Resurrection and Accountability
Resurrection and accountability are significant aspects of the Day of Judgment, frequently mentioned in the Holy Quran. The term ‘resurrection’ refers to Allah’s act of reviving those in their graves, raising them for judgment based on their deeds in this worldly life. Belief in that day, encompassing its events, scenes, and signs, represents the fifth pillar of faith that every Muslim is obliged to accept with firm conviction, free from any doubt or suspicion. A person’s faith is incomplete if they deny any aspect of it or believe in only part of it. The Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – stated regarding faith: “To believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in predestination, both good and bad.”
Impact and Benefits of Belief in Resurrection and Accountability
Believing in resurrection and accountability leads to numerous consequences and benefits, some of which are outlined below:
- The promise of immense reward; faith in resurrection and accountability involves believing in the unseen, for which Allah has promised guidance, abundant provision, and a good outcome on the Day of Judgment.
- Encouragement to engage in righteous deeds, seeking to adhere to what Allah loves and desires, acting upon His command in hopes of earning rewards and a favorable ending.
- Awareness of the avoidance of disobedience and actions that Allah despises, making a conscious effort to steer clear of what He has forbidden due to the fear of punishment and retribution.
- Providing solace to believers for any loss they experience in this life by looking forward to the significant rewards awaiting them from Allah.
- Endurance during tests and acceptance of Allah’s divine decree and predestination.
- Taking measures to ensure a positive end, primarily by consistently performing good deeds and avoiding sinful actions contrary to Sharia, and praying to Allah for a good ending and a death aligned with His preferred deeds.
- Adhering to actions, statements, and states that Allah loves, while avoiding what He finds displeasing.
Understanding the Belief in Resurrection and Accountability
Belief in resurrection is defined as the unwavering certainty without any doubt that Allah will resurrect His creations post-death when the Day of Judgment arrives. Allah states: “The Day when We will fold the heaven like a scroll of writings, as We initiated the first creation, We will bring it back again. It is a promise binding upon Us; indeed, We will do it.” Accountability, or retribution, corresponds to the rewards or punishments that arise from a person’s actions following resurrection on the Day of Judgment. Allah says: “Whoever does an evil deed will be recompensed for it, and he will not find for himself besides Allah any protector or helper. And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer, those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, even as much as an atom’s weight.”
Evidence of Resurrection and Accountability from the Quran and Sunnah
There are numerous verses in the Quran and authentic Hadith that affirm resurrection and accountability, including:
- Allah says: “And they say, ‘When we have become decayed bones, will we indeed be raised up as a new creation?’ Say, ‘Be stones or iron or any creation of that which is great in your breasts.’ Then they will say, ‘Who will return us to our former state?’ Say, ‘The One who created you the first time.’ Then they will be told, ‘When is it?’ Say, ‘Perhaps it is near, the Day He will call you and you will respond with praise of Him, and you will think that you have remained only a little.’
- Allah also states: “Does the human being not see that We created him from a mere drop of fluid? Yet, he becomes an open adversary. He has struck for Us a parable and has forgotten his own creation. ‘Who will revive these bones while they are decayed?’ Say, ‘He will revive them who created them the first time, and He is, of all creation, Knowing.’
- In Sahih al-Bukhari, Abdullah ibn Abbas – may Allah be pleased with them – narrates that the Prophet – peace be upon him – said: “Allah said: ‘Son of Adam has denied Me, and it is not fitting for him to do so, and has insulted Me, and it is not fitting for him to do so. His denial of Me is that he claims I cannot return him to his original state, and his insult is to say, ‘I have a child.’ Glory be to Me! How could I take a companion or a child?’
- It has been narrated from Ali ibn Abi Talib – may Allah be pleased with him – that the Prophet – upon him be peace – stated: “A servant does not truly believe until he believes in four things: Allah alone with no partner, that I am the Messenger of Allah, in resurrection after death, and in predestination.”