BELIEF IN JUDGEMENT DAY FOR ‘’DAWAH MASJID’’(BRIEF)

BELIEF IN JUDGEMENT DAY FOR ‘’DAWAH MASJID’’ (BRIEF)

ASSEMBLED BY MALLAM ABBA ABANA, KUBWA, ABUJA, NIGERIA
http://variousislamicdawadocuments.blogspot.com
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emails:gonidamgamiri@yahoo.com; abba.abana@gmail.com
TO BE DELIVERD ON 8th APRIL 2017 CE AND 10th RAJAB 1438 AH

Praise be to Allaah; we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad (Sallalhu alaihi Wasalam) is His slave and Messenger.

OUR TOPIC TODAY IS ‘’BELIEF IN JUDGEMENT DAY’’ -YAWM AL-QIYAMAH

SECTION ONE: DEATH AND PREPARATIONS OF DEATH

It is not devoutness to turn your faces to the East or to the West. Rather, those with true devoutness are those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, the Angels, the Book and the Prophets, and who, despite their love for it, give away their wealth to their relatives and to orphans and the very poor, and to travellers and beggars and to set slaves free, and who perform prayer and give the alms; those who honour their contracts when they make them, and are steadfast in poverty and illness and in battle. Those are the people who are true. They are the people who guard against evil. (Holy Quran chapter 2:177) 

The Day of Judgment and the Hereafter are essential beliefs in Islam. Life on earth is just temporary while life in the Hereafter is forever and will never end. Those who have done good deeds and obeyed Allah (S.W.T) while living on Earth will be rewarded Paradise but those who did otherwise will be punished in Hell accordingly. Thus, Muslims believe that the life of this world and all that is in it will come to an end on one appointed day, when everything will be annihilated. This day will resurrect all the dead; Allah will judge with perfect justice each person individually according to his good or bad actions that he did during his life, and every victim will have his/ her rights. Allah will reward those who lead a righteous life and did good deeds by sending them to Paradise (Jannah). Allah forgives whom He pleases of those who disobeyed His Command, or punish them in the Hellfire (Jahannam).

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT DEATH?

Billions of human beings have walked on the surface of this earth. They all belonged to different nations and cultures i.e. Africa, America, Europe, Asia, Middle East. China etc. A few of them made history, for which they were remembered, whereas others were never to be mentioned again. Although each one was personally different from every other, their habits, thinking and tastes were different and they all had two things in common. First, they were all delivered from their mother’s womb and secondly, they all tasted death. Death is when the soul is separated from the body; it receives reward and punishment and the separation of the soul from the body means loss of power of the soul over the body. The soul uses the body in its works; it catches by the hand, hears by the ears, sees by the eyes and acquires the knowledge of all things. 

Verily the knowledge of the Hour is with Allah (alone). It is He Who sends down rain, and He Who knows what is in the wombs. Nor does anyone know what it is that he will earn on the morrow: nor does anyone know in what land he is to die. Verily with Allah is full knowledge and He is acquainted (with all things). (Holy Quran Chapter 31.34) 

EVERY SOUL SHALL TASTE DEATH 

1. ‘‘All that is on earth will perish: but will abide (forever) the face of thy lord (Allah, the most high) full of majesty, bounty and honour'' Holy Quran Chapter 55:26 / 27.

2. ‘‘All that is on earth will perish: in the end to us shall ye be brought back'' Holy Quran Chapter 29:57.

3. ‘‘All that is on earth will perish: and only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense'' Holy Quran Chapter 3:185.

Allah has said in the Qur’aan: “Every soul will taste death.” From the above verses we know that death is such a thing that you can’t escape from even if you are in a house, which is built with metal walls, and has a massive padlock. Death will not only come when hair and the beard turn white, but it can come at any time, even when you are a baby, or an old person or a teenager or of middle age. Even if you are a king, a Prime Minister or Senate member, Minister or party leader or a leader of one of the key tribes. 

