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
3:185 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.
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ ٱلنَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلْغُرُورِ