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Quran verses about death

The Quran speaks of death plainly as a certainty every soul will meet, and as a passage rather than an end. These verses are often read in grief, at funerals, or when reflecting on how a life is spent.

These selections are starting points for reflection. Always read verses in their full context.

Selected verses

  1. Aal-i-Imraan 3:185Open in reader

    كُلُّ نَفْسٍۢ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ ۖ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ ٱلنَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَٰعُ ٱلْغُرُورِ

    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.

  2. Al-Anbiyaa 21:35Open in reader

    كُلُّ نَفْسٍۢ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۗ وَنَبْلُوكُم بِٱلشَّرِّ وَٱلْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةًۭ ۖ وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ

    Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned.

  3. Al-Mulk 67:2Open in reader

    ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَٱلْحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًۭا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفُورُ

    [He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving -

  4. Al-Baqara 2:156Open in reader

    ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَٰبَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌۭ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيْهِ رَٰجِعُونَ

    Who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return."

  5. Aal-i-Imraan 3:169Open in reader

    وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَمْوَٰتًۢا ۚ بَلْ أَحْيَآءٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ

    And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision,

Common questions

What does the Quran say every soul will experience?
Surah Al-Imran 3:185 states that every soul will taste death, and full reward is given on the Day of Resurrection.
What words does the Quran give for loss?
Surah Al-Baqara 2:156 records the response of the patient: “Indeed we belong to God, and to Him we return.”

Related topics

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