Death also came to the Prophet and to the companions of the Prophet , so if death can come to such great personalities, who are we to be so unmindful of it? 

MERITS OF THE REMEMBRANCE OF DEATH 

Know that the man, who is engrossed in the world and cheated by its charming coquetries, is unmindful of the remembrance of death. He does not remember death and when he is reminded of it, he does not like it. Allah has said regarding such a man: “The deaths from which you flee away will meet you. Thereafter you will be led to the Knower of the world seen and unseen. You will then be informed of what you did.” 

BARZAKH

Barzakh is a sequence that happens after death, in which the Archangel Azrael with the help of other less significant angels will separate the soul from the body, either harshly or painlessly depending on how righteous the person was during their lifetime (Holy Qur’an Chapter 79.1-2). Three main events take place chronologically which constitute the Barzakh sequence:

The separation of the soul and the body.

Nakir and Munkar’s (two Islamic Angels) interrogation of the soul in its grave.

“Who is your (lord)?”

“What is your way of life?”

“Who is your leader?” Holy Quran chapter Sura 17.71; ‘’One day We shall call together all human beings with their (respective) Imams: those who are given their record in their right hand will read it (with pleasure), and they will not be dealt with unjustly in the least. (Holy Quran Chapter 17.71)’’

The “Waahsh” or the horror of the grave, the pressure of the grave depending on whether the person was righteous or not.

CATEGORIES OF MANKIND.

Mankind is divided into three categories: 

(1) One who is addicted to the world, (2) One who is repentant, (3) One who has surrendered to Allah. 

1. The man who is addicted to the world does not remember death. He hates death and lives far away from the remembrance of Allah. 

2. The man who is repentant remembers death and fears it. He does not often like death because he fears to die before he makes sincere repentance or he purifies his soul from corrupt deeds and he does not think bad of meeting with death and Allah because he is not fully prepared for it, but he is always busy in preparation to meet it. 

3. The God-Addicted man always remembers death, as he likes to meet with his beloved. The loner cannot forget to meet with his beloved. This person loves to meet with death to save himself from the world of sin. For such a person the Prophet has said: “Death is a gift for the believer.” The reason is that the world is a prison for a believer as he lives here in difficulties. Death gives him relief from these difficulties. Once the Prophet came out towards the mosque. On the way he found some of the Sahâbâh engaged in jokes and telling stories. He said to them: “Remember death! Beware by the One in whose hand lies my life, if you had known what I know, you would have laughed little and wept more.” 

LET’S SEE HOW PEOPLE THINK OF DEATH?

Know that death is terrible because people are unmindful of death. The person who does remember death does not think of it with his whole heart. The mode of thinking of death is to free your mind from all thoughts and only put his mind on death. Be like the one who embarks on dangerous sea voyage. When the thought of death fills his mind and becomes one shadow, his worldly happiness decreases and his heart breaks. The best method of thinking of death is to remember the death of friends, family and neighbours, their bodies buried under the ground and their conditions in the graves. How their beautiful faces have become food for worms and insects! How their wives have become widows and their children orphans! How stricken by extreme poverty, they are passing their days miserably one by one! Think how death overtook them suddenly without any notice and warning! How unprepared they were for death and the hereafter! So, Remember death as often as you can in the 24 hours of your daily life and make this your habit. It could be your turn next then your friends, family and neighbours will place you under the ground. Start now before if it is too late! 

SECTION TWO: LET’S BRIEFLY ENUMERATE THE EVENTS ON THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT

DAY OF JUDGEMENT – nobody can escape

At a time unknown to man, but preordained, when people least expect it; Allah will give permission for the Qiyâmah to begin. The Archangel Israfil, referred to as the Caller, will sound a horn sending out a Blast of Truth (Holy Qur’an Chapter 50.37-42, 69.13-18, 74.8, 78.18). This event is also found in Jewish eschatology, in the Jewish belief of “The Day of the Blowing of the Shofar”, Yom Terua and in Ezekiel 33:6. It is also believed that the sun and will rise from the west, and the sun and moon will be in darkness, perhaps through an eclipse, as interpreted from this quote in the Quran: “He questions: “When is the Day of Resurrection?”. At length, when the sight is dazed, And the moon is buried in darkness. And the sun and moon are joined together.” Holy Qur’an Chapter 75.6-9

After the blowing of the Horn, all men and women fall dead, and people that are already dead rise from their graves and everyone gathers, waiting to be judged for their actions.

