Islamic theology comprises six basics, commonly known as “Articles of Faith”. Belief in the Day of Judgement” is the fifth article of the Islamic Faith, others being Belief in the Oneness of Allah, Belief in Angels, Belief in Prophets, Belief in Allah’s Books, and Belief in the Divine Decree. Accordingly, the Day of Judgement, sometimes also referred to as the Day of Resurrection, is one of the core elements that constitute the concept of accountability of the entire Humankind, based on what they did in their worldly life.

The Day of Judgement is the day when all entire mankind will be brought back to their original form and presented to their Creator for Final Judgement. Their accounts of deeds, committed in this world, will be weighed on that day, which will decide whether they deserve rewards or punishment.

Those with more good deeds and fewer evils will be sent to Paradise (Jannah) and for those with more evils as compared to good deeds, Hell Fire (Jahannam) will be the destination. Hence, belief in the Day of Final Judgement might also be a source of keeping oneself on the right track in their life in this world. The fear of punishment and desire for rewards on the day of final judgment would force humankind to follow the righteous way of life, as stipulated in the Islamic faith.

The Day of Judgement – Islamic Overview

The concept of Final Judgement is described by different names in Islam, such as “the Judgement Day”. “Youm al-Qiyamah” (یوم القيامة) and “the Resurrection Day”, “Youm ad-Din” (یوم الدین). The theme of the concept is also described as the day of “rewards and punishment” or “promise and threat” (Wa’ad o Wa’id).

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى created this Universe, including the heavens and earth and everything in between. Then He created humankind, Prophet Adam عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ being the first human, and sent him to this world. The creation of this universe and humanity is a sort of test and trial for mankind. Per Islamic theology, all this is a temporary phase, which has to end at a pre-determined time, known only to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. So, at the time of the extinction of this entire universe, everyone would be brought back to life in their original form to face the accountability process on the day of final judgment.

Right from the beginning, mankind was commanded by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى through a chain of Prophets and Messengers to worship the Only One God; the concept of monotheism. Various Divine Books were also sent down to guide humans. Accordingly, the Prophets and Messengers of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, consistently preached to follow the concept of monotheism and live a righteous life in this world, because their ultimate destination is the life after their physical death in this world.

The purpose of all this is to warn mankind to get prepared for the final judgment, where their deeds in this world would be weighed and their fate would be decided based on their accounts of deeds. The one having more good deeds would be sent to Paradise and the one having more evil deeds would face the punishment in the form of Hellfire. The concept of rewards and punishment is described in the Quran in verses 6 to 8 of Surah Az-Zalzala in the following words:

  1. That day people will proceed separately to be shown their deeds
  2. Whosoever has done even an atom’s weight of good will behold it;
  3. And whosoever has done even an atom’s weight of evil will behold that.

Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ is the last and final Prophet and the Quran is the final and ultimate Divine Book. The concept of the end of this Universe and the final judgment on the Day of Resurrection is frequently mentioned in the Quran and Hadith.

Day of Judgement – Quranic References

The Day of Judgment or the Day of Resurrection is mentioned directly or indirectly by different names in numerous verses of the Quran. A brief list of various names of this day, as mentioned in the Quran, is reproduced below:

Apart from the above, there are many other terms and words used in Islamic theology to describe the nature of the Day of Judgement and its implications on Humankind.

Why Quran Emphasize the Day of Judgement

The Day of Final Judgement is mentioned in the Quran more than 100 times, in different contexts. The repetitive mention of this significant event underscores its significance, not only about life after death but also in this world. It reminds us of the ultimate end of the universe and the dispensation of punishment and rewards, based on our actions during our lives in this world. Mainly, the emphasis on the Day of Judgement in the Quran reminds us of the following essential aspects:

