Tawaffa (توفى) is an Arabic verb that means to take something. When Allah does the Tawaffi of a human, it ONLY means taking of the soul. This can be at the time of death, or sleep if night is mentioned. There is no other meaning for it. It never means taking of the body and soul or flying towards Allah.

This is exactly what the Arabic lexicons explain. Where are they getting this rule from? It comes from the following verse:

اَللّٰہُ یَتَوَفَّی الۡاَنۡفُسَ حِیۡنَ مَوۡتِہَا وَالَّتِیۡ لَمۡ تَمُتۡ فِیۡ مَنَامِہَا ۚ فَیُمۡسِکُ الَّتِیۡ قَضٰی عَلَیۡہَا الۡمَوۡتَ وَیُرۡسِلُ الۡاُخۡرٰۤی اِلٰۤی اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّی ؕ اِنَّ فِیۡ ذٰلِکَ لَاٰیٰتٍ لِّقَوۡمٍ یَّتَفَکَّرُوۡنَ

Allah takes away the souls of human beings at the time of their death; and of those also that are not yet dead, during their sleep. And then He retains those against which He has decreed death, and sends back the others till an appointed term. In that surely are Signs for a people who reflect.

[Quran 39:42]

Taajul Urus

تَوَفَّاهُ اللهُ: عزَّ وجلَّ: إِذا (قَبَضَ) نَفْسَه، وَفِي الصِّحاحِ، (رُوْحَهُ)

“And Allah took him – Mighty and Majestic – means when He seized his soul. And in Al-Sihaah (Arabic dictionary), it states “[when He seized] his soul.”

[Taajul Urus, vol. 16, pg. 220]

Al-Qamus al-Muhit

والوَفاةُ: المَوْتُ. وتَوَفَّاهُ اللهُ: قَبَضَ رُوحَه

“Al-Wafat means death. Allah took him: God took his soul”

[Qamus al-Muhit, pg. 1343]

Maqayis al-lughah

وَمِنْهُ يُقَالُ لِلْمَيِّتِ: تَوَفَّاهُ اللَّهُ

“From it, it is said of the dead person: ‘Tawaffahu Allah’ (God took his soul).”

[Maqayis al-lughah, pg. 129]

Imam Al-Zamakhshari

وتُوُفِّيَ فلانٌ ، وتوفاه الله تعالى، وأدركته الوفاة

So-and-so was taken, and Allah took him, and death overtook him.

[Asas Balagha, vol. II, pg.348]

والوفاة : المَنِيَّةُ

وتوفي فلان، وتوفاه الله : إذا قَبَضَ نَفْسَهُ .

وقال غيره : تَوَفِّي الميت بمعنى: استيفاء مدته التي كتبت من عدد أيامه وشُهوره وأعوامه في الدنيا

Al-Wafat: Death

So-and-so was taken, and Allah took him: When He (Allah) took his soul

And others said: Tawaffa of the dead person means the completion of his appointed time that was written of his number of days, months and years in this world.

[Tahdhib al-lughah, vol. 11, pg. 468]

Muhit al-Muhit

وتوفاه الله قبض روحه

وتُوفي فلان على المجهول قبضت روحه ومات

فالله المتوفي والعبد المتوفى

And Allah took him means Allah took his soul.

So-and-so was taken in the passive voice means his soul was taken and he died.

So Allah is the One who takes (al-Mutawaffi) and the servant is the one whose soul is taken (al-Mutawaffa).

[Muhit al-Muhit, vol. 9, pg. 531]

Edward William Lane

“تَوَفَّاهُ ٱللّٰهُ God took his soul [either at death, or in sleep. See the Ḳur-án, vi. 60]: or caused him to die.”

[Lane’s Lexicons, vol. 8, pg. 3057]
[Lexicon Website Link]

Isma’il Bin al-Jawhar

وتَوَفَّاهُ الله، أي قبضَ روحه. والوَفاةُ: الموتُ

‘Tawaffahu Allah’ (God took his soul) means taking his soul.

[Al-Sahih Taj al-Lughah, pg. 1259]
[Lexicon website Link]

Reinhart Dozy

توفي: تصحيف، توفي وفي محيط المحيط: توفاه الله قبض روحه وتوفّي فلان على المجهول قبضت روحه ومات

Allah took his soul, and the person passed away, their soul taken into the unknown, and they died. Allah is the one who takes life, and the servant is the one who passes away.

[Reinhart Dozy (d. 1883 CE)]
[Link]

Ahmad Mukhatar Umar

تُوفِّــيَ يُــتو فَّــى، توفّــيًا and the passive participle مُــتوفًّــى

تُوُفِّــي الشَّخصُ He died, Allah caused him to die.

تُوفِّــي إلى رحمة ربّه: He died/passed away to the mercy of his Lord.

[Ahmad Mukhatar Umar]
[Link]

Almaany

تَوَفَّاهُاللَّهُ:

أَخَذَ رُوحَهُ، أمَاتَهُ.

توفّىالله الشّخص:

أماته، قبض روحَه ، ”توفّاه الله وهو في مقتبل العمر- {اللهُ يَتَوَفَّى الأَنْفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَا} ”

He (God) took his soul, He caused him to die.

He (God) caused the person to die, He took his soul. Allah caused him to die while he was in the prime of his life.” {Allah takes the souls at the time of their death}[Quran 39:42]

[Almaany Arabic dictionary]

Faraid al-durriyah

تَوَفَّــاهُ اللّٰهُ

God caused him to die

[Arabic-English Dictionary]

Steingass, English to Arabic

Dead – adj. مييت Mayyit (pl. اموات amwât); موتي Mautâ; متوفي mutawaffa.

[English Arabic Dictionary, Steingass]

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is proven that in the Arabic dictionaries and lexicons, Tawaffa is defined as “taking” and when Allah does Tawaffi (تَوَفَّــاهُ اللّٰهُ) of a human, then it always means taking of the soul. There is no other meaning for it. It never means taking body and soul together, or that one physically flew towards God.

Related Articles

• Tawaffa in Quran
• Tawaffa in Hadith
• Quran 3:55
• Quran 5:117

Tawaffa (توفى) is an Arabic verb that means to take something. When Allah does the Tawaffi of a human, it ONLY means taking of the soul. This can be at the time of death, or sleep if night is mentioned. There is no other meaning for it. It never means taking of the body and soul or flying towards Allah.

This is exactly what the Arabic lexicons explain. Where are they getting this rule from? It comes from the following verse:

اَللّٰہُ یَتَوَفَّی الۡاَنۡفُسَ حِیۡنَ مَوۡتِہَا وَالَّتِیۡ لَمۡ تَمُتۡ فِیۡ مَنَامِہَا ۚ فَیُمۡسِکُ الَّتِیۡ قَضٰی عَلَیۡہَا الۡمَوۡتَ وَیُرۡسِلُ الۡاُخۡرٰۤی اِلٰۤی اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّی ؕ اِنَّ فِیۡ ذٰلِکَ لَاٰیٰتٍ لِّقَوۡمٍ یَّتَفَکَّرُوۡنَ

Allah takes away the souls of human beings at the time of their death; and of those also that are not yet dead, during their sleep. And then He retains those against which He has decreed death, and sends back the others till an appointed term. In that surely are Signs for a people who reflect.

[Quran 39:42]

Tawaffa used by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

قَالَ خَطَبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ ‏”‏ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّكُمْ مَحْشُورُونَ إِلَى اللَّهِ حُفَاةً عُرَاةً غُرْلاً ـ ثُمَّ قَالَ ـ ‏{‏كَمَا بَدَأْنَا أَوَّلَ خَلْقٍ نُعِيدُهُ وَعْدًا عَلَيْنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا فَاعِلِينَ‏}‏ إِلَى آخِرِ الآيَةِ ـ ثُمَّ قَالَ ـ أَلاَ وَإِنَّ أَوَّلَ الْخَلاَئِقِ يُكْسَى يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِبْرَاهِيمُ، أَلاَ وَإِنَّهُ يُجَاءُ بِرِجَالٍ مِنْ أُمَّتِي فَيُؤْخَذُ بِهِمْ ذَاتَ الشِّمَالِ، فَأَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ أُصَيْحَابِي‏.‏ فَيُقَالُ إِنَّكَ لاَ تَدْرِي مَا أَحْدَثُوا بَعْدَكَ‏.‏ فَأَقُولُ كَمَا قَالَ الْعَبْدُ الصَّالِحُ ‏{‏وَكُنْتُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًا مَا دُمْتُ فِيهِمْ فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّيْتَنِي كُنْتَ أَنْتَ الرَّقِيبَ عَلَيْهِمْ‏}‏ فَيُقَالُ إِنَّ هَؤُلاَءِ لَمْ يَزَالُوا مُرْتَدِّينَ عَلَى أَعْقَابِهِمْ مُنْذُ فَارَقْتَهُمْ ‏”‏‏.

