An Overview of Death and Immortality in Islam

The moment of death is the most frightening and yet the most universal reality of the human experience. People have naturally been drawn to questions about death's finality, and have been curious about the possibility of immortality and an afterlife. Many have expressed their curiosity in attempts to predict the future of humankind and the end of the world. Theologians, philosophers, poets, artists, and even scientists have developed a variety of theories about the future of the human...
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The moment of death is the most frightening and yet the most universal reality of the human experience. People have naturally been drawn to questions about death's finality, and have been curious about the possibility of immortality and an afterlife. Many have expressed their curiosity in attempts to predict the future of humankind and the end of the world. Theologians, philosophers, poets, artists, and even scientists have developed a variety of theories about the future of the human race.
The holy scripture of Islam is unique among the scriptures of world religions in the way that it treats the questions of the afterlife and resurrection. The Qur'an contains a great number of detailed descriptions of stages of the final day and the life to come. This belief in the afterlife is an essential element of Islamic faith. Many chapters of the holy book take their names directly from the concept; verses about the afterlife are scattered throughout the Qur'an. On every page of the holy book, there are direct or indirect verses related to the afterlife. The scripture contains over 100 terms related to the concept of the afterlife, which constitutes approximately one-third of the Qur'an. One cannot, in fact, be a Muslim without belief in the afterlife: it is one of the six essential articles of faith in Islam.
But the Qur'an does not actually look down on this worldly life. The holy book's position is more nuanced. One's good works in this brief life are like the sowing of seeds that will be harvested in the future. The Qur'anic focus on the afterlife indirectly expresses the importance of this worldly life as well. It should be noted that Islam does not prohibit human beings from worldly pleasures, as long as those pleasures are practiced within the frame of legitimacy. For example, one can have a good house, a good car, the pleasure of marriage, and the pleasure of eating, drinking, and wearing fine clothes. The Islamic prohibition is against those who go beyond the boundaries that the Qur'an has established. The scripture demands that money be gained in legitimate ways, and if one is capable one should give generous loans for the sake of God. Similarly, all drinks are permissible, but alcohol is not. A variety of foods is permissible, but pork is not. Marriage is permissible, and even recommended, but a sexual relationship outside of marriage is prohibited. Therefore, following the teachings of the Qur'an, a Muslim can benefit from this worldly life and also be prepared for the afterlife.
Although the Qur'an and Hadith literature explicitly mention the afterlife and related events, the manner of their occurrence is still ambiguous. The sequence of events is understood from the sayings of the Prophet, as well as from the Qur'an.