THE GATHERING OF ALL LIVING BEINGS

‘Alameen (humankind, the Jinn, and all other living beings) are gathered upon a vast, white, featureless ground, under intense heat of the Sun overhead.

APPEARANCE OF PEOPLE ON THE DAY

They are naked, uncircumcised and crowded together to the point where some are submerged in their own sweat, as in the beginning of creation. The degree to which one is submerged in sweat depends on the extent of one’s piety and goodness. The faces of those who practiced good adab by following the Five Pillars of Islam in their daily lives are nadirah (shining and radiant). On the other hand, the faces of disbelievers are basirah (dark, sad and frowning). Everyone waits to be brought before God for their Judgement.

DURATION OF THE DAY

The Qur’an mentions the duration of the Qiyamah as 50,000 years. The angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: (Holy Quran Chapter 70.4) 

Maulana Muhammad ﷺ Ali interprets this ayat as, “…A day of the spiritual advancement of man is spoken of as being equal to fifty thousand years to show immense vastness of that advancement. Or, the day of fifty thousand years may be the day of final triumph of Truth in the world, from the time when revelation was first granted to man.”

ASKING PROPHETS TO INTERCEDE

People will beseech their Prophets to intercede on their behalf. Prophet Ibraham AS, Musa AS, Adam AS, and Nuh AS, will all decline to do so and instead point to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who intercedes on behalf of the world. Prophet Ibrahim AS meets his father Azar whose face is dark and covered with dust. When Abraham AS demands that his father not be disgraced he is informed that on this day no one is above reproach. Abraham finds a blood-stained Dhabh beneath his feet which will be caught and thrown into Hell.

QIYAMAH: DOOMSDAY 

On the day of Qiyamah the feet of the human being will not be able to move till he/she is questioned about five matters (and gives a reasonable account): 

1. On what they spent their life, 

2. In what pursuits they passed their youth, 

3. From where did they earn wealth, 

4. On what they spent it, 

5. How much they acted upon the knowledge they required.

Almighty Allah states in the Holy Qur’aan: ‘’I swear by the Day of Resurrection; and I swear by the self-reproaching person (a believer. Does man (a disbeliever) think that We shall not assemble his bones? Yes, we are able to put together in perfect order the tips of his fingers. Nay! Man denies resurrection and Reckoning. So he desires to continue committing sins. He asks: "When will be this Day of Resurrection? So, when the sight is dazed, and the moon will be eclipsed, and sun and moon are united(by going one into the other or folded up or deprived of their light etc). On that day man will cry: Where (is the refuge) to flee!" No! There is no refuge! Unto your Lord alone will be the place of rest that Day. On that day man will be informed of what he sent forward (of his eivil or good deeds), and what he left behind (of his good or evil traditions). Nay! Man will be a witness against himself [as his body parts (skin, hands, legs etc.) will speak about his deeds] Though he may put forth his excuses (to cover his evil deeds). (Holy Quran Chapter Surah Al-Qiyamah:1-15)