‏Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) delivered a sermon and said, “O people! You will be gathered before Allah barefooted, naked and not circumcised.” Then (quoting Qur’an) he said:– “As We began the first creation, We shall repeat it. A promise We have undertaken: Truly we shall do it..” (21.104) The Prophet (ﷺ) then said, “The first of the human beings to be dressed on the Day of Resurrection, will be Abraham. Lo! Some men from my followers will be brought and then (the angels) will drive them to the left side (Hell-Fire). I will say. ‘O my Lord! (They are) my companions!’ Then a reply will come (from Almighty), ‘You do not know what they did after you.’ I will say as the pious slave (the Prophet (ﷺ) Jesus) said: And I was a witness over them while I dwelt amongst them. When You caused me to die. You were the Watcher over them and You are a Witness to all things.’ (5.117) Then it will be said, “These people have continued to be apostates since you left them.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari 4625]

قال سفيان: قال المسعودي: وحدثنا جعفر بن عمرو بن حريث، عن أبيه، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ : قَالَ رَسُولُ الله : شَهِيداً عَلَيْهِمْ مَا دُمْتُ فِيهِمْ، فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّيْتَنِي كُنتَ أَنْتَ الرَّقِيبَ عَلَيْهِمْ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٍ

And how will it be when We shall bring a witness from every people, and bring You as a witness against these! (4:41)
“I was a witness.. as long as I remained among them; but when You caused me to die, You were the Watcher over them” (5:117)

[Musnad Humaidi, 102]

Funeral prayer:

‏ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا وَصَغِيرِنَا وَكَبِيرِنَا وَذَكَرِنَا وَأُنْثَانَا وَشَاهِدِنَا وَغَائِبِنَا اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِهِ عَلَى الإِيمَانِ وَمَنْ تَوَفَّيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّهُ عَلَى الإِسْلاَمِ اللَّهُمَّ لاَ تَحْرِمْنَا أَجْرَهُ وَلاَ تُضِلَّنَا بَعْدَهُ

When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed over a dead person, he said: O Allah, forgive those of us who are living and those of us who are dead, those of us who are present and those of us who are absent, our young and our old, our male and our female. O Allah, to whomsoever of us Thou givest life grant him life as a believer, and whomsoever of us Thou takest in death take him in death as a follower of Islam. O Allah, do not withhold from us the reward (of faith) and do not lead us astray after his death.

[Sunan Abi Dawud 3201]

Dua of Muhammad (SAW):

توفني مسلما وألحقن بالصالحين

Cause me to die in submission to You, and join me with the righteous (12:101)

[Kitab ad-Du’a of Imam at-Tabarani 302]

وإذا أردت فتنة في قوم فتوفني غير مفتون

And if You intend to put a people to trial, then cause me to die without being subjected [to it]

[Musnad Ahmad 22008]

Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ death is described with “Tawaffa”

حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَهَارُونُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ رَوْحِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا زَكَرِيَّاءُ بْنُ إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَكَثَ بِمَكَّةَ ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ وَتُوُفِّيَ وَهُوَ ابْنُ ثَلاَثٍ وَسِتِّينَ ‏.‏

“Ibn ‘Abbas reported that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) stayed in Mecca for thirteen years and he died when he had attained the age of sixty three years.”

[Sahih Muslim 2351a]

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ، قَالَ‏:‏ حَدَّثَنَا عَامِرُ بْنُ صَالِحٍ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ‏:‏ تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَوْمَ الاثْنَيْنِ‏.

“Allah’s Messenger died (Allah bless him and give him peace) on a Monday.”

[Sahih: Book 54, Hadith 9]

وَحَدَّثَنِي نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا بِشْرٌ، – يَعْنِي ابْنَ مُفَضَّلٍ – حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ الْحَذَّاءُ، حَدَّثَنَا عَمَّارٌ، مَوْلَى بَنِي هَاشِمٍ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم تُوُفِّيَ وَهُوَ ابْنُ خَمْسٍ وَسِتِّينَ ‏.‏

“Ammar, the freed slave of Banu Hashim, reported that Ibn ‘Abbas said that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) died when he had attained the age of sixty-five.”

[Sahih Muslim 2353c]

حَدَّثَنِي مَطَرُ بْنُ الْفَضْلِ، حَدَّثَنَا رَوْحُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا زَكَرِيَّاءُ بْنُ إِسْحَاقَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ دِينَارٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ مَكَثَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِمَكَّةَ ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ، وَتُوُفِّيَ وَهْوَ ابْنُ ثَلاَثٍ وَسِتِّينَ‏.‏

“Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) stayed in Mecca for thirteen years (after receiving the first Divine Inspiration) and died at the age of sixty-three.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari 3903]

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَخْبَرَتْهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حِينَ تُوُفِّيَ سُجِّيَ بِبُرْدٍ حِبَرَةٍ‏.‏

“(the wife of the Prophet) When Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) died, he was covered with a Hibra Burd (green square decorated garment).”

[Sahih al-Bukhari 5814]

حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ أَبِي رَجَاءٍ، حَدَّثَنَا النَّضْرُ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ أُنْزِلَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهْوَ ابْنُ أَرْبَعِينَ، فَمَكَثَ ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ سَنَةً، ثُمَّ أُمِرَ بِالْهِجْرَةِ، فَهَاجَرَ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ، فَمَكَثَ بِهَا عَشْرَ سِنِينَ، ثُمَّ تُوُفِّيَ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏

“Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was inspired Divinely at the age of forty. Then he stayed in Mecca for thirteen years, and then was ordered to migrate, and he migrated to Medina and stayed there for ten years and then died.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari 3851]

حَدَّثَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ بُكَيْرٍ النَّاقِدُ، وَالْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْحُلْوَانِيُّ، وَعَبْدُ بْنُ، حُمَيْدٍ – قَالَ عَبْدٌ حَدَّثَنِي وَقَالَ الآخَرَانِ، حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ، – يَعْنُونَ ابْنَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ سَعْدٍ – حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، عَنْ صَالِحٍ، – وَهُوَ ابْنُ كَيْسَانَ – عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَنَسُ بْنُ، مَالِكٍ أَنَّ اللَّهَ، عَزَّ وَجَلَّ تَابَعَ الْوَحْىَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَبْلَ وَفَاتِهِ حَتَّى تُوُفِّيَ وَأَكْثَرُ مَا كَانَ الْوَحْىُ يَوْمَ تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏.‏

“Anas b. Malik reported that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, sent revelation to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) just before his death in quick succession until he left for his heavenly home, and the day when he died, he received the revelation profusely.”

[Sahih Muslim 3016]

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ بْنِ كُرَيْبٍ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَمَا فِي رَفِّي مِنْ شَىْءٍ يَأْكُلُهُ ذُو كَبِدٍ إِلاَّ شَطْرُ شَعِيرٍ فِي رَفٍّ لِي فَأَكَلْتُ مِنْهُ حَتَّى طَالَ عَلَىَّ فَكِلْتُهُ فَفَنِيَ ‏.‏

“`A’isha reported that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) died (in such a state) that there had been nothing in my wooden tub which a living being could afford to eat but a handful of barley. I had been eating out of that for a fairly long duration when I thought of measuring it and it was almost finished.”

[Sahih Muslim 2973]

حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، عَنْ صَالِحِ بْنِ كَيْسَانَ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَنَسُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ اللَّهَ، تَعَالَى تَابَعَ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَبْلَ وَفَاتِهِ حَتَّى تَوَفَّاهُ أَكْثَرَ مَا كَانَ الْوَحْىُ، ثُمَّ تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَعْدُ‏.‏

“Allah sent down His Divine Inspiration to His Apostle continuously and abundantly during the period preceding his death till He took him unto Him. That was the period of the greatest part of revelation; and Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) died after that.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari 4982]

وَقَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ مَنْصُورِ ابْنِ صَفِيَّةَ، حَدَّثَتْنِي أُمِّي، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَقَدْ شَبِعْنَا مِنَ الأَسْوَدَيْنِ التَّمْرِ وَالْمَاءِ‏.‏

“Aishah (ra) said, “When Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) died, we had been satisfied by the two black things, i.e., dates and water.””

