What Does It Mean If a Person Dies Suddenly?
Shaykh ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn Bāz
Categorized under: Death, Explanations, Fatāwá and Rulings, Ḥadīth
What Does It Mean If a Person Dies Suddenly?
Question:
Is sudden death one of the signs of Resurrection [approaching], and is there anything that can protect [one] from [this kind of death]? Is seeking refuge from it enough?
Shaikh Ibn Bāz, may Allāh have mercy on him, said:
Some ḥadīths indicate that sudden death will become frequent toward the end of time—a wrathful seizure with regard to the wicked; a relief with regard to the believer. So a believer might suddenly be struck dead due to a stroke or some other cause: [that] is a relief for him and a blessing from Allah upon him, since he had already prepared himself, become rectified, got ready for death, and exerted himself in doing good. So he is taken suddenly while in a good state, upon righteousness and good deeds, and is spared the agonies, difficulties, and hardships of dying.
And [sudden death] can happen to the wicked [as well], but, [in their case], it is a seizure of wrath upon them—they are seized suddenly while in the most evil of states. We ask Allah to keep us safe from harm, [and] we seek Allah’s protection.