The Meaning of Death from the Viewpoint of Islam

By: Allamah Syed Muhammad Husain Tabataba'i
The meaning of death from the viewpoint of Islam is not that man becomes naught and vanishes, rather it means that the soul or self of man which is immortal cuts its attachment and relationship from the body and consequently, the body perishes while the soul continues its life without the body.
The Almighty Allah states: "And they say: 'What! when we have become lost in the earth, shall we then certainly be in a new creation?' Nay! they are disbelievers in the meeting of their Lord. Say: 'The angel of death who is given charge of you shall cause you to die...' (32:10-11)."
The Holy Prophet (S) states: "You shall not be perished, but you shall be transferred from . one house to another".

The World of Barzakh (Interval Between Death And Ma'ad)
Islam believes that man remains alive in a special manner after death. He enjoys blessing and happiness if he is a benefactor and he will be punished if he is a malefactor. He will present himself for public reckoning on the Day of Judgment. The interval between the death of a man and the Ma'ad is called "Barzakh".
The Almighty Allah states: "...And before them is Barzakh until the day they are raised (23:100)."
The Almighty Allah also states: "And reckon not those who are killed in Allah's way as dead: nay, they are alive (and) are provided sustenance from their Lord (3:169)."