The Hereafter and Yaumul Qiyamah: The Day of Reckoning That Will Surely Come
After we believe in the unseen world—angels, jinn, and Iblis—now we arrive at a discussion that becomes the main motivation for a Muslim to do righteous deeds: faith in the Last Day.
Faith in the Day of Judgment is the 5th pillar of faith. Without this conviction, worldly life can feel vain. Why must we do good if there is no reward? Why must we be patient if there is no compensation?
Allah says:
إِنَّ السَّاعَةَ آتِيَةٌ أَجْزِي كُلَّ نَفْسٍ بِمَا سَعَتْ
“Indeed, the Hour is coming—I almost keep it hidden—so that every soul may be recompensed according to that for which it strives.” (QS. Thaha: 15)
This verse is a guarantee from Allah: Every deed will be rewarded. Nothing is in vain.
1. Why Must There Be a Day of Reckoning?
A fundamental question that often arises: “Why doesn’t Allah immediately give reward in this world? Why must we wait until the Day of Judgment?”
A. The World is a Place of Test, Not a Place of Reward
Allah created the world as darul ibtila (the abode of test), not darul jazaa’ (the abode of reward). Here is where deeds are done, in the Hereafter is where rewards are given.
الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا
“[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed.” (QS. Al-Mulk: 2)
Why isn’t reward given immediately in this world?
If reward were given immediately in this world, then:
- People who see immediate reward would worship out of greed, not out of faith
- People who see immediate punishment would avoid sin out of fear, not out of piety
- The value of the test and faith would be lost
Analogy of a School Exam:
- If the teacher immediately tells the answers during the exam, what is the use of the exam?
- If students are immediately given grades without working on the problems, what is the meaning of that grade?
So it is with the world: We are tested without seeing immediate results, so that it is proven who truly believes.
B. The Justice of Allah Necessitates a Day of Reckoning
In this world, we often see glaring injustice:
Real Examples:
- A tyrant is in power and lives in luxury, while the one oppressed suffers
- A corruptor enjoys billions of stolen money, while ordinary people struggle to pay for food
- An adulterer and drunkard freely enjoy themselves, while one who guards himself lives in limitation
- A terrorist kills innocent people, then dies peacefully without being punished
Question: Is it just if this is the end of everything?
Can a tyrant escape accountability? Does the one oppressed not receive justice?
Impossible. Allah is Most Just. There must be a day when all matters are decided justly. The one oppressed will take his right from the oppressor.
Allah says:
وَنَضَعُ الْمَوَازِينَ الْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْئًا
“And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all.” (QS. Al-Anbiya’: 47)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
لَتُؤَدُّنَّ الْحُقُوقَ إِلَى أَهْلِهَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ
“Indeed, rights will be returned to their owners on the Day of Resurrection.” (HR. Muslim)
Even animals will receive justice:
يُقْصَصُ لِلْجَمَّاءِ مِنَ الْقَرْنَاءِ
“The hornless sheep will be given retribution from the horned sheep (that butted it).” (HR. Muslim)
If animals receive justice, let alone humans!
C. The Wisdom of Delaying Reward
Allah delaying reward until the Day of Judgment has great wisdom:
1. Giving Opportunity for Repentance
A sinner has time to repent before death comes. If punished immediately, there is no opportunity to repent.
إِلَّا مَنْ تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا فَأُولَٰئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ
“Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good.” (QS. Al-Furqan: 70)
2. Distinguishing Those Who Truly Believe
One who does good even though he does not see immediate reward, that is the one whose faith is strong.
الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ بِالْغَيْبِ
“Those who fear their Lord unseen.” (QS. Al-Anbiya’: 49)
3. Showing the Forbearance of Allah
Allah is not hasty in punishing, giving His servants the opportunity to return.
وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ اللَّهُ النَّاسَ بِظُلْمِهِمْ مَا تَرَكَ عَلَيْهَا مِنْ دَابَّةٍ
“And if Allah were to impose blame on the people for their wrongdoing, He would not have left upon the earth any creature.” (QS. An-Nahl: 61)
2. Signs of the Day of Judgment
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ has informed us of the signs of the Day of Judgment, which are divided into two: minor signs and major signs.
