Belief in the Last Day is an article of faith in Islam. It is obligatory for every Muslim to have complete faith in the inevitability of the Day of Resurrection. There exist multiple Hadith on the obligation of belief in the Day of Judgment, including the famous Hadith of Jibreel (AS). There are also verses about the Day of Judgment in the Quran.
“One day while the Prophet (ﷺ) was sitting in the company of some people, (The angel) Gabriel came and asked, “What is faith?” Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) replied, ‘Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection.” (Al-Bukhari)
“Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets…” (Quran, 2:177)
There’s no difference of opinion on belief in the Last Day being an integral component of a believer’s faith. Belief in the Last Day consists of three parts.
After the initial blowing of the Horn brings the world and all that is in it to an end, there will be a second blowing. When the Horn is blown a second time, mankind will emerge from the graves. They will thus be brought to life once again, by the Power of Allah. Everyone will then be assembled to be judged by Allah, Master of the Day of Judgment.
At this point, everyone will be without any footwear or clothing, uncircumcised, and in a naked state. One may think that everyone gathering together while being unclothed may be odd and cause Fitna (temptation). However, the circ*mstances of that day will be unimaginably stressful; hence everyone will focus solely on their own ordeal. Indeed, the truth of the Resurrection is indisputable. The Quran, Sunnah, and consensus of the believers vehemently affirm its reality.
“The Day when We will fold the heaven like the folding of a [written] sheet for the records. As We began the first creation, We will repeat it. [That is] a promise binding upon Us. Indeed, We will do it.” (Quran, 21:104)
“Then indeed, after that, you are to die. Then indeed you, on the Day of Resurrection, will be resurrected.” (Quran, 23:15–16)
“It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘You will be gathered barefoot, naked and uncircumcised.’ I said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, men, and women will be looking at one another?!’ He said, ‘The situation will be so terrible that that will not concern them.’” (Al-Bukhari)
Each person will only be held responsible for his own actions. One will either be rewarded or punished based on his deeds. This belief plays a crucial role in how we conduct ourselves in this world. If people didn’t believe that they’ll eventually be answerable to Allah, they would violate His Divine laws with impunity. Belief in the Day of Reckoning cautions believers to fear Allah and seek His Pleasure in all their actions.
Belief in the Reckoning is thus a universal belief among Muslims. It is certainly one of our religion’s core fundamental beliefs. Denying it would defeat the purpose of this life. Allah placed us on this earth to worship Him and adhere to the laws He revealed through His Prophets. If there were to be no Judgment, this life and all our deeds, good or bad, would be inconsequential. This is a glaring contradiction of Allah’s perfect Wisdom.
“Indeed, to Us is their return. Then indeed, upon Us is their account.” (Quran, 88:25–26)
Believing in Paradise and Hell is linked to belief in the Reckoning. After all, it is only based on Allah’s Judgment that one can enter Jannah (Paradise) or Jahannam (Hell). They are the final abodes that people will be sent to after facing Allah’s Reckoning. No one will be wronged in the slightest, for Allah’s Justice is perfect and He is never unjust.
Heaven is the most beautiful, delightful, peaceful, and joyous eternal destination reserved for the righteous believers. They are those who obeyed Allah and His Messenger (PBUH), affirmed God’s oneness, and were pious in their actions. They will be bestowed with the ultimate reward by their Adoring Lord. For the disbelievers and the disobedient, on the other hand, awaits the torment of the Hellfire.
“So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.” (Quran, 99:7–8)
“Indeed, they who have believed and done righteous deeds — those are the best of creatures. Their reward with Allah will be gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them and they with Him. That is for whoever has feared his Lord.” (Quran, 98:7–8)
“And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger — then indeed, for him is the fire of Hell; they will abide therein forever.” (Quran, 72:23)
There are a number of notable events that will occur on the Day of Recompense.
On the Last Day, upon Resurrection, mankind will face immense anxiety and terror as people wait for Allah’s decision. They will be standing close to the sun, and the day will have a length equivalent to 50,000 years! One will be in a terrifying state of worry as his deeds are assessed, and he waits to learn whether he will be spared from the devastating torture of Hell.
“The sun will be a distance of a mile from the creation on the Day of Resurrection. People will sink in their perspiration according to their deeds. Some would sink in their perspiration till their ankles, while others would sink in it to their thighs and waists; yet others would sink in it till their mouths!” (Muslim)
“That day will be 50 000 years long, after which a person will be admitted into Paradise or cast into Hell.” (Abu Dawood)
According to an authentic Hadith, the Prophet (PBUH) will be granted permission to intercede.
“…When I see my Lord, I will fall down in Prostration and He will let me remain in that state as long as He wishes and then I will be addressed.’ [Muhammad!] Raise your head. Ask, and your request will be granted; say, and your saying will be listened to; intercede, and your intercession will be accepted…” (Al-Bukhari)
Following the aforementioned events, people will finally learn where they are headed. Those who are given their record in their right hands will be the honored ones blessed with Jannah. Meanwhile, those who are handed their record in their left hands will be the wretched ones condemned to Jahannam.
“So 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 — In an elevated garden, Its [fruit] to be picked hanging near. [They will be told], “Eat and drink in satisfaction for what you put forth in the days past.” But as for he who is given his record in his left hand, he will say, “Oh, I wish I had not been given my record And had not known what is my account. I wish my death had been the decisive one. My wealth has not availed me. Gone from me is my authority.” [ Allah will say], “Seize him and shackle him. Then into Hellfire drive him.” (Quran, 69:19–31)
People’s deeds will be weighed on a scale. Those whose good deeds outweigh their sins will prosper, while those whose evil deeds outweigh their righteous deeds will be among the losers.
“And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as an accountant.” (Quran, 21:47)
There will be a Bridge over Hell that continues until Paradise. However, only those who were dedicated believers in the Dunya (this world) will successfully cross it, without difficulty.
“Those will have gardens of perpetual residence; beneath them, rivers will flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and brocade, reclining therein on adorned couches. Excellent is the reward, and good is the resting place.” (Quran, 18:31)
The noble believers will blissfully reside in the eternal Paradise, whereas disbelievers will never escape the Hellfire’s horror. Furthermore, believers who were unrepentant sinners may also be sent to Hell.
The believers will be the only ones granted the tremendous privilege of seeing their Lord in the Afterlife. The disbelievers will not be granted this unparalleled honor. Seeing Allah will be the greatest pleasure believers experience in the Hereafter.
“[Some] faces, that Day, will be radiant, Looking at their Lord.” (Quran, 75:22–23)
