How to get over fear of death in Islam: what the sources say and where to get help

What do the hadith say about meeting Allah?

Sahih al-Bukhari 6507 is narrated by 'Ubada ibn al-Samit, may Allah be pleased with him. It opens with the words of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him: whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him, and whoever hates to meet Allah, Allah hates to meet him.

The same report gives 'Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, as saying that they dislike death. In the wording of the report, the remark is 'Aisha's or that of one of the Prophet's other wives. The Prophet replied that it is not like that, and explained his words by the news a person receives as death approaches. When a believer's death is near, he is given good news of Allah's pleasure and honour, so nothing is dearer to him than what lies ahead, and he loves to meet Allah. When a disbeliever's death is near, he is given news of Allah's punishment, and he hates to meet Allah.

1AuthenticSahih al-Bukhari 6507

The report is about what a person is given at the time of death. It does not describe pain, and it does not say what any particular person feels. It does not say that fear of dying shows Allah's displeasure with a person: when the remark about disliking death was made, the reply in the report begins "it is not like that".

What do the sources say about wishing for death?

Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet said that none of you should wish for death because of a harm that has befallen him. If he must wish for it, he should say: O Allah, keep me alive while life is good for me, and let me die when death is good for me. This is Sahih al-Bukhari 5671, sahih by inclusion in that collection.

2AuthenticSahih al-Bukhari 5671

The report tells a person not to wish for death because of a harm, and gives the words to say for someone who must wish. It does not mention fear.

What does the Quran say about death?

According to the Quran, death comes to every soul:

The English reads: "Every soul will taste of death." The verse states the reality of death. It does not describe the experience of dying.

Where can I get help if the fear persists?

If you are scared of death and want to stop being scared, or to overcome the fear, the reports above give no method, and Ilmwell cannot tell you whether you have a phobia. The NHS describes a phobia as an anxiety condition usually caused by a particular object or situation, and its non-urgent advice is to see a GP if you think you have a phobia and the symptoms are affecting your life. You can also refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP.

Samaritans say you can call them on 116 123 whatever you are going through. The call is free from any phone, day or night, and the helpline is open 24 hours a day.

Where do the moment of death and the grave come in?

The moment of death is covered on Life after death in Islam. The barzakh and the grave are on Barzakh: what Muslims believe, and the trial of the grave is on Dying on Friday and the trial of the grave.

What do the sources leave unsaid?

On these points the cited reports are silent:

• whether dying is painful, or what it feels like;
• the feelings of any particular person at death, or why a person is afraid;
• a method for getting over the fear, or steps to take.

Where a source is silent, we are silent too. If the fear is heavy, speak to a GP or to someone you trust.