The Physicality of Death Destroys Us, But the Idea of Death May Save Us
People are asleep; when they die, they awaken. — Ali Ibn Abi Talib
We live in a world that is meticulously configured toward the avoidance of death. On an individual scale, we push it to the periphery of our consciousness. On an interpersonal scale, conversations involving the remembrance of death are labelled ‘morbid’, inappropriate, and improper. On a societal scale, the fields of medicine, media, and entertainment have designated the collective goal of mankind to age slower and live longer. Youthfulness is idolised, and ageing is framed as a disease to be treated rather than a natural & organic progression of life. Our obsession with youthful longevity has rendered the topic of death an unwelcome guest in a very fickle house of cards. Death denial is an essential defence mechanism for a society that worships the material and lacks an afterlife. Billionaires like Bryan Johnson emerge and protect themselves from the terror of mortality through an illusion of "personal specialness", a deeply ingrained belief that I am somehow exempt from the universal fate that befalls everyone else.
We move through life as if we are inherently different, as if our story will defy the natural order. Dying is for other people. This cognitive avoidance, however, does not make the imminent reality of death any less real. Even when we suppress it in waking life, it seeps into our unconscious, appearing in nightmares, deep anxieties, and existential restlessness. If anything, the denial only intensifies its shadow over our lives. We are obsessive & almost compulsive in our avoidance of death, and yet when I reflect, it seems utterly counterintuitive. Isn’t death our one shared certainty in life? Isn’t the only thing we can hope to guarantee in each of our lives, that we will die, that everything passes? Therefore, shouldn’t the only true guarantee we have in our existence be the focal point we prepare for and build our lives around?
The Catalyst for Transformation
Western and Eastern philosophers from the beginning of recorded human history have entertained the idea that it is by confronting, rather than suppressing, thoughts of death that we can self-actualise. Our self-awareness is not complete without the awareness of our mortality and finitude. When we become acutely aware of our inevitable demise, the ails & anxieties of life dwindle. Many of the things we obsess over (status, material success, family disputes, minor inconveniences etc.) become trivial in the face of our own extinction. We can live more intentionally, we can deepen our relationships, and sharpen our priorities. Many of the greatest works of literature echo this message: true character transformation often comes from facing death. In War and Peace, Pierre undergoes a spiritual awakening after narrowly escaping execution. In A Christmas Carol, Scrooge doesn’t change for the better simply because he is scolded; he changes because he is forced to confront and witness his own pitiful mortality. I would argue that these stories reflect a deeper psychological truth: when we are forced to acknowledge death, we are capable of profound growth.
This phenomenon is not limited to fiction. Those who work closely with the dying (hospice workers, palliative care doctors & nurses, and therapists) often witness first-hand the profound changes that occur in people facing the end of life. Many patients report a newfound clarity about what truly matters. They let go of past grievances, and they seem to embrace simplicity and prioritise emotional investments over material gain. Death seems to strip away the superficial, leaving bare only what is essential.
Islamic & Persian Philosophy
This idea is not unique to modern psychology. Persian philosophy, deeply influenced by Islamic teachings, also holds this perspective. Many Persian & Islamic scholars, including Mulla Sadra, Ibn Sina, Rumi, and Al-Ghazali, viewed death not as an end but as a crucial transition—a necessary passage toward deeper understanding. Mulla Sadra, in particular, saw death as a process of the soul's evolution, a means of freeing oneself from the constraints of the material world and attaining higher wisdom.
"Death is not an extinction but a perfection, a movement from deficiency to completeness. The soul, by its very nature, seeks to free itself from the limitations of the material world and return to its original source, the realm of pure intellect and divine reality." [Mulla Sadra, Asfar al-Arba‘a, "The Four Journeys"]
Death remembrance (Muraqaba Al-Mawt) does not diminish or darken life—it amplifies and enlivens it. It strips away illusions, forcing us to focus on what is real. The Islamic tradition sees this confrontation with death as an invitation to live fully, without attachment to trivial worries. However, it is not solely the confrontation with our own death that can shift our perspective. The loss of others, too, forces us to look inward. In grief, we mourn not only the departed but also the fact of our own impermanence. Death also has unmistakable footsteps in all discussions about ageing, life stages, and many milestones, such as graduations, major anniversaries, the departure of children for university, the empty-nest phenomenon, retirement, the birth of grandchildren, and undoubtedly in every nightmare. Each of these moments reminds us of time’s passing, of losses, of how we are moving closer to our own exit.
"What has happened to your fathers and ancestors? Where are they now? They were your predecessors, and you will soon follow them. They held onto life as you do, but their days have passed, and they have perished. Learn from them before you, for they are a lesson to you." [Imam Ali (ع), Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 132]
In reflecting on death as a reality, we are offered a rare opportunity for clarity. The deliberate remembrance of our mortality is not a morbid fixation but a grounding force in a world that thrives on distraction and denial. To acknowledge death is to reframe life, to reorient our values, and to pare down our concerns to what is essential and enduring. Perhaps if we accept the inevitability of death, we can begin to live more authentically. If we acknowledge our finiteness, we are compelled to ask: What truly matters? Perhaps then, thinking frequently of death is useful. Perhaps only by imagining your non-existence can you get a sense of what is most important about your existence.
People are asleep; when they die, they awaken. — Imam Ali (ع)
References
Imam Ali (ع). (n.d.). Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 132. Translated by Sayyid Ali Reza. Qum: Ansariyan Publications. Available at: https://www.al-islam.org/nahjul-balagha-part-1-sermons (Accessed: 3 April 2025).
Mulla Sadra. (n.d.). The Transcendent Philosophy of the Four Journeys Al-Asfar al-Arba‘a (The Four Journeys)
Imam Ali (ع). (n.d.). People are asleep; when they die, they awaken. In: Nahj al-Balagha. Translated by Sayyid Ali Reza. Available at: https://www.al-islam.org/nahjul-balagha-part-1-sermons (Accessed: 3 April 2025).
Thanks for this profound reminder about the difference between the concept and the actual physical reality of death. I agree that many fields, and society in general, seem to operate under the assumption that we will exist forever, or at least, for a very long time. In my own life, I know that I refrain from discussing death in conversations or try not to think about it very often, as it is a stark reminder of everything that is happening in today's world.
The idea of Muraqaba Al-Mawt gives us a greater appreciation for the time we have and the good we can do with our limited time, rather than being a source of anxiety or concern. Seeing family members pass away or patients in one's line of work is a sobering reminder of the ephemeral, temporary nature of this reality, but also puts into perspective what's important. The ideas of Eastern and Western philosophers about confronting death, rather than suppressing thoughts about it, reminds me of Dr. Carl Jung's concept of "the shadow" and integrating it into our personality/psyche to remove its deleterious effects on us. By facing and accepting the fact that death is inevitable and that every person throughout the history of our species, from the wealthiest and most powerful to the most humble and quiet, had to depart this mortal realm, we remove the fear that death had over us, and become more complete and at peace, in my view.
Even in the animal world, we are aware of organisms that have a "survival instinct" to avoid predation or behaviors that can cause fatal injury, which is an awareness of death, even though they may not consciously be aware of it or sentient. Perhaps we "higher" sentient organisms, through our reasoning and intellect, believe ourselves to be above such notions, and focus on living and interacting and behaving in the world as though life will continue indefinitely. But maybe it isn't a bad idea to take a page out of our cat's or garden bird's playbooks and stop and think that we will all eventually leave this planet of ours. That is not to frighten us, but rather to help us appreciate the gift of life and how, while it is arguably the greatest gift of all, even it doesn't last forever.
had me a the title, saved to read the later