Perhaps many of us have experienced moments when circumstances become so difficult for some that life appears dark and bleak before their eyes. In such cases, many people’s reaction is a wish for death. But is death inherently a desirable thing and considered a success?
We know that there have been schools of thought in the world (and perhaps still exist) that regarded the relationship between humans and the world, or in other words, the relationship between the soul and the body, as the relationship of a prisoner to a prison, or a bird to its cage. Naturally, from the perspective of these schools, death is seen as liberation and freedom, and suicide is allowed. According to this theory, death holds a positive value. Therefore, death should be something desirable for everyone, and no one should feel sorrow over death; for liberation from prison and the breaking of the cage should not be a cause for grief, but rather, for joy[1].
Another theory is that death is non-existence, complete annihilation, “destruction,” while life, on the other hand, is existence and being. Therefore, life, whatever it may be and in whatever form it takes, is preferable to death because it is obvious that existence is preferred over non-existence, and being is preferred over nothingness[2].
A third theory is that death is not non-existence or destruction, but rather a transition from one world to another. However, the relationship between the human being and the world, and between the soul and the body, is not like the relationship of a prisoner to a prison, or a bird to its cage. Instead, it is like the relationship of a student to a university. It is true that the student is separated from home, socializing with friends, and perhaps from his homeland, engaging in study in a confined space like the university. But the path to a successful life in society is seen in completing the academic journey successfully.
The relationship between this world and the afterlife, and the relationship between the soul and the body, is like this. Therefore, for people whose worldview regarding the relationship between humans and the world is such, if they have not practically achieved success and have wasted their lives in uselessness and sinful acts, death is certainly not a desirable or cherished thing for them; rather, it is something they fear and dread. These individuals fear death because they fear themselves and their deeds.
But if someone’s worldview is like this and they have succeeded in life, they are like a student who has continually studied. It is obvious that such a student longs to return to their homeland and their heart beats for their country and their family and friends. But even though this student has a strong desire to return home, like a fire burning within them, they resist this longing because they do not wish to leave their studies unfinished.
The saints of God are like that successful student, for the transition to the other world, which we call death, is a wish for them—a wish that does not allow them a moment of rest. However, the saints of God never rush to embrace death, for they know that the only opportunity for action, work, and perfection is what we call life. They know that the longer they remain, the more they can perfect their human qualities, and so they fight against death completely and always ask God for a long life.
However, the saints of God forgo asking for long life in two cases. The first is martyrdom. The saints of God ask God for the death of martyrdom without any conditions, for martyrdom combines both action and perfection.
The second case is when they feel that no matter how much longer they live, they will not gain further success in obedience to God, and, on the contrary, they will regress instead of progressing in perfection.
Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (peace be upon him) teaches us this logic and view of death in a brief yet profound and deep statement from his prayer Makarim al-Akhlaq. In this prayer, he speaks to God: “O God! Grant me life as long as my life is spent in obedience to You, but if my life is to become the pasture of Satan, take me to You as soon as possible[4].”
Now, truly, how do you and I view death?
(Excerpt from the article “Martyr” by Martyr Murtadha Mutahhari, with slight modifications and summarization)
Footnotes:
[1] It is said that “Mani,” the famous self-proclaimed prophet, held this view.
[2] This statement is attributed by some to Galen, the famous Alexandrian physician.
[3] (Quran 2:94-95, 62:6-7)
[4] (Excerpt from the Prayer of Makarim al-Akhlaq)