A. Minor Signs (Sughra)
Minor signs have already appeared for the most part, and continue to appear to this day. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
بَعَثَ أَنَا وَالسَّاعَةَ كَهَاتَيْنِ
“I have been sent (with the Hour) like these two.” (HR. Bukhari-Muslim)
Meaning: The Day of Judgment is very close to the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Signs that have already appeared:
1. Knowledge is Taken Away, Ignorance Spreads
يُقْبَضُ الْعِلْمُ، وَيَظْهَرُ الْجَهْلُ
“Knowledge will be taken away, and ignorance will appear.” (HR. Bukhari-Muslim)
- Scholars die, ignorant people issue fatwas
- People trust Google more than scholars
- Hoaxes spread faster than true knowledge
2. Fornication Becomes Widespread
وَلَيَظْهَرَنَّ الزِّنَا
“And indeed, fornication will become apparent.” (HR. Ahmad)
- Done openly, even boasted about
- LGBT is normalized
- Pornography is everywhere
3. Alcoholic Drinks Are Consumed Openly
لَيَشْرَبَنَّ نَاسٌ مِنْ أُمَّتِي الْخَمْرَ يُسَمُّونَهَا بِغَيْرِ اسْمِهَا
“Indeed, there will be people from my nation who drink khamr, naming it with other than its name.” (HR. Ibnu Majah)
- Named “alcoholic beverages,” “beer,” “wine” to be considered halal
- Sold freely in supermarkets
4. Women Are Clothed But Naked
نِسَاءٌ كَاسِيَاتٌ عَارِيَاتٌ
“Women who are clothed but naked.” (HR. Muslim)
- Tight clothing that shows body curves
- Transparent clothing that is see-through
- Aurat not covered perfectly
5. Children Are Disobedient to Parents
وَإِذَا عَصَتِ الْمَرْأَةُ زَوْجَهَا
“And when a wife disobeys her husband…” (HR. Bukhari)
- Respecting friends more than parents
- Shouting at parents over trivial matters
- Abandoning parents in nursing homes
6. Severing Family Ties
إِذَا تُقُوطِعَتِ الْأَرْحَامُ
“When family ties are severed…” (HR. Bukhari)
- People are closer to strangers on social media than their own family
- Don’t know the names of their own cousins
- Don’t visit family for years
7. Many Police and Security Forces
كَثْرَةُ الشُّرَطِ
“The abundance of police.” (HR. Ahmad)
- Indicates increasing insecurity
- People no longer trust each other
8. Tall Buildings Spring Up
أَنْ تَرَى الْحُفَاةَ الْعُرَاةَ الْعَالَةَ رِعَاءَ الشَّاءِ يَتَطَاوَلُونَ فِي الْبُنْيَانِ
“You will see barefoot, naked, poor shepherds competing in the construction of tall buildings.” (HR. Muslim)
- Skyscrapers everywhere
- Poor people suddenly become rich and build tall buildings
Most of these signs we have witnessed in this modern era.
B. Major Signs (Kubra)
Major signs are tremendous events that will appear near the time of the Hour. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
بَادِرُوا بِالْأَعْمَالِ سِتًّا: طُلُوعَ الشَّمْسِ مِنْ مَغْرِبِهَا…
“Hasten to do good deeds before six things happen: (1) The sun rises from the west…” (HR. Muslim)
10 Major Signs:
- The sun rises from the west - After this, repentance is not accepted
- The emergence of the Dajjal - The great deceiver who claims to be god
- The descent of Prophet Isa ‘alaihissalam from the sky
- The emergence of Ya’juj and Ma’juj from behind the barrier
- The emergence of a beast that can speak to humans
- Smoke that envelops the entire earth
- Three eclipses: in the east, west, and the Arabian Peninsula
- A great fire that drives people to the gathering place
- The emergence of Imam Mahdi - A just leader at the end of time
If one of these major signs appears, then the other signs will quickly follow like a string of beads whose string has broken.
يَتْبَعُ بَعْضُهَا بَعْضًا كَالنِّظَامِ الْمُنْجَدِّ
“The signs will follow one after another like a string of beads whose string has broken.” (HR. Tirmidzi)
3. The Process Toward the Day of Judgment
A. The First Blowing of the Trumpet
The angel Israfil will blow the trumpet with the first blowing that causes universal death.
وَنُفِخَ فِي الصُّورِ فَصَعِقَ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ
“And the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall dead except whom Allah wills.” (QS. Az-Zumar: 68)
What happens?
