Introduction
Belief in the Day of Judgment is one of the Pillars of Faith in Islam, referring to the belief in the events of the end of times and the afterlife. It involves the conviction that this world is temporary and will end at a time determined by Allah, followed by the resurrection of humanity to account for their deeds.
Components of Belief in the Day of Judgment
“Indeed, you will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment.”
Surah Az-Zumar 39:60
This verse serves as a reminder of the certainty of the Day of Resurrection, during which all human actions will be accounted for and rewarded accordingly.
1. The Destruction of the World
Allah says: “And the Trumpet will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall dead except whom Allah wills.” (Surah Az-Zumar 39:68). This verse explains the moment of the destruction of the universe when the first trumpet is blown.
On the Day of Judgment, all creatures will be annihilated by the first blowing of the trumpet by Angel Israfil. This blow signifies the destruction of the universe, including the heavens and the earth, which will collapse. All creatures will perish except those whom Allah wills to remain alive.
2. Resurrection
After the second blowing of the trumpet, all humans will be resurrected from their graves. This process involves the reunion of the body and the soul, which were previously separated. This resurrection aims to present humans before Allah’s judgment.
“Then the Trumpet will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.”
Surah Az-Zumar 39:68
3. Reckoning and the Scale
During the reckoning, every deed, whether small or significant, will be accounted for in detail. The Scale (Mizan) is used to weigh good and bad deeds. The outcome of this scale determines a person’s final destination, whether in Paradise or Hell.
“So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”
Surah Az-Zalzalah 99:7-8
4. Paradise and Hell
Paradise is the place of reward for those who obey Allah’s commands, filled with unimaginable bliss. Hell, on the other hand, is the place of punishment for those who disbelieve, where severe torment will be experienced. Both are eternal destinations and represent the final abode of every individual based on Allah’s judgment.
“And those who have believed and done righteous deeds will be in gardens of delight.”
Surah Al-Hajj 22:56
Conversely, about Hell, Allah says:
“So they will not taste therein any coolness or drink except scalding water and purulent discharge.”
Surah An-Naba’ 78:24-25
These verses depict the rewards and punishments based on deeds in this world.
Comparison with Other Religions
Christianity
The concept of the Day of Judgment also exists in Christianity. Judgment Day is mentioned in the Bible, where Jesus will return to judge humanity (Matthew 25:31-46). However, the concept of justice in Christian tradition is questioned by Islam because the belief that Jesus is God contradicts the Islamic doctrine of monotheism (Tawhid).
Moreover, the belief that all who believe in Jesus will be saved, regardless of their actions, is seen as unjust from an Islamic perspective. This is referenced in biblical verses like John 3:16 and John 5:24, which state that whoever believes in Jesus will have eternal life and “will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”
In the context of John 5:24, Jesus explains that those who hear and believe in God who sent Him will have eternal life without facing judgment. However, Islam challenges this concept, as it is seen to exclude the necessity of justice based on deeds and moral responsibility. In Islam, every individual will undergo the process of hisab (reckoning), which reflects the balance between faith, actions, and Allah’s mercy. This raises questions about justice for individuals who commit grave sins but solely rely on faith for salvation. For instance, a murderer who only believes in Jesus without repentance is still deemed worthy of Paradise, which conflicts with the principle of Allah’s justice in Islam.
Judaism
The belief in the resurrection of the dead is mentioned in the Book of Daniel 12:2, but this concept is not as clearly defined in Judaism as in Islam or Christianity. Resurrection is often viewed more as a symbol of national hope for the restoration of the Jewish people and their homeland. The primary focus of Judaism lies in actions and moral responsibilities in this world, making worldly life more significant than speculations about the afterlife.
The Uniqueness of Islam
“And We will set up 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 accountant.”
Surah Al-Anbiya 21:47
Islam emphasizes the balance between Allah’s mercy and justice. Every deed is accounted for fairly, regardless of worldly status. However, Allah’s justice as the Judge on the Day of Judgment does not solely rely on the quantity of deeds but also on the ultimate mercy of Allah, which determines one’s eligibility for entering Paradise.
In Islam, even a person with sins can be saved if they receive Allah’s mercy and sincerely repent. However, if their sins involve others, such as taking a life or violating someone’s rights, they must first reconcile with those individuals. If human rights are not fulfilled, there will be no space for the sinner to enter Paradise until these rights are settled, either through forgiveness or appropriate recompense on the Day of Judgment. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever has wronged another concerning his reputation or anything else, he should beg him to forgive him before the Day of Resurrection when there will be no money (to compensate for wrong deeds). If he has good deeds, those good deeds will be taken from him according to his oppression. If he has no good deeds, the sins of the oppressed person will be loaded on him.”
Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2449
Allah also says:
“But they who repent, believe and do righteousness – those will enter Paradise.”
Surah Maryam 19:60
This contrasts with some interpretations in Christianity, which focus more on faith alone without considering the impact of deeds in the world, as discussed above.
Conclusion
Belief in the Day of Judgment reminds humanity of their responsibilities in this world as preparation for eternal life in the hereafter. It instills a sense of awareness to consistently do good, avoid wrongdoing, and mend relationships with others. Every action, even as small as an atom, will be accounted for by Allah. Allah says: “So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.” (Surah Az-Zalzalah 99:7-8). This provides a clear reminder that Allah’s justice and mercy will be the ultimate determinants of human destiny in the afterlife.
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