Written by: Hafiz Usama Shaukat
Allah says:
"Indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter — We have made their deeds pleasing to them, so they wander blindly. Those are the ones who will have the worst punishment, and they will be the greatest losers in the Hereafter."
(Surah An-Naml: 4–5)
"Those who fear their Lord unseen, and they are afraid of the Hour (Day of Judgment)."
(Surah Al-Anbiya: 49)
The world’s laws have failed to stop crimes, but belief in the Afterlife is such a doctrine that it prevents a person from committing any wrongdoing. If a thief is certain that he will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment, he will strive to refrain from theft, realizing that Allah is watching him.
If someone believes he is born without any accountability or fear of the Hereafter, he should remember:
"Did you think that We created you in vain and that you would not be brought back to Us?"
(Surah Al-Mu’minun: 115)
Allah also states:
"And We did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them in play. We created them with truth, but most people do not know."
(Surah Ad-Dukhan: 38–39)
(Maqalat: Vol. 2, p. 16)
"And fear Allah and know that you will meet Him."
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 223)
Regarding pregnant women who are divorced, Allah says:
"And it is not lawful for them to conceal what Allah has created in their wombs if they believe in Allah and the Last Day."
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 228)
About the righteous among the People of the Book:
"They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and they enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and hasten to good deeds; and those are among the righteous."
(Surah Aal Imran: 114)
"Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbor. Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor his guest. And whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent."
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 6018)
"And they used to say, 'When we die and become dust and bones, will we really be resurrected? And our forefathers as well?' Say, 'Indeed, the former and the later peoples will all be gathered for the appointment of a known Day.'"
(Surah Al-Waqi'ah: 47–50)
Also:
"Say, 'Yes, by my Lord, you will surely be resurrected; then you will surely be informed of what you did. And that, for Allah, is easy.'"
(Surah At-Taghabun: 7)
"Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and save us from the punishment of the Fire."
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 201)
And:
"And those who say, 'Our Lord, avert from us the punishment of Hell. Indeed, its punishment is ever adhering.'"
(Surah Al-Furqan: 65)
About Prophet Ibrahim’s supplication:
"And do not disgrace me on the Day they are [all] resurrected — The Day when neither wealth nor children will benefit anyone."
(Surah Ash-Shu'ara: 87–88)
"O Allah’s Messenger! You are Allah’s Messenger, and yet Caesar and Khosrow are living luxuriously!"
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
"Are you not satisfied that they have the world and we have the Hereafter?"
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 4913)
"O brothers! This worldly life is temporary, but the Day of the Hereafter is eternal. Remember, this life is the farming ground for the Hereafter — what you sow here, you will reap there. Think: What preparation have we made for it? This worldly life is the final opportunity; no second chance will be given. Death keeps taking souls continuously, yet most people remain heedless of the Hereafter."
(Maqalat: Vol. 2, p. 16)
The events of the Hereafter include the questioning in the grave, reward and punishment, the Day of Gathering, the Bridge (Sirat), the Scales (Mizan), Intercession (Shafa'ah), and the Cistern (Hawd).
A true believer firmly believes in all of these unseen matters. Allah describes the pious at the beginning of the Qur'an:
"It is they who are upon guidance from their Lord, and it is they who will be successful."
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 5)
We ask Allah for His immense grace and pray that He includes us among His believing servants and grants us the ability to prepare adequately for the Hereafter.
Introduction
Believing that the Day of Judgment will be established, and that all creation will be resurrected and presented before Allah's court, is an essential pillar of faith and among the fundamental beliefs of Islam. Along with believing in Allah and His messengers, faith in the Last Day and universal resurrection is absolutely crucial.Allah says:
"Indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter — We have made their deeds pleasing to them, so they wander blindly. Those are the ones who will have the worst punishment, and they will be the greatest losers in the Hereafter."
