(Surat al-Muminun: 39-40)
Chapter 5
In Order Not To Feel Regret In The Hereafter
Why should Allah punish you if you are thankful and have faith? Allah is All-Thankful, All-Knowing. (Surat an-Nisa:147)
People are created with many weaknesses and imperfections. Throughout our lives, we forget many things and make countless mistakes. However through repentance, which Allah grants us as a great favor, it is always possible in this world to correct our mistakes. Indeed, the world is created just for this purpose: we are trained, put to test, and purified of our mistakes in this world. It is likely that we may deeply regret our mistakes or the way we have led our lives. However, it is always possible to make up for this regret. After having lived through this regret, we can ask for repentance and hope for Allah's forgiveness.
In the Qur'an, Allah gives the glad tidings that He will forgive any sin provided one repents sincerely. Allah knows our inner thoughts and every word we keep to ourselves. He knows whether we are true to Him or not. Allah, in the Qur'an, describes His closeness to his servants:
Your Lord knows best what is in your selves. If you are righteous, He is Ever-Forgiving to the remorseful. (Surat al-Isra: 25)
Yet, another important fact surfaces here; after death, it is not possible to make up for the mistakes and sins committed in this world unless Allah wills otherwise. So not a single moment do we have to lose. Minutes pass by in a blink of the eye and with every moment passing, we draw even closer to death. Furthermore, we can never foresee when death will confront us. Its date, hour and minute can never be known. We all will certainly die one day and will give an account of our deeds in the Presence of Allah.
For this reason, man must always bear in mind that he may soon die. If he is not to regret in the Hereafter, he must reconsider his life.
Allah is our All-Mighty Creator and what befalls every individual in the face of His Might is to properly and fully fulfill his obligations as a servant during the time granted to him in this world. A believer reveals himself through the care he takes over his religious observances; he enthusiastically performs the prayer 5 times a day, ablutions and fasting commanded by Allah throughout the course of his life.
Narrated Ibn 'Umar (ra):
The Prophet (saas) said, "The religion of Islam is based on five fundamental principles: attesting that there exists no deity but Allah, that Muhammad (saas) is His servant and His Messenger, praying, fasting and pilgrimage." (Bukhari and Muslim)
If it were the time to meet the angels of death right now, would a person who failed to do his duty as a servant of Allah in the life of this world be able to give an account of all the years you have spent in this world?
What have you done so far to earn the consent of Allah?
Have you been meticulous enough in fulfilling Allah's commands?
A person might not have an affirmative answer to any of these questions. But if he repents and sincerely makes an absolute commitment to live to earn the good pleasure of Allah, then he can hope for Allah's forgiveness. The Messenger of Allah (saas) frequently sought forgiveness from Allah:
By Allah, I seek the pardon of Allah and return penitently to Him every day more than seventy times. (Bukhari)
We must take refuge in Allah, Who is al-Ghaffar (The Forgiver, He Who is All-Forgiving), al-Halim (Forbearing One, He Who is clement), and al-Tawwab (The Acceptor of repentance). Allah will absolutely give the rewards of those who persevere and often turn to Him. He will certainly forgive His servants who have faith and reward their good deeds according to the best of what they did. In the Qur'an, Allah states this great glad tiding as follows:
What is with you runs out but what is with Allah goes on forever. Those who were steadfast will be recompensed according to the best of what they did. Anyone who acts rightly, male or female, being a believer, We will give them a good life and We will recompense them according to the best of what they did. (Surat an-Nahl: 96-97)
Allah's Messenger (saas) also called on believers to be steadfast in doing good deeds and gave them the good news that they will be rewarded by Allah if they do so:
The Prophet (saas) said,"Carry on doing (good deeds), for everybody will find it easy to do (what will lead him to his destined place)." Then he recited "As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allah, and believes in the best reward from Allah (i.e. Allah will compensate him for what he will spend in Allah's way). So, We will make smooth for him the path of ease. But he who is a greedy miser...for him, the path for evil." (Bukhari)
Never forget that at any time any one of us might be caught by death and, though being full of regret, might not have again the opportunity to correct the wrongs we committed in the worldly life. For this reason, we should lose no time in asking for repentance from Allah and living by His commands and the sunnah of the Prophet (saas). This is the only way to be a servant upon whom Allah bestows His mercy and love. This is again the only way to attain Paradise, the eternal abode Allah prepares for His true believers.
(Surat al-Muminun: 39-40)
Chapter 4
The Regret Felt In Hell
When it sees them coming from a long way off, they will hear it seething and rasping. (Surat al-Furqan: 12)
The Regret Unbelievers Feel When They See Hell
On the Day of Judgment, once their accounts are taken, people will be gathered and will be driven to Hell in "divisions." Amongst this crowd will be everyone who denied the religion and existence of Allah throughout history and those who were arrogant and turned away from the signs of Allah. There will be also those who enjoyed wealth and fame. To their disappointment, however, those things they attached importance to in the world will not save them from eternal punishment. Allah informs us in the Qur'an that all unbelievers will be disgracefully dragged into Hell. Before Hell's gates, the keepers will make them confess their crimes for a last time and take them in. Upon this, the gates will be closed behind them for all eternity. Allah describes the way unbelievers are driven to Hell in the Qur'an as follows:
Those who are unbelievers will be driven to Hell in companies and when they arrive there and its gates are opened its custodians will say to them, "Did Messengers from yourselves not come to you, reciting your Lord's Signs to you and warning you of the meeting on this Day of yours?" They will say, "Indeed they did," but the decree of punishment is justly carried out against the unbelievers. They will be told, "Enter the gates of Hell and stay there timelessly, for ever. How evil is the abode of the arrogant!" (Surat az-Zumar: 71-72)
"That is because you exulted on the earth, without any right to do so; and strutted about. Enter the gates of Hell, remaining in it timelessly, for ever. How evil is the abode of the arrogant!" (Surah Ghafir: 75-76)
Not a single person among this crowd can come out and say that he was not warned against this day. That is because Allah, Who is the Just, had sent messengers to every individual to remind him about His existence, the Day of Judgment, Paradise and Hell. Therefore, unbelievers will acknowledge that they deserved the torment in Hell.
