What is the wisdom behind mentioning death before life in His, the Almighty's, saying: "Who created death and life to test you"?
Most exegetes stated that death was mentioned first here because death is harder on souls, more awe-inspiring, and more deterrent, and the context is one of admonition and remembrance. Some said: Death and life refer to this world and the Hereafter. This world is called death because death occurs in it, and that is life because there is no death in it. It was also said: Death is the non-existence that precedes every created thing, as in His (the Almighty’s) saying: "How can you disbelieve in Allah when you were dead and He gave you life? Then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you to life again, and then to Him you will return." (Al-Baqarah: 28), meaning you were non-existent before you were created, and He gave you life by creating you.
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Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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