JUDGEMENT DAY |
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Just as there was a period of time in which man was "not even a thing mentioned" so, after man's present life, time will continue into what the Qur'an refers to as Al-Aakhirah or the Hereafter. The major difference is that your Aakhirah as an individual is very closely bound up with, and indeed shaped by, your present life. AI-Aakhirah is often translated as life after death. It has also been interpreted as the "ends of life" as opposed to the "dunya" or the here-and-now of life. AI-Aakhirah begins with the resurrection of man, after which there
will come a moment when every human will be shaken as he is confronted with his intentions
and his deeds, good and bad, and even by his failure to do good in this life (Judgement
day). The fact of this life after death, of resurrection, judgement, and
of just recompense, is an integral part of the Islamic view of reality. Qur' anic
statements on the reality of the Hereafter are intended to show that the Hereafter is
desirable and necessary and also possible. God created people and made them responsible for their actions. Some
behave well and others do not. On earth the virtuous are often in a wretched state while
the wicked often seem to have the good things of life. Innocent people often suffer at the
hands of exploiters and criminals who seem to gain rather than suffer by their crimes in
this world. "Or do those who commit evil deeds suppose that We shall make them as those who believe and do good works, the same in life and death? Bad is their judgement. And God has created the heavens and the earth with truth, and that every soul may be repaid what it has earned." (45: 21-22) "We have not created heaven and earth and all that is in between them
without meaning and purpose, as is the surmise of those bent on denying the truth...Would
We treat those who have attained to faith and do righteous deeds in the same manner as (We
shall treat) those who spread corruption on -earth? Would we treat the God-conscious in
the same manner as the wicked?" (38: 27-28) Your consciousness of these truths of the Hereafter will have important effects on your attitudes, emotions and actions in this world. It will give meaning and purpose to your life. Your life will not be limited to worldly desires and your own greed. Your life, therefore, will not be a materialistic life because you know that this life will not end with your death. You will have as a result greater emotional and psychological balance. You would be better able to face challenges, difficulties and trials because you have confidence in the wisdom, mercy and justice of the Master of the Day of Judgement. You will be less afflicted by anxiety, sadness and fear. Frustration will not be a part of your mental make-up. You will be determined not only to avoid bad, obnoxious and criminal
acts, but to use all your resources to the best of your ability to do good for indeed, as
God says in the Qur'an, "He has created death and life to test which one of you is
best in conduct". |