They remained arrogant although they were warned and knowingly avoided to serve Allah, the One Who created them. Allah informs man that such people will be humiliated in Hell in the Qur'an:
Your Lord says, "Call on Me and I will answer you. Those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell abject." (Surah Ghafir: 60)
Allah's Messenger (saas) emphasized the same point in a hadith:
...Shall I inform you about the people of the Fire? They comprise every cruel, violent, proud and conceited person. (Bukhari)
Considering themselves to be all-powerful in the world, some of these people insolently rebelled against our Lord. Power, they assumed, would provide deliverance. When they were reminded about the attribute of Allah, the al-Qahhar (The Subduer), the existence of Hell and Paradise, and were offered guidance to the way favored by Allah, they retorted:
"Why does Allah not punish us for what we say?" Hell will be enough for them! They will roast in it. What an evil destination! (Surat al-Mujadala: 8)
In response to their rebellion, they will be taken in through Hell's gates and never again allowed out unless Allah wills otherwise. The moment they see the fire, they will feel an unbearable regret for their wrongs. Allah reveals in the Qur'an that this is the moment they explicitly realize there is no way out of Hell:
The evildoers will see the Fire and realize they are going to fall into it and find no way of escaping from it. (Surat al-Kahf: 53)
Comprehension will be very sharp in Hell; everything unbelievers feigned ignorance about in the world will appear to be very clear then. They will realize that they spent all their lives on vain purposes and they will ultimately understand that, in exchange for minor and temporary benefits, they must now remain in torment in the afterlife. The few decades they had in the world seemed a long period of time to them and meanwhile they never thought about the Hereafter. Rather than a perfect and blissful life where one is not vulnerable to physical weaknesses such as hunger and exhaustion, they preferred this world where one finds himself incurably dissatisfied. No sooner they enter by Hell gates than they comprehend that they have no escape. Thus, as a last recourse to avoid torment, they seek salvation by offering a ransom: a ransom of everything they possess in this world. These vain efforts are described as follows:
...But as for those who do not respond to Him, even if they owned everything on the earth and the same again with it, they would offer it as a ransom. They will receive an evil Reckoning. Their shelter will be Hell. What an evil resting-place! (Surat ar-Rad: 18)
However, these last efforts displayed upon facing the fact of entering Hell will be in vain. Allah informs us that these attempts bring no benefit:
So today no ransom will be accepted from you or from those who were unbelievers. Your refuge is the Fire. It is your master. What an evil destination! (Surat al-Hadid: 15)
There is certainly an important reason why these attempts bring no results. Allah warned them against Hell when they were still in the world. Everything was made clear to them; that no man will be able to help another and that no one will be able to offer any ransom. They were further reminded that no ransom will be accepted. A verse Allah revealed to warn people about this fact is as follows:
Have fear of a Day when no self will be able to compensate for another in any way. No intercession will be accepted from it, no ransom taken from it, and they will not be helped. (Surat al-Baqara: 48)
Yet, in spite of all the warnings, they insisted on their denial and they knowingly prepared such an end for themselves. On that day, they will acknowledge one important fact: that their own deeds earned them Hell.
This regret-unless Allah wills otherwise-will be a great torment they will find no salvation from eternally. That is because they encountered one important fact: had they devoted themselves to earning the favor of Allah instead of striving for vain goals, they would not be at the entrance to Hell but to Paradise. Due to their failure to comply with the right way, they suffer terrible loss.
As Allah states in the twentieth verse of Surat al-Balad, "above them is a sealed vault of Fire." Once they enter by the gates of Hell, they will be locked inside. Behind these gates exists the torment of Hellfire with no certain end, which they will suffer for as long as Allah wills. For the unbelievers, there is no possibility to escape from this torment. Allah calls this fire "the Shatterer." These verses in Surat al-Humaza read:
And what will convey to you what the Shatterer is? The kindled Fire of Allah reaching right into the heart. It is sealed in above them in towering columns. (Surat al-Humaza: 5-9)
The Torment Unbelievers Confront in Hell
Before proceeding with the regret unbelievers will face in the Hereafter, it will be useful to describe the torment in Hell. Without being aware of the forms of torment in Hell, one might fail to comprehend the dimensions of the regret there.
As mentioned earlier, the regret of unbelievers begins at the very moment they see Hell and then continues for all eternity. The conversations among these people upon their arrival in Hell are as follows:
Those who reject their Lord will have the punishment of Hell. What an evil destination! When they are flung into it they will hear it gasping harshly as it seethes. It all but bursts with rage. Each time a group is flung into it its custodians will question them: "Did no warner come to you?" They will say, "Yes indeed, a warner did come to us but we denied him and said, "Allah has sent nothing down. You are just greatly misguided." They will say, "If only we had really listened and used our intellect, we would not have been Companions of the Blaze." Then they will acknowledge their wrong actions. Away with the Companions of the Blaze! (Surat al-Mulk: 6-11)
As Allah stated in the verses, when they are flung into Hell, they hear a terrible noise. Allah describes this noise in the seventh verse of the Surat al-Mulk as "gasping harshly as it seethes." This terrible sound inflicts a dreadful distress and fear on unbelievers. In another verse, Allah describes Hellfire as a fire which almost bursts with rage (Surat al-Mulk: 8). The rejecters witnessing this horrible event will feel desperate because they will understand the punishment they will face. And as our Lord stated above, they will talk about their regret for their failure to have had a grasp of all while they were still in the world.
They will be in such relentless distress because they will understand that the penalty they will confront will be extremely horrible and painful. In the verses, it is stated that Hell is the worst place to stay in.
...What an evil destination! (Surah Al 'Imran: 162)
...What an evil refuge! (Surat an-Nisa: 115)
Their shelter will be the Fire. How evil is the abode of the wrongdoers! (Surah Al 'Imran: 151)
Hell, where they will roast. What an evil place to stay! (Surah Ibrahim: 29)
Hell is depicted in a similar way in the hadiths of the Prophet (saas):
Among the people of Hell are there those who will be immersed in fire to their ankles, some to their knees, some to their waists, and some to their throats. (Muslim)
The dwellers of Hell will be thrown down into this evil refuge in crowds. In a verse Allah states this as "They will be bundled into it head first, they and the misled" (Surat ash-Shu'ara: 94) From the verse, it is understood that all unbelievers including those who were arrogant, had wealth and were held in esteem, will be thrown into the fire as worthless masses. In reply to their arrogance in the world on that day, they will be humiliated and despised.
In Hell, they will never be held in esteem and never will they receive mercy. As the firewood of Hell, they will live in pain and grief for all eternity. Allah reveals this fact in the verses as follows:
You and what you worship besides Allah are fuel for Hell. You will go down into it. (Surat al-Anbiya': 98)
...They are fuel for the Fire. (Surah Al 'Imran: 10)
Allah informs us in the Qur'an of various forms of punishment in Hell. Most of the people will dwell there, as stated in the verse, "for ages." In other words, they will be tormented for as long as Allah wills. We can describe some of these punishments as follows:
In the thirteenth verse of Surat al-Furqan, Allah relates that unbelievers will be cast "into a narrow place in Hell shackled together in chains." Being left closed in a narrow space even for a few minutes makes one tense. Even the thought of being surrounded by four walls is often an unbearable thought. The torment of Hell, however, is incomparable to the one of the world. Confined in that narrow space, they will also be subjected to fire. Moreover, shackled together in chains, they will even not be able to move, let alone escaping from the fire. Even imagining such a scene is painful.
