The Quran typically uses two words for death: “ waffa” ( وَفَّىٰ) and “ mawt” ( مَوْت).
The triliteral root for the word “ waffa” ( وَفَّىٰ) is “Waw-Fa-Ya” ( و ف ي). This root occurs 66 times in the Quran, approximately 24 times in the context of death. The root is used most of the time; it means to repay in full or, more generally, to fulfill. Below is a list of derivative meanings from this root:
to reach the end; keep one's promise; fulfill; pay a debt; perform a promise; to die; death; to cause to die; protect from death; pay in full; take away the soul
The triliteral root for “ mawt” ( مَوْت) is “Mim-Waw-Ta” ( م و ت). This root occurs 165 times in the Quran and is used exclusively in the context of death.
So, what is the difference between these two words when referencing death, and do we see any patterns when God uses one word over the other? There happens to be five verses where both these roots are used. God willing, let’s look at how the two words are used in contrast to one another in these five verses to see if we can figure this out.
Verse #1
Every person tastes death ( l-mawti), then you will be paid in full ( tuwaffawna) your recompense on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever misses Hell, barely, and makes it to Paradise, has attained a great triumph. The life of this world is no more than an illusion.
According to this verse, first, one experiences mawt, and then waffa will be fulfilled on the Day of Judgement.
Verse #2
4:15 Those who commit adultery among your women, you must have four witnesses against them, from among you. If they do bear witness, then you shall keep such women in their homes until death fulfills them, or until GOD creates an exit for them.
So far, we see that the two words are interlinked with death and that “ waffa” ( وَفَّىٰ) is used to fulfill or pay in full.
Verse #3
These next two verses now use the terms in conjuction with the angel who takes the souls at the time of death.
6:61 He is Supreme over His creatures, and He appoints guards to protect you. When the death comes to any of you, our messengers put him to death without delay.
Until now, the verses have not clearly distinguished the differences between these two terms. Aside from the fact that they are interlinked with the idea of death, all we can say is that “ mawt” ( مَوْت) causes “ waffa” ( وَفَّىٰ). But does it work the other way?
Verse #5
The verse that clearly distinguishes between the use of these two words for death is the following verse from Sura 39, The Throngs (Al-Zumar / الزمر).
39:42 GOD puts to death ( yatawaffā) the souls at the time of its death ( mawtihā), and those who are not dead ( tamut) during their sleep. Thus, He keeps upon whom He decreed its death ( l-mawta) [during sleep], while others are allowed to continue living until their appointed term. This should provide lessons for people who reflect.
This informs us that “ waffa” ( وَفَّىٰ) occurs when one is sleeping and also when one’s predetermined life span is complete, while “ mawt” ( مَوْت) is the physical death of the body. Or put another way, “ mawt” ( مَوْت) is the biological death when one’s body dies, while “ waffa” ( وَفَّىٰ) is when one’s consciousness is gone, which occurs when the soul is taken from the body.
The term “ waffa” ( وَفَّىٰ) is used again in the context of sleep in the following verse.
6:60 He is the One who puts you to death during the night, and knows even the smallest of your actions during the day. He resurrects you every morning, until your life span is fulfilled, then to Him is your ultimate return. He will then inform you of everything you had done.