DEATH

3: 145 And no human being can die save by God's leave, at a term pre-ordained.

3:154 ….Say: " Even if you had remained in your homes, those for whom death was decreed would certainly have gone forth to the place of their death". But that Allah might test what is in your breasts and purge what is in your hearts. Ali

And (all this befell you) so that God might put to a test all that you harbor in your bossoms, and render your innermost hearts pure of all dross: for God is aware of what is in the hearts. Asad

3: 144 [Al-i-Imran, Medina 89 ]

Asad And Muhammad is only an apostle; all the [other] apostles have passed away before him; [note 104]………..whereas God will requite all who are grateful [to Him].

Yusuf Ali Muhammad is no more than an Apostle: many were the Apostles that passed away before him. If he died or were slain will ye then turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels not the least harm will he do to Allah; but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve him) with gratitude.

Pickthall Muhammad is but a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before him. Will it be that, when he dies or is slain, ye will turn back on your heels? He who turn back doth no hurt to Allah, and Allah will reward the thankful.

Transliteration Wa ma_ muhammadun illa_ rasu_l(un), qad khalat min qablihir rusul(u), afa'im ma_ta au qutilanqalabtum'ala_ a'qa_bikum, wa may yanqalib 'ala_ 'aqibaihi fa lay yadurralla_ha syai'a_(n), wa sayajzilla_husy syakirin(a).

[ Asad’s note – This stress on the mortality of the Prophet – and that of all the other prophets who preceded him in time – connects, in the first instance, with the battle of Uhud and the rumor of his death, which caused many Muslims to abandon the fight even brought some of them close to apostasy ……the above verse re-states the fundamental Islamic doctrine that adoration is due to God alone, and that no human being – not even a prophet - may have any share in it. It was this very passage of the Quran which Abu Bakr, the first Caliph, recited immediately after the Prophet’s death, when many faint-hearted Muslims thought that Islam itself had come to an end; but as soon as Abu Bakr added, “Behold whoever has worshipped Muhammad may know that Muhammad has died; but whoever worshipped God may know that God is ever-living, and never dies” (Bukhari), all confusion was stilled. – The expression “turning about on one’s heels” denotes – according to circumstances – either actual apostasy or a deliberate withdrawal from efforts in the cause of God.]

[ Ali’s notes - 460 This verse primarily applies to the battle of Uhud, in the course of which a cry was raised that the Messenger was slain. He had indeed been severely wounded, but Talha, Abu Bakr, and Ali were at his side, and his own unexampled bravery saved the Muslim army from a rout. This verse was recalled again by Abu Bakr when the Messenger actually died a natural death eight years later, to remind people that Allah, Whose Message he brought, lives for ever. And have need to remember this now and often for two reasons: (1) when we feel inclined to pay more than human honor to one who was the truest, the purest, and the greatest of men, and thus in a sense to compound for our forgetting the spirit of his teaching, and (2) when we feel depressed at the chances and changes of time, and forget that Allah lives and watches over us and over all His creatures now as in a history in the past and in the future. (3.144)

461 There is a slight touch of irony in this. As applied to the archers at Uhud, who deserted their post for the sake of plunder, they might have got some plunder, but they put themselves and the whole of their army into jeopardy. For a little worldly gain, they nearly lost their souls. On the other hand, those who took the long view and fought with staunchness and discipline,-their reward was swift and sure. If they died, they got the crown of martyrdom. If they lived, they were heroes honored in this life and the next. (3.145) ]

3: 156 O you who have attained to faith ! Be not like those who are bent on denying

the truth and say of their brethren (who die) after having set our on a journey to faraway

places or gone forth to war, " Had they but remain with us, they would not have died," or, "they would not have been slain" - for God will cause such thoughts to become a source of bitter regrets in their hearts, since it is God who grants life and deals death. And God sees all that you do.

3:157 And if indeed you are slain or die in God's cause, then surely forgiveness feom God and His grace are better that all that one could amass [in this world[.

3: 185

Asad Every human being is bound to taste death: but only on the Day of Resurrection will you be requited in full [for whatever you have done] – whereupon he that shall be drawn away from the fire and brought into paradise will indeed have gained a triumph: for the life of this world is nothing but an enjoyment of self-delusion.

Yusuf Ali Every soul shall have a taste of death: and only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the fire and admitted to the garden will have attained the object (of life): for the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception.

Pickthall Every soul will taste of death. And ye will be paid on the Day of Resurrection only that which ye have fairly earned. Whoso is removed from the Fire and is made to enter Paradise, he indeed is triumphant. The life of this world is but comfort of illusion.

Transliteration Kullu nafsin za_'iqatul maut(i), wa innama_ tuwaffauna uju_rakum yaumal qiya_mah(ti), faman zuhziha'anin na_ri wa udkhilal jannata faqad fa_z(a), wa mal haya_tud dunya_ illa_ mata_'ul guru_r(i).

6: 93 and who could be more wicked than he who invents a lie about God, or says, “This has been revealed unto me,” the while nothing has been revealed to him? – or he who says, “ I, too, can bestow from on high the like of what God has bestowed”? Asad

6:93 ..............”I can reveal the like of what Allah has revealed” ? Ali

If you could but see when these evildoers find themselves in the agonies of death, and the angels stretch forth their hands: “Give up your souls! Today you shall be requited with the suffering of humiliation for having attributed to God something that is not true, and for having persistently scorned His messages in your arrogance!” Asad

6: 94 “And behold you come to Us bare and alone as We created you for the first time: you have left behind you all [the favors] which We bestowed on you. .............

8: 50 If you could see, when the angels take the souls of the Unbelievers [at death] they smite their faces and their backs, [saying] : “Taste the Penalty of the blazing Fire-“

8: 51 “Because of [the deeds] which your hands sent forth: for God is never unjust to His servants:” (re; battle of Bdr]

10: 104

Yusuf Ali Say: "O ye men! if ye are in doubt as to my religion (behold!) I worship not what ye worship other than Allah But I worship Allah Who will take your souls (at death): I am commanded to be (in the ranks) of the Believers.

Pickthall Say (O Muhammad): O mankind! If ye are in doubt of my religion, then (know that) I worship not those whom ye worship instead of Allah, but I worship Allah who causeth you to die, and I have been commanded to be of the believers.

Transliteration Qul ya_ ayyuhan na_su in kuntum fi syakkim min dini fala_ a'budul lazina ta'budu_na min du_nilla_hi wa la_kin a'budulla_hal lazi yatawaffa_kum, wa umirtu an aku_na minal mu'minin(a).

16: 70

Asad And God has created you, and in time will cause you to die; and many a one of you is reduced in old age to a most abject state, ceasing to know anything of what he once knew so well. Verily, God is all-knowing, infinite in His power!

Yusuf Ali It is Allah who creates you and takes your souls at death; and of you there are some who are sent back to a feeble age so that they know nothing after having known (much): for Allah is All-Knowing All-Powerful.

Pickthall And Allah createth you, then causeth you to die, and among you is he who is brought back to the most abject stage of life, so that be knoweth nothing after (having had) knowledge. Lo ! Allah is Knower, Powerful.

Transliteration Walla_hu khalaqakum summa yatawaffa_kum wa minkum may yuraddu ila_ arzalil 'umuri likaila_ ya'lama ba'da 'ilmin syaia'a_(n), innalla_ha 'alimun qadir(un).

56: 83 - 87