Surah al-Mulk (The Dominion ) 67 : 2

Explanatory Note

One of the results of His complete dominion of the universe and absolute power over all things is that He created death and life. The term `death' in this context includes the death that precedes life and the one that follows its end, whereas `life' includes this first life and the life to come. All these are of God's creation as stated in this verse. In this way, it establishes this truth in the human mind, alerting it to the test it aims to set. 

Nothing, then, comes by blind coincidence or without purpose. The test aims to establish, in reality, what God knows in advance of people's behaviour on earth and the reward they merit for their actions. Thus, man should always be on the alert, considering every thought and every action. He should not be oblivious to anything.

• Death is mentioned before life in the sequence of the words, "...who created death and life to test.." - Interesingly, this Surah is recomended to be recited before one enters the state of minor death - i.e. sleep [there are some narrations that contain the wording, 'Sleep is the brother of death.' [reference needed]. This serves as a reminder that death and life have been created to serve as a purpose, a medium through which a human being is tested and judged on how well they did in - in statements and actions.