Features
Topic: Islam and death
In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful. (Part 1)
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all that exists. Peace and blessings be upon the final Messenger, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, his family, his companions, and all who follow them until the Last Day.
Death is among the most certain and universal truths of existence. It is not an accident, nor an end to life, but part of the divine plan. Allah reminds us:
“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].” (Qur’an, 3:185).
The nature and purpose of death in Islam
Islam describes death as a divinely ordained transition, not the annihilation of the human soul. It marks the completion of our temporary assignment on earth and the commencement of our eternal existence in the Hereafter. It is a passage from the realm of worldly trials (dār al-ibtilā’) to the realm of recompense (dār al-jazā’).
Death is decreed by Allah
Life and death are both in the exclusive control of Allah, they are not random events.
“It is He who gives life and causes death; and to Him you will be returned.”(Qur’an, 10:56)
“No soul can ever die except by Allah’s permission, at a destined time.”(Qur’an, 3:145)
“Every soul will taste death, and we test you with evil and with good as trial; and to us you will be returned.” (Qur’an, 21:35)
From the Islamic perspective, death is not determined by chance, disease, or accidents — these are merely the apparent causes. The real cause is Allah’s decree (Qadr), and it comes at the exact moment written for every soul before creation.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Know that if the whole nation were to gather to benefit you with something, they would not benefit you except with what Allah had already decreed for you. And if they were to harm you with something, they would not harm you except with what Allah had already decreed against you.” (Tirmidhi)
Death as a means of accountability
Death signals the end of the test of life and the beginning of judgment.
“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.” (Qur’an, 67:2)
The purpose of this test is not to determine who lives the longest, but who lives the most righteous and God-conscious life. Every moment after birth is an opportunity to write our record of deeds — and death seals it permanently.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The one whose last deeds were good will enter Paradise.” (Ahmad)
This is why scholars such as Imam al-Ghazali stressed that we must live every day as though it could be our last, ensuring our hearts are in a state of faith (īmān) and our hands in righteous action (ʿamal ṣāliḥ).
Death as a Reminder of Life’s Shortness
One of the profound wisdoms of death is that it constantly reminds the believer of the temporary nature of this world and the certainty of the Hereafter.
“And the worldly life is not but amusement and diversion; but the home of the Hereafter is best for those who fear Allah, will you not reason?” (Qur’an, 6:32)
“Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you should be within towers of lofty construction.” (Qur’an, 4:78)
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Remember often the destroyer of pleasures — death.” (Tirmidhi)
By remembering death, the believer remains humble, detached from excessive love of worldly possessions, and motivated toward deeds that will matter in the eternal life.
Ibn Umar رضي الله عنه said:
“When you survive till the evening, do not expect to be alive till the morning, and when you survive till the morning, do not expect to be alive till the evening. Take advantage of your health before your sickness, and your life before your death.”
(Bukhari)
Death as a Mercy for the Believer
While death is often feared, Islam also teaches that for the faithful, it is a mercy — an end to worldly hardship and the beginning of eternal peace.
The Prophet Mohammed s.a.w. said: “The gift to a believer is death.” (Ahmad)
This is because it delivers the soul from trials and transports it to the mercy of Allah, provided it lived in obedience.
Summary of Lessons from death:
- Humility — we are powerless before Allah’s decree.
- Accountability — every moment is part of our test.
- Urgency — time is a non-renewable resource.
- Perspective — worldly life is a brief stop on the eternal journey.
How Muslims should prepare for death and face loss
In Islam, preparing for death is both an inner journey of purification and a practical readiness for the inevitable. It is not about living in fear, but about living with awareness, purpose, and readiness to meet Allah. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged his companions to remember death frequently because it softens the heart, detaches one from worldly greed, and inspires righteous living.
Spiritual preparation
Preparation for death begins in the heart. A believer must constantly strive to purify their soul and strengthen their relationship with Allah.
Repentance (Tawbah)
Allah commands: “And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers that you might succeed.”(Qur’an, 24:31).
True repentance means leaving sins, feeling remorse, and making a sincere intention never to return to them. The Prophet said: “Allah accepts the repentance of His servant until the throes of death begin.”(Tirmidhi).
Righteous deeds
Good deeds done with sincerity are the best investment for the Hereafter.
The Prophet Mohammed s.a.w. said: “The most intelligent among you is the one who remembers death often and prepares for it well.” (Ibn Majah).
Every act of worship such as prayer, charity, fasting, helping others — is a provision for the eternal journey.
Living as a traveller
The believer should not attach themselves permanently to this world. The Prophet ﷺ advised:
“Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler.”(Bukhari).
A traveller only carries what is necessary, and a Muslim should live similarly — taking from this world only what is needed for the journey to Allah.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author
In a country like ours in which we are aware of our challenges, all that is required is focusing on strengthening our institutional processes by making them more robust and transparent. In this regard, investment in digitilisation must be prioritised since the human element to cut corners is inherent in the psyche of some people and therefore cannot be trusted to do the right things out of their own volition.
