Death According to the View of Allameh Jafari

Death is one of the greatest puzzles of human life which has drawn the attention of scholars during the history. One of the exceedingly discussed questions is the philosophy of death and finding the roots of its consequent anxiety. Mohammad Taqi Jafari is one of the personalities, among Islamic scholars, who has well reflected on the subject of death. He believes that there are various perceptions of death some of which are positive and some are negative. These perceptions are rooted in human's perception of philosophy of creation and meaning of life. One cannot have a correct perception of death without attaining philosophy of life. For this reason he deeply relates the meaning of life and death. Dividing life into rational and mere natural lives, Jafari believes that philosophy of death is positive and logical in the rational life while it is negative and unacceptable in the mere natural life. He believes one cannot find a correct meaning for death without interpreting human and existence. Listening to the message of death and making a positive relation with it, is subordinate to the kind of look at the world and human being. According to Jafari's view listening to the message of death results in priority of human being. In accordance with existentialist philosophers, especially Heidegger, he considers the serious attention to death in relation with priority of human. Ja’fari believes reflecting on the pass of life follows anxiety some of the times which can be overcame by internal changes. He also has some deep analysis about martyrdom and its value. For example he interprets the greatness of martyrdom in relation with desirability of life and the purpose of martyrdom.