[Sahih al-Bukhari 5442]

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مَالِكٌ،‏.‏ وَأَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُتْبَةَ، أَنَّ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ، أَخْبَرَهُ عَنْ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهم ـ قَالَ حِينَ تَوَفَّى اللَّهُ نَبِيَّهُ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِنَّ الأَنْصَارَ اجْتَمَعُوا فِي سَقِيفَةِ بَنِي سَاعِدَةَ، فَقُلْتُ لأَبِي بَكْرٍ انْطَلِقْ بِنَا‏.‏ فَجِئْنَاهُمْ فِي سَقِيفَةِ بَنِي سَاعِدَةَ‏.‏

“When Allah took away the soul of His Prophet at his death, the Ansar assembled In the shed of Bani Sa`ida. I said to Abu Bakr, “Let us go.” So, we come to them (i.e. to Ansar) at the shed of Bani Sa`ida.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari 2462]

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَخْبَرَتْهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حِينَ تُوُفِّيَ سُجِّيَ بِبُرْدٍ حِبَرَةٍ‏.‏

“(the wife of the Prophet) When Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) died, he was covered with a Hibra Burd (green square decorated garment).”

[Sahih al-Bukhari 5814]

Tawaffa used by the Sahaba (RA)

Anas bin Malik (RA)

وَأَخْبَرَنِي أَنَسُ بْنُ مَالِكِ أَنَّهُ لَمَّا تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ قَامَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ فِي النَّاسِ خَطِيباً، فَقَالَ : لا أَسْمَعَنَّ أَحَداً يَقُولُ: إِنَّ مُحَمَّداً ﷺ قَدْ مَاتَ، إِنَّ مُحَمَّداً ﷺ لَمْ يَمُتْ، وَلَكِنْ أَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِ رَبُّهُ كَمَا أَرْسَلَ إِلَى مُوسَى، فَلَبِثَ عَنْ قَوْمِهِ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةٌ

When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was taken [by Allah] Umar RA stood up and said: I will not hear anyone saying that Muhammad ﷺ has died

[Sahih Ibn Hibban 7386]

Ali (RA)

أقول : ( اللَّهُمَّ تَرَكْتَني فيهم ما بدا لَكَ ، ثُمَّ تَوَفَّيْتَنِي ، وتَرَكْتُكَ فيهم فَإِنْ شِئْتَ أَصْلَحْتَهُمْ ، وَإِنْ شِئْتَ أَفْسَدْتَهُمْ)

I will say: O Allah, You kept me among them as long as You willed; then You caused me to die and I left them to You.

If You wish, You can reform them, and if You wish, You can let them go astray”

[Musnad Abi Ya’la 330]

Ibn Abbas (RA)

وَقَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ: {مُتَوَفِّيكَ} مُمِيتُكَ

Ibn Abbas (R.A) said, “Mutawaffika (مُتَوَفِّيكَ) means death.”

[Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Tafseer]

Umar (RA):

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، قَالَ‏:‏ حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عَبْدِ اللهِ أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، قَالَ‏:‏ حَدَّثَنَا مُهَاجِرٌ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ الأَوْدِيِّ، عَنْ عُمَرَ أَنَّهُ كَانَ فِيمَا يَدْعُو‏:‏ اللَّهُمَّ تَوَفَّنِي مَعَ الأَبْرَارِ، وَلاَ تُخَلِّفْنِي فِي الأَشْرَارِ، وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالأخْيَارِ‏.‏

It is reported that ‘Umar used to make supplication with his words, “) Allah, let me die with the pious and do not leave me among the evil. Join me to the good.”

[Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 629]

Other descriptions of Death as “tawaffa”

وَعَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ قَالَ: تُوُفِّيَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فِي نَوْمٍ نَامَهُ فَأَعْتَقَتْ عَنْهُ عَائِشَةُ أُخْتُهُ رِقَابًا كَثِيرَةً. رَوَاهُ مَالك

“Yahya b. Sa’id told that ‘Abd ar-Rahman b. Abu Bakr died in his sleep and that his sister ‘A’isha emancipated many slaves on his behalf.”

[Book 14, Hadith 23]

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عَدِيِّ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ الْبَرَاءَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ لَمَّا تُوُفِّيَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ـ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ ـ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ إِنَّ لَهُ مُرْضِعًا فِي الْجَنَّةِ ‏”

“When Ibrahim (the son of Prophet) expired, Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “There is a wet-nurse for him in Paradise.””

[Sahih al-Bukhari 1382]

وَحَدَّثَنِي عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ لاَ تَبِيتُ الْمُتَوَفَّى عَنْهَا زَوْجُهَا وَلاَ الْمَبْتُوتَةُ إِلاَّ فِي بَيْتِهَا ‏.‏

“Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi that Abdullan ibn Umar said, “The only place a woman whose husband has died and a woman who is absolutely divorced can spend the night is in their houses.””

[Book 29, Hadith 90]

وَعَنْهَا عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «المُتوَفّى عَنْهَا زوجُها لَا تَلبسُ المُعَصفَرَ مِنَ الثِّيَابِ وَلَا الْمُمَشَّقَةَ وَلَا الْحُلِيَّ وَلَا تَخْتَضِبُ وَلَا تَكْتَحِلُ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَالنَّسَائِيُّ

“She reported the Prophet as saying, “One whose husband has died must not wear garments dyed with saffron or red clay, or jewels, and she must not apply henna or collyrium.”

[Mishkat al-Masabih 3334]

حَدَّثَنِي مَحْمُودٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو النَّضْرِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، شَيْبَانُ عَنْ أَشْعَثَ، عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، قَالَ أَتَانَا مُعَاذُ بْنُ جَبَلٍ بِالْيَمَنِ مُعَلِّمًا وَأَمِيرًا، فَسَأَلْنَاهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ، تُوُفِّيَ وَتَرَكَ ابْنَتَهُ وَأُخْتَهُ، فَأَعْطَى الاِبْنَةَ النِّصْفَ وَالأُخْتَ النِّصْفَ‏.

“Mu`adh bin Jabal came to us in Yemen as a tutor and a ruler, and we (the people of Yemen) asked him about (the distribution of the property of ) a man who had died leaving a daughter and a sister. Mu`adh gave the daughter one-half of the property and gave the sister the other half.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari 6734]

أَخْبَرَنَا يُونُسُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ، وَابْنُ أَبِي ذِئْبٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ إِذَا تُوُفِّيَ الْمُؤْمِنُ وَعَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ سَأَلَ ‏”‏ هَلْ تَرَكَ لِدَيْنِهِ مِنْ قَضَاءٍ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ فَإِنْ قَالُوا نَعَمْ صَلَّى عَلَيْهِ وَإِنْ قَالُوا لاَ قَالَ ‏”‏ صَلُّوا عَلَى صَاحِبِكُمْ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ فَلَمَّا فَتَحَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏”‏ أَنَا أَوْلَى بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ فَمَنْ تُوُفِّيَ وَعَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ فَعَلَىَّ قَضَاؤُهُ وَمَنْ تَرَكَ مَالاً فَهُوَ لِوَرَثَتِهِ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

“If a believer died with debts outstanding, the Messenger of Allah would ask whether he had left behind anything to pay off his debts. If they said yes, he would pray for him, but if they said no, he would say: “Pray for your companion.” Then, when Allah made His Messenger rich through conquest, he said: “I am closer to the believers than their own selves. Whoever dies and leaves behind a debt, I will pay it, and whoever leavers behind wealth, it is for his heirs.””

[Sunan an-Nasa’i 1963]

وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ حُمَيْدِ بْنِ نَافِعٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ، قَالَتْ تُوُفِّيَ حَمِيمٌ لأُمِّ حَبِيبَةَ فَدَعَتْ بِصُفْرَةٍ فَمَسَحَتْهُ بِذِرَاعَيْهَا وَقَالَتْ إِنَّمَا أَصْنَعُ هَذَا لأَنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ “‏ لاَ يَحِلُّ لاِمْرَأَةٍ تُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ أَنْ تُحِدَّ فَوْقَ ثَلاَثٍ إِلاَّ عَلَى زَوْجٍ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَعَشْرًا ‏”‏ ‏.‏

Zainab bint Umm Salama (Allah be pleased with her) reported that a relative of Umm Habiba (Allah he pleased with her) died. She sent for a yellow (perfume) and applied that to her forearm and said:

“I, am doing it, for I have heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying: It is not permissible for a woman believing in Allah and the Hereafter to mourn beyond three days except the husband (for whom she can mourn) for four months and ten days.”

