What does Islam say about near-death experiences?

What is a near-death experience?

People who come close to death, for example during cardiac arrest, sometimes report a tunnel, a bright light, a feeling of peace, meeting relatives, or seeing their body from above. These stories are common in Europe and the USA and are often shared as "proof" of heaven. Many people are curious how Islam views them.

Did they really die?

In Islam, death happens when the soul fully leaves the body, and only Allah decides when that is. If the person came back, Allah had not ended their life. The Quran says once death truly comes, there is no return:

So a near-death experience happens on this side of that barrier. Doctors explain many of its features through what the brain does under extreme stress and lack of oxygen. Islam has no problem with that research.

Can these experiences mean anything?

Scholars say they may resemble a strong dream or an inner experience. Some may feel meaningful, and Allah can use any event to wake a person up. But they are not revelation, and they can't add to or change Islamic belief. If someone claims they "saw" that all religions lead to the same place, or that there's no judgement, that doesn't outweigh the Quran.

What Islam does teach about dying is clear: angels come to take the soul, and the eyes follow the soul as it leaves (Sahih Muslim 920). Then comes life in the grave until the Day of Resurrection. See What do Muslims believe happens after death? and What happens in the grave in Islam?

A healthy way to respond

• If it happened to you, thank Allah for a second chance and use it well. That is the most useful lesson.
• Don't build beliefs on it. Check any "message" against the Quran and Sunnah.
• Remember death without fear. Every soul will taste death (Quran 3:185), and preparing for it is a sign of wisdom, not gloom. See How do I deal with fear of death as a Muslim?