The Significance of Belief in the Hereafter
God Almighty has placed significant emphasis on the belief in the Hereafter, reminding humanity of its inevitable arrival to ensure that individuals remain vigilant and do not become overly engrossed in the transient nature of worldly life, which is often full of temptations and desires. As stated in the Quran, “Are you content with the life of this world instead of the Hereafter? The enjoyment of this world is but a little (compared to the Hereafter).” When a servant truly believes in the forthcoming Day, they strive earnestly to perform good deeds that bring them closer to God, seeking His pleasure and paradise. The belief in the Hereafter helps individuals understand that earthly life is fleeting and its pleasures are temporary, serving merely as a passage to a more significant and everlasting life, where unimaginable rewards await them for their actions dedicated to God’s pleasure. The belief in the Hereafter has numerous effects on the lives of individuals, a few of which are outlined below:
- A heightened awareness of God’s monitoring over His servants, prompting individuals to uphold God’s commandments in all their actions, as they will be questioned about them on the Day of Judgment. God merely states, “And We shall place the just scales on the Day of Resurrection, so that no soul will be wronged in the least; even if it is the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth, and sufficient are We as accountants.”
- Consistent engagement in good deeds while earnestly seeking God’s pleasure and hoping for rewards in the Hereafter, in compliance with His command: “And take provisions, for indeed, the best provision is righteousness.”
- Generously giving and spending in the way of God, both financially and with oneself, as a means of humility and proximity to Him in this world and the next. Those who give will receive their rewards multiplied seven hundred times, as confirmed in authentic sayings of the Prophet Muhammad: “A man came with a she-camel that had a snare and said, ‘This is for the sake of God.’ The Messenger of God said, ‘For you, on the Day of Resurrection, there will be seven hundred like it, all having the same quality.'” Furthermore, God promised such individuals entry into His paradise and everlasting abode, as mentioned in the verse: “Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties; for that, they will have paradise.” The Prophet used to encourage his companions, especially during battle, stating, “Hasten to a paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth.”
- Enduring trials patiently and accepting God’s decree with certainty, believing that God will compensate the tested with the rewards of the Hereafter. Imam Bukhari narrated from Anas bin Malik: “God said: When I afflict My servant with the loss of his two beloved ones and he is patient, I will compensate him with paradise.” The Prophet further emphasized the merits of patience, saying, “How amazing is the affair of the believer; all of his affairs are good, and this is not for anyone except the believer. If he experiences joy, he is grateful, which is good for him; and if affliction befalls him, he is patient, which is also good for him.”
- Thorough preparation and readiness for that great day, which will bring about numerous calamities and conditions, as clarified through Quranic verses and well-established traditions. People will eventually face eternal life, either in paradise or hellfire. Therefore, individuals will strive to pursue what benefits them and avoid what harms them.
- Resisting desires and refraining from committing sins, by staying away from distractions of life due to their fear and reverence for God, which positively impacts their life, granting them a dignified existence in obedience to God.
Definition of Belief in the Hereafter
The belief in the Hereafter is a fundamental pillar of faith; it is incomplete unless the individual firmly accepts and acknowledges the actuality of this day, along with all preceding and subsequent events. The Holy Quran dedicates substantial attention to discussing the Hereafter, with numerous mentions throughout in various contexts. Often, belief in the Hereafter is paired with belief in God, as highlighted in the verse: “That is a lesson for whoever among you believes in God and the Last Day.” Additionally, there are multiple nomenclatures for this day, such as the Day of Judgment, Day of Reckoning, Day of Eternity, Day of Regret, and Day of Calling, among others. Several chapters in the Quran are named or described in relation to this day, including Al-Waqi’a, Al-Haaqqa, Al-Qari’a, Al-Ghashiya, and Al-Qiyama.
Events of the Hereafter
The Hereafter commences with the conclusion of worldly life, beginning with the occurrence of the signs of the Hour, the timing of which only God knows, as expressed in the Quran: “Indeed, Allah alone possesses knowledge of the Hour.” There are two categories of signs: minor signs which occur well before the major signs and are numerous and widely reported in authentic traditions. Examples of these include the Prophethood of Muhammad, his death, the conquest of Jerusalem, the emergence of widespread conflict, lying attributed to the Prophet, the rise of false prophets, the prevalence of ignorance, the passing of scholars, and the seeking of knowledge from the unqualified. Further signs include the negligence of religion, an increase in women and a decrease in men, the normalization of sins and vices, the prevalence of diseases and calamities, the betrayal of trust, the appointment of unqualified individuals, an increase in construction, mothers giving birth to their mistresses, and conflicts between Muslims and Jews, among others. Major signs of the Hour occur directly before the hour arrives, with their manifestation leading to the commencement of judgment. They include the appearance of Al-Mahdi, the Dajjal (Antichrist), the descent of Jesus (peace be upon him) and his struggle against the Dajjal, the emergence of Gog and Magog, occurrences of earthquakes, the appearance of smoke, the sun rising from the west, the emergence of a beast that will address people, and finally, a great fire that will drive people to their place of gathering.
The events of the Day of Resurrection are crucial components of the Hereafter and must be believed in. One of these events is the resurrection of people from their graves and their gathering at the place of reckoning, where Allah says: “The Day We will gather the pious to the Most Merciful as a delegation.” Conversely, disbelievers will be gathered according to the verse: “Those who will be pushed on their faces towards Hell, they are the worst in position and most astray in their path.” After a lengthy wait, the Prophets will arrive in the gathering place, and the Prophet Muhammad will intercede for his nation as mentioned by Abu Huraira, who reported that the Prophet said: “Each Prophet has an accepted supplication, and they hasten to invoke it. I have reserved my supplication as intercession for my nation on the Day of Resurrection, and it will reach, if Allah wills, whoever among my nation does not associate anything with Allah.” Following this, the books of deeds will be distributed, with each individual receiving their record either in their right hand or left. Subsequently, balances will be set up to weigh the deeds of the servants, as Allah states: “And We shall place the just scales on the Day of Resurrection, so that no soul will be wronged in the least.” Afterward, the gathering at the Basin takes place as the Prophet described its qualities: “My Basin is the length of a month’s journey. Its water is whiter than milk, its fragrance is better than musk, and its cups are like the stars in the sky. Whoever drinks from it will never experience thirst again.” Then, people will walk across a bridge set over Hell, as Allah states: “And there is none of you except that he will enter it; this is an inevitability decreed by your Lord. Then, We will save those who feared Allah and leave the wrongdoers in it, kneeling.” Those who successfully cross the bridge will proceed to a bridge between paradise and hell to settle any grievances from their worldly life before entering paradise and residing there eternally. God states: “And indeed, he saw him another time near the Lote tree of the utmost boundary, where is Paradise of abode.” Those deserving of Hell will enter it, and in total, this day will last the equivalent of fifty thousand years.