Is There Any Life After Death? This is the question that everyone thinks about. And the answer is, Yes. After death there is a endless life. Which will be the field of seeds to be sown in this world. Because, if the journey ends in this world, then the people who were under the influence of the tyrants will be abused. And Allah is not the one who unjust.
Death and Life After Death(A Journey Beyond this World)
Death, in Islam, is not simply the end of an earthly existence, but rather a transition to the next stage in an eternal journey.
“And they will cry out therein, ‘Our Lord, bring us out; we will do righteous deeds instead of what we used to do.” Quran[14:50]
Angel of Death:
Azrael is responsible for separating the soul from the body at the appointed time of death. This is seen as a sacred task entrusted by God. He isn’t limited to taking the lives of Muslims but oversees the passing of all living beings, reflecting God’s universal power.
Grave:
After burial, two angels, Munkar and Nakir, visit the deceased and ask questions about their faith and actions. This serves as a reminder of accountability. Their names translate to “the Denier” and “the Tormentor,” respectively.
They appear to the deceased after they are buried and ask them three questions:
- Who is your Lord?
- Who is your Prophet?
- What is your religion?
The deceased can rest in peace until the Day of Judgment if they provide the right response. They suffer till the Day of Judgment if they give the wrong response.
Barzakh:
Barzakh comes from the Arabic word “Barzakh,” meaning “obstacle,” “separation,” or “barrier.” It signifies the state separating the living from the hereafter.
The period between death and the Day of Judgment is called Barzakh. The state of the deceased, experiencing comfort or hardship, is believed to reflect their deeds.
The Day of Judgment:
- Resurrection and Gathering: All humankind will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment, facing Allah for a final reckoning.
- The Scales: Good and bad deeds will be weighed on a symbolic scale, determining their fate.
- Paradise and Hell: Those who pass the test enter Paradise (Jannah), a place of eternal bliss and reward. Those who fail face Hell (Jahannam), a place of punishment and suffering.
Life in the Hereafter:
Descriptions of Paradise:
The Quran and Hadith describe Paradise as a place of unimaginable beauty, with gardens, rivers, and eternal pleasures.
“And those who fear their Lord will be driven to Paradise in groups, and admitted therein; and its gates will be opened to them.” Quran [10:26]
“For Allah has prepared for the believing men and believing women gardens [of Paradise] with rivers flowing beneath them, wherein they will abide eternally, and excellent homes in the gardens of Eden – and the [greatest] pleasure of Allah. That is the great attainment.” Quran [9:72]
Levels of Paradise:
There are different levels in Paradise, reflecting the varying degrees of righteousness individuals attain.
Punishment in Hell:
The Quran describes Hell as a place of intense suffering, with fire, boiling water, and other forms of torment.
“And We will surely gather them on the Day of Resurrection, [while they are] blue-faced from grief. Their place of gathering will be Hinnom [Hell], and an evil resting place it will be.” Quran [9:81-82]
Intercession and Divine Mercy:
Despite the severity of Hell, Islam emphasizes God’s mercy and the possibility of intercession by prophets and righteous individuals.
“Say, ‘O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not despair of Allah’s mercy. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins, and He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” Quran [2:186]
Living with this Understanding:
- Preparation for the Hereafter: The belief in life after death motivates Muslims to live ethically, perform good deeds, and seek God’s forgiveness.
- Acceptance of Death: Understanding the transience of this life and the eternal nature of the hereafter helps Muslims face death with acceptance and resignation to God’s will.
- Hope and Fear: The concept of life after death instills both hope for paradise and fear of punishment, encouraging believers to strive for a righteous life.
“But as for those who disbelieved and denied Our signs and the meeting of the Hereafter, they are condemned to the punishment; and an evil destination theirs will be.” Quran [14:19-20]
“And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins – and who can forgive sins except Allah? – and do not persist in what they have done while they know.” Quran [3:134]