In another verse, Allah informs that unbelievers will remain in "shades of pitch-black smoke" (Surat al-Waqia: 43). In general, the word "shade" reminds one coolness. However, this is not the case with Hell. In Hell, Allah informs us that this shade is neither cool nor refreshing.
Another form of punishment in Hell is the impossibility of death. Death is way of deliverance. For this reason, Allah will not allow the people of Hell to die as He maintains in the verse, "death will come to them from every side, yet they cannot die" (Surah Ibrahim: 17). They will experience every sort of assault which would, under normal conditions, result in death. Despite this, they will not die, but will instead continue to suffer more torment as long as Allah wills in their eternal afterlife.
The fact that there will be no other death in the hereafter was also stated by the Prophet Muhammad (saas):
When the inhabitants of the Garden have gone to the Garden and the inmates of the Fire have gone to the Fire, death will be called and placed between the Garden and the Fire. Afterward the following announcement will be made: "Inhabitants of the Garden! There is no more death! Inmates of the Fire! There is no more death!" This will increase the delight of the inhabitants of the Garden and the grief of the inmates of the Fire. (Muslim)
In this world, severe burns result in death in a short while. One can hardly endure fire. Even if one does not die but is only injured, it takes a long time for the wounds to heal properly. But in Hell, the torment of fire will be incomparable to the fire we know in this world. In Hell, skins are replaced as they are burned off just to make the condemned taste more anguish. (Surat an-Nisa: 56) In brief, in Hell, one would suffer from never-ending pain caused by fire as long as Allah wills.
Allah describes another form of torment caused by fire in the thirteenth verse of Surat adh-Dhariyat where He says that the Companions of the Fire will be tormented by the Fire. It is unlikely to comprehend the pain such a state would cause. Considering the minor pain an ordinary burn gives in this world, one would discern the great pain this torment would give. While all these happen, man will also experience the following:
Then will be bound in a chain... (Surat al-Haqqa: 32)
They will be shackled and chained. (Surat al-Insan: 4)
They will be beaten with cudgels made of iron. (Surat al-Hajj: 21)
Their foreheads, sides and backs are branded with the fire of Hell. (Surat at-Tawba: 35)
Boiling water will be poured over their heads, (Surat al-Hajj: 19)
They will have garments of fire cut out for them, and they will be wearing shirts of tar, (Surah Ibrahim: 50)
They will not find a cool, refreshing drink. On that day only boiling water (Surat al-Sad: 57) and blood and pus (Surat al-Haqqa: 36) will be available.
The only nourishment the people of Hell have, on the other hand, are the fruits of the bitter thorn and the tree of zaqqum. Allah informs how zaqqum will turn out to be a torment for unbelievers:
The Tree of az-Zaqqum is the food of the wicked, seething in the belly like molten brass, as boiling water bubbles and seethes. "Seize him and drag him bodily into the middle of the Blazing Fire. Then pour the punishment of boiling water on his head." "Taste that! You are the mighty one, the noble one! This is the very thing you used to doubt." (Surat ad-Dukhan: 43-50)
From the descriptions in the Qur'an, we know that food in Hell will have a choking effect on people. They will try to sip the drink of fester water in gulps, but to no avail; they will never manage to swallow it. Pus, which is the most disgusting thing in this world with its appearance and odor, will also be among the nourishment of the people in Hell. This will inflict great pain on the people of Hell but, out of starvation, they will have no other choice but to eat. Nevertheless, what they eat will not satisfy their hunger. They will also suffer the pain of hunger forever.
They have no food but a bitter thorny bush which neither nourishes nor satisfies. (Surat al-Ghashiyya: 6-7)
Allah gives other descriptions in the Qur'an regarding the torment in Hell:
There will be sighing for them in it (Surat al-Anbiya': 100)
...(they will be) remaining in it for countless aeons... (Surat an-Naba: 23)
...Their punishment will not be lightened. They will be granted no reprieve... (Surah Al 'Imran: 88)
They will want to get out of the Fire but they will not be able to. (Surat al-Maida: 37)
These torments will inflict indefinable suffering and regret on disbelievers. For salvation, they will plead many times and even consent to their souls being taken. Allah relates the conversations of the people in Hell in the Qur'an as follows:
They will call out, "Malik (Master), let your Lord put an end to us!" He will say, "You will stay the way you are. We brought you the truth but most of you hated the truth." (Surat az-Zukhruf: 77-78)
Turning away from the religion (deen) and failing to take heed of the warnings will be to the detriment of these people, as Allah relates in the Qur'an. Allah, in return, will not answer the calls of these people and He will keep them in their torment for as long as He wills.
These are only some of the torments which will be inflicted on those who denied Allah and the Hereafter and ignored the warnings about the existence of Hell and Paradise. In addition, there is another torment, one which will always remain with unbelievers. This is the feeling of regret, one would not be able to forget for a moment. This feeling will even more deepen with the distress caused by the fact that one would be sent to Hell, the most horrifying place one could ever see. As stated earlier, every moment unbelievers experience the suffering, they will remember that, had they complied with the right way, none of these would befall them. There is no way to avoid from this regret.
The Regret Unbelievers will Feel in Hell
Having an experience of the severity of the punishment, unbelievers will be seized by the regret of not having faith in Allah while they were still in the world. Yet this regret will not alter the situation. In the world, they were offered many opportunities, which they failed to take. Once they attain comprehension of this fact, they will lament to everyone and everything which distracted them from Allah and the Hereafter and made them indulge in worldly affairs.
In the Qur'an, the regret unbelievers feel is full of rage, as Allah states in the verse below:
They will say on the Day their faces are rolled over in the Fire, "If only we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger!" And they will say, "Our Lord, we obeyed our masters and great men and they misguided us from the Way. Our Lord, give them double the punishment and curse them many times over!" (Surat al-Ahzab: 66-68)
So that, when he reaches Us, he says, "If only there was the distance of the two Easts between you and me!" What an evil companion! It will not benefit you today, since you did wrong, that you share equally in the punishment. (Surat az-Zukhruf: 38-39)
As the verses suggest, they hope to save themselves by blaming those who misled them from the right path. However, Allah granted a conscience to everyone so that he could be guided to the right path. Allah also endowed man a will to carry out his pertinent decisions. In this sense, man is provided with both of the two alternatives as well as the knowledge of right and wrong. This being the case, one's choice rests entirely with him. Besides, Allah knows whether one keeps faith or denial deep in his heart. Accordingly, those leading people to Hell as well as those adhering to them will be justly punished. That day, nobody will bear responsibility for the sins of another.
While these people tempted one another into committing sins, it probably occurred to them many times that they would give an account of them in the Hereafter, yet they chose to treat this matter as if it were an insignificant issue. They encouraged one another in denial of Allah, saying "I will bear responsibility for what you do." Satan, on the other hand, made tempting promises to them and misled them in the wrong way. But Allah, with the verse, "...and he will come to Us all alone." (Surah Maryam: 80), informs us that these promises will be of no help.
