Transliteration:( Kullu nafsin zaaa'iqatul mawti summa ilainaa turja'oon )
"Every soul shall taste death [142], and then to Us you will be returned." (Kanzul Imaan Translation)
This verse affirms a universal truth: every soul—whether human, jinn, angel, or any other creation—will inevitably taste death. The term “taste” (ذَائِقَةُ) is used to indicate that death is a momentary event, a passage, not a state of permanent nonexistence.
The verse deliberately uses the word “soul” rather than “body” to emphasize the essential self and not just the physical form. Also, in other verses where complete destruction or perishing is referenced, the term “soul” is not used—rather, it is said: "Everything upon it (the earth) will perish" (Surah Ar-Rahman 55:26), indicating total transience of worldly existence.
Two important insights emerge:
Death is universal, applying to all creation. Nothing is eternal except Allah Almighty.
While every being experiences death, not all are cut off from existence thereafter. For example, Prophets and Saints, after tasting death, are granted a special, honored life—a form of perpetual spiritual existence. This is one reason the word “taste” is used, signifying that their connection to the eternal realm continues.
This verse reminds us of the inevitable return to Allah, where every soul will be held accountable, emphasizing both the certainty of death and the certainty of resurrection.
The tafsir of Surah Ankabut verse 57 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Ankabut ayat 56 which provides the complete commentary from verse 56 through 60.
(29:57) Every being shall taste death, then it is to Us that you shall be sent back.[95]
95. That is, “Do not be anxious for your life: one has to die sooner or later. No one has come to live forever in this world. Therefore, your real problem is not how to save life, but your real problem is how to save your faith, and fulfill the requirements of God worship. You have ultimately to return to Us. If you lost your faith for the sake of saving your life, the result in the Hereafter will be different. But if you lost your life for the sake of saving your faith, the result will be just the opposite. Therefore, you should be anxious only about what you will bring when you return to Us. Will you come with a faith sacrificed for the sake of life, or a life sacrificed for the sake of the faith?”
For a faster and smoother experience,
install our mobile app now.
Related Ayat(Verses)/Topics