LIFE AFTER DEATH

The Quran also states that this worldly life is a preparation for the eternal life after death. But those who deny it become slaves of their passions and desires, make fun of virtuous and God-conscious persons. Such persons realize their folly only at the time of their death and wish to be given a further chance in the world but in vain. Their miserable state at the time of death, and the horror of the Day of Judgement, and the eternal bliss guaranteed to the sincere believers are very beautifully mentioned in the following verses of the Holy Quran:


"Until, when death comes to one of them, he says: 'O my Lord! Send me back (to life),- In order that I may work righteousness in the things I neglected.' - 'By no means! It is but a word he says.'- Before them is a Partition till the Day they are raised up. Then when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no more relationships between them that Day, nor will one ask after another! Then those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy,- they will be successful: But those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls, in Hell will they abide. The Fire will burn their faces, and they will therein grin, with their lips displaced." (23:99-104)


The belief in life after death not only guarantees success in the Hereafter but also makes this world full of peace and happiness by making individuals most responsible and dutiful in their activities. Think of the people of Arabia; gambling, wine, tribal feuds, plundering and murdering were their main traits when they had no belief in life after death. But as soon as they accepted the belief in the One God and life after death they became the most disciplined nation of the world. They gave up their vices, helped each other in hours of need, and settled all their disputes on the basis of justice and equality. Similarly the denial of life after death has its consequences not only in the Hereafter but also in this world. When a nation as a whole denies it, all kinds of evils and corruptions become rampant in that society and ultimately it is destroyed. The Quran mentions the terrible end of Àd, Thamüd and the Pharaoh in some detail:


"The Thamüd and the Àd people disbelieved in the Day of Noise Calamity! But the Thamüd,- they were destroyed by a terrible Storm of thunder and lightning! And the Àd, they were destroyed by a furious Wind, exceedingly violent; He made it rage against them seven nights and eight days in succession: so that thou couldst see the (whole) people lying overthrown in its (path), as if they had been roots of hollow palm- trees tumbled down! Then seest thou any of them left surviving?


And Pharaoh, and those before him, and the Cities Overthrown, committed habitual Sin. And disobeyed (each) the messenger of their Lord; so He punished them with an abundant Penalty. We, when the water (of Noah's Flood) overflowed beyond its limits, carried you (mankind), in the floating (Ark), That We might make it a Reminder unto you, and that ears (that should hear the tale and) retain its memory should bear its (lessons) in remembrance.


Then, when one blast is sounded on the Trumpet, And the earth is moved, and its mountains, and they are crushed at one stroke,- On that Day shall the (Great) Event come to pass. And the sky will be rent asunder, for it will that Day be flimsy, And the angels will be on its sides, and eight will, that Day, bear the Throne of thy Lord above them. That Day shall ye be brought to Judgment: not an act of yours that ye hide will be hidden.


Then he that will be given his Record in his right hand will say: 'Ah here! Read ye my Record! I did really think that my Account would (One Day) reach me!' And he will be in a life of Bliss, In a Garden on high, The Fruits whereof (will hang in bunches) low and near. Eat ye and drink ye, with full satisfaction; because of the (good) that ye sent before you, in the days that are gone!


And he that will be given his Record in his left hand, will say: 'Ah! Would that my Record had not been given to me! And that I had never realized how my account (stood)! Ah! Would that (Death) had made an end of me! Of no profit to me has been my wealth! My power has perished from me!'... (The stern command will say): 'Seize ye him, and bind ye him, And burn ye him in the Blazing Fire. Further, insert him in a chain, whereof the length is seventy cubits! This was he that would not believe in Allah the Most High. And would not encourage the feeding of the indigent! So no friend hath he here this Day. Nor hath he any food except the foul pus from the washing of wounds, Which none do eat but those in sin.'" (69:4-39)

Thus there are very convincing reasons to believe in life after death.

Firstly, all the prophets of God have called their people to believe in it.

Secondly, whenever a human society is built on the basis of this belief, it has been the most ideal and peaceful society, free of social and moral evils.

Thirdly, history bears witness that whenever this belief is rejected collectively by a group of people in spite of the repeated warning of the prophet, the group as a whole has been punished by God even in this world.

Fourthly, moral, aesthetic and rational faculties of man endorse the possibility of life after death.

Fifthly, God's attributes of Justice and Mercy have no meaning if there is no life after death.