That day unbelievers will clearly see that they are all alone. They will understand one important fact themselves: other than Allah, man has neither a friend nor a protector. In Hell, their mentors and anybody they considered to be their friends in the world will leave them all alone. Likewise, satan, whom, forsaking Allah, they took as their protector, will be unfaithful to them and address to them in the following way:
When the affair is decided satan will say, "Allah made you a promise, a promise of truth, and I made you a promise but broke my promise. I had no authority over you, except that I called you and you responded to me. Do not, therefore, blame me but blame yourselves. I cannot come to your aid nor you to mine. I reject the way you associated me with Allah before." The wrongdoers will have a painful punishment. (Surah Ibrahim: 22)
Seeing the unfaithfulness of everyone they considered as friends will be another source of regret for unbelievers. Then do they clearly understand that there is no one they can take refuge in other than Allah. Yet seeing that this comprehension provides no relief for them will add to their troubles. On that day, they will quarrel with one another. Meanwhile, they confess their sins. Allah describes this situation in the verses as follows:
Arguing in it with one another, they will say, "By Allah, we were plainly misguided when We equated you with the Lord of all the worlds. It was only the evildoers who misguided us and now we have no one to intercede for us; we do not have a single loyal friend. If only we could have another chance then we would be among the believers!" (Surat ash-Shu'ara: 96-102)
As related in the verses above, in a deep regret, unbelievers wish to return to the world so that they can engage in good deeds which would bring goodness to them in the Hereafter. Yet, this is an unacceptable wish. They realize that anything-wealth, beauty, career etc-that they chased after in the world is worthless in the Hereafter. Allah describes some of their regretful expressions in the Qur'an:
But as for him who is given his Book in his left hand, he will say, "If only I had not been given my Book and had not known about my Reckoning! If only death had really been the end! My wealth has been of no use to me. My power has vanished." "Seize him and truss him up. Then roast him in the Blazing Fire. Then bind him in a chain which is seventy cubits long. He used not to have faith in Allah the Magnificent, nor did he urge the feeding of the poor. Therefore here today he has no friend." (Surat al-Haqqa: 25-35)
...and that Day Hell is produced, that Day man will remember; but how will the remembrance help him? He will say, "Oh! If only I had prepared in advance for this life of mine!" (Surat al-Fajr: 23-24)
In addition, witnessing the great joy and happiness of the Companions of the Garden deepens the regret of unbelievers. They see the conspicuous difference between the lives of the Companions of the Garden and that of themselves. Allah draws attention to the difference of the Companions of the Garden and of the Fire.
Allah depicts the appearance of the Companions of the Fire in the Qur'an in the following way:
Their eyes will be downcast, darkened by debasement. (Surat al-Qalam: 43)
And faces that Day will be glowering. (Surat al-Qiyama: 24)
On the other hand, Allah describes the faces of the Companions of the Garden as follows:
That Day some faces will be radiant, laughing, rejoicing. (Surah Abasa: 38-39)
Unbelievers will not find any food other than boiling water, pus, bitter thorn, and the tree of zaqqum. Believers, on the other hand, will be rewarded with rivers of milk and honey, delicious drinks served in cups, all kinds of fruits and anything their souls desire. In a verse, Allah describes the food of the Companions of the Garden as follows:
An image of the Garden which is promised to those who have fear: in it there are rivers of water which will never spoil and rivers of milk whose taste will never change and rivers of wine, delightful to all who drink it, and rivers of honey of undiluted purity; in it they will have fruit of every kind and forgiveness from their Lord. Is that like those who will be in the Fire timelessly, for ever, with boiling water to drink which lacerates their bowels? (Surah Muhammad: 15)
Surely no parallels can be drawn between these favors granted to believers and the food of unbelievers, which by no means satisfy one's hunger and which become an eternal source of torment. They will be exposed to fire there for ages; their skins will be restored as they burn, and they will call for some relief and coolness. They will yearn for the favors granted to the Companions of the Garden resting in shade and they will ask for some for themselves. In the Qur'an, our Lord relates their situation as follows:
The Companions of the Fire will call out to the Companions of the Garden, "Throw down some water to us or some of what Allah has given you as provision." They will say, "Allah has forbidden them to the unbelievers: (Surat al-Araf: 50)
The calls of the unbelievers will never be answered. Allah maintains this in a verse:
... We have prepared for the wrongdoers a Fire whose billowing walls of smoke will hem them in. If they call for help, they will be helped with water like seething molten brass, frying their faces. What a noxious drink! What an evil repose! (Surat al-Kahf: 29)
Likewise, Allah will present the Companions of the Garden green garments of fine silk and rich brocade and bracelets of gold and silver. Meanwhile, the Companions of the Fire will have garments of tar and fire cut out for them. The believers will dwell in fine dwellings and lofty chambers, reclining on "sumptuous woven couches," exquisite rugs, and couches lined with rich brocade. Unbelievers, on the other hand, will have Hell as a resting place and covering layers on top of them.
Allah informs us in the Qur'an that believers will have anything they desire and the Companions of the Garden will be honored with a joyful and peaceful life in the Garden.
They will have whatever they wish for with their Lord. (Surat ash-Shura: 22)
So Allah has safeguarded them from the evil of that Day and has made them meet with radiance and pure joy. (Surat al-Insan: 11)
Had unbelievers assumed a conscientious, sincere and honest attitude in the world and complied with the commands of Allah, they would not now be subject to torment in Hell on that Day. Thus unbelievers will feel more regret when they think about the Companions of the Garden. Allah defines this torment in Hell and the regret they feel as "suffering" and states that each one of their attempts to escape from this suffering will result in yet another punishment:
Every time they want to come out of it, because of their suffering, they will be driven back into it: "Taste the punishment of the Burning!" (Surat al-Hajj: 22)
That is because Hell is a place of no return. It is the place, where the feeling of regret brings no benefit to man. Furthermore in Hell, the concept of regret is not defined. At the moment unbelievers die, angels will tell them that they will never again experience anything good for all eternity-unless Allah wills otherwise:
On the Day they see the angels, there will be no good news that Day for the evildoers. They will say, "There is an absolute ban." (Surat al-Furqan: 22)
For this reason, disbelievers find their personal destruction to be the only way of salvation. They will beg for their destruction, but to no avail. This is because they were granted a lifetime, which was long enough to receive admonition, but they willfully favored denial and turned away from the truth. In return for these, Allah will tell them the following:
Do not cry out today for just one destruction, cry out for many destructions! (Surat al-Furqan: 14)
"Roast in it! And bear it patiently or do not bear it patiently. It makes no difference either way. You are simply being repaid for what you did." (Surat at-Tur: 16)
In the fortieth verse of Surat al-Araf, Allah describes the impossibility of unbelievers' leaving Hell and entering the Garden, saying that "they will not enter the Garden until a camel goes through a needle's eye." Furthermore, Allah informs that unbelievers will be disregarded and forgotten since, in the world, they turned away from the right way and ignored their meeting the Day of Judgment. They will not receive any answer or help from Allah:
He will say, "Just as Our Signs came to you and you forgot them, in the same way you too are forgotten today." (Surah Taha: 126)
They will be told, "Today We have forgotten you as you forgot the meeting of this your Day. Your refuge is the Fire and you have no helpers." (Surat al-Jathiyya: 34)
Those who took their religions as a diversion and a game, and were deluded by the life of the world. Today We will forget them just as they forgot the encounter of this Day and denied Our Signs. (Surat al-Araf: 51)
They will implore Allah to be saved from the fire and Allah will answer them in the following way:
"Our Lord, remove us from it! Then if we revert again, we will definitely be wrongdoers." He will say, "Slink away into it and do not speak to Me." (Surat al-Muminun: 107-108)
Unbelievers will receive a terrible punishment. This punishment will be remaining all alone in torment and not receiving any help. Allah will not bestow His mercy on them, will not protect them, and will not forgive their sins and faults. If they had taken refuge in Allah when they were alive, they would have found Allah to be ever Forgiving and Most Merciful towards them. Yet, once they enter Hell, these facts occurring to their minds will no longer be of any help.
