A Simple Guide to ISLAM
Ma‘ad – Life after Death
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After death, human beings will, therefore, leave this present,
ephemeral abode and, on the Day of Judgement, will enter another
world, which will be eternal. When the time comes for the Last
Reckoning, God will destroy this world and replace it with a
permanent, everlasting world. All human beings will then be
resurrected and brought before the Almighty to be judged. On that
day, everyone will stand alone before God. Those who have done
good deeds in the world they have left behind will be rewarded.
Their reward will be paradise, a state of joy, happiness and peace.
The Qur'an states: “Allah has created death and life to test which
one of you is best in conduct.” (67:1)
Death is not the end of our lives; it is the beginning of our real life.
Because our future fate is being decided on the basis of our
present performance, we can either make use of our opportunities
on earth to ensure a well-deserved place for ourselves in Paradise,
or we can throw them away and condemn ourselves to punishment
in Hell.
The belief in the Hereafter naturally has a great influence on the life
of a believer. When he knows that Allah is watching all his actions,
his behaviour will be responsible. He will always endeavour to lead
his life in consonance with the will of God and will inevitably avoid
any course, which will incur God’s displeasure.
Furthermore, the concept of the Hereafter gives a fuller meaning
and purpose to the life of the believer. One who firmly believes in
this concept will not give in to greed and other such worldly
failings. He will not be a materialist, for he knows that this material
