Many Muslims quietly carry a heavy question in their hearts: “Why am I so scared of death… and what does that say about my iman?”

If that’s you, you’re not alone. The awareness that life can end at any moment is deeply human. In our time of pandemics, wars, and constant bad news, Fear of Death can shift from a passing thought into a constant anxiety that steals sleep, joy, and focus.

In this article, we’ll look at:

• What Fear of Death in psychology, and how Islam views it
• Why is death anxiety so intense today
• Prophetic, Qur’anic, and practical tools to transform that fear into hope
• How learning Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) can bring real peace of mind

And throughout, we’ll gently answer the big search question: what is the fear of death called?

What is the fear of death called?

In psychology, the fear of death is often called thanatophobia. It refers to an intense, sometimes overwhelming anxiety about death or the process of dying – your own or that of loved ones. Cleveland Clinic

You’ll also see the term “death anxiety”, which is anxiety triggered by thoughts of one’s own mortality. Wikipedia

From an Islamic lens:

• Feeling uneasy about death is not automatically a disease or a sign of hypocrisy.
• Even deeply righteous believers can dislike death. A powerful hadith qudsi mentions that Allah “hesitates” to take the soul of His believing servant because the servant hates death and Allah dislikes hurting him – a stunning reminder of divine gentleness toward our fear

So yes, what is the fear of death called?

• In psychology: thanatophobia/death anxiety.
• In your heart: it may simply be your soul saying, “I know this life is temporary… am I ready to meet Allah?”

Why does Fear of Death feel so strong today?

For many of us, fear of death is not just a quiet thought. It’s a background hum that gets louder in certain seasons of life. Modern research and lived experience highlight a few major triggers:

1. Mental health struggles

• Anxiety disorders, depression, and other conditions can intensify thoughts of death.
• Studies show people with mental health challenges often report higher levels of death anxiety.

2. Illness and pandemics

• COVID-19 made death statistics part of daily conversation.
• Research during the pandemic found that around half of people surveyed had significant death anxiety, especially those who were sick, elderly, or had chronic conditions.

3. War, injustice, and constant media exposure

• News of war, genocide, and sudden loss especially in Muslim lands keeps death visually present in our feeds.
• People living through war naturally experience intense fear; but even those watching from afar can feel their own mortality pressing on them.
  

4. Unfinished goals and regrets

• Psychologists note that unfinished goals and neglected responsibilities feed death anxiety.
• Spiritually, this matches the prophetic insight about wasting health and free time: when we feel we’ve “wasted our chance,” death feels terrifying.

The result? We’re more aware of death than ever but not necessarily more prepared for it.

Islam’s perspective: Fear of Death that leads to hope

Islam doesn’t tell you to pretend you’re not scared. Instead, it gives you a map:

• Death is not the end, but the start of real life in the Hereafter.
• The Qur’an paints the moment of death for the steadfast believer as a scene of calm reassurance: angels descend, saying “Do not fear and do not grieve, but receive glad tidings of Paradise that you were promised”
  “إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَقَـٰمُوا۟ تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا۟ وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا۟ وَأَبْشِرُوا۟ بِٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ “(Qur’an 41:30–32).

Key spiritual reframes that soften the Fear of Death:

1. Your fear is seen by Allah
   • That hadith qudsi about Allah “hesitating” at the moment of taking the soul of a believer shows that our fear is not ignored; it’s met with mercy.
2. Gratitude (shukr) as a prophetic remedy
   • Prophets like Ibrahim and Ayyub (peace be upon them) model gratitude even under extreme trials.
   • Modern research backs this up: reflecting on what we’re grateful for can significantly reduce death anxiety by helping us see our lives as meaningful and full, rather than empty and unfinished.
3. Good expectations of Allah (husn al-dhann)
   • A powerful hadith tells us: “Allah says: I am as My servant expects of Me. If he expects good, he will have it.”
   • To expect good from Allah at the time of death is both psychological protection and a high station of faith.

So the goal isn’t to erase your Fear of Death, but to transform it: from paralyzing dread into a motivator for gratitude, action, and hopeful trust.

Practical steps to overcome Fear of Death

Let’s bring it down to earth. Here are steps that blend spiritual wisdom with psychological insight:

1. Name it – and stop suffering alone

• Acknowledge: “I’m experiencing fear of death/death anxiety.”
• Write your thoughts in a journal or du‘a notebook.
• Talk to someone grounded: a trusted friend, imam, teacher, or therapist. Naming it doesn’t make you weak; it makes you honest.