After all that has been said, one has to ponder over certain facts right now: that Allah is full of mercy and compassion towards His servants and that one needs to make Allah alone one's friend and protector. For once the gates of Hell are closed behind one, they will not open as long as Allah wills and there will be no more opportunities granted as in this world. In the Qur'an, Allah describes the way for salvation as follows:
Except those who repent and put things right and hold fast to Allah and dedicate their religion to Allah alone; they are with the believers. Allah will give the believers an immense reward. Why should Allah punish you if you are thankful and have faith? Allah is All-Thankful, All-Knowing. (Surat an-Nisa: 146-147)
(Surat al-Muminun: 39-40)
Chapter 3
The Regret Felt On Doomsday
The Trumpet is blown and those in the heavens and those in the earth swoon away, except those Allah wills. Then it is blown a second time and at once they stand upright, looking on. And the earth shines with the Pure Light of its Lord; the Book is put in place; the Prophets and witnesses are brought; it is decided between them with the truth; and they are not wronged. Every self is repaid in full for what it did. He knows best what they are doing. (Surat az-Zumar: 68-70)
All who have ever lived on earth are resurrected on the Day of Judgment. The moment of resurrection is a perplexing one for unbelievers. Allah relates the fearful and bewildered conversations among unbelievers at the moment of resurrection in the Qur'an as follows:
They will say, "Alas for us! Who has raised us from our resting-place? This is what the All-Merciful promised us. The Messengers were telling the truth." (Surah Ya Sin: 52)
And the True Promise is very close, the eyes of those who were unbelievers will be transfixed: "Alas for us! We were unmindful of this! No, rather we were definitely wrongdoers." (Surat al-Anbiya': 97)
The phrase "Alas for us" is an expression of the great panic, fear and regret of unbelievers. At the moment they are resurrected, they realize that those who warned them against the Hereafter were right and truthful. Much to their detriment, they are now aware that other warnings will surface one after another. Right now, with no possibility to escape, they will be dragged to this torment, which they never considered as real before.
After rising from the dead, unbelievers will be brought to stand before Allah. Then they will be called to account for what they did in the world and judgment will be made accordingly. For this purpose, they are brought into the Presence of Allah with all those other arrogant people who transgressed against the limits set by Allah.
The Day the Trumpet is blown and you come in droves. (Surat an-Naba: 18)
On the judgment day, unbelievers will come to understand that no other action is more important than earning the consent of Allah and avoiding His wrath. This is also stated in a hadith of the Prophet (saas) in which he gave the example of an unbeliever questioned on the judgment day:
A disbeliever will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and will be asked. "Suppose you had as much as gold as to fill the earth, would you offer it to ransom yourself?" He will reply: "Yes". Then it will be said to him, "You were asked for something easier than that [to join none in worship with Allah (i.e. to accept Islam, but you refused)]" (Bukhari)
Their failure to have grasped this fact in the world, where the signs of Allah's power and existence were obvious, intensifies their regret. That day, they will plainly see that they missed this opportunity. Their regret is manifest from the way they speak:
The Day when a wrongdoer will bite his hands and say, "Alas for me! If only I had gone the way of the Messenger! Alas for me! If only I had not taken so-and-so for a friend! He led me astray from the Reminder after it came to me." Evil always leaves man in the lurch. (Surat al-Furqan: 27-29)
On the Day of Judgment, unbelievers will be so occupied with their own troubles that they turn a blind eye to the calls of their own children, spouses, mothers, and fathers. In the Qur'an, this is described as follows:
When the Deafening Blast comes, the Day a man will flee from his brother and his mother and his father, and his wife and his children: on that Day every man among them will have concerns enough of his own. (Surah Abasa: 33-37)
The concept of lineage loses its importance. From then on, the only thing that matters is to be saved from the penalty of Allah. This is so important that, in order to be saved from this state, unbelievers even offer to sacrifice their own sons, spouses, brothers, etc.
On the Day the sky is like molten brass and the mountains like tufts of colored wool. No good friend will ask about his friend even though they can see each other. An evildoer will wish he could ransom himself from the punishment of that Day, by means of his sons, or his wife or his brother or his family who sheltered him or everyone else on earth, if that only meant that he could save himself. (Surat al-Ma'arij: 8-14)
Surely, these efforts of unbelievers bring no results. The main target of unbelievers in the worldly life was amassing a fortune, making a career, or having sons. They spent all their lives to attain these goals. However, on the Day of Judgment, they grasp that all these concepts are not precious at all. Judgment Day is the time when unbelievers will desire to vanish. For believers, however, it is the time zealously and joyfully awaited for. Allah describes these moments in His verses as follows:
That Day some faces will be radiant, laughing, rejoicing. That Day some faces will be dust-covered, overcast with gloom. Those are the dissolute unbelievers." (Surah Abasa: 38-42)
On the Day of Reckoning, the most precious valuables one possesses are the righteous deeds purely done to earn the good pleasure of Allah. However, unbelievers have never striven for this treasure, which would bring them eternal salvation. Not a single good deed or blessing they have to present to Allah on that day. Having no faith in Allah, all their righteous efforts will have been wasted. Allah states this fact as follows:
Say: "Shall I inform you of the greatest losers in their actions? People whose efforts in the life of the world are misguided while they suppose that they are doing good." Those are the people who reject their Lord's Signs and the meeting with Him.
