Names of Allah
Al-Mumit
Al-Mumīt
The Bringer of Death — who decrees the end of life for every living being at its appointed time.
What does Al-Mumit mean?
Al-Mumit is one of the 99 Names of Allah, meaning "The Bringer of Death," "The Causer of Death". It affirms that death, like life, is in Allah's hand alone. Every soul will taste death at the precise moment He has decreed — not a moment sooner or later. Death is not an accident or an end without purpose, but a transition ordained by the All-Wise.
The Meaning in Depth
Al-Mumit is the counterpart of Al-Muhyi: the same Lord who gives life decrees its end. Death is part of His wisdom and justice — a passage from this temporary life to the eternal one, and the gateway to meeting Him. The believer who knows Al-Mumit lives with the remembrance of death, which the Prophet ﷺ called "the destroyer of pleasures," using it not to despair but to prepare and to value each moment of life.
Al-Mumit in the Quran
- "It is He who gives life and causes death (yuhyi wa yumit), and to Him you will be returned." (10:56)
- "Every soul will taste death. Then to Us you will be returned." (29:57)
- "...and that it is He who causes death and gives life." (53:44)
Living by This Name
Al-Mumit teaches the believer to remember death wisely — not with dread, but with readiness. Remembering that life has an appointed end inspires sincere repentance, urgency in good deeds, detachment from the fleeting world, and gratitude for each remaining breath. It also brings comfort in bereavement: the loved one returned to the One who gave and took the soul, by perfect wisdom, at exactly the appointed time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is "the Bringer of Death" a name of mercy and wisdom?
Because death, decreed by Al-Mumit, is not a meaningless end but a wise transition to the eternal life and the meeting with God. It is part of His perfect plan, brings the believer to their reward, and gives this life its weight and urgency. Like all His names, it reflects wisdom, not cruelty.
How should remembering death affect a believer?
It should awaken the heart to prepare: hastening repentance and good deeds, softening attachment to worldly things, and treasuring each moment. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged frequent remembrance of death as a means of living wisely and dying well.
Etymology & origin
Al-Mumit (المميت) is from the root M-W-T (م-و-ت), meaning "death". In its causative form (amata), it means "to cause to die, to bring death". Al-Mumit is the Bringer of Death: the One who decrees the end of every life at its appointed time, by whose will alone death comes to all that lives.
References
- Quran:
- 2:258, 10:56, 29:57, 53:44, 67:2
- Hadith:
- Tirmidhi 2307 (remember often the destroyer of pleasures — death); Bukhari 6324 (the dua mentioning life and death); Muslim 2682 (let none wish for death; let him say the dua); Bukhari 6507 (whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him)
Related terms
Akhirah
The Hereafter — the eternal life after death, including resurrection, judgment, paradise and hellfire; belief in it is the fifth pillar of faith.
Al-Ba'ith
The Resurrector — who will raise all the dead to life on the Day of Judgment.
Al-Hayy
The Ever-Living — whose life is eternal, without beginning or end.
Al-Muhyi
The Giver of Life — who creates life from lifelessness and revives the dead.
Yawm al-Qiyamah
The Day of Resurrection — when all creation is raised, gathered, judged, and recompensed; the great Day mentioned throughout the Quran.