- All creatures die: humans, jinn, angels—except those whom Allah wills
- The earth is destroyed, mountains scatter like cotton
- The seas overflow and mix
- The stars fall
- The sky splits
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ زَلْزَلَةَ السَّاعَةِ شَيْءٌ عَظِيمٌ . يَوْمَ تَرَوْنَهَا تَذْهَلُ كُلُّ مُرْضِعَةٌ عَمَّا أَرْضَعَتْ وَتَضَعُ كُلُّ ذَاتِ حَمْلٍ حَمْلَهَا وَتَرَى النَّاسَ سُكَارَىٰ وَمَا هُمْ بِسُكَارَىٰ
“O mankind, fear your Lord. Indeed, the convulsion of the [final] Hour is a terrible thing. On the Day you see it, every nursing mother will be distracted from that [child] she was nursing, and every pregnant woman will abort her pregnancy, and you will see the people [appearing] intoxicated while they are not intoxicated.” (QS. Al-Hajj: 1-2)
B. The Second Blowing of the Trumpet
The second blowing is universal resurrection. All humans who have ever lived from Adam to the last human, are resurrected from their graves.
ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَىٰ فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنْظُرُونَ
“Then it will be blown another time, and at once they will be standing, looking on.” (QS. Az-Zumar: 68)
In what condition do they rise?
Humans rise according to the condition when they died:
يُبْعَثُ كُلُّ عَبْدٍ عَلَىٰ مَا مَاتَ عَلَيْهِ
“Every servant will be resurrected according to what he died upon.” (HR. Muslim)
- One who died in a righteous state, rises in a righteous state
- One who died in a bad state, rises in a bad state
- The martyrs rise with their wounds shining
C. The Gathering Place (Padang Mahsyar)
Humans are gathered in the gathering place—a very vast field, white and clean, with no buildings or trees.
يَوْمَ يَسْمَعُونَ الصَّيْحَةَ بِالْحَقِّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ يَوْمُ الْخُرُوجِ
“The Day they will hear the blast [of the Horn] in truth. That is the Day of Emergence [from the graves].” (QS. Qaf: 42)
How long do they wait?
There humans wait for 50,000 years (according to worldly measure) to be reckoned.
فِي كَانَ مِقْدَارُهُ خَمْسِينَ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ
“[It will be] on a Day whose length is fifty thousand years.” (QS. Al-Ma’arij: 4)
Conditions in the Gathering Place:
- The sun is brought close to a distance of one mile
- Humans are submerged in their own sweat
- Some up to the ankles, knees, waist, and some almost submerged
- There is no shade except the shade of Allah
The Intercession of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:
The Prophets and Messengers are asked for intercession, until finally intercession is given to Muhammad ﷺ. He said:
أَنَا سَيِّدُ وَلَدِ آدَمَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ
“I am the master of the children of Adam on the Day of Resurrection.” (HR. Muslim)
4. Hisab and Mizan: Reckoning and Weighing of Deeds
A. Hisab (Reckoning of Deeds)
Every human being will be held accountable for their deeds:
فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَسْأَلَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ . عَمَّا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
“Then by your Lord, We will surely question them all about what they used to do.” (QS. Al-Hijr: 92-93)
Three Categories of Reckoning:
1. The Believer
- Reckoned gently (hisab yasir)
- His sins are forgiven
- Directly enters Paradise
فَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِيَ كِتَابَهُ بِيَمِينِهِ . فَسَوْفَ يُحَاسَبُ حِسَابًا يَسِيرًا
“As for he who is given his record in his right hand, he will be judged with an easy account.” (QS. Al-Insyiqaq: 7-8)
2. The Disbeliever
- Not reckoned to be given reward
- Directly sentenced to enter Hell
وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَفَلَمْ تَكُنْ آيَاتِي تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فَاسْتَكْبَرْتُمْ وَكُنْتُمْ قَوْمًا مُجْرِمِينَ
“But as for those who disbelieved, [it will be said], ‘Were not My verses recited to you, but you were arrogant and became a people of criminals?’” (QS. Al-Jatsiyah: 31)
3. The Hypocrite
- His reckoning is the heaviest
- Because they claim to believe but actually do not
إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ يُخَادِعُونَ اللَّهَ وَهُوَ خَادِعُهُمْ
“Indeed, the hypocrites think to deceive Allah, but He is deceiving them.” (QS. An-Nisa’: 142)
