Theological Instructions

LESSON FORTY-ONE: THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING DAY OF JUDGEMENT

Introduction

In the beginning of this book we have already discussed the importance of investigation into religion and have charted out the fundamentals of belief (tawhīd, nubuwwah, and ma’ād).

We have also explained that in order for a person’s life to be truly human, it must correctly resolve these issues. Theology, Prophethood and Imāmah have all so far been discussed. Now the important issue of Resurrection will be covered under the title of ‘Understanding the Day of Judgement’.

Firstly, we will discuss the importance and the effects of this fundamental belief upon the actions of individuals and upon human society. We will explain the correct understanding of Resurrection (ma’ād), which is dependent upon accepting the spirit as being immaterial and eternal in the same manner as ontology necessitates acceptance of the Oneness of Being. In the like manner knowing the nature of the human being is also incomplete without the belief of the spirit being eternal. Finally the issues of Resurrection will be appropriately investigated in this section of the book.

The significance of believing in the Resurrection

The incentive for activity in man’s life is to fulfil his needs and necessities, accomplish different desires, and eventually arrive at pure felicity (sa’ādah) and ultimate perfection (kamāl). The limited work that he does is based upon that goal he is trying to achieve in life. Therefore knowing the ultimate goal has a major influence in giving direction to human activity and preferences. In reality it is the true factor that gives direction and vision to man to realize his own reality towards perfection and felicity. Those who believe that they are only a composite of matter and accept that life is limited to only the material plane, do not give importance to the acquisition of fruits of perfection and felicity in this life, and they consequently direct their life in a way, which will reap benefit in this world alone. However those who believe that their reality is more than just a material phenomenon and believe that death is not the end of life but rather a means of transformation for arriving at eternal felicity and perfection due their action, direct their lives in an entirely different direction. Their aim is to acquire the most out of this life, through their actions for their eternal life.

As well, they do not despair with the difficulties of this life, and they are thus not hindered from carrying out their responsibilities towards achieving felicity and perfection.

The effects of these two differing perspectives on life are not limited to only a few individuals, but to the whole society and the behaviour of humans with respect to each other. Believing in life after death has a major effect upon fulfilling the rights of the other. A society with this outlook is less likely to foster oppression and needs to exert less effort to execute justice. Furthermore if this belief becomes universal and extends to different societies, the enigmas of the world would eventually be solved.

While focusing upon these points the importance of investigating the principle of Resurrection will be clearly understood. Even the effect of the belief in the Unity of God, by itself, is not sufficient for attaining a prosperous life. It is for this reason that the Divine religions especially Islam, have centred upon this fundamental principle.

All the different prophets of God have struggled to imprint the accurate reflection of this principle on to the hearts of the people.

Belief in the Hereafter will only give benefit and direction to mans life, if there is a causational (’illiyyah) relationship between the actions of man and the felicities of the Hereafter. Furthermore the rewards and punishments of the Hereafter must be recognized as the result of the good and bad actions of this world. Consequently, if it were believed that such bounties could be achieved in this very world, then belief in the next and eternal life would not set out for us a path in this life. If this belief were maintained, it would result in one aiming for the bounties of this life in this world and the bounties of the next life in the next world!

Hence, it is thus imperative that while establishing the principle of Resurrection, we prove the causational relationship between this life and the next and that the actions of this life have a direct influence on the next life.

The importance given by the Qur’an to the issue of Resurrection

More than one fourth of Qur’anic verses mention the life of the Hereafter. They can be divided into groups as follows:

  1. The first group emphasises the necessity of faith in the Hereafter.

  2. The second group of verses are associated with the denial of faith and the Hereafter.

  3. The third group classify the eternal bounties.

  4. The fourth group refer to the everlasting chastisements.

Likewise in several verses, the relationship between the good and bad actions and their results as well as the necessity of Resurrection through different methods have been emphasised upon and explained. The doubts concerning the Hereafter are explained and answered and it is shown that denial of the Hereafter is the very reason for the corruption and deterioration of societies and civilisations.

When focusing on the Qur’anic verses it becomes clear that most of the debates and discussions of the prophets with the people were over the issue of Resurrection.

Moreover, their struggle for establishing the principle of Resurrection was greater than that for the establishment of the reality of the Unity of the Creator, because of the fact that the majority of people exhibited reluctance in accepting this principle. The reasons for this reluctance can be epitomised in two factors:

Firstly, denial of the Unseen and the unknown, and secondly denial of the Resurrection itself. This results in mankind inclining towards irresponsibility, perversion and immorality. As it has earlier been indicated, believing in Resurrection and giving account of the actions performed in this life is the absolute factor for the recognition of responsibilities,

acceptance of behavioural limitations and protection against corruption and oppression. By denying this principle, the way for lust, desire, and egotism will be open.

The Noble Qur’an while indicating this factor mentions:

“Does man suppose that We shall not put together his bones? Yes indeed, We are able to proportion [even] his fingertips! Rather man desires to go on living viciously.” (al- Qiyāmah:3-5) This very characteristic of denial and refusal of Resurrection in the real sense can be found in the sayings and writings of those who interpret the Qur’anic terminology of Resurrection and the Hereafter, to be a phenomenon of this material world. The reason for this interpretation is to institutionalise a classless society and to construct a society that is heaven on earth, and to make the Hereafter and its concepts appear to be imaginary.

The Noble Qur’an has termed such individuals as evil human beings (shayātīn al- ins), and enemies of the prophets, who by their deceptive talks destroy the faith of the people, resulting in their irresponsible behaviour towards the Divine rules.

“That is how for every prophet We appointed as enemy the devils from among humans and jinn, who inspire each other with flashy words, deceptively. Had your Lord wished they would not have done it. So leave them with what they fabricate so that toward it may incline the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter, and so that they may be pleased with it and commit what they commit” (al-An’ām:112- 113).

Conclusion

In order to achieve and arrive at the eternal felicity and perfection, man must contemplate upon the following:

  1. Does the life of man terminate with his death or is there a life after death?

  2. Does the transformation of man from this life to the other life resemble travelling from one city to another in this life, whereby one can obtain the goods required in the city travelled to? Or does the other life depend on the groundwork set forth in this life?

Unless these issues are solved, the chance for organising and directing ones life towards a goal will not arrive, because if one does not know his destination one will never recognise the path for arriving at it.

While concluding we would like to make the point, that no matter how weak the possibility of the other life may be, it is sufficient enough for an intellectual and sensible individual to investigate the issue of Resurrection.

Questions

  1. Explain the differences between the actions of man and his direction of life with the understanding of believing and not believing in Resurrection.

  2. What important role does belief in the eternal life play in man’s life?

  3. Explain the importance given by the Noble Qur’an to the issue of Resurrection.

  4. Explain the reasons for the denial of Resurrection.

  5. Give the example used in the Noble Qur’an for those who deceive people over the concepts and realities of Resurrection.

  6. What is the need for investigating the issue of Resurrection?