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE GOING TO HELL

Bukhari : Book 6 : Volume 60 : Hadith 265 Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: The Prophet said, "On the day of Resurrection Allah will say, 'O Adam!' Adam will reply, 'Labbaik our Lord, and Sa'daik ' Then there will be a loud call (saying), Allah orders you to take from among your offspring a mission for the (Hell) Fire.' Adam will say, 'O Lord! Who are the mission for the (Hell) Fire?' Allah will say, 'Out of each thousand, take out 999.' At that time every pregnant female shall drop her load (have a miscarriage) and a child will have grey hair. And you shall see mankind as in a drunken state, yet not drunk, but severe will be the torment of Allah." (22.2) (When the Prophet mentioned this), the people were so distressed (and afraid) that their faces got changed (in color) whereupon the Prophet said, "From Gog and Magog nine-hundred ninety-nine will be taken out and one from you. You Muslims (compared to the large number of other people) will be like a blackhair on the side of a white ox, or a white hair on the side of a black ox, and I hope that you will be one-fourth of the people of Paradise." On that, we said, "Allahu-Akbar! " Then he said, "I hope that you will be) one-third of the people of Paradise." We again said, "Allahu-Akbar! " Then he said, "(I hope that you will be) one-half of the people of Paradise." So we said, Allahu Akbar."

Prophet Adam is ordered by Allah to bring all of those who rejected Islam to Jahannam. He asks how many he should bring and Allah answers, “From every one thousand, take out nine-hundred-and ninety-nine.” At that time children will become hoary headed, previously healed wounds will reappear (Sahih Bukhari, book 4 “Ablution”, number 238), every pregnant female will have a miscarriage. If 999 out of 1000 is going to hell" By Allah's grace many will be pardoned and taken to Jannah". One sees mankind as drunken, yet the people are sober, but dreadful is the Wrath of God (Qur’an 69.47, Sahih Bukhari, book 55 “accounts of Prophet Muhammad ﷺs”, number 567.) 

REJECTION OF FALSE GODS

Idols will assert that only Allah is Lord, and that they were wrongfully worshipped. The Qur’an and Hadith state that Prophet Isa (Jesus) returns and denies he claimed he is God (Holy Qur’an Chapter 43.61). In regard to idolatry, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “If any religious man dies amongst those people they would build a place of worship at his grave and make these pictures in it. They will be the worst creature in the sight of Allah on Qiyama (the Day of Resurrection),” (Sahih Bukhari, book 8 “Prayers”, number 409 

PERSONIFICATION IN QIYÂMAH

Death will be brought forth in the form of a black or white ram. It will be slaughtered in front of everyone and a caller will explain, “O people of Paradise! Eternity for you and no death. O people of Hell! Eternity for you and no death,” hence the slaying of the ram symbolises the ‘Death of Death’.

SECTION THREE: THE JUDGEMENT SCENERY

THE BOOK OF DEEDS

During Judgement, a man’s or a woman’s own book of deeds will be opened, and they will be apprised of every action (an atom’s weight of deeds are there) they did and every word they spoke (Holy Qur’an Chapter 54.52-53). Actions taken during childhood are not judged. The account of deeds is so detailed that the man or woman will wonder at how comprehensive the account is that even minor and trivial deeds are included. 

When the Hour is at hand, some will deny that al-Qiyâmah is taking place and will be warned that al-Qiyâmah precedes the Day of Pining (distress) (Holy Qur’an Chapter 30.55-57, 19.39). If one denies a deed he or she committed, or refuses to acknowledge it, his or her body parts will testify against him or her.

SINS THAT CONDEMN ONE TO HELL

The Qur’an states that some sins can condemn someone to hell. These include Shirk, lying, dishonesty, corruption, ignoring God or God’s revelations, denying the resurrection, refusing to feed the poor, indulging in opulence and ostentation, and oppressing or economically exploiting others.

Throughout Judgment, however, the underlying principle is that of a complete and perfect justice administered by Allah. The accounts of Judgment are also replete with the emphasis that Allah is merciful and forgiving, and that mercy and forgiveness will be granted on that day insofar as it is merited.

This is similar to some Protestant theologies that state that salvation is by the grace of God, and not by deeds. Islam, however, emphasizes that grace does not conflict with perfect justice.

GOOD DEEDS VS. BAD DEEDS

The Qur’an also states that even the smallest acts of the believers will not be wasted. “Anyone who has an atom’s worth of goodness will see it and anyone who has done an atom’s worth of evil will also see it” (Holy Qur’an Chapter 99:7-8). Those who do good if they are Muslims, will be rewarded not only in this world but also in the world hereafter. However, the final Judgment is up to God himself. 

