It is written in the Holy Quran (Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 154):

“And call not those who are slain in the way of Allah dead; Nay, they are living, only ye perceive not.”

It seems appropriate to bear witness to the “living state” of those who are good of heart and are called to Allah at the prime of their life by doing good works in their name. This would also engender a spirit of struggle, amongst the living of this world, as was intended by Allah when revealing the beautiful Surah describing Shahadat.

Thus, while we may not receive an answer to the question “Why was a promising life cut short when it seemed to have so much to contribute to this world?”, we can certainly answer a less complex one “Now that this has happened, how will we make sure that the contribution to this world happens anyway, in the name of the dearly departed?”