Their actions will come to nothing and, on the Day of Resurrection, We will not assign them any weight." (Surat al-Kahf: 103-105)
Those who denied the religion (deen) and harbored doubts about the existence of the Day of Judgment, did not feel the necessity to get prepared for this approaching day. For a lifetime, they occupied themselves with amassing wealth and following their vain desires. Now they confront a regret they will never be free of. Allah states this in the Qur'an in this way:
They will say, "Alas for us! This is the Day of Reckoning!" This is the Day of Decision you used to deny. (Surat as-Saffat: 20-21)
Furthermore, unbelievers will find all the unscrupulous, ungrateful and evil deeds that they committed in the world discovered in the Presence of Allah. They will personally bear witness to the sins they committed. Allah describes this in the Qur'an as follows:
...they will be paraded before your Lord in ranks: "You have come to Us just as We created you at first. Yes indeed! Even though you claimed that We would not fix a time with you." The Book will be set in place and you will see the evildoers fearful of what is in it. They will say, "Alas for us! What is this Book which does not pass over any action, small or great, without recording it?" They will find there everything they did and your Lord will not wrong anyone at all. (Surat al-Kahf: 48-49)
That Day people will emerge segregated to see the results of their actions. Whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it. Whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it." (Surat az-Zilzala: 6-8)
As Allah relates in the Qur'an, then comes the time for unbelievers to see their records.
Believers receive their records from their right side, whilst unbelievers from left. From the moment the angels of death took their souls, unbelievers were subjected to an unending suffering. The moment they receive their records is another suffering. They avoid looking at the crimes they perpetrated and wish to vanish. Allah describes this in the verses as follows:
But as for him who is given his Book in his left hand, he will say, "If only I had not been given my Book and had not known about my Reckoning! If only death had really been the end! My wealth has been of no use to me. My power has vanished." (Surat al-Haqqa: 25-29)
... on the Day when a man will see what he has done, and the unbeliever will say, "Oh, if only I were dust!" (Surat an-Naba: 40)
But as for him who is given his Book behind his back, he will cry out for destruction but will be roasted in a Searing Blaze. He used to be joyful in his family. He thought that he was never going to return. But in fact his Lord was always watching him! (Surat al-Inshiqaq: 10-15)
Witnessing these scenes, unbelievers understand the opportunity that they missed in the world and feel a most severe regret. Adding to their regret, they see and observe the blissful life of believers in Paradise. Because previously, they were invited to truth by believers but they arrogantly refused and turned a deaf ear to them.
But now a "just balance" (Surat al-Anbiyaí: 47) is set. People are led to Hell or Paradise, based on their records. On the Day of Judgment, unbelievers see where they are heading for. Upon this, fear overtakes them:
You will see the wrongdoers afraid of what they have earned, when it is about to land right on top of them. (Surat ash-Shura: 22)
The justice of Allah prevails and it entails the fairest rewarding and punishment:
We will set up the Just Balance on the Day of Resurrection and no self will be wronged in any way. Even if it is no more than the weight of a grain of mustard-seed, We will produce it. We are sufficient as a Reckoner. (Surat al-Anbiya': 47)
This process is easy for believers. However, it proves to be difficult and very painful for unbelievers. They are questioned for every each blessing Allah granted them in the world. They give an account of every each moment of their lives: about their failure to comply with the commands of Allah; their ungrateful attitudes; their inner rebellious thoughts and insults; the warnings that they ignored. However the insincere excuses they used to put forth in the world are no more acceptable. Allah describes the situation unbelievers confront on that day in the verses below:
On that Day, woe to the deniers! This is the Day they will not say a single word, nor will they be allowed to offer any excuses. On that Day, woe to the deniers! "This is the Day of Decision. We have gathered you and the earlier peoples. So if you have a ploy, use it against Me now!" On that Day, woe to the deniers! (Surat al-Mursalat: 34-40)
Those unbelievers with no good deeds to present to Allah "will know what it has made ready" (Surat at-Takwir: 14) for them. Allah describes this place of torment as a "bottomless pit" in the Qur'an:
As for him whose balance is heavy, he will have a most pleasant life. But as for him whose balance is light, his motherland is Hawiya (Pit). And what will convey to you what that is? A raging Fire! (Surat al-Qari'a: 6-11)
These are important to grasp the intensity of the regret unbelievers would experience on the Day of Judgment. The Day of Judgment is too late for one to feel regret. If one fully understands what is being told here and loses no time in engaging in good deeds, then he may hope for a "heavy balance (of good deeds)." Only such an endeavor will save one from great regret.
(Surat al-Muminun: 39-40)
Chapter 2
The Beginning Of Regret For Disbelievers: DEATH
Every self will taste death. We test you with both good and evil as a trial. And you will be returned to Us. (Surat al-Anbiya': 35)
Death is considered to be an end and a final destruction by those who do not believe in the Hereafter. This is a flawed perception however because death is not an end but a beginning. For believers, it is the beginning of a perfect, eternal Paradise that is free from all evil and flaws. For unbelievers on the other hand, it is a transition to a life in Hell, where a great penalty is suffered.
Those who comprehend this reality live a pleasant end in the world when death meets them and a pleasant beginning in the Hereafter. These two occur simultaneously. Unbelievers, on the other hand, encounter the irrecoverable regret of disregarding this reality, of which they had been previously informed. They suffer this regret at every moment for as long as Allah wills and never find respite from it.
Although death is not a subject of profound thought for most people, it is an unavoidable end. That is because Allah creates death as the definite end of this life. So far, not a single person has avoided death. No one's property, wealth, career, or close friends have provided salvation from death. Certainly everyone will meet death. Allah relates this fact in many verses in the Qur'an:
Wherever you are, death will catch up with you, even if you are in impregnable fortresses.(Surat an-Nisa: 78)
Say: "Death, from which you are fleeing, will certainly catch up with you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the Unseen and the Visible and He will inform you about what you did." (Surat al-Jumu'a: 8)
Allah will not give anyone more time, once their time has come. Allah is aware of what you do. (Surat al-Munafiqun: 11)
So, does avoiding contemplation over death and the life after death save one from facing this reality? Surely the answer to this question is "No". Since man is desperate against death, the most rational thing to do is to constantly contemplate upon death and to get prepared for the hereafter, as the Prophet Muhammad (saas) said "Ponder on death a lot. Allah opens the heart of that person who thinks about death a lot and makes death easy for him." (Narrated by Abu Huraira)
Those who neglect thinking about the Hereafter whilst being distracted by this fleeting worldly life are taken by surprise by death. Those saying "While we are young, we can make the most of our lives and think about death in the latter years of our lives" grasp that they will never have such an opportunity. That is because death is predestined by Allah. A person may well die before he grows old. In this case, solely making future plans and postponing the fulfillment of Allah's commands will only lead to dreadful regret.