[Sahih Muslim 1486b]

حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ مُوسَى، أَخْبَرَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَنَّ ابْنَ جُرَيْجٍ، أَخْبَرَهُمْ قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عَطَاءٌ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ يَقُولُ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ قَدْ تُوُفِّيَ الْيَوْمَ رَجُلٌ صَالِحٌ مِنَ الْحَبَشِ فَهَلُمَّ فَصَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ ‏”‏‏.‏ قَالَ فَصَفَفْنَا فَصَلَّى النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَيْهِ وَنَحْنُ صُفُوفٌ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو الزُّبَيْرِ عَنْ جَابِرٍ كُنْتُ فِي الصَّفِّ الثَّانِي‏.‏

“The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Today a pious man from Ethiopia (i.e. An Najashi) has expired, come on to offer the funeral prayer.” (Jabir said): We lined up in rows and after that the Prophet (ﷺ) led the prayer and we were in rows. Jabir added, I was in the second row.””

[Sahih al-Bukhari 1320]

وَعَنْ أَنَسٍ ‏- رضى الله عنه ‏- قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ ‏- صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏-{ لَا يَتَمَنَّيَنَّ أَحَدُكُمُ اَلْمَوْتَ لِضُرٍّ يَنْزِلُ بِهِ, فَإِنْ كَانَ لَا بُدَّ مُتَمَنِّيًا فَلْيَقُلْ: اَللَّهُمَّ أَحْيِنِي مَا كَانَتِ اَلْحَيَاةُ خَيْرًا لِي, وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا كَانَتِ اَلْوَفَاةُ خَيْرًا لِي } مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ ¹‏ .‏

“None of you should wish for death due to any affliction, which might have affected him. But if he feels compelled to wish for it (due to extreme distress that he feels he cannot bear), he should say: “O Allah! Grant me life as long as life is better for me, and let me die when death is better for me.” Agreed upon.

[Bulugh al-Maram 533]

Tawaffa (توفى) is an Arabic verb that means to take something. When Allah does the Tawaffi of a human, it ONLY means taking of the soul. This can be at the time of death, or sleep if night is mentioned. There is no other meaning for it. It NEVER means taking of the body and soul or flying towards Allah.

This is exactly what the Arabic lexicons explain. Where are they getting this rule from? It comes from the following verse:

اَللّٰہُ یَتَوَفَّی الۡاَنۡفُسَ حِیۡنَ مَوۡتِہَا وَالَّتِیۡ لَمۡ تَمُتۡ فِیۡ مَنَامِہَا ۚ فَیُمۡسِکُ الَّتِیۡ قَضٰی عَلَیۡہَا الۡمَوۡتَ وَیُرۡسِلُ الۡاُخۡرٰۤی اِلٰۤی اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّی ؕ اِنَّ فِیۡ ذٰلِکَ لَاٰیٰتٍ لِّقَوۡمٍ یَّتَفَکَّرُوۡنَ

Allah takes away the souls of human beings at the time of their death; and of those also that are not yet dead, during their sleep. And then He retains those against which He has decreed death, and sends back the others till an appointed term. In that surely are Signs for a people who reflect.

[Quran 39:42]

Challenge

After his extensive in-depth research of Quran and various Ahadith books, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS) challenged the entire Muslim ummah to prove their self-made definition of Tawaffa of Isa (AS) from the Quran, Hadith, Arabic Lexicons/Dictionaries and even pre-Islamic Arabic literature.

What I discovered on checking every page of the compilations of Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Tirmadhi, Ibn-e-Majah, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, Darimi, Muwatta and Sharh-us-Sunnah etc., was that the expression Tawaffi has been used 346 times, and in no single instance has it been used, either by the Holy Prophet ﷺ or by his companions, to mean anything other than ‘death’, or ‘taking possession of the soul’. I have gone through these books with great care line by line, and I can say that on every occasion, the expression Tawaffi has been used only in the connotation of death or taking possession of the soul.

_{[Izala-e-Auham, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 3, pp. 583-585]}

“If anyone can cite a single instance from the Holy Qur’an or Hadith, or from ancient or modern Arabic poetry and prose, that the word Tawaffi (تَوفي), when applied to a human being, God being the subject, has been used in any connotation other than death and taking possession of the soul, for instance, in the connotation of the taking the body, I bind myself on oath that I shall pay that person one thousand (1000) rupees in cash by selling some of my property and shall always hold him in high esteem as a great scholar of the Holy Qur’an and Hadith.”

[Izalah-e-Auham, Ruhani Khaza’in, Volume 3, p. 603]

Alhamdulillah, over a hundred years have passed since this challenge, yet no Muslim has ever successfully been able to meet this challenge. May Allah open the hearts of our Muslim brothers and sisters and guide them to the True Islam.

The Arabic verb تَوَفَّى (tawaffa) is vital to the Islamic discourse on the death of Isa (AS). It’s correct interpretation carries significant theological weight.

Taking of the Soul: Death or Sleep

The root word wafā (وفى) means “to complete,” “to take in full,” or “to receive fully.” The verb tawaffa literally means to take completely or in full. Several classical lexicons, like Lisan al-Arab and Lane’s Lexicon, confirm this root meaning.

When Allah (subject/فاعل) does the Tawaffi of a human (object /مفعول), it ONLY means taking of the soul. This can be 1) at the time of death, or 2) sleep if night is mentioned. There is NO other meaning for it. It NEVER means taking of the body and soul or flying towards Allah.

Usage in Qur’an

Tawaffa has been used 25 times in the Qur’an. The list of the ayahs are listed below:

2:234; 2:240; 3:55; 3:193; 4:15; 4:97; 5:117; 6:61; 7:37; 7:126; 8:50; 10:46; 10:104; 12:101; 13:40; 16:28; 16:32; 16:70; 22:5; 32:11; 40:67; 40:77; 47:27; 6:60; 39:42

Verse 39:42

In 39:42, Tawaffa is used for the same two distinct states, as mentioned above.

1. Death (موت): Permanent cessation of biological life.
2. Sleep (نوم): Temporary withdrawal of the soul, where the body remains alive.

اَللّٰہُ یَتَوَفَّی الۡاَنۡفُسَ حِیۡنَ مَوۡتِہَا وَالَّتِیۡ لَمۡ تَمُتۡ فِیۡ مَنَامِہَا ۚ فَیُمۡسِکُ الَّتِیۡ قَضٰی عَلَیۡہَا الۡمَوۡتَ وَیُرۡسِلُ الۡاُخۡرٰۤی اِلٰۤی اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّی ؕ اِنَّ فِیۡ ذٰلِکَ لَاٰیٰتٍ لِّقَوۡمٍ یَّتَفَکَّرُوۡنَ

Allah takes away the souls of human beings at the time of their death; and during their sleep of those also that are not yet dead. And then He retains those against which He has decreed death, and sends back the others till an appointed term. In that surely are Signs for a people who reflect.
^{[Quran: 39:42]}

Non-Ahmadi Allegations

Tawaffa can mean sleep so Isa (AS) is asleep in the heavens

Some ignorant anti-ahmadis argue that because Tawaffa can also mean “sleep” (temporary taking of the soul), therefore, Isa (AS) may simply be sleeping in heaven for 2000+ years, awaiting his return. They argue that Allah first made Isa (AS) fall asleep, then raised him up. They claim that this ‘logically’ means Isa (AS) is still alive in heaven rather than having passed away.

Refutation: Tawaffa of Isa (AS) is death

Besides being a clear insult to the wisdom and power of Allah, the argument made by some anti-Ahmadis that Tawaffa in the case of Isa (AS) means “sleep” is neither supported by the Qur’an nor by any sound reasoning. Anti-Ahmadis are so lost and desperate that they invent absurd scenarios to keep Isa (AS) alive, completely misrepresenting the meaning of Tawaffa in verses like 3:55 and 5:117. As clearly stated before, when Allah performs Tawaffa on a being with a soul, such as human, it refers to death only, unless sleep or night is explicitly mentioned. In verses 3:55 and 5:117, there is NO mention of sleep or night. The only logical, textual meaning is death, yet anti-Ahmadis twist it to mean sleep without any linguistic or contextual justification. This is outright a lie against Allah.

Not only does their belief contradict these verses, but it also flies in the face of the Qur’an’s universal law of mortality, as seen in 3:144 (“All messengers before Muhammad have passed away”) and 3:185 (“Every soul shall taste death”).

Their position contradicts not only the Qur’an, but also the established usages of Tawaffa in Hadith. This is not to mention the fact that how their own scholars have translated these same verses over centuries as referring to death and NOT sleep.

Finally, the claim that Isa (AS) merely fell asleep to be saved from his enemies is completely illogical. If the threat to Isa (AS) was death at the hands of his enemies, what kind of “rescue” is sleep? Would that not make him even more vulnerable? This entire argument lacks Qur’anic, linguistic, and rational credibility, and shows the lengths to which our opponents will go to avoid accepting the clear truth that Isa (AS) has passed away.

Khalifatul Masih IV (RH) explains

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV, Mirza Tahir Ahmad (RH), explains beautifully that although Tawaffa can refer to either death or sleep when the subject (فاعل) is Allah and object (مفعول) is human, it defies human logic that Allah the Exalted would respond to a murder plot of the Jews by making Isa (AS) fall asleep. He explains:

So instead of removing him from the place of danger, God further made him incapable of defending himself? A man who is not asleep could run away but a man who has fallen asleep at the time of danger offers himself as a sitting duck for anybody to shoot him. This meaning is purposeless. It [Verse 39:42] only means that the Tawaffa takes place in two ways: either in the form of death or in the form of sleep.

^{[Liqa Ma al-Arab, 13th May, 1997]}

Thus, as Khalifatul Masih IV (RH) explains, it would be an absolute mockery of God if he had made Isa (AS) fall alseep during the most critically dangerous time of his life. It would have also solved nothing, as all it would have done is put Isa (AS) in more danger.

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS) failed his Tawaffa challenge

Some ignorant non-ahmadis also falsely allege that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS) “failed” his Tawaffa challenge as he ignored that Tawaffa can also mean sleep. They allege that Ahmad (AS) challenged everyone to prove from the Qur’an or Hadith if Tawaffa regarding Isa (AS) meant anything other than death or taking of the soul. They argue that Tawaffa also means ‘sleep’ according to Quran 39:42, so Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS) “failed” his so-called challenge.

Refutation

This allegation is a gross misrepresentation. The Promised Messiah (AS) never denied that Tawaffa can refer to sleep. His actual challenge was for anyone to prove that Tawaffa, when used by Allah in reference to a human, means anything other than i) death or ii) the taking of the soul. Since sleep, by definition as stated in Qur’an 39:42, involves the temporary removal (taking) of the soul, it fully falls within the scope of this challenge. Therefore, the objection is very clearly baseless and the challenge of Masih Maud (AS) remains unmet.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Tawaffa can mean sleep, when the aforementioned prerequisite context are met. However, the claim of the anti-ahmadis that Isa (AS) was made to sleep and then raised alive is a very weak and unsupported attempt to avoid the clear Qur’anic teaching of his natural death. In addition, the allegation that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS) “failed” his challenge is not just a clear lie against Ahmad (AS), but also upon Allah and the Quran as well. May Allah give Hidayah to the Anti-Ahmadis.

Tawaffa vs Tuwaffa

Tawaffa (توفى) is an Arabic verb that means to take something. When Allah does the Tawaffi of a human, it ONLY means taking of the soul.

It is used 25 times in the Quran and means taking of the soul every single time. It never means taking of the body AND soul.

Holy Qur’an – 5:117

مَا قُلۡتُ لَہُمۡ اِلَّا مَاۤ اَمَرۡتَنِیۡ بِہٖۤ اَنِ اعۡبُدُوا اللّٰہَ رَبِّیۡ وَ رَبَّکُمۡ ۚ وَ کُنۡتُ عَلَیۡہِمۡ شَہِیۡدًا مَّا دُمۡتُ فِیۡہِمۡ ۚ فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّیۡتَنِیۡ کُنۡتَ اَنۡتَ الرَّقِیۡبَ عَلَیۡہِمۡ ؕ وَ اَنۡتَ عَلٰی کُلِّ شَیۡءٍ شَہِیۡدٌ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

“I said nothing to them except that which Thou didst command me — ‘Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.’ And I was a witness over them as long as I remained among them, but since Thou didst cause me to die, Thou hast been the Watcher over them; and Thou art Witness over all things.

Muhammad Asad

Nothing did I tell them beyond what Thou didst bid me [to say]: `Worship God, [who is] my Sustainer as well as your Sustainer.’ And I bore witness to what they did as long as I dwelt in their midst; but since Thou hast caused me to die, Thou alone hast been their keeper: for Thou art witness unto everything

Pickthall

I spake unto them only that which Thou commandedst me, (saying): Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. I was a witness of them while I dwelt among them, and when Thou tookest me Thou wast the Watcher over them. Thou art Witness over all things.

Holy Qur’an – 3:55

اِذۡ قَالَ اللّٰہُ یٰعِیۡسٰۤی اِنِّیۡ مُتَوَفِّیۡکَ وَ رَافِعُکَ اِلَیَّ وَ مُطَہِّرُکَ مِنَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا وَ جَاعِلُ الَّذِیۡنَ اتَّبَعُوۡکَ فَوۡقَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡۤا اِلٰی یَوۡمِ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ ۚ ثُمَّ اِلَیَّ مَرۡجِعُکُمۡ فَاَحۡکُمُ بَیۡنَکُمۡ فِیۡمَا کُنۡتُمۡ فِیۡہِ تَخۡتَلِفُوۡنَ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

When Allah said, ‘O Jesus, I will cause thee to die a natural death and will exalt thee to Myself, and will clear thee from the charges of those who disbelieve, and will place those who follow thee above those who disbelieve, until the Day of Resurrection; then to Me shall be your return, and I will judge between you concerning that wherein you differ.

Muhammad Asad

Lo! God said: “O Jesus! Verily, I shall cause thee to die, and shall exalt thee unto Me, and cleanse thee of [the presence of] those who are bent on denying the truth; and I shall place those who follow thee [far] above those who are bent on denying the truth, unto the Day of Resurrection. In the end, unto Me you all must return, and I shall judge between you with regard to all on which you were wont to differ

Pickthall

(And remember) when Allah said: O Jesus! Lo! I am gathering thee and causing thee to ascend unto Me, and am cleansing thee of those who disbelieve and am setting those who follow thee above those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then unto Me ye will (all) return, and I shall judge between you as to that wherein ye used to differ.

Holy Qur’an – 2:234

وَالَّذِیۡنَ یُتَوَفَّوۡنَ مِنۡکُمۡ وَیَذَرُوۡنَ اَزۡوَاجًا یَّتَرَبَّصۡنَ بِاَنۡفُسِہِنَّ اَرۡبَعَۃَ اَشۡہُرٍ وَّعَشۡرًا ۚ فَاِذَا بَلَغۡنَ اَجَلَہُنَّ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَیۡکُمۡ فِیۡمَا فَعَلۡنَ فِیۡۤ اَنۡفُسِہِنَّ بِالۡمَعۡرُوۡفِ ؕ وَاللّٰہُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ خَبِیۡرٌ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

And those of you who die and leave wives behind, these (wives) shall wait concerning themselves four months and ten days. And when they have reached the end of their period, no sin shall lie on you in anything that they do with regard to themselves according to what is fair. And Allah is aware of what you do.

Muhammad Asad

And if any of you die and leave wives behind, they shall undergo, without remarrying, a waiting-period of four months and ten days; whereupon, when they have reached the end of their waiting-term, there shall be no sin in whatever they may do with their persons in a lawful manner. And God is aware of all that you do

Pickthall

Such of you as die and leave behind them wives, they (the wives) shall wait, keeping themselves apart, four months and ten days. And when they reach the term (prescribed for them) then there is no sin for you in aught that they may do with themselves in decency. Allah is informed of what ye do.

Holy Qur’an – 2:240

وَالَّذِیۡنَ یُتَوَفَّوۡنَ مِنۡکُمۡ وَیَذَرُوۡنَ اَزۡوَاجًا ۚۖ وَّصِیَّۃً لِّاَزۡوَاجِہِمۡ مَّتَاعًا اِلَی الۡحَوۡلِ غَیۡرَ اِخۡرَاجٍ ۚ فَاِنۡ خَرَجۡنَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَیۡکُمۡ فِیۡ مَا فَعَلۡنَ فِیۡۤ اَنۡفُسِہِنَّ مِنۡ مَّعۡرُوۡفٍ ؕ وَاللّٰہُ عَزِیۡزٌ حَکِیۡمٌ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali
And those of you who die and leave behind wives shall bequeath to their wives provision for a year without their being turned out. But if they themselves go out, there shall be no blame upon you in regard to any proper thing which they do concerning themselves. And Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Muhammad Asad

AND IF any of you die and leave wives behind, they bequeath thereby to their widows [the right to] one year’s maintenance without their being obliged to leave [the dead husband’s home]. If, however, they leave [of their own accord], there shall be no sin in whatever they may do with themselves in a lawful manner. And God is almighty, wise

Pickthall

(In the case of) those of you who are about to die and leave behind them wives, they should bequeath unto their wives a provision for the year without turning them out, but if they go out (of their own accord) there is no sin for you in that which they do of themselves within their rights. Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Holy Qur’an – 3:193

رَّبَّنَا إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِي لِلْإِيمَانِ أَنْ آمِنُوا بِرَبِّكُمْ فَآمَنَّا رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الْأَبْرَار

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

“Our Lord, we have heard a Crier calling us unto faith, ‘Believe ye in your Lord,’ and we have believed. Our Lord, forgive us, therefore, our errors and remove from us our evils, and in death number us with the righteous.