(Surah An-Naml: 4–5)
The Impact of Belief in the Afterlife
Belief in the Afterlife instills fear of Allah in a person’s heart, preventing them from evil deeds. Whenever a believer is tempted towards sin, the thought arises: "If I die while sinning, what answer will I give before Allah?" Hence, Allah describes the qualities of the pious:"Those who fear their Lord unseen, and they are afraid of the Hour (Day of Judgment)."
(Surah Al-Anbiya: 49)
Insights from Scholars
❖ Shaykh Zubair Ali Zai رحمه الله writes:The world’s laws have failed to stop crimes, but belief in the Afterlife is such a doctrine that it prevents a person from committing any wrongdoing. If a thief is certain that he will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment, he will strive to refrain from theft, realizing that Allah is watching him.
If someone believes he is born without any accountability or fear of the Hereafter, he should remember:
"Did you think that We created you in vain and that you would not be brought back to Us?"
(Surah Al-Mu’minun: 115)
Allah also states:
"And We did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them in play. We created them with truth, but most people do not know."
(Surah Ad-Dukhan: 38–39)
(Maqalat: Vol. 2, p. 16)
The Importance of Belief in the Hereafter
The significance of this belief is emphasized by Allah frequently mentioning it alongside belief in Him:"And fear Allah and know that you will meet Him."
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 223)
Regarding pregnant women who are divorced, Allah says:
"And it is not lawful for them to conceal what Allah has created in their wombs if they believe in Allah and the Last Day."
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 228)
About the righteous among the People of the Book:
"They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and they enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and hasten to good deeds; and those are among the righteous."
(Surah Aal Imran: 114)
Teachings of the Prophet ﷺ
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:"Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbor. Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor his guest. And whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent."
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 6018)
Response to Doubters of Resurrection
Many disbelievers in every era doubted resurrection, asking how they could be revived after turning into dust and bones. Allah addresses them:"And they used to say, 'When we die and become dust and bones, will we really be resurrected? And our forefathers as well?' Say, 'Indeed, the former and the later peoples will all be gathered for the appointment of a known Day.'"
(Surah Al-Waqi'ah: 47–50)
Also:
"Say, 'Yes, by my Lord, you will surely be resurrected; then you will surely be informed of what you did. And that, for Allah, is easy.'"
(Surah At-Taghabun: 7)
Supplications Regarding the Hereafter
Believers always keep the Hereafter in mind, praying for protection from its torments. Allah commands:"Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and save us from the punishment of the Fire."
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 201)
And:
"And those who say, 'Our Lord, avert from us the punishment of Hell. Indeed, its punishment is ever adhering.'"
(Surah Al-Furqan: 65)
About Prophet Ibrahim’s supplication:
"And do not disgrace me on the Day they are [all] resurrected — The Day when neither wealth nor children will benefit anyone."
(Surah Ash-Shu'ara: 87–88)
Example of the Prophet ﷺ
Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه narrates that once he found the Prophet ﷺ lying on a mat that left marks on his body. Upon seeing this, he wept and said:"O Allah’s Messenger! You are Allah’s Messenger, and yet Caesar and Khosrow are living luxuriously!"
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
"Are you not satisfied that they have the world and we have the Hereafter?"
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 4913)
Final Advice
❖ Shaykh Zubair Ali Zai رحمه الله wrote:"O brothers! This worldly life is temporary, but the Day of the Hereafter is eternal. Remember, this life is the farming ground for the Hereafter — what you sow here, you will reap there. Think: What preparation have we made for it? This worldly life is the final opportunity; no second chance will be given. Death keeps taking souls continuously, yet most people remain heedless of the Hereafter."
(Maqalat: Vol. 2, p. 16)
The events of the Hereafter include the questioning in the grave, reward and punishment, the Day of Gathering, the Bridge (Sirat), the Scales (Mizan), Intercession (Shafa'ah), and the Cistern (Hawd).
A true believer firmly believes in all of these unseen matters. Allah describes the pious at the beginning of the Qur'an:
"It is they who are upon guidance from their Lord, and it is they who will be successful."
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 5)
We ask Allah for His immense grace and pray that He includes us among His believing servants and grants us the ability to prepare adequately for the Hereafter.
