The same Power...

The same Power, which had established this relation in the womb, at the last moment of the worldly life, disconnects this relation between the body and soul. Only He is the bestower of life and death.

The Holy Quran says: “Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep; then He withholds those on whom He has passed the decree of death and sends the others back till an appointed term; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect.” (Surah Zumar 39:42) Some common people are very angry with Israel (The angel of death). They do not even like to hear his name.

They even condemn him though they know that these angels do not do anything of their own wish or authority. They have been employed by the Lord of the Universe and hence do everything by His order or command. How the Soul is Taken How soul is retrieved from body has been narrated in the traditions about the Meraj (ascension) of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.). In short, there is a board in front of Israel, which contains names of all the people.

The name of the person whose time for death arrives is removed from that board and Israel at once takes possession of his or her soul. It is also possible that names of thousands of people may be wiped out at one moment whereupon Israel takes the souls of all of them instantly. This is not astonishing. It is just like a gust of breeze blowing off thousands of lamps in a split second. All of it is by the power of the Almighty.

Doubtlessly it is Israel, who snatches souls, but as a matter of fact, it is only God Who causes it, because it is only His command and Will. Who causes Death? God, Israel or the Angels? Here comes up a question: Who takes away the soul? It is God or Israel or the angels? There are three verses about this in the Holy Quran. At one place it says: God causes Death. At another place it is mentioned that: The angel of death takes away the soul. (Surah Sajdah 32:11) [^1].

On yet another occasion it is mentioned: Angels collect the souls. (Surah Nisa 4:97).[^2] The fact is that all these statements are true, because the angel of death and his subordinate angels collect souls as commanded by God Almighty. Doubtlessly it is just like this: A king, through his army and its chiefs, conquers a country. It is correct to say that such and such army won such and such territory.

Similarly, it is also correct to mention that such and such commander captured such and such country.