Islam considers belief in the Last Day, or the Day of Judgment, one of the six pillars of faith that every Muslim must believe in, alongside belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and divine decree (Qadar), both its good and its bad. The Day of Judgment is a significant and awe-inspiring event that will take place at the end of time, where all humans will be resurrected after death to face accountability for their deeds in life. It is the day when the destinies of people will be determined: either eternal bliss in Paradise or torment in Hell.
### **Belief in the Day of Judgment in the Quran**
The Quran mentions the Day of Judgment repeatedly, using various names and descriptions to indicate its importance and greatness, such as "Yawm al-Hisab" (Day of Reckoning), "Yawm ad-Din" (Day of Religion), "As-Sa'ah" (The Hour), "Yawm an-Nushur" (Day of Resurrection), and "Yawm at-Taghabun" (Day of Mutual Loss and Gain). This emphasis on the Day of Judgment reflects its central role in Islamic belief. Allah Almighty says in the Quran:
**"And We did not create the heaven and the earth and everything between them without purpose. That is the assumption of those who disbelieve, so woe to those who disbelieve from the Fire. Or should We treat those who believe and do righteous deeds like those who cause corruption on earth? Or should We treat the righteous like the wicked?"** (Surah Sad: 27-28).
These verses affirm that Allah did not create the universe in vain or without purpose. Rather, this world is a place of trial, and the Hereafter is the realm of ultimate reward and punishment. There is a clear distinction between those who live their lives in faith and righteousness and those who indulge in corruption and sin.
### **Stages of the Day of Judgment**
The Day of Judgment is a momentous event with multiple stages and significant occurrences that shape the core of Islamic teachings. It includes several phases and events:
1. **Resurrection (Al-Ba‘th)**: Resurrection is the first stage of the Day of Judgment, where all humans are raised from their graves. Allah says:
**"Then indeed, after that, you are to die. Then indeed you, on the Day of Resurrection, will be resurrected."** (Surah Al-Mu’minun: 15-16).
The resurrection is the process of reviving the dead from their graves, awakening everyone to face their final judgment. This event demonstrates that the world is not the end, and real life begins after death.
2. **The Gathering (Al-Hashr)**: After resurrection, all people will be gathered in a vast plain. They will be gathered as they were first created, barefoot, naked. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: **"You will be gathered barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised."** (Reported by Al-Bukhari).
The Day of Gathering is when all of humanity, from the first to the last, will be brought together to be judged by Allah.
3. **Intercession (Ash-Shafa'ah)**: Following the gathering, the great intercession takes place, where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) will intercede on behalf of believers to ease the hardships of that day.
One of the Prophet’s intercessions will be to ask Allah to begin the reckoning, after people wait for a long time in fear during the gathering.
4. **The Reckoning (Al-Hisab)**: This is the moment when every individual will be presented before Allah for accountability. Allah says:
**"And We will set up the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all."** (Surah Al-Anbiya: 47).
All deeds will be weighed in precise scales, and no one will be wronged. Good deeds will elevate a person's status, while evil deeds will bring them down.
5. **The Distribution of Records (Tatawwur As-Suhuf)**: The records are the books in which every individual's deeds are written. On the Day of Judgment, people will be given their records, either in their right hand or their left. Allah says:
**"Then as for he who is given his record in his right hand, he will be judged with an easy account."** (Surah Al-Inshiqaq: 7-8).
Those who receive their book in their right hand will be among the people of Paradise, while those who receive it in their left or behind their backs will be among the people of Hell.
6. **The Bridge (As-Sirat)**: The Sirat is a bridge stretched over Hell, and all people must cross it. The believers will pass over it swiftly and safely according to their deeds, while the sinful and disbelievers will fall into Hell. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
**"A bridge will be laid across Hell, and I shall be the first to cross it."** (Reported by Muslim).
This bridge is one of the great tests on the Day of Judgment, and it separates the believers from the disbelievers.
### **Paradise and Hell**
Muslims believe in the existence of both Paradise and Hell in the afterlife, with Paradise prepared for the righteous believers and Hell for the disbelievers and wrongdoers. Both are mentioned extensively in the Quran and the Hadiths of the Prophet (PBUH).
1. **Paradise (Jannah)**: Paradise is the eternal abode of bliss that Allah has prepared for His faithful servants who obeyed His commands and refrained from sin. Allah says:
**"Gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow."** (Surah At-Tawbah: 72).
In Paradise, believers will enjoy every form of pleasure and comfort, beyond what the human mind can imagine. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: **"In Paradise, there is what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no heart has conceived."** (Reported by Al-Bukhari). Paradise has varying levels, and the closer a believer was to Allah in their worldly life, the higher their level in Paradise.
2. **Hell (Jahannam)**: Hell is the eternal place of punishment that Allah has prepared for the disbelievers and sinners who disobeyed His commands and committed evil. Allah says:
**"And fear the Fire, which has been prepared for the disbelievers."** (Surah Aal-Imran: 131).
Hell is described as a place of unimaginable torment, with various levels of punishment based on the severity of the sin. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) described Hell by saying: **"Your fire, the one you use in this world, is one part of seventy parts of the fire of Hell."** (Reported by Muslim).
Like Paradise, Hell has levels of torment, with the severest punishment reserved for the disbelievers and hypocrites who rejected Allah and His messengers, while the least punishment is for sinful believers who may enter Hell due to their sins.
### **The Importance of Belief in the Hereafter**
Belief in the Day of Judgment has a profound impact on how a Muslim lives their life. When a person believes that this worldly life is temporary and that the Hereafter is the real place of reward and punishment, they strive to live according to the teachings of Allah and His Messenger, promoting justice, avoiding oppression, and doing good deeds.
Faith in the Day of Judgment motivates a person to perform righteous deeds, such as praying, giving charity, fasting, and helping others because they know that Allah will hold them accountable for every action, no matter how small or large. At the same time, it serves as a warning against sins and misdeeds, for they know that Hell is the consequence for those who defy Allah’s commandments.
### **Conclusion**
Islam presents a comprehensive view of the Day of Judgment, emphasizing that it is a day of truth and justice where every individual will be rewarded or punished according to their deeds. Belief in the Hereafter is a central pillar of Islamic faith, guiding Muslims toward righteousness and preparing them for the day when they will meet Allah. On that day, wealth and children will not benefit anyone except those who come to Allah with a pure heart.