Understanding the Muslim Fear of Death

Muslims are found to have a deep-rooted fear of death compared to other religious groups. They often express a strong aversion to the idea of dying, regardless of age. This fear is further accentuated by nightmares and questions about why death exists. Muslim families, unlike atheist, Jewish, Christian, and Hindu families, display an intense reluctance to accept the inevitability of death, often insisting on prolonging life through medical interventions. The Prophet's teachings highlight the importance of remembering death as a means to balance an overwhelming focus on life. Traditionally, Islam teaches believers to confront and manage the reality of death by actively participating in the burial rituals of their loved ones. This contrasts with the Israelites who developed a profound fear of death, serving as a cautionary tale of becoming too consumed with life to acknowledge the certainty of death.