Today, we continue last week's discussion on the topics of death and Day of Resurrection.

As a reminder, it was said that humans maintain body and spirit. Human body, is materialistic and under the impact of the laws of material world. Materials continuously change. However, the truth of mankind which is his spirit does not comply with the laws of the material world. Thus, matters such as exhaustion and destruction which are the materialistic features, are not applicable to human spirit. Hence, after the bond between human body and human spirit is severed upon death, the human spirit continues its existence.

Mankind resembles a passenger who one day comes to the material world, spending a while in the material world, while thereafter leaving this world. This is an inevitable journey. The material world is temporary in nature, and does not last.

Death marks the beginning of a long journey, within which the passenger should prepare and equip himself for treading this path. This is because an imprudent passenger would get stuck in the midst of this journey and would not reach his destination. Undoubtedly, life in the material world is not eternal. Human bodies are not always healthy. Comfort is temporary; and youth and vivaciousness are not lasting.

Death which is tantamount to separation of human body and human spirit, arrives unexpectedly. At times, mankind makes plans for the coming days and weeks. However, all of a sudden, his death arrives, leaving all of his aspirations and goals unaccomplished.

In the last phase of human life in the material world, and on the verge of his arrival to Hereafter, the moment of agony of death arrives. At this phase, mankind encounters new developments. At times, he observes scenes which are unimaginable for individuals in the material world. At this point, mankind realizes the truth of his deeds and demands, more than ever. His viewpoint and perspective expands and develops, and he observes his previous deeds and life. At this phase, he becomes repentant. But, unfortunately, he no longer has any opportunity to make up for his misdeeds and wrongdoings, and death looms over his material life.

At this situation, he observes all of his life events and upheavals. He is gladdened by the fruitful phases of his life, which is the product of his good deeds, and is saddened by observing the bleak phases of his life, which is the consequence of commitment of sins by him.

Meanwhile, Barzakh – the period between the mortal world and Hereafter – is different from the material world. It is possible to see several years of one's life in a few moments, in Barzakh.

One of the most difficult moments of human life is the moment of separation of mankind from his life, home, assets, and belongings. In these moments, when one is in the throes of death; physicians, one's spouse, children and worldly belongings are utterly useless, and are unable to save mankind from his imminent death.

The 19^th ayah of Surat Qaf in Holy Quran notes: Then the agony of death brings the truth: 'This is what you used to shun!'

Being in the agony of death is an extraordinary mood, making him anxious and restless on the verge of his death. This is because death marks a transition phase in which mankind should sever all of his bonds with the material world, and set foot on a world which is new and mysterious for him. On the verge of death, humans gain a new outlook, realize the instability of the material world, and more or less observe the post-death events and developments. At this phase in time, humans are scared.

Death is a phenomenon which the majority of people aim to avoid, because according to them, death marks the end of one's existence. The majority of individuals also aim to avoid death, given that they are strongly attached to the material world and cannot let go of it; or because they do not maintain a clean slate. Nonetheless, the fact of the matter is that no one can escape death.

One of the developments which take place concurrent with the transference of mankind from the material world to Hereafter, is his remorsefulness over the life he has lost and over the errors and blunders he has committed. When the death of disbelievers and sinners, approaches, and their hopes of survival in the material word are dashed, they become remorseful from commitments of sins and wish to return to the material world to make up for their sins, and to carry out good deeds.

Several ayahs of Holy Quran have pointed out the repentance of polytheists and evil-doers. The 99^th and 100^th ayahs of Surat al-Mu'minun in Holy Quran point out: When death comes to one of them, he says, 'My Lord! Take me back, that I may act righteously in what I have left behind.' 'By no means! These are mere words that he says.' And ahead of them is a barrier until the day they will be resurrected.
MR/EA