B. Mizan (Weighing of Deeds)
Good and bad deeds will be weighed with a just scale:
وَالْوَزْنُ يَوْمَئِذٍ الْحَقُّ ۚ فَمَنْ ثَقُلَتْ مَوَازِينُهُ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ . وَمَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوَازِينُهُ فَأُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ
“And the weighing [of deeds] that Day will be the truth. So those whose scales are heavy—it is they who will be the successful. And those whose scales are light—they are the ones who will lose themselves.” (QS. Al-A’raf: 8-9)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
كَلِمَتَانِ خَفِيفَتَانِ عَلَى اللِّسَانِ، ثَقِيلَتَانِ فِي الْمِيزَانِ، حَبِيبَتَانِ إِلَى الرَّحْمَٰنِ: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ
“Two words are light on the tongue, heavy in the scale, and beloved to the Most Merciful: Subhanallah wa bihamdih, Subhanallahil ‘Azim.” (HR. Bukhari-Muslim)
Deeds That Are Heaviest in the Scale:
مَا مِنْ شَيْءٍ أَثْقَلُ فِي مِيزَانِ الْمُؤْمِنِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مِنْ حُسْنِ الْخُلُقِ
“Nothing is heavier in the scale of a believer on the Day of Resurrection than good character.” (HR. Tirmidzi)
أَثْقَلُ شَيْءٍ فِي الْمِيزَانِ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
“The heaviest thing in the scale is La ilaha illallah.” (HR. Tirmidzi)
C. Record of Deeds
Every human receives a record of deeds:
وَكُلَّ إِنْسَانٍ أَلْزَمْنَاهُ طَائِرَهُ فِي عُنُقِهِ ۖ وَنُخْرِجُ لَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ كِتَابًا يَلْقَاهُ مَنْشُورًا . اقْرَأْ كِتَابَكَ كَفَىٰ بِنَفْسِكَ الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكَ حَسِيبًا
“And every man We have imposed his fate upon his neck, and We will produce for him on the Day of Resurrection a record which he will find spread open. [It will be said], ‘Read your record. Sufficient is yourself against you this Day as accountant.’” (QS. Al-Isra’: 13-14)
Two Groups:
1. Received with the Right Hand
فَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِيَ كِتَابَهُ بِيَمِينِهِ . فَيَقُولُ هَاؤُمُ اقْرَءُوا كِتَابِيَهْ . إِنِّي ظَنَنْتُ أَنِّي مُلَاقٍ حِسَابِيَهْ . فَهُوَ فِي عِيشَةٍ رَاضِيَةٍ
“As for he who is given his record in his right hand, he will say, ‘Here, read my record! Indeed, I was certain that I would be meeting my account.’ So he will be in a pleasant life.” (QS. Al-Haqqah: 19-22)
2. Received from Behind/Left Hand
وَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِيَ كِتَابَهُ وَرَاءَ ظَهْرِهِ . فَسَوْفَ يَدْعُو ثُبُورًا . وَيَصْلَىٰ سَعِيرًا
“But as for he who is given his record behind his back, he will cry out for destruction and [enter to] burn in Blaze.” (QS. Al-Insyiqaq: 10-12)
5. Shirath: The Bridge to Paradise
After reckoning and the scale, humans must cross shirath—a bridge stretched over Hellfire Jahannam toward Paradise.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
يُضْرَبُ الصِّرَاطُ عَلَى جَهَنَّمَ، فَأَمُرُّ عَلَيْهِ أَنَا وَأُمَّتِي
“The Shirath will be placed over Hellfire, and I and my nation will cross it.” (HR. Bukhari)
Characteristics of Shirath:
- Thinner than a hair
- Sharper than a sword
- Slippery, with hooks that snag
- Dark, but believers have light
Speed of Crossing Shirath:
Humans cross it according to their deeds:
مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَمُرُّ كَلَمْحِ الْبَصَرِ، وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَمُرُّ كَالرِّيحِ، وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَمُرُّ كَالْفَرَسِ، وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَمْشِي، وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَزْحَفُ
“Among them are those who will pass like a flash of lightning, and among them are those who will pass like the wind, and among them are those who will pass like a racing horse, and among them are those who will walk, and among them are those who will crawl.” (HR. Muslim)
Fate of Humans:
- The believer: Saved because of the light of his faith
- The hypocrite: His light goes out, they get lost and fall
- The disbeliever: Directly falls into Hell
يَوْمَ لَا يُخْزِي اللَّهُ النَّبِيَّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ ۖ نُورُهُمْ يَسْعَىٰ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَبِأَيْمَانِهِمْ
“On the Day when Allah will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their light will proceed before them and on their right.” (QS. At-Tahrim: 8)
6. Paradise and Hell: The Abode of Eternal Reward
A. Paradise
Paradise is a place of pleasure never seen by the eye, never heard by the ear, and never imagined by the human heart.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
أَعْدَدْتُ لِعِبَادِي الصَّالِحِينَ مَا لَا عَيْنٌ رَأَتْ، وَلَا أُذُنٌ سَمِعَتْ، وَلَا خَطَرَ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِ بَشَرٍ
“I have prepared for My righteous servants what no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what has never occurred to the heart of man.” (HR. Bukhari-Muslim)
Allah says:
فَلَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَا أُخْفِيَ لَهُمْ مِنْ قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
“No soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes as reward for what they used to do.” (QS. As-Sajdah: 17)
Pleasures of Paradise:
مَثَلُ الْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي وُعِدَ الْمُتَّقُونَ ۖ فِيهَا أَنْهَارٌ مِنْ مَاءٍ غَيْرِ آسِنٍ، وَأَنْهَارٌ مِنْ لَبَنٍ لَمْ يَتَغَيَّرْ طَعْمُهُ، وَأَنْهَارٌ مِنْ خَمْرٍ لَذَّةٍ لِلشَّارِبِينَ، وَأَنْهَارٌ مِنْ عَسَلٍ مُصَفًّى
“The example of Paradise, which the righteous have been promised, is [that] beneath it rivers flow. Its fruit is lasting, and its shade. That is the consequence for the righteous, and the consequence for the disbelievers is the Fire.” (QS. Muhammad: 15)
The Highest Pleasure:
لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا الْحُسْنَىٰ وَزِيَادَةٌ
“For those who do good is the best [Paradise] and extra [the pleasure of seeing Allah’s Face].” (QS. Yunus: 26)
The extra is: Seeing the Face of Allah.
وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَاضِرَةٌ . إِلَىٰ رَبِّهَا نَاظِرَةٌ
“[Some] faces, that Day, will be radiant, looking at their Lord.” (QS. Al-Qiyamah: 22-23)
Levels of Paradise:
The highest level of Paradise is Jannatul Firdaus, whose roof is the Throne of Allah.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ الْفِرْدَوْسِ نُزُلًا
“Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds—they will have the Gardens of Firdaus as accommodation.” (QS. Al-Kahfi: 107)
B. Hell
Hell is the place of the most painful torment. Allah has prepared Hell for the disbelievers and the wrongdoers.
إِنَّ أَعْدَاءَكَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ
“Indeed, your enemies are the ones who will be gathered into the Fire.” (QS. At-Takwir: 15)
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَنْ تُغْنِيَ عَنْهُمْ أَمْوَالُهُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُهُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
“Indeed, those who disbelieve—never will their wealth or their children avail them against Allah at all. And those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.” (QS. Ali ‘Imran: 116)
Torments of Hell:
1. Fire That is Very Hot
يَوْمَ يُحْمَىٰ عَلَيْهَا فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ
“The Day when it will be heated in the fire of Hell.” (QS. At-Taubah: 35)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
نَارُكُمْ هَذِهِ الَّتِي يُوقِدُ ابْنُ آدَمَ جُزْءٌ مِنْ سَبْعِينَ جُزْءًا مِنْ حَرِّ جَهَنَّمَ
“Your fire is one part of seventy parts of the heat of Hellfire.” (HR. Bukhari-Muslim)
2. Drinks of Pus and Boiling Water
وَسُقُوا مَاءً حَمِيمًا فَقَطَّعَ أَمْعَاءَهُمْ
“And they will be given to drink scalding water that will sever their intestines.” (QS. Muhammad: 15)
لَيْسَ لَهُمْ طَعَامٌ إِلَّا مِنْ ضَرِيعٍ . لَا يُسْمِنُ وَلَا يُغْنِي مِنْ جُوعٍ
“For them there will be no food except from a poisonous, thorny plant which neither nourishes nor avails against hunger.” (QS. Al-Ghasyiyah: 6-7)
3. Skin That is Continuously Replaced
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِآيَاتِنَا سَوْفَ نُصْلِيهِمْ نَارًا ۖ كُلَّمَا نَضِجَتْ جُلُودُهُمْ بَدَّلْنَاهُمْ جُلُودًا غَيْرَهَا لِيَذُوقُوا الْعَذَابَ
“Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses—We will drive them into a Fire. Every time their skins are roasted through, We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment.” (QS. An-Nisa’: 56)
4. Humiliation and Regret
كُلَّمَا أُلْقِيَ فِيهَا فَوْجٌ سَأَلَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَذِيرٌ . قَالُوا بَلَىٰ قَدْ جَاءَنَا نَذِيرٌ فَكَذَّبْنَا