Muhammad Asad

“O our Sustainer! Behold, we heard a voice call [us] unto faith, `Believe in your Sustainer!’ – and so we came to believe. O our Sustainer! Forgive us, then, our sins, and efface our bad deeds; and let us die the death of the truly

Pickthall

Our Lord! Lo! we have heard a crier calling unto Faith: “Believe ye in your Lord!” So we believed. Our Lord! Therefor forgive us our sins, and remit from us our evil deeds, and make us die the death of the righteous

Holy Qur’an – 4:15

وَالّٰتِیۡ یَاۡتِیۡنَ الۡفَاحِشَۃَ مِنۡ نِّسَآئِکُمۡ فَاسۡتَشۡہِدُوۡا عَلَیۡہِنَّ اَرۡبَعَۃً مِّنۡکُمۡ ۚ فَاِنۡ شَہِدُوۡا فَاَمۡسِکُوۡہُنَّ فِی الۡبُیُوۡتِ حَتّٰی یَتَوَفّٰہُنَّ الۡمَوۡتُ اَوۡ یَجۡعَلَ اللّٰہُ لَہُنَّ سَبِیۡلًا

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

And those of your women who are guilty of lewdness — call to witness four of you against them; and if they bear witness, then confine them to the houses until death overtake them or Allah open for them a way.

Muhammad Asad

AND AS FOR those of your women who become guilty of immoral conduct, call upon four from among you who have witnessed their guilt; and if these bear witness thereto, confine the guilty women to their houses until death takes them away or God opens for them a way

Pickthall

As for those of your women who are guilty of lewdness, call to witness four of you against them. And if they testify (to the truth of the allegation) then confine them to the houses until death take them or (until) Allah appoint for them a way (through new legislation).

Holy Qur’an – 4:97

اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ تَوَفّٰہُمُ الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃُ ظَالِمِیۡۤ اَنۡفُسِہِمۡ قَالُوۡا فِیۡمَ کُنۡتُمۡ ؕ قَالُوۡا کُنَّا مُسۡتَضۡعَفِیۡنَ فِی الۡاَرۡضِ ؕ قَالُوۡۤا اَلَمۡ تَکُنۡ اَرۡضُ اللّٰہِ وَاسِعَۃً فَتُہَاجِرُوۡا فِیۡہَا ؕ فَاُولٰٓئِکَ مَاۡوٰٮہُمۡ جَہَنَّمُ ؕ وَسَآءَتۡ مَصِیۡرًا

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

Verily, those whom the angels cause to die while they are wronging their own souls, they (the angels) will say to them: ‘What were you after?’ They will reply: ‘We were treated as weak in the land.’ They will say, ‘Was not Allah’s earth vast enough for you to emigrate therein?’ It is these whose abode shall be Hell, and an evil destination it is;

Muhammad Asad

Behold, those whom the angels gather in death while they are still sinning against themselves, [the angels] will ask, “What was wrong with you?” They will answer: “We were too weak on earth.” [The angels] will say: “Was, then, God’s earth not wide enough for you to forsake the domain of evil?” For such, then, the goal is hell – and how evil a journey’s end

Pickthall

Lo! as for those whom the angels take (in death) while they wrong themselves, (the angels) will ask: In what were ye engaged? They will say: We were oppressed in the land. (The angels) will say: Was not Allah’s earth spacious that ye could have migrated therein? As for such, their habitation will be hell, an evil journey’s end;

Holy Qur’an – 6:60

وَہُوَ الَّذِیۡ یَتَوَفّٰٮکُمۡ بِالَّیۡلِ وَیَعۡلَمُ مَا جَرَحۡتُمۡ بِالنَّہَارِ ثُمَّ یَبۡعَثُکُمۡ فِیۡہِ لِیُقۡضٰۤی اَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّی ۚ ثُمَّ اِلَیۡہِ مَرۡجِعُکُمۡ ثُمَّ یُنَبِّئُکُمۡ بِمَا کُنۡتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

And He it is Who takes your souls by night and knows that which you do by day; then He raises you up again therein, that the appointed term may be completed. Then to Him is your return. Then will He inform you of what you used to do.

Muhammad Asad

And He it is who causes you to be [like] dead at night, and knows what you work in daytime; and He brings you back to life each days in order that a term set [by Him] be fulfilled. In the end, unto Him you must return: and then He will make you understand all that you were doing [in life]

Pickthall

He it is Who gathereth you at night and knoweth that which ye commit by day. Then He raiseth you again to life therein, that the term appointed (for you) may be accomplished. And afterward unto Him is your return. Then He will proclaim unto you what ye used to do.

Holy Qur’an – 6:61

وَہُوَ الۡقَاہِرُ فَوۡقَ عِبَادِہٖ وَیُرۡسِلُ عَلَیۡکُمۡ حَفَظَۃً ؕ حَتّٰۤی اِذَا جَآءَ اَحَدَکُمُ الۡمَوۡتُ تَوَفَّتۡہُ رُسُلُنَا وَہُمۡ لَا یُفَرِّطُوۡنَ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

And He is Supreme over His servants, and He sends guardians to watch over you, until, when death comes to anyone of you, Our messengers take his soul, and they fail not.

Muhammad Asad

And He alone holds sway over His servants. And He sends forth heavenly forces to watch over you until, when death approaches any of you, Our messengers cause him to die: and they do not overlook [anyone]

Pickthall

He is the Omnipotent over His slaves. He sendeth guardians over you until, when death cometh unto one of you, Our messengers receive him, and they neglect not.

Holy Qur’an – 7:37

فَمَنۡ اَظۡلَمُ مِمَّنِ افۡتَرٰی عَلَی اللّٰہِ کَذِبًا اَوۡ کَذَّبَ بِاٰیٰتِہٖ ؕ اُولٰٓئِکَ یَنَالُہُمۡ نَصِیۡبُہُمۡ مِّنَ الۡکِتٰبِ ؕ حَتّٰۤی اِذَا جَآءَتۡہُمۡ رُسُلُنَا یَتَوَفَّوۡنَہُمۡ ۙ قَالُوۡۤا اَیۡنَ مَا کُنۡتُمۡ تَدۡعُوۡنَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰہِ ؕ قَالُوۡا ضَلُّوۡا عَنَّا وَشَہِدُوۡا عَلٰۤی اَنۡفُسِہِمۡ اَنَّہُمۡ کَانُوۡا کٰفِرِیۡنَ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

Who is, then, more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah or gives the lie to His Signs? It is these who shall have their lot as ordained till when Our messengers shall visit them to take away their souls, they shall say, ‘Where is that which you used to call upon beside Allah?’ They will answer, ‘We cannot find them;’ and they will bear witness against themselves that they were disbelievers.

Muhammad Asad

And who could be more wicked than they who attribute their own lying inventions to God or give the lie to His messages? Whatever has been decreed to be their lot [in life] will be theirs -till there shall come unto them Our messengers to cause them to die, [and] shall say, “Where, now, are those beings whom you were wont to invoke beside God?” And [those sinners] will reply, “They have forsaken us!” -and [thus] they will bear witness against themselves that they had been denying the truth

Pickthall

Who doeth greater wrong than he who inventeth a lie concerning Allah or denieth Our tokens. (For such) their appointed portion of the Book (of destiny) reacheth them till, when Our messengers come to gather them, they say: Where (now) is that to which ye cried beside Allah? They say: They have departed from us. And they testify against themselves that they were disbelievers.

Holy Qur’an – 7:126

وَمَا تَنۡقِمُ مِنَّاۤ اِلَّاۤ اَنۡ اٰمَنَّا بِاٰیٰتِ رَبِّنَا لَمَّا جَآءَتۡنَا ؕ رَبَّنَاۤ اَفۡرِغۡ عَلَیۡنَا صَبۡرًا وَّتَوَفَّنَا مُسۡلِمِیۡنَ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

‘And thou dost not wreak vengeance on us but because we have believed in the Signs of our Lord, when they came to us. Our Lord, pour forth upon us steadfastness and cause us to die resigned unto Thee.’

Muhammad Asad

For thou takest vengeance on us only because we have come to believe in our Sustainer’s messages as soon as they came to us. O our Sustainer! Shower us with patience in adversity, and make us die as men who have surrendered themselves unto Thee!”

Pickthall

Thou takest vengeance on us only forasmuch as we believed the tokens of our Lord when they came unto us. Our Lord! Vouchsafe unto us steadfastness and make us die as men who have surrendered (unto Thee).

Holy Qur’an – 8:50

وَلَوۡ تَرٰۤی اِذۡ یَتَوَفَّی الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوا ۙ الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃُ یَضۡرِبُوۡنَ وُجُوۡہَہُمۡ وَاَدۡبَارَہُمۡ ۚ وَذُوۡقُوۡا عَذَابَ الۡحَرِیۡقِ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

And if thou couldst see, when the angels take away the souls of those who disbelieve, smiting their faces and their backs, saying: ‘Taste ye the punishment of burning!

Muhammad Asad

AND IF thou couldst but see [how it will be] when He causes those who are bent on denying the truth to die: the angels will strike their faces: and their backs, and [will say]: “Taste suffering through fire”

Pickthall

If thou couldst see how the angels receive those who disbelieve, smiting faces and their backs and (saying): Taste the punishment of burning!

Holy Qur’an – 10:46

وَاِمَّا نُرِیَنَّکَ بَعۡضَ الَّذِیۡ نَعِدُہُمۡ اَوۡ نَتَوَفَّیَنَّکَ فَاِلَیۡنَا مَرۡجِعُہُمۡ ثُمَّ اللّٰہُ شَہِیۡدٌ عَلٰی مَا یَفۡعَلُوۡنَ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

And if We show thee in thy lifetime the fulfilment of some of the things with which We have threatened them, thou wilt know it; or if We cause thee to die before that, then to Us is their return, and thou wilt see the fulfilment in the next world; and Allah is Witness to all that they do.

Muhammad Asad

And whether We show thee [in this world something of what We hold in store for those [deniers of the truth], or whether We cause thee to die [before that retribution takes place – know that, in the end], it is unto Us that they must return; and God is witness to all that they do

Pickthall

Whether We let thee (O Muhammad) behold something of that which We promise them or (whether We) cause thee to die, still unto Us is their return, and Allah, moreover, is Witness over what they do.

Holy Qur’an – 10:104

قُلۡ یٰۤاَیُّہَا النَّاسُ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ فِیۡ شَکٍّ مِّنۡ دِیۡنِیۡ فَلَاۤ اَعۡبُدُ الَّذِیۡنَ تَعۡبُدُوۡنَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰہِ وَلٰکِنۡ اَعۡبُدُ اللّٰہَ الَّذِیۡ یَتَوَفّٰٮکُمۡ ۚۖ وَاُمِرۡتُ اَنۡ اَکُوۡنَ مِنَ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

Say, “O ye men, if you are in doubt as to my religion, then know that I worship not those whom you worship beside Allah, but I worship Allah alone Who causes you to die, and I have been commanded to be of the believers,

Muhammad Asad

SAY [O Prophet]: “O mankind! If you are in doubt as to what my faith is, then [know that] I do not worship those beings whom you worship beside God, but [that] I worship God alone, who shall cause you [all] to die: for I have been bidden to be among those who believe [in Him alone].”

Pickthall

Say (O Muhammad): O mankind! If ye are in doubt of my religion, then (know that) I worship not those whom ye worship instead of Allah, but I worship Allah Who causeth you to die, and I have been commanded to be of the believers.

Holy Qur’an – 12:101

رَبِّ قَدۡ اٰتَیۡتَنِیۡ مِنَ الۡمُلۡکِ وَعَلَّمۡتَنِیۡ مِنۡ تَاۡوِیۡلِ الۡاَحَادِیۡثِ ۚ فَاطِرَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضِ ۟ اَنۡتَ وَلِیّٖ فِی الدُّنۡیَا وَالۡاٰخِرَۃِ ۚ تَوَفَّنِیۡ مُسۡلِمًا وَّاَلۡحِقۡنِیۡ بِالصّٰلِحِیۡنَ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

‘O my Lord, Thou hast bestowed power upon me and taught me the interpretation of dreams. O Maker of the heavens and the earth, Thou art my Protector in this world and the Hereafter. Let death come to me in a state of submission to Thy will and join me to the righteous.’

Muhammad Asad

“O my Sustainer! Thou hast indeed bestowed upon me something of power, and hast imparted unto me some knowledge of the inner meaning of happenings. Originator of the heavens and the earth! Thou art near unto me in this world and in the life to come: let me die as one who has surrendered himself unto Thee, and make me one with the righteous!”

Pickthall

O my Lord! Thou hast given me (something) of sovereignty and hast taught me (something) of the interpretation of events – Creator of the heavens and the earth! Thou art my Protecting Guardian in the world and the Hereafter. Make me to die muslim (unto Thee), and join me to the righteous.

Holy Qur’an – 13:40: Tawaffa Used for Prophet ﷺ

وَاِنۡ مَّا نُرِیَنَّکَ بَعۡضَ الَّذِیۡ نَعِدُہُمۡ اَوۡ نَتَوَفَّیَنَّکَ فَاِنَّمَا عَلَیۡکَ الۡبَلٰغُ وَعَلَیۡنَا الۡحِسَابُ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

And whether We make thee see the fulfilment of some of the things with which We threaten them or whether We make thee die, it makes little difference, for on thee lies only the delivery of the Message, and on Us the reckoning.

Muhammad Asad

BUT WHETHER We let thee see [in thy lifetime, O Prophet, the fulfilment of] some of what We have promised them, or whether We cause thee to die [before its fulfilment] – thy duty is no more than to deliver the message; and the reckoning is Ours.

Pickthall

Whether We let thee see something of that which We have promised them, or make thee die (before its happening), thine is but conveyance (of the message). Ours the reckoning.

Holy Qur’an – 16:28

الَّذِیۡنَ تَتَوَفّٰٮہُمُ الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃُ ظَالِمِیۡۤ اَنۡفُسِہِمۡ ۪ فَاَلۡقَوُا السَّلَمَ مَا کُنَّا نَعۡمَلُ مِنۡ سُوۡٓءٍ ؕ بَلٰۤی اِنَّ اللّٰہَ عَلِیۡمٌۢ بِمَا کُنۡتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

Those whom the angels cause to die while they are wronging their souls. Then will they offer submission, saying, ‘We used not to do any evil.’ Nay, surely, Allah knows well what you used to do.

Muhammad Asad

Those whom the angels have gathered in death while they were still sinning against themselves!” Then will they [who are thus arraigned] proffer their submission, [saying:] “We did not [mean to] do any evil! [But they will be answered:] “Yea, verily, God has full knowledge of all that you were doing”

Pickthall

Whom the angels cause to die while they are wronging themselves. Then will they make full submission (saying): We used not to do any wrong. Nay! Surely Allah is Knower of what ye used to do.

Holy Qur’an – 16:32

الَّذِیۡنَ تَتَوَفّٰٮہُمُ الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃُ طَیِّبِیۡنَ ۙ یَقُوۡلُوۡنَ سَلٰمٌ عَلَیۡکُمُ ۙ ادۡخُلُوا الۡجَنَّۃَ بِمَا کُنۡتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

Those whom the angels cause to die while they are pure. They say: ‘Peace be unto you! Enter Heaven because of what you used to do.’

Muhammad Asad

Those whom the angels gather in death while they are in a state of inner purity, greeting them thus: “Peace be upon you! Enter paradise by virtue of what you were doing [in life]!”

Pickthall

Those whom the angels cause to die (when they are) good. They say: Peace be unto you! Enter the Garden because of what ye used to do.

Holy Qur’an – 16:70

وَاللّٰہُ خَلَقَکُمۡ ثُمَّ یَتَوَفّٰٮکُمۡ ۟ۙ وَمِنۡکُمۡ مَّنۡ یُّرَدُّ اِلٰۤی اَرۡذَلِ الۡعُمُرِ لِکَیۡ لَا یَعۡلَمَ بَعۡدَ عِلۡمٍ شَیۡئًا ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ عَلِیۡمٌ قَدِیۡرٌ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

And Allah creates you, then He causes you to die; and there are some among you who are driven to the worst part of life, with the result that they know nothing after having had knowledge. Surely, Allah is All-Knowing, Powerful.

Muhammad Asad

AND GOD has created you, and in time will cause you to die; and many a one of you is reduced in old age to a most abject state, ceasing to know anything of what he once knew so well. Verily, God is all-knowing, infinite in His power

Pickthall

And Allah createth you, then causeth you to die, and among you is he who is brought back to the most abject stage of life, so that he knoweth nothing after (having had) knowledge. Lo! Allah is Knower, Powerful.

