Escape From Death

Introduction

Qur’anic stories offer us profound lessons that help us understand life, teach us how to trust in Allah, and show us how to deal with fear and trials.

In this story about those who left their homes trying to escape death, we learn that life and death are in the hands of Allah alone. No one can escape His decree, no matter how hard they try. Allah is the One who gives life and causes death, and He has power over all things.

Those people who tried to escape death did not truly escape from it…
Rather, they escaped toward it.

The Story

Long ago…
In a land where some of the Children of Israel live… there was a flourishing town inhabited by thousands of them. They lived peaceful and comfortable lives, free from poverty and disease.

But that peace did not last long…

Suddenly, a deadly plague spread through the town. Every hour brought news of another death. Fear filled the hearts, and panic spread among the people. After discussion and consultation, they decided to leave their homes and travel to another place… a place with no plague… and no death.

Everyone agreed with the idea. They packed their belongings, gathered their children, and fled their homes, thinking they were escaping death. They were many… thousands of men, women, and children.

They traveled for a long time until they reached a vast, open valley surrounded by hills from every side.

They stopped there, looked at one another, and felt safe. They said:

“Here we will live… here death will never reach us.”

But they forgot a great truth…
They forgot that life and death are in the hands of Allah alone.

At a moment they never expected, Allah sent two angels. One stood at the lower end of the valley, and the other stood at its upper end. Then both angels cried out with a single mighty cry.

Suddenly…
They all collapsed where they stood. They all died at once… as if they were a single person.

The wide valley turned into a silent and terrifying place.

Days passed… then months… then years…
Their bodies decayed, and their bones scattered. The valley remained as a witness to the story of people who tried to escape Allah’s decree.

A long time passed…

Then one day, a prophet from the Children of Israel, named Ezekiel (Peace be upon him), passed by that place.

The prophet looked at the valley and saw the scattered bones. His heart was deeply moved, and he asked Allah to show him His great power in bringing the dead back to life.

Allah answered his supplication…

He commanded the prophet to call upon those bones.

The prophet stood in the middle of the valley and called out with a powerful voice:

“O worn-out bones… Allah commands you to gather together!”

Suddenly… the bones began to move. Every bone returned to its rightful place. The bones of each body joined together.

Then he called again:

“O bones… Allah commands you to be covered with flesh, sinews, and skin!”

In a magnificent scene, the bodies were completed. Flesh, sinews, and skin returned just as they had been before.

But the bodies remained motionless… without life.

Then the prophet called for the third time:

“O souls… Allah commands you to return to the bodies you once inhabited!”

In an awe-inspiring moment…
The souls returned to the bodies.

The people opened their eyes…
They rose alive once again, looking at one another in amazement.

Then their voices rose in glorifying Allah and declaring His greatness. They realized that there is no escape from Allah’s decree.

Allah Almighty says:

﴿أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ خَرَجُوا مِنْ دِيَارِهِمْ وَهُمْ أُلُوفٌ حَذَرَ الْمَوْتِ فَقَالَ لَهُمُ اللَّهُ مُوتُوا ثُمَّ أَحْيَاهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ﴾ (البقرة – 243)

“Have you not considered those who left their homes in thousands, fearing death? Allah said to them, ‘Die,’ then He gave them life. Indeed, Allah is full of bounty to mankind, but most people are not grateful.”
(Qur’an 2:243)

Lessons Learned from the Story

1. Life and death are in the hands of Allah alone. No one can delay their appointed time or escape Allah’s decree. So, don’t fear of death.

2. Caution cannot prevent destiny; what Allah estimated will happen.

3. A Muslim must take precautions, but their heart should remain attached to Allah.

4. Allah has absolute power to resurrect the dead, which is clear evidence of resurrection on the Day of Judgment. The story emphasize the decree of Resurrection. The story is a minor scene of the day of Resurrection.

5. Trust in Allah brings peace to the heart, while excessive fear may lead to wrong decisions.

6. Being grateful for Allah’s blessings is an obligation upon every person. And we can be grateful by using Allah’s blessings in fulfilling his satisfaction not his anger.

7. Trials and hardships may remind people to return to Allah and seek His guidance. If you have any difficulties or hardships, don’t feel upset but you should know that such difficulties will make you close and near to Allah.

Discussion Questions

First: Understanding & Comprehension

1. Why did the people leave their town?

2. What happened to them when they reached the valley?

3. Who is the prophet prayed to Allah to bring them back to life?

4. How did Allah restore life to them?

5. Why can no human escape Allah’s decree?

6. How can a person deal with fear in the right way?

7. How can you show gratitude to Allah in your daily life? How to be grateful to Allah?

Second: Thinking & Analysis

1. Does escaping from danger save a person from God’s decree? Why or why not?

2. Why did God cause these people to die and then bring them back to life?

3. What is the relationship between excessive fear and weak trust in God?

4. How can the desire to preserve life turn into wrong behavior?

5. What is the difference between taking precautions and trusting in God?

Third Values & Lessons (in Question Form)

1. Who controls life and death? What do we learn from that?

2. How can we balance between taking practical means and trusting in God?

3. Why shouldn’t a person give in to fear?

4. What happens when fear controls a person’s actions?

5. How does this story show God’s power over life and death?

6. What is the effect of trusting in God on a person’s النفسية (psychological state) and behavior?

7. Why is escaping responsibility because of fear considered wrong?

8. How can a person face their fears in the right way?

9. What is the relationship between weak faith and excessive fear?

10. How does this story help us feel reassured when facing the unknown?

Fourth: Practical Application

1. How do you act when you feel afraid of something in your life?

2. Mention a situation where a person might avoid their responsibility because of fear.

3. How can we strengthen our trust in God in our daily lives?

4. What is the correct behavior when facing a real danger?

5. How can we teach children to avoid excessive fear while still being cautious?

Open-Ended Question

Can fear sometimes lead to a person’s harm instead of their safety? Explain your opinion.

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