“Every time a company is thrown into it, its keepers ask them, ‘Did there not come to you a warner?’ They will say, ‘Yes, a warner had come to us, but we denied.” (QS. Al-Mulk: 8-9)
Levels of Hell:
The deepest level of Hell is Jahannam, the place of the hypocrites.
إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِي الدَّرْكِ الْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ
“Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire.” (QS. An-Nisa’: 145)
7. Life in the Hereafter: Eternal Forever
The main difference between this world and the Hereafter is eternal vs. temporary.
In the World:
- Pleasure has an end
- Sadness has an end
- Life has an end
In the Hereafter:
- The pleasure of Paradise is eternal
- The torment of Hell for the disbeliever is eternal
- There is no more death
لَا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا الْمَوْتَ إِلَّا الْمَوْتَةَ الْأُولَىٰ
“They will not taste death therein except the first death.” (QS. Ad-Dukhan: 56)
خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ۖ لَا يَجِدُونَ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا
“They will abide therein eternally. They will not find a protector or a helper.” (QS. Al-Ahzab: 65)
This is what makes worldly deeds—though few—very valuable. Because the reward in the Hereafter is eternal.
فَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ . وَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُ
“So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.” (QS. Az-Zalzalah: 7-8)
8. The Wisdom of Believing in the Last Day
Why does Allah command us to believe in the Day of Judgment?
A. Motivation to Do Good
Faith in the Last Day is the strongest motivation to do righteous deeds. One who is certain there is a reward, will be enthusiastic in worship.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ إِنَّا لَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ مَنْ أَحْسَنَ عَمَلًا
“Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds—indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds.” (QS. Al-Kahfi: 30)
B. Comfort in Times of Disaster
A believer is patient in facing disasters because he is certain there is compensation in the Hereafter. One who is wronged is calm because he is certain there is justice on the Day of Judgment.
وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ . الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
“But give good tidings to the patient, who, when disaster strikes them, say, ‘Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.’” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 155-156)
C. Prevention from Sin
One who is certain there is Hell, will be afraid to sin. This is a more effective internal prevention system than worldly laws.
وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِ وَنَهَى النَّفْسَ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ . فَإِنَّ الْجَنَّةَ هِيَ الْمَأْوَىٰ
“But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from [unlawful] inclination, then indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge.” (QS. An-Nazi’at: 40-41)
D. Not Obsessed with the World
One who is certain there is a Hereafter, will not be deceived by the glitter of the world. The world in his eyes is only a bridge, not a destination.
وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ ۖ وَلَلدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ
“And the worldly life is not but amusement and diversion; but the home of the Hereafter is best for those who fear Allah.” (QS. Al-An’am: 32)
Conclusion
Faith in the Last Day is a fundamental pillar that distinguishes the Muslim and non-Muslim view of life. For a Muslim, the world is a field of deeds, the Hereafter is the place of harvest. The world is temporary, the Hereafter is eternal forever.
This conviction should change the way we live:
- Not too sad about worldly loss
- Not too happy about worldly gain
- Focus on provisions for the Hereafter
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
“Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 201)
After we believe in the day of reckoning, the next question is: how does Allah regulate everything? Does everything happen by chance, or is there a destiny that has been determined? Learn more at Qadha and Qadar.
Related Material: