَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِي ضَرًّا وَلَا نَفْعًا إِلَّا مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ ۗ لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلٌ ۚ إِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهُمْ فَلَا يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ سَاعَةً ۖ وَلَا يَسْتَقْدِمُونَSay (O Muhammad), “I possess not for myself any harm or benefit except what Allah should will. For every nation is a [specified] term. When their time has come, then they will not remain behind an hour, nor will they precede [it].” (10:49)
According to verse 39:19, God makes it clear that no one can save anyone else who is in Hell.
أَفَمَنْ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِ كَلِمَةُ الْعَذَابِ أَفَأَنتَ تُنقِذُ مَن فِي النَّارِThen, is one who has deserved the decree of punishment [to be guided]? Then, can you save one who is in the Fire? (39:19)
According to verses 2:48 and 2:123, no intercession will be accepted to help anyone on the Day of Judgement.
وَاتَّقُوا يَوْمًا لَّا تَجْزِي نَفْسٌ عَن نَّفْسٍ شَيْئًا وَلَا يُقْبَلُ مِنْهَا شَفَاعَةٌ وَلَا يُؤْخَذُ مِنْهَا عَدْلٌ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَAnd fear a Day when no soul will suffice for another soul at all, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will compensation be taken from it, nor will they be aided. (2:48)وَاتَّقُوا يَوْمًا لَّا تَجْزِي نَفْسٌ عَن نَّفْسٍ شَيْئًا وَلَا يُقْبَلُ مِنْهَا عَدْلٌ وَلَا تَنفَعُهَا شَفَاعَةٌ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَAnd fear a Day when no soul will suffice for another soul at all, and no compensation will be accepted from it, nor will any intercession benefit it, nor will they be aided. (2:123)
The fact that no intercession will exist is reiterated in 2:254.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنفِقُوا مِمَّا رَزَقْنَاكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ يَوْمٌ لَّا بَيْعٌ فِيهِ وَلَا خُلَّةٌ وَلَا شَفَاعَةٌ ۗ وَالْكَافِرُونَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَO you who have believed, spend from that which We have provided for you before there comes a Day in which there is no exchange and no friendship and no intercession. And the disbelievers — they are the wrongdoers. (2:254)
According to verse 9:80, even if prophet Muhammad asks 70 times for God to forgive someone, God will not forgive.
اسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ أَوْ لَا تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ إِن تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً فَلَن يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَفَرُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِينَAsk forgiveness for them, [O Muhammad], or do not ask forgiveness for them. If you should ask forgiveness for them seventy times — never will Allah forgive them. That is because they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger, and Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.
According to verse 9:113, prophet Muhammad and believers are forbidden from praying for polytheists, even if they were close relatives.
مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِيِّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَن يَسْتَغْفِرُوا لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ وَلَوْ كَانُوا أُولِي قُرْبَىٰ مِن بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَابُ الْجَحِيمِIt is not for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are companions of Hellfire. (9:113)
Is death a bad thing?
Some Muslims see death as a bad thing or become extremely sad upon knowing that they or someone close to them will die or has just died.
The Quran makes it clear that the life of this world on Earth is like a illusion and any form of enjoyment experienced is nowhere close to what you’d get in Heaven.
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۖ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِEvery 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. (3:185)اعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَزِينَةٌ وَتَفَاخُرٌ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌ فِي الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَوْلَادِ ۖ كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَعْجَبَ الْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَاهُ مُصْفَرًّا ثُمَّ يَكُونُ حُطَامًا ۖ وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانٌ ۚ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِKnow that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children — like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion. (57:20)يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَا لَكُمْ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمُ انفِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ اثَّاقَلْتُمْ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ ۚ أَرَضِيتُم بِالْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا مِنَ الْآخِرَةِ ۚ فَمَا مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌO you who have believed, what is [the matter] with you that, when you are told to go forth in the cause of Allah, you adhere heavily to the earth? Are you satisfied with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But what is the enjoyment of worldly life compared to the Hereafter except a [very] little. (9:38)إِنَّمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ ۚ وَإِن تُؤْمِنُوا وَتَتَّقُوا يُؤْتِكُمْ أُجُورَكُمْ وَلَا يَسْأَلْكُمْ أَمْوَالَكُمْ[This] worldly life is only amusement and diversion. And if you believe and fear Allah, He will give you your rewards and not ask you for your properties. (47:36)وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ ۖ وَلَلدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ ۗ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَAnd the worldly life is not but amusement and diversion; but the home of the Hereafter is best for those who fear Allah, so will you not reason? (6:32)… قُلْ مَتَاعُ الدُّنْيَا قَلِيلٌ وَالْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّمَنِ اتَّقَىٰ …… Say, The enjoyment of this world is little, and the Hereafter is better for he who fears Allah … (4:77)
The Quran gives many descriptions of Heaven. If given the option, it should be obvious that everyone would immediately trade the life of this world for life in Heaven.
يُطَافُ عَلَيْهِم بِصِحَافٍ مِّن ذَهَبٍ وَأَكْوَابٍ ۖ وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِيهِ الْأَنفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ الْأَعْيُنُ ۖ وَأَنتُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَCirculated among them will be plates and vessels of gold. And therein is whatever the souls desire and [what] delights the eyes, and you will abide therein eternally. (43:71)كُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا هَنِيئًا بِمَا أَسْلَفْتُمْ فِي الْأَيَّامِ الْخَالِيَةِ[They will be told], “Eat and drink in satisfaction for what you put forth in the days past.” (69:24)أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهِمُ الْأَنْهَارُ يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَيَلْبَسُونَ ثِيَابًا خُضْرًا مِّن سُندُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُّتَّكِئِينَ فِيهَا عَلَى الْأَرَائِكِ ۚ نِعْمَ الثَّوَابُ وَحَسُنَتْ مُرْتَفَقًاThose will have gardens of perpetual residence; beneath them rivers will flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and brocade, reclining therein on adorned couches. Excellent is the reward, and good is the resting place. (18:31)لَا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا وَلَا تَأْثِيمًا إِلَّا قِيلًا سَلَامًا سَلَامًاThey will not hear therein ill speech or commission of sin — (56:25) Only a saying: “Peace, peace.” (56:26)وَنَزَعْنَا مَا فِي صُدُورِهِم مِّنْ غِلٍّ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهِمُ الْأَنْهَارُ …And We will have removed whatever is within their breasts of resentment, [while] flowing beneath them are rivers. … (7:43)مَّثَلُ الْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي وُعِدَ الْمُتَّقُونَ ۖ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ ۖ أُكُلُهَا دَائِمٌ وَظِلُّهَا ۚ تِلْكَ عُقْبَى الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوا ۖ وَّعُقْبَى الْكَافِرِينَ النَّارُ -The example of Paradise, which the righteous have been promised, is [that] beneath it rivers flow. Its food is lasting, and its shade. That is the consequence for the righteous, and the consequence for the disbelievers is the Fire. (13:35)إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَرِزْقُنَا مَا لَهُ مِن نَّفَادٍIndeed, this is Our provision; for it there is no depletion. (38:54)أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ رِزْقٌ مَّعْلُومٌ فَوَاكِهُ ۖ وَهُم مُّكْرَمُونَ فِي جَنَّاتِ النَّعِيمِ عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ مُّتَقَابِلِينَ يُطَافُ عَلَيْهِم بِكَأْسٍ مِّن مَّعِينٍ بَيْضَاءَ لَذَّةٍ لِّلشَّارِبِينَ لَا فِيهَا غَوْلٌ وَلَا هُمْ عَنْهَا يُنزَفُونَThose will have a provision determined — Fruits; and they will be honored In gardens of pleasure On thrones facing one another. There will be circulated among them a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring, White and delicious to the drinkers; No bad effect is there in it, nor from it will they be intoxicated. (37:41–47)مَّثَلُ الْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي وُعِدَ الْمُتَّقُونَ ۖ فِيهَا أَنْهَارٌ مِّن مَّاءٍ غَيْرِ آسِنٍ وَأَنْهَارٌ مِّن لَّبَنٍ لَّمْ يَتَغَيَّرْ طَعْمُهُ وَأَنْهَارٌ مِّنْ خَمْرٍ لَّذَّةٍ لِّلشَّارِبِينَ وَأَنْهَارٌ مِّنْ عَسَلٍ مُّصَفًّى ۖ وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ ۖ كَمَنْ هُوَ خَالِدٌ فِي النَّارِ وَسُقُوا مَاءً حَمِيمًا فَقَطَّعَ أَمْعَاءَهُمْIs the description of Paradise, which the righteous are promised, wherein are rivers of water unaltered, rivers of milk the taste of which never changes, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink, and rivers of purified honey, in which they will have from all [kinds of] fruits and forgiveness from their Lord, like [that of] those who abide eternally in the Fire and are given to drink scalding water that will sever their intestines? (47:15)وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا أَزْوَاجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ ۖ وَهُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ… And they will have therein purified spouses, and they will abide therein eternally. (2:25)
If you are a baby and you die, then though your parents may be sad, you are lucky in that you get to go straight to Heaven without having to go through the ups and downs of life on Earth. Though the Quran doesn’t specifically say that babies that die go straight to Heaven, clues in the Quran coupled with logical reasoning would have you believe that that is the case, e.g. babies are innocent and not responsible for their actions and so since they can’t go to Hell, there’s only Heaven left. This would apply to all prepubescent children.