Those who spend their lives distant from Allah and who only repent when they realize they are close to death will experience such regret. Yet repentance which arises from the fear of death and which doesn't bear sincere intention to correct and purify one's self may not be acceptable by Allah. Openly being in favor of this life despite the existence of death, such people desperately strive to save themselves only when they realize death is very near. This however brings no benefit. Allah knows their insincerity, because Allah is closer to man than his jugular vein. He knows what is inside of man, including his most inner thoughts and deepest secrets. Allah informs us in the Qur'an that He will not accept repentance based on the fear of death at the very last moment:
There is no repentance for people who persist in doing evil until death comes to them and who then say, "Now I repent," nor for people who die as an unbeliever. . We have prepared for them a painful punishment. (Surat an-Nisa: 18)
It is stated in many verses that when another opportunity is granted, these insincere people soon resume their ungrateful attitude:
If only you could see when they are standing before the Fire and saying, "Oh! If only we could be sent back again, we would not deny the Signs of our Lord and we would be among the believers." No, it is simply that what they were concealing before has been shown to them; and if they were sent back they would merely return to what they were forbidden to do. Truly they are liars. (Surat al-An'am: 27-28)
For this reason, it would be erroneous to have a rationale based on the thought "I will repent when the appropriate time comes." This kind of thinking will not save one from the torment in Hell. So if one does not want to suffer an eternal grievous penalty after death, he should live for a purpose, knowing that he will absolutely meet Allah and have to give an account of his actions.
The Regret of Unbelievers at the Moment of Death
Throughout their lives, people are reminded many times of the existence of the Garden and the Fire and that they have to get prepared for the afterlife. Yet unbelievers turn a deaf ear to these reminders. Upon facing death, one of the main sources of their regret is the fact that they have led themselves to their own destruction. Nobody forced them; they, by their own will, chose this dreadful end for themselves. By the moment of death unbelievers start to suffer from grief. The dreadful fear felt at the time of death is the initial grief of this torment, which Allah illustrates in the Qur'an as follows:
...and one leg is entwined with the other: that Day he will be driven to your Lord. He neither affirmed the truth nor did he pray, but rather denied the truth and turned away and then went off to his family, swaggering. It is coming closer to you and closer. Then closer to you and closer still. (Surat al-Qiyama: 29-35)
Yet, one needs to keep in mind that only unbelievers suffer from this fear. Believers spend all their lives working to gain the good pleasure and love of Allah. For this reason, they are full of hope. Unbelievers, on the other hand, experience great belated regret when death overpowers them. Nevertheless, this regret by no means keeps them safe from the punishment because it is too late. In the Qur'an, it is stated that at the moment of death, the souls of unbelievers are taken with a great suffering and difficulty.
...If you could only see the wrongdoers in the throes of death when the angels are stretching out their hands, saying, "Disgorge your own selves! Today you will be repaid with the punishment of humiliation for saying something other than the truth about Allah, and being arrogant about His Signs." (Surat al-An'am: 93)
How will it be when the angels take them in death, beating their faces and their backs?(Surah Muhammad: 27)
It is surely unlikely to fully comprehend what unbelievers experience at the time of death. However, Allah depicts this situation so that man can contemplate and avoid meeting such an end. The angels of death, as the verses suggest, will take the souls of unbelievers whilst smiting their faces and their backs. By that moment, unbelievers will suffer physical pain accompanied by a deep regret since they will know they have no opportunity to return back.
At the moment of death, man experiences what befalls him with a very open conscious. This is the beginning of his eternal life. Death is only a transitional phase; it is actually the departure of soul from the flesh.
Due to the torment they suffer at the time of death, unbelievers grasp that they will be subjected to a great penalty that will last for all eternity-unless Allah wills otherwise. Those who lived all their lives distant from the religion of Allah start to earnestly implore Allah's forgiveness and safety. They plead to be sent back to the world, to do good deeds and to make up for what they have lost. But their wishes aren't acceptable because they were "given a life long enough so that they would receive admonition" as Allah maintains in the verse. They were given glad tidings of the gardens of Paradise and also warned against the fire of Hell, but they willfully turned away from all these truths. Allah states in the Qur'an that they will again tend to denial upon another opportunity:
When death comes to one of them, he says, "My Lord, send me back again, so that perhaps I may act rightly regarding the things I failed to do!" No indeed! It is just words he utters... (Surat al-Muminun: 99-100)
Unbelievers knowingly did not prostrate before Allah, nor fulfill His orders, nor conform to the sublime morality. Allah says in the Qur'an that at the time of death, they wouldn't even be able to simply prostrate:
On the Day when legs are bared and they are called on to prostrate, they will not be able to do so. Their eyes will be downcast, darkened by debasement; for they were called on to prostrate when they were in full possession of their faculties. (Surat al-Qalam: 42-43)
There is another point that adds to the regret of people who, at the moment of death, comprehend that Allah's promises are all true. Believers, to whom unbelievers did not trust and take seriously in the world and even of whom they made fun, suffer none of the grief unbelievers go through on that day. They are eternally rewarded with the best of rewards because they spent all their lives sincerely to attain the consent of Allah. Unlike unbelievers, their souls are drawn out "gently" without any pain. (Surat an-Naziat: 2) As Allah describes in the verse, the angels greet the believers and give the good news of the Garden.
..those the angels take in a virtuous state. They say, "Peace be upon you! Enter the Garden for what you did." (Surat an-Nahl: 32)
This is another mental torment for the unbelievers. They were also offered the very same opportunities given to the believers in this world. Yet, they willingly traded the eternal blessings of the Garden for the short-lived worldly benefits. Although they were reminded that the world is merely a place of testing for man and the real abode is the Hereafter, they feigned ignorance about it. Therefore they didn't engage in good deeds to attain Paradise. Yet, living by the morals of the Qur'an and being a sincere believer is possible for everyone only by one's committed intention. Pondering upon all these adds to the regret of unbelievers.
In one verse Allah says:
Or do those who perpetrate evil deeds suppose that We will make them like those who have faith and do right actions, so that their lives and deaths will be the same? How bad their judgment is! (Surat al-Jathiyya: 21)
In other words, every soul will be rewarded appropriately, the good with glad tidings and the evil with wrathful punishment.
Furthermore the fear of knowing that Hell is prepared for them will intensify the regret felt by unbelievers. Until then they have only experienced the suffering of the removal of their souls. This suffering however makes them aware of their impending doom.
This regret of unbelievers beginning with death will last as long as Allah wills. Every passing moment, hour, and day, they will remain in this everlasting penalty and they will not be saved from regret.
However, it is in the hands of man not to suffer such great regret. Waiting to encounter death is not necessarily the way to have a grasp of the reality of the death and beyond. For believers, the promise of Allah is enough. After death, the justice of Allah certainly prevails; unbelievers are punished with fire and believers are rewarded with the gardens of Paradise.