  • The inevitability of the Day of Judgement. It is repeatedly reminded in the Quran that this day would come. However, the time of its happening is not revealed to humankind; it is only known to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
  • Humankind needs to prepare for that ultimate event. Everyone who lived in this world right from the beginning till the happening of the Day of Judgement would be resurrected and put to accountability. The outcome of this phase of accountability would decide the fate of each human being. Emphasizing this aspect so strongly is a warning to prepare for the consequences of our actions in this world. A righteous way of life would end up in rewards, and evildoers would be destined to be put in the hellfire.
  • Repetitive emphasis on the consequences of the Day of Judgement is a warning for everyone, especially for the evil ones. Those committing sins in this world are warned to avoid doing so and seek repentance; otherwise, there would be no one to help them on the Day of Judgement.
  • Seek mercy of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. That is the only way to avoid severe punishment and the harshness of the Day of Judgement. The Quranic verses on this subject matter are a source of guidance to seek Divine Mercy by complete submission and repentance.

How Belief in the Day of Final Judgement Helps Us

While belief in the Day of Judgment/Resurrection is part of a Muslim’s faith, it also serves as a source of inspiration for them to live a truly righteous life in this world. It helps us to maintain a certain level of righteousness in our behavior and life patterns, strictly within the parameters set for a Muslim:

  • It induces a certain level of self-accountability.
  • It instills a sense of responsibility in a person’s behavior when interacting with others.
  • It serves as an impetus for everyone to avoid wrongdoings and sins. Side by side, it also provides a basis for committing good deeds in one’s personal as well as social life.
  • It reminds us that life in this world is a temporary phase. Eternal life is yet to come in the form of life hereafter, for which we need to get ourselves prepared.
  • It gives us hope and inspiration to receive Divine Mercy on the Day of Judgment, which mainly depends on how we fulfill our religious, as well as moral and social, obligations while remaining strictly within the permissible limits.

The Sequence of Events of the Day of Judgement

Based on the Quranic verses and the Hadith traditions, the sequence of the events on the Day of Judgement can be summarized as under:

  1. Just before the Hour (Sa’a), signs of the coming of the final day of Judgement would start appearing. According to Islamic theology, these signs are categorized into two types: major and minor. One of the prominent signs includes the appearance of Masih Ud Dajjal (the false Messiah), who will be killed by Mehdi or the Prophet Isa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ (difference of opinion between Sunni and Shia Islam). Another such sign is believed to be the appearance of the Sun from the West, instead of the East.
  2. On the Day of Judgement, the Angel Israfil عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ would blow the Trumpet, which signals the start of the destruction of the entire Universe. This event is described in verses 13 to 16 of Surah Al-Haqqa.
  3. After that, a second blast of Trumpet would be blown by the same Angel, which would extinct the entire Universe, including the Angel himself. This is termed “fana’a”, the final Cataclysm.
  4. Subsequently, all deceased humans will be resurrected and presented before the Creator for accountability and final judgment.
  5. Finally, all entire mankind would be awarded rewards or punishments based on their deeds. There would be complete justice at this stage. The book of accounts will be handed over to the humans either in the right hand or in the left hand. Those receiving their accounts in their right hand would go to Paradise (Jannah) and those receiving them in their left hand would be sent to Hell (Jahannam). This is described in Surah Al-Haqqa in verses 19 to 21, 25 to 26, and 30 to 31.
  6. Lastly, everyone would be asked to cross the bridge (as-sirat). It is believed that this bridge spans over Hell. Those who are destined for Hell would fall into it while crossing this bridge. However, the ones destined to go the Paradise would successfully cross the bridge for their final destination in Jannah. Different verses of Surah As-Saffat describe this event.

Conclusion

The belief in the Day of Judgement and Resurrection is part of the faith of Muslims. It is one of the six articles of faith in Islam. This Day would mark the end of the Universe and the death of the entire humankind. On the Day of Resurrection, everyone will be resurrected to their original form and will be presented before the Creator for final judgment.

The final judgment would be based on the acts and deeds done during their life in this world. Those with more sins would be sent to Hell (Jahnnam) and those with better and righteous acts would be destined for eternal life in Paradise (Jannah). Belief in the Day of Judgement is a sort of promise and threat, which provides us with an opportunity to remain steadfast on the righteous way of life, as outlined in the Islamic teachings.

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