SECTION FOUR: ENTRY TO JAHANNAM (HELL) AND JANNAH (PARADISE)

CROSSING THE BRIDGE

After Judgement, all men and women are made to cross over a deep abyss, whence the flames of Jahannam (Hell) leap up, on as-Sirāt (الصراط), a thorny bridge so thin that it cannot be seen. Not a single person will be able to escape from walking over this bridge – neither the people of Paradise, nor the people of Hell. Allah says in the Qur’an: “And there is not one of you but shall come to it, this is an unavoidable decree of your Lord. And we will deliver those who guarded (against evil), and we will leave the unjust therein on their knees.” (Holy Quran chapter 19:71-72). It is said in Hadith that crossing the bridge is such a difficult task, because the bridge is as thick as one seventh strand of hair, and as sharp as the edge of a sword. The believers and those destined for Jannah are able to cross quickly and safely, seeing it as a thick stone bridge, whereas others fall off this hair-thin bridge into Jahannam.

INTERCESSION

Concerning the matter of reward or Jannah (Heaven) (paradise) and Jahannam (punishment), there is the subject of the Intercession (الشفاعة). Hadiths classified as sahih state that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ will be allowed to intercede on behalf of all of mankind, as opposed to prophets who preceded him who were only able to appeal to nations (Sahîh al-bukhari, book 7 “Tayammum (rubbing hands and feet with dust)”, number 331.) 

Furthermore, a believer will be allowed to plead for members of his family and for his loved ones. Throughout the discourse regarding the ultimate destiny, the consistent tenet is that being sent to Jannah (paradise) or to Jahannam (hell) is a matter in Allah’s hands alone (or, in Christian parlance, a matter determined by grace). God is thus the ultimate arbiter and qadi (judge) as to who remains in Jahannam(hell) and who is rescued.

AL-KAWTHAR

Believers will be led by Muhammad ﷺ to a vast basin or lake-fount called al-kawthar الكوثر, where their thirst will be sated with a white-colored drink that tastes like sweetened milk. Whosoever drinks it, never thirsts thereafter. In one hadith al-kawthar is said to be a river of paradise (al-Bukhari, book 76, hadith 583.) Sahih Bukhari, in book 76 (the book of tenderness), the chapter on the basin contains at least 14 hadiths regarding it.

REDEMPTION

In one Hadith, it is related that after the Intercession of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Allah Himself intercedes, repeatedly ordering His angels to fetch out of Jahannam (hell) any who sincerely professed the Shahada (Sahih Bukhari, book 3 “book of learning or knowledge”, number 97 (98 in another edition)) until the angels are ordered to return and find anyone with even an atom’s measure of goodness in his or her heart. Those who have worshipped false gods, or have participated in shirk (idol worship) are not rescued from Jahannam (hell) and instead remain there forever. After the Intercession, life resumes, either in Jannah (paradise) or in Jahannam (hell).

SECTION FIVE: QURANIC VERSES ON BELIEF IN LAST DAY, THE (QIYAMAH)

They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and compete in doing good. They are among the righteous. (Holy Quran Chapter 3:114)

And (We have prepared a humiliating punishment) also for those who spend their wealth to show off to people, not believing in Allah and the Last Day. Anyone who has made Satan his comrade, what an evil comrade he is! (Holy Quran Chapter 4:38)

Among the people there are some who say, 'We believe in Allah and the Last Day,' when they are not believers. (Holy Quran Chapter 2:8)

Those with faith, those who are Jews, and the Christians and Sabaeans, all who believe in Allah and the Last Day and act rightly, will have their reward with their Lord. They will feel no fear and will know no sorrow. (Holy Quran Chapter 2:62)