If you are an adult and you die prematurely, e.g. from an illness or accident or someone kills you, then as long as you have done your religious duties, you have nothing to fear (2:277) and you can expect to go to Heaven. In this case, dying prematurely is not necessarily a bad thing because it depends on your circumstances.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَIndeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds and establish prayer and give zakah will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. (2:277)إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـِٔينَ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَWhether they are the ones who believe, or whether they are Jews, Christians or Sabians – all who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and do righteous deeds – their reward is surely secure with their Lord; they need have no fear, nor shall they grieve. (2:62)بَلَىٰ مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُۥ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ فَلَهُۥٓ أَجْرُهُۥ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَYes, [on the contrary], whoever submits his face [i.e., self] in Islām to Allah while being a doer of good will have his reward with his Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve. (2:112)إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـُٔونَ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَIndeed, those who have believed and those who were Jews or Sabeans or Christians - those who believed in Allah and the Last Day and did righteousness - no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve. (5:69)إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَقَـٰمُوا۟ تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا۟ وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا۟ وَأَبْشِرُوا۟ بِٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَIndeed, those who have said, "Our Lord is God" and then remained on a right course - the angels will descend upon them, [saying], "Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised. (41:30)إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَقَـٰمُوا۟ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَIndeed, those who have said, "Our Lord is Allah," and then remained on a right course - there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. (46:13)
If you, like many people on Earth, live in poverty, or your particular circumstances prevent you from being able to enjoy life, then dying sooner than the average life span is a blessing as it would allow you to retire, so to speak, from the discomfort and unhappiness on Earth so you can go to Heaven sooner. On the other hand, if you have not satisfied your religious duties, then dying prematurely would be very bad as you will have lost all opportunity to correct your mistakes. Living a long life doesn’t necessarily mean you are lucky. If your circumstances make it difficult for you to feel happy, then living a long life could be seen as a punishment or a test, neither of which are good.
Given the information above, one could say that when someone dies, they’re really just moving on, and possibly (hopefully) to a far better life.
Is the end of the world a bad thing?
Some Muslims like to share stories about signs that the end of the world is near. Most of these signs are based on the hadith such as the proliferation of homosexuals, same-sex marriage, prostitution, taller and taller skyscrapers, etc. However, the Quran makes no mention of the signs of the end of the world. Either way, the stories told by people that the end of the world is coming is as if the end is such a bad thing. The Quran states in verse 2:277 that people who are believers and are righteous will have no fear regarding the end of the world.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَIndeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds and establish prayer and give zakah will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. (2:277)
So, if you fear the end of the world, then it could be that you are not a believer and are not righteous. People who know the future are usually at an advantage. It’s probably even safe to say that they are always at an advantage. If people can know ahead of time that due to their past actions, they will go to Hell, they will obviously do whatever it takes to repent and change their ways to have a better future (i.e. go to Paradise). Believers, in one way, are at an advantage because they know something that disbelievers don’t know or refuse to believe, namely that Paradise and Hell are real and will come after the end of the world. With this knowledge, wise believers would do the best they can to go to Paradise. However, they know that Paradise will not come until the end of the world comes. Therefore, the occurrence of the end of the world is a prerequisite for entrance to Paradise. As detailed in the Quran, Paradise is far better than the life of this world. Obviously, everyone would choose Paradise over this world. That being the case, if the end of the world came tomorrow and you have prepared yourself for it, then logically you should be excited as that would mean that Paradise would come sooner than later. In summary, the end of the world is only bad if you’re going to Hell. The end of the world is actually a good thing if you’re going to Heaven.
Upon death, how to tell if someone will go to Heaven or Hell
As prophet Muhammad stated in verse 46:9, even he doesn’t know what will happen to himself let alone anyone else.
قُلْ مَا كُنتُ بِدْعًا مِّنَ الرُّسُلِ وَمَا أَدْرِي مَا يُفْعَلُ بِي وَلَا بِكُمْ ۖ إِنْ أَتَّبِعُ إِلَّا مَا يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ وَمَا أَنَا إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌSay, “I am not something original among the messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow that which is revealed to me, and I am not but a clear warner.” (46:9)
However, the Quran does give us a clue. In verses 79:1 and 6:93, if someone dies in fear and pain, then one reason is because the Angel of Death has come to forcibly yank their soul out from their body in such a way as to cause fear and pain. These people will likely go to Hell. Conversely, we can deduce that one who dies in a relaxed and painless state would go to Heaven.
وَالنَّازِعَاتِ غَرْقًاBy those [angels] who extract with violence (79:1)وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ قَالَ أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ وَلَمْ يُوحَ إِلَيْهِ شَيْءٌ وَمَن قَالَ سَأُنزِلُ مِثْلَ مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ ۗ وَلَوْ تَرَىٰ إِذِ الظَّالِمُونَ فِي غَمَرَاتِ الْمَوْتِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ بَاسِطُو أَيْدِيهِمْ أَخْرِجُوا أَنفُسَكُمُ ۖ الْيَوْمَ تُجْزَوْنَ عَذَابَ الْهُونِ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ غَيْرَ الْحَقِّ وَكُنتُمْ عَنْ آيَاتِهِ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَAnd who is more unjust than one who invents a lie about Allah or says, “It has been inspired to me,” while nothing has been inspired to him, and one who says, “I will reveal [something] like what Allah revealed.” And if you could but see when the wrongdoers are in the overwhelming pangs of death while the angels extend their hands, [saying], “Discharge your souls! Today you will be awarded the punishment of [extreme] humiliation for what you used to say against Allah other than the truth and [that] you were, toward His verses, being arrogant.” (6:93)
