Title: Renouncing Faith at the Time of Death Question: What if a person at the time of death utters words like "God does not exist, no resurrection will take place, I have wasted my time in all the prayers those I offered etc.", out of fear and desperation. Does this person consider to be died at kufr (disbelieve) and go to hell; no matter how pious he has been throughout his life? Thanks. Jazzakallah khairun Nauman Ilyas Pakistan Answer: When a person accepts faith, he nullifies all the bad deeds that he had previously done in his life and shall not therefore be punished for these bad deeds. Similarly, when a person renounces faith, he nullifies all the good deeds that he had done previously in his life and shall not therefore be rewarded for these pious deeds. During the test of the life of this world, God puts us through various kinds of situations to test the truthfulness of our claim of having faith and belief in Him and His promises. Our response in these various situations of life, bring to light the reality or otherwise of our claim of faith and belief. When a person accepts or renounces faith at any stage in his life, he absolves himself of the responsibility, liability or reward of the deeds that he had previously done in his life. As a result, a person's renouncement of faith at any stage in his life is, in effect, his declaration of considering himself at fault throughout his past life. Thus, when a person absolves himself from the reward of his deeds, then, obviously, God is no longer responsible to reward his deeds. I hope this would clarify the issue. Regards, Moiz Amjad July 21, 2002