In very simple words, death is the end of life. So, in this simple definition, another term needs to be explained and that is: life. For the human being, life is the existence of an individual. If we take the term existence as one of easy understanding, since not every word can be explained in limited opportunity, now we can define death and that is, “death is the end of existence”.
In medical science, death is the permanent and irreversible cessation of all vital functions, namely brain function, respiratory function, and circulatory or cardiac function. So, the medical definition further elaborates the two aspects of the usual definition, ‘end’ and ‘existence’. Thus, for death, the ‘end’ represents something permanent and irreversible, and ‘existence’ is mainly represented by functioning.
Integrating the two previous aspects, death can be defined very rationally and scientifically as the absolute disappearance of functioning. Theology is also included in the science of psychology or psychiatry, with ethical and philosophical points, so that the topics are comprehensive. Therefore, it is assumed that the theological or religious aspect of death is also important for psychiatric research purposes. As a Muslim doctor, I will try to mention the Islamic view on death.
Islam defines death as an obligatory transitional event between ‘life before death’ and ‘life after death’. So if we integrate the scientific aspect with the description, the definition of death for a Muslim would be the complete disappearance of functions during the period of time between the two lives, one before death and one after death. Consequently, he abandons the permanent and irreversible criterion of the ‘end’ in the concept of death with the help of the concept of life after death.
In our daily life death is related to the greatest tensions due to knowledge – death ends. It is also backed by science so far. But when the question of religion comes, specifically Islam, this knowledge changes for a religious person. Therefore, it can be easily assumed that death becomes a less stressful event for a Muslim, when he really believes in Islam. I think the time has come for science to take into account the definitions derived from religions for the sake of greater comfort in our daily lives.