Enforcement of existing laws and regulations must be reviewed to see what is working, which ones have to be tweaked to be able to address current challenges, and those that have become obsolete and must be discarded.
One issue that needs to be given priority attention is remuneration. A former President is alleged to declare that we pretend to pay workers and they also pretend to work. This indeed sums up the quandary facing government after government. Workers’ salaries are crucial in the fight against corruption. A realistic living wage must be given to workers; otherwise, they will seek avenues to address their personal budget deficit.
On day one, what should engage the attention of government is Energy, making it available and affordable. The industrialisation agenda cannot be successfully executed without power that is readily available, reliable, and affordable. Solar energy must be factored in the quest for affordable and reliable power for industry.
The fuel sector issues must be urgently addressed so that it can impact positively on the transportation sector, which plays a key role in the supply of goods and services. The railway infrastructure plan linking places like Boankra Inland Port to prolong the lifespan of our roads and to fast track distribution of goods from the Capital City to the inland areas of the country should be a top priority item.
A well-structured system linking industry to academia must be quickly established to serve as a catalyst towards the industrialisation drive. Research findings from the universities must be channelled to captains of industry in a timely manner. Effective channels of communication should be established to facilitate shorter product-to-market times.
An effective mechanism for fishing out needy but talented children must be established, as well as a sponsorship package for talented individuals who are needed for certain critical areas of the economy — what I term critical investment in education.
Certain changes must be made in the constitution, particularly the appointment of the heads of certain constitutional bodies or institutions. This is to ensure that the Executive arm of government does not wield too much power to ensure accountability and checks and balances really work.
The Attorney General’s Office must be detached from the Executive arm of government. The Nolle Prosequi provision must also be amended to compel the Attorney General to give an explanation of why he or she is declining to prosecute a particular case or discontinue it. The provision that protects sitting Presidents from prosecution must also be reviewed.
The punishment for some of our laws needs a review. We must review the removal of CJ provision to ensure the independence of the Judiciary.
Above all, there must be a mindset of change, i.e., a paradigm shift from inability to capability. Inferiority complex must give way to a pacesetters mentality, and all will be well. God bless.
NB: KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
BY LAUD KISSI-MENSAH
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Features
The impact of emotional surgery and emotional elysium on neurological and neurosurgical procedures
Abstract
THIS comprehensive review aims to explore the impact of emotional surgery and emotional elysium on neurological and neurosurgical procedures. We examine the scientific literature on these approaches, including their definitions, theoretical frameworks, and applications. Our analysis highlights the potential benefits and risks of these approaches and discusses their implications for practice.
Introduction
Neurological and neurosurgical procedures are complex and delicate, requiring precision and accuracy to achieve optimal outcomes. Emotional surgery and emotional elysium are two innovative approaches that have the potential to enhance the success of these procedures. Emotional surgery involves the use of art and other creative techniques to promote relaxation and reduce stress, while emotional elysium focuses on cultivating positive emotions and promoting emotional well-being.
The Role of Emotional Surgery in Neurological and Neurosurgical Procedures
Emotional surgery has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety and stress in patients undergoing neurological and neurosurgical procedures. By promoting relaxation and reducing stress, emotional surgery can help patients prepare for procedures, leading to improved outcomes and faster recovery times.
The Role of Emotional Elysium in Neurological and Neurosurgical Procedures
Emotional elysium has been shown to be effective in promoting emotional balance and resilience in patients undergoing neurological and neurosurgical procedures. By cultivating positive emotions and promoting emotional well-being, emotional elysium can help patients cope with the stress and trauma associated with these procedures, leading to improved outcomes and enhanced quality of life.
Benefits of Emotional Surgery and Emotional Elysium
The benefits of emotional surgery and emotional elysium in neurological and neurosurgical procedures are numerous. These approaches can:
- Reduce anxiety and stress: Emotional surgery and emotional elysium can help patients manage anxiety and stress, leading to improved outcomes and faster recovery times.
- Improve emotional regulation: Emotional surgery and emotional elysium can help patients regulate their emotions, leading to improved mental health and well-being.
- Enhance patient experience: Emotional surgery and emotional elysium can improve the patient experience, leading to increased satisfaction and improved outcomes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, emotional surgery and emotional elysium are two innovative approaches that have the potential to enhance the success of neurological and neurosurgical procedures. By reducing anxiety and stress, promoting emotional balance and resilience, and improving patient experience, these approaches can lead to improved outcomes and enhanced quality of life for patients undergoing these procedures.
Recommendations
- Further research is needed: More research is needed to fully understand the benefits and risks of emotional surgery and emotional elysium in neurological and neurosurgical procedures.
- Integration into practice: Emotional surgery and emotional elysium should be considered for integration into practice, as they may offer a valuable tool in the treatment of a range of neurological and neurosurgical conditions.
By exploring innovative approaches like emotional surgery and emotional elysium, we can improve patient outcomes and enhance the quality of life for individuals undergoing neurological and neurosurgical procedures.
BY ROBERT EKOW GRIMMOND-THOMPSON