2. Strengthen your connection with Allah

Consistent, small actions reduce anxiety more than occasional big bursts. Try:

• A fixed daily portion of the Qur’an, even half a page.
• Short, regular adhkar: istighfar, salawat, and “Hasbiyallahu wa ni‘ma al-wakeel.”
• Two rak‘ahs of extra prayer when the anxiety spikes.

When your heart is busy remembering Allah, thoughts of death slowly shift from “terrifying end” to “meeting the One I’ve been calling upon.”

3. Live in a way that makes you ready

A lot of death anxiety comes from a quiet fear of regret:

“What if I die before I fix my salah, my debts, my relationships?”

Start closing those loops:

• Make a realistic plan to improve your prayer.
• Repent from major sins and seek help to break patterns.
• Repair key relationships where you can and let go where you cannot.
• Give regular sadaqah, even small amounts.

The more you feel, “I’m trying my best for the sake of Allah,” the lighter the Fear of Death becomes.

4. Learn Fiqh: remove the fear of “Am I doing it wrong?”

A surprisingly big part of death anxiety is fear of not knowing:

• “Is my salah even valid?”
• “Did I fulfill the rights of Allah and the rights of people?”
• “What happens when I die—what are my obligations and my family’s?”

This is where Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) becomes an emotional anchor, not just an intellectual subject.

At IQRA Network, the Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) course is designed to help you:

• Understand the rulings of purification and prayer so your daily worship is sound.
• Learn about zakat, fasting, Hajj, and other pillars with clarity.
• Study funeral and death-related rulings how to prepare, what your family needs to know, and what is due to the deceased.
• See how fiqh connects to real life: rights of Allah, rights of people, and how to live with taqwa and balance.

The course is:

• Fully online, with flexible scheduling and personalized study plans.
• Taught by qualified teachers with strong Islamic backgrounds. IQRA Network
• Divided into levels suitable for beginners and intermediate learners, including children and adults.

5. Seek professional help when fear takes over

If your Fear of Death:

• Stops you from doing normal activities
• Keeps you awake most nights
• Triggers panic attacks
• Makes you constantly avoid anything related to death

…then you may be dealing with clinical thanatophobia, which is treatable with therapy such as CBT and other evidence-based approaches. Cleveland Clinic

Seeking a Muslim-sensitive therapist alongside Islamic learning and worship can be an act of tawakkul: using the means while relying on Allah.

FAQs about Fear of Death in Islam

1. What is the fear of death called?

The fear of death is commonly called thanatophobia in psychology. It’s a form of death anxiety, an intense fear related to death or the dying process that can interfere with normal life. Not everyone who worries about death has thanatophobia; the diagnosis is reserved for fear that is extreme, persistent, and impairing.

2. Is fear of death a sign of weak faith?

Not necessarily. Islamic teachings show that even beloved servants of Allah can dislike death, and a hadith qudsi highlights Allah’s gentle “hesitation” to take the soul of a believer who hates death.

What matters is how you respond:

• Does your fear push you toward Allah, repentance, and good deeds?
• Or does it lead to despair, denial, and giving up?

When fear leads to action and hope, it becomes a mercy rather than a weakness.

3. How can I overcome Fear of Death Islamically?

You can:

• Strengthen belief in the Hereafter and reflect on Qur’anic verses about Jannah and Allah’s mercy.
• Maintain regular salah, dhikr, and du‘a, asking Allah for a good ending (husn al-khatimah).
• Practice gratitude (shukr) for the blessings you’ve experienced; gratitude has been shown to reduce death anxiety and is deeply rooted in prophetic example.
• Learn fiqh so your worship is sound, and your responsibilities are clear.
• Keep good expectations of Allah, trusting His mercy more than you fear your shortcomings.

4. When should I seek professional help for my Fear of Death?

Consider getting professional support if:

• Your fear of death lasts for months and keeps getting worse.
• You experience panic attacks or physical symptoms (racing heart, sweating, nausea) when thinking about death. Medical News Today
• You avoid hospitals, funerals, elderly relatives, or even Islamic reminders because they trigger your fear.
• The anxiety stops you from working, studying, or maintaining relationships.

A good therapist can help you process these fears in a way that complements your iman, not competes with it.

5. Can learning fiqh really reduce my Fear of Death?

For many people, yes. A big part of death anxiety is the fear of not knowing:

• “Are my acts of worship accepted?”
• “What is wajib on me and what is sunnah?”
• “What happens when I die what should my family do?”

By studying fiqh with a structured course like IQRA Network’s Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) program, you replace confusion with clarity and panic with a plan.