Holy Qur’an – 22:5

یٰۤاَیُّہَا النَّاسُ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ فِیۡ رَیۡبٍ مِّنَ الۡبَعۡثِ فَاِنَّا خَلَقۡنٰکُمۡ مِّنۡ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِنۡ نُّطۡفَۃٍ ثُمَّ مِنۡ عَلَقَۃٍ ثُمَّ مِنۡ مُّضۡغَۃٍ مُّخَلَّقَۃٍ وَّغَیۡرِ مُخَلَّقَۃٍ لِّنُبَیِّنَ لَکُمۡ ؕ وَنُقِرُّ فِی الۡاَرۡحَامِ مَا نَشَآءُ اِلٰۤی اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّی ثُمَّ نُخۡرِجُکُمۡ طِفۡلًا ثُمَّ لِتَبۡلُغُوۡۤا اَشُدَّکُمۡ ۚ وَمِنۡکُمۡ مَّنۡ یُّتَوَفّٰی وَمِنۡکُمۡ مَّنۡ یُّرَدُّ اِلٰۤی اَرۡذَلِ الۡعُمُرِ لِکَیۡلَا یَعۡلَمَ مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِ عِلۡمٍ شَیۡئًا ؕ وَتَرَی الۡاَرۡضَ ہَامِدَۃً فَاِذَاۤ اَنۡزَلۡنَا عَلَیۡہَا الۡمَآءَ اہۡتَزَّتۡ وَرَبَتۡ وَاَنۡۢبَتَتۡ مِنۡ کُلِّ زَوۡجٍۭ بَہِیۡجٍ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

O people, if you are in doubt concerning the Resurrection, then consider that We have indeed created you from dust, then from a spermdrop, then from clotted blood, then from a lump of flesh, partly formed and partly unformed, in order that We may make Our power manifest to you. And We cause what We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed term; then We bring you forth as babes; then We rear you that you may attain to your age of full strength. And there are some of you who are caused to die prematurely, and there are others among you who are driven to the worst part of life with the result that they know nothing after having had knowledge. And thou seest the earth lifeless, but when We send down water thereon, it stirs and swells, and grows every kind of beauteous vegetation.

Muhammad Asad

O MEN! If you are in doubt as to the [truth of] resurrection, [remember that,] verily, We have created [every one of] you out of dust, then out of a drop of sperm, then out of a germ-cell, then out of an embryonic lump complete [in itself] and yet incomplete so that We might make [your origin] clear unto you. And whatever We will [to be born] We cause to rest in the [mothers’] wombs for a term set [by Us], and then We bring you forth as infants and [allow you to live] so that [some of] you might attain to maturity: for among you are such as are caused to die [in childhood], just as many a one of you is reduced in old age to a most abject state, ceasing to know anything of what he once knew so well. And [if, O man, thou art still in doubt as to resurrection, consider this:] thou canst see the earth dry and lifeless – and [suddenly,] when We send down waters upon it, it stirs and swells and puts forth every kind of lovely plant

Pickthall

O mankind! if ye are in doubt concerning the Resurrection, then lo! We have created you from dust, then from a drop of seed, then from a clot, then from a little lump of flesh shapely and shapeless, that We may make (it) clear for you. And We cause what We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed time, and afterward We bring you forth as infants, then (give you growth) that ye attain your full strength. And among you there is he who dieth (young), and among you there is he who is brought back to the most abject time of life, so that, after knowledge, he knoweth naught. And thou (Muhammad) seest the earth barren, but when We send down water thereon, it doth thrill and swell and put forth every lovely kind (of growth).

Holy Qur’an – 32:11

قُلۡ یَتَوَفّٰٮکُمۡ مَّلَکُ الۡمَوۡتِ الَّذِیۡ وُکِّلَ بِکُمۡ ثُمَّ اِلٰی رَبِّکُمۡ تُرۡجَعُوۡنَ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

Say, ‘The angel of death that has been put in charge of you will cause you to die; then to your Lord will you be brought back.’

Muhammad Asad

Say: “[One day,] the angel of death who has been given charge of you will gather you, and then unto your Sustainer you will be brought back.”

Pickthall

Say: The angel of death, who hath charge concerning you, will gather you, and afterward unto your Lord ye will be returned.

Holy Qur’an – 39:42

اَللّٰہُ یَتَوَفَّی الۡاَنۡفُسَ حِیۡنَ مَوۡتِہَا وَالَّتِیۡ لَمۡ تَمُتۡ فِیۡ مَنَامِہَا ۚ فَیُمۡسِکُ الَّتِیۡ قَضٰی عَلَیۡہَا الۡمَوۡتَ وَیُرۡسِلُ الۡاُخۡرٰۤی اِلٰۤی اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّی ؕ اِنَّ فِیۡ ذٰلِکَ لَاٰیٰتٍ لِّقَوۡمٍ یَّتَفَکَّرُوۡنَ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

Allah takes away the souls of human beings at the time of their death; and during their sleep of those also that are not yet dead. And then He retains those against which He has decreed death, and sends back the others till an appointed term. In that surely are Signs for a people who reflect.

Muhammad Asad

It is God [alone that has this power – He] who causes all human beings to die at the time of their [bodily] death, and [causes to be as dead], during their sleep, those that have not yet died: thus, He withholds [from life] those upon whom He has decreed death, and lets the others go free for a term set [by Him]. In [all] this, behold, there are messages indeed for people who think

Pickthall

Allah receiveth (men’s) souls at the time of their death, and that (soul) which dieth not (yet) in its sleep. He keepeth that (soul) for which He hath ordained death and dismisseth the rest till an appointed term. Lo! herein verily are portents for people who take thought.

Holy Qur’an – 40:67

ہُوَ الَّذِیۡ خَلَقَکُمۡ مِّنۡ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِنۡ نُّطۡفَۃٍ ثُمَّ مِنۡ عَلَقَۃٍ ثُمَّ یُخۡرِجُکُمۡ طِفۡلًا ثُمَّ لِتَبۡلُغُوۡۤا اَشُدَّکُمۡ ثُمَّ لِتَکُوۡنُوۡا شُیُوۡخًا ۚ وَمِنۡکُمۡ مَّنۡ یُّتَوَفّٰی مِنۡ قَبۡلُ وَلِتَبۡلُغُوۡۤا اَجَلًا مُّسَمًّی وَّلَعَلَّکُمۡ تَعۡقِلُوۡنَ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

He it is Who created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then from a clot; then He brings you forth as a child; then He lets you grow that you may attain your full strength; then He lets you become old — though some among you are caused to die before — and He lets you live that you may reach a term appointed, and that you may learn wisdom.

Muhammad Asad

It is He who creates you out of dust, and then out of a drop of sperm, and then out of a germ-cell; and then He brings you forth as children; and then [He ordains] that you reach maturity, and then, that you grow old – though some of you [He causes to] die earlier -: and [all this He ordains] so that you might reach a term set [by Him], and that you might [learn to] use your reason

Pickthall

He it is Who created you from dust, then from a drop (of seed) then from a clot, then bringeth you forth as a child, then (ordaineth) that ye attain full strength and afterward that ye become old men – though some among you die before – and that ye reach an appointed term, that haply ye may understand.

Holy Qur’an – 40:77

فَاصۡبِرۡ اِنَّ وَعۡدَ اللّٰہِ حَقٌّ ۚ فَاِمَّا نُرِیَنَّکَ بَعۡضَ الَّذِیۡ نَعِدُہُمۡ اَوۡ نَتَوَفَّیَنَّکَ فَاِلَیۡنَا یُرۡجَعُوۡنَ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

Then have patience. Surely, the promise of Allah is true. And whether We show thee part of what We have promised them, or whether We cause thee to die before the fulfilment of Our promise, to Us in any case will they be brought back.

Muhammad Asad

HENCE, remain thou patient in adversity – for, verily, God’s promise always comes true. And whether We show thee [in this world] something of what We hold in store for those [deniers of the truth], or whether We cause thee to die [ere that retribution takes place – know that, in the end], it is unto Us that they will be brought back

Pickthall

Then have patience (O Muhammad). Lo! the promise of Allah is true. And whether we let thee see a part of that which We promise them, or (whether) We cause thee to die, still unto Us they will be brought back.

Holy Qur’an – 47:27

فَکَیۡفَ اِذَا تَوَفَّتۡہُمُ الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃُ یَضۡرِبُوۡنَ وُجُوۡہَہُمۡ وَاَدۡبَارَہُمۡ

(Ahmadiyya) Maulvi Sher Ali

But how will they fare when the angels will cause them to die, smiting their faces and their backs?

Muhammad Asad

Hence, how [will they fare] when the angels gather them in death, striking their faces and their backs

Pickthall

Then how (will it be with them) when the angels gather them, smiting their faces and their backs!