Who could do greater wrong than someone who bars access to the mosques of Allah, preventing His name from being remembered in them, and goes about destroying them? Such people will never be able to enter them-except in fear. They will have disgrace in this world and in the hereafter they will have a terrible punishment. (Holy Quran Chapter 2:114)

And when Ibrahim said, 'My Lord, make this a place of safety and provide its inhabitants with fruits-all of them who believe in Allah and the Last Day,' He said, 'I will let anyone who disbelieves enjoy himself a little but then I will drive him to the punishment of the Fire. What an evil destination!' (Holy Quran Chapter 2:126)

Who would deliberately renounce the religion of Ibrahim except someone who reveals himself to be a fool? We chose him in this world and in the hereafter he will be one of the righteous. (Holy Quran Chapter 2:130)

You who believe! Do not nullify your charity by demands for gratitude or insulting words, like him who spends his wealth, showing off to people and not believing in Allah and the Last Day. His likeness is that of a smooth rock coated with soil, which, when heavy rain falls on it, is left stripped bare. They have no power over anything they have earned. Allah does not guide disbelieving people. (Holy Quran Chapter 2:264)

What harm would it have done them to have believed in Allah and the Last Day and to have given of what Allah has provided for them? Allah knows everything about them. (Holy Quran Chapter 4:39)

You who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in command among you. If you have a dispute about something, refer it back to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best thing to do and gives the best result. (Holy Quran Chapter 4:59)

You who believe! Believe in Allah and His Messenger and in the Book He sent down to His Messenger, and the Books He sent down before. Anyone who rejects Allah and His angels and His Books and His Messengers and the Last Day has gone very far astray. (Holy Quran Chapter 4:136)

But those of them who are firmly rooted in knowledge, and the believers, believe in what has been sent down to you and what was sent down before you: those who perform prayer and give the alms, and believe in Allah and the Last Day-We will pay such people an immense wage. (Holy Quran Chapter 4:162)

Those who believe and those who are Jews and the Sabaeans and the Christians, all who believe in Allah and the Last Day and act rightly will feel no fear and will know no sorrow. (Holy Quran Chapter 5:69)

The mosques of Allah should only be maintained by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day and perform prayer and give the alms, and fear no one but Allah. They are the ones most likely to be guided. (Holy Quran Chapter 9:18)

Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day do not ask you to excuse them from striving with their wealth and themselves. Allah knows the people who guard against evil. (Holy Quran Chapter 9:44)

Only those who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day ask you to excuse them. Their hearts are full of doubt and in their doubt they waver to and fro. (Holy Quran Chapter 9:45)

And among the desert arabs there are some who believe in Allah and the Last Day and regard what they give as something which will bring them nearer to Allah and to the prayers of the Messenger. It does indeed bring them near. Allah will admit them into His mercy. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Holy Quran Chapter 9:99)

And to Madyan We sent their brother Shu'ayb, he said, 'My people, worship Allah and look to the Last Day and do not act unjustly on earth, corrupting it.' (Holy Quran Chapter 29:36)

You have an excellent model in the Messenger of Allah, for all who put their hope in Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah much. (Holy Quran Chapter 33:21)

You will not find people who believe in Allah and the Last Day having love for anyone who opposes Allah and His Messenger, though they be their fathers, their sons, their brothers or their clan. Allah has inscribed faith upon such people's hearts and will reinforce them with a Spirit from Him and admit them into Gardens with rivers flowing under them, remaining in them timelessly, for ever. Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. Such people are the party of Allah. Truly it is the party of Allah who are successful. (Holy Quran Chapter 58:22)

There is an excellent example in them for you to follow, that is for those whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day. But if anyone turns away, Allah is the Rich Beyond Need, the Praiseworthy. (Holy Quran Chapter 60:6)

Above article on ‘’BELIEF IN JUDGEMENT DAY’’ -YAWM AL-QIYAMAH is reproduced on brief basis for Ummah (i.e. nominal Muslims) to see and understand to contemplate hereafter the basic cardinal faith of our religion. May Allah protect us from misguidance?

Allah knows best.

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