So, the wisest thing for a person to do who has not met death yet would be to seek refuge in Allah and to hope for His forgiveness. In addition, one needs to attentively explore the Qur'an, the only guide to the true path for humanity, and the sunnah of the Prophet (saas) to attain a thorough understanding of it and live by what they are commanded. Rather than avoidance from the thought of death, man will benefit from pondering over its reality and closeness and acting accordingly.
The one who turns towards Allah earns the consent of Allah both in this world and in the Hereafter and enters the Garden, well pleased with our Lord and our Lord well pleased with him. Allah gives the believers the good news of this in the Qur'an:
O self at rest and at peace, return to your Lord, well-pleasing and well-pleased! Enter among My slaves! Enter My Garden. (Surat al-Fajr: 27-30)
The way to be saved from regret and win eternal bliss is to reflect on death and the Hereafter and comply with the way of Allah, the Creator of man.
(Surat al-Muminun: 39-40)
Chapter 1
The Regret That Man Feels In The World
Turn to your Lord and submit to Him before punishment comes upon you, for then you cannot be helped. Follow the best that has been sent down to you from your Lord before the punishment comes upon you suddenly when you are not expecting it. (Surat az-Zumar: 54-55)
When one is in mortal danger, his "conscience" starts to swiftly account for his life and appraises his life and actions. If this person did not live by the religion (deen) of Allah and did not engage in good deeds in this world, then he will be overwhelmed by grief and great regret. Many things that were neglected throughout his life appear suddenly and with clarity before his eyes. Maybe for the first time in his life, he realizes how close death is. He acknowledges that he did not lead a worldly life that entitles him to Paradise. He becomes aware that he has been ungrateful to Allah and he feels that this will not be left unanswered. A dreadful fear which he never experienced before surrounds him, and he understands that only Allah can save him from the situation he is in. Then, he promises Allah to remain thankful and right and always to remember this situation. He implores to Allah earnestly to be saved from the danger he is in. He asks just to be saved and to be given just one opportunity to stay alive...
However, after surviving such a mortal danger, some people do not remain true to their words and promises that they previously gave to Allah. As soon as Allah saves such a person, he returns to his former ways. The feelings of regret and submission are replaced by feelings of ingratitude. He forgets what he thought and realized at the moment he faced death. With the confidence of having overcome the danger, he turns away from Allah as if he was not the one who experienced regret and earnestly implored to Allah before. He resumes his life with even more attachment to the world, as if he had not been in a vulnerable situation a short while ago. In the Qur'an, several examples depict the psychological state of such people:
It is He Who conveys you on both land and sea so that when some of you are on a boat, running before a fair wind, rejoicing at it, and then a violent squall comes upon them and the waves come at them from every side and they realize there is no way of escape, they call on Allah, making their religion sincerely His: "If You rescue us from this, we will truly be among the thankful." But then, when He does rescue them, they become rebellious in the earth without any right to do so. Mankind, your rebelliousness is only against yourselves. There is the enjoyment of the life of the world and then you will return to Us and We will inform you about what you did. (Surah Yunus: 22-23)
When harm occurs to you at sea, those you call on vanish -except for Him alone! But when He delivers you to dry land, you turn away. Man truly is ungrateful. Do you feel secure against Him causing the shore to swallow you up or sending against you a sudden squall of stones? Then you will find no one to be your guardian. (Surat al-Isra: 67-68 )
As emphasized in the verse above, how can one be sure that he will not face a similar or a totally different danger again? Alternatively, how does one feel assured that he will be saved for another time? No doubt one would never guarantee that these things would not happen. Also keep in mind that getting out of danger will not make any difference in one's life. Ultimately, one will die one day, exactly when one exhausts the time determined for him. Then he will feel regret but this will not be of any benefit to him.
Such is the common psychological state of those that live apart from the religion (deen). Allah explains this situation as follows:
When harm touches man, he calls on Us, lying on his side or sitting down or standing up. Then when We remove the harm from him he carries on as if he had never called on Us when the harm first touched him. In that way We make what they have done appear good to the profligate. (Surah Yunus: 12)
When harm touches people they call on their Lord, turning to Him in repentance. But then, when He gives them a taste of mercy from Him, a group of them immediately associate others with their Lord. (Surat ar-Rum: 33)
The people depicted in these verses turn to Allah when they are faced with difficulty. Yet no sooner do they come out of this difficulty than they forget the promises they made to Allah and show ungratefulness. This attitude explains that the regret they felt actually arose from the helplessness one feels in a state of difficulty.
The regret peculiar to believers however is much different from the regret mentioned above for it brings the most benefit to man. True regret is not forgotten at once. It prompts one and even produces fundamental changes in one's character. One who feels sincere regret in his heart lives the rest of his life bestowed to him in compliance with Allah's consent, hoping for Allah's mercy and forgiveness. When circumstances opportunity or a new chance is granted, he never dares to return to his former way of life, being aware that such ungratefulness means a loss for him.
Allah in the Qur'an relates the psychological state of the people facing death aboard the ship so that it may give a warning to all people. That is because their disposition exists in every individual's ego. So drawing a lesson from this example described in the verses above, one should seriously avoid this negative aspect of one's soul and take a sincere audit of one's conscience. Then, he should ask the following questions to himself:
"What kind of a psychological state would I be in, had I been in a similar situation? What would make me regret? What radical changes would I promise myself to make in my character, provided I was saved from the danger? What would I give up doing and what decisions would I sincerely put into practice?"
To consider these and act accordingly, being physically in danger is not necessarily essential. It is all possible that someone failing to consider such a possibility might experience it very soon. Or, he may never face such danger for a lifetime. In both cases however, one thing is certain: when the moment of death destined for a person meets him, he will suddenly find the angels of death next to him. At this very moment when he fully acknowledges the fact of death, if he failed to lead his life in the way of Allah, he would definitely have things to regret.
To avoid regret in this world and the Hereafter, the only thing to do is to turn toward Allah, be mindful of one's duties to Allah, and fulfill the commands of Allah as stated in the Qur'an. Death is too close, so man should never delay doing the things that he is held responsible for. He should put his sincere decisions into action with patience and determination. The sincerity and closeness to Allah should be the sincerity one feels in times of danger and helplessness, if not more.
The most important fact to be remembered is the following: the main purpose of man's existence in this world is to serve Allah and be a servant who earns His good pleasure. Everything except this-namely, one's success, possessions, family, career, etc-are only the means whereby one may get closer to Allah. The efforts of those who endeavor solely to attain those means unconsciously, forgetting and ignoring that these favors are granted to them by Allah so that they turn to Him and render their thanks to Him, will be in vain-unless Allah wills otherwise. Temporary benefits attained in this world can be of no help to man in the Hereafter. In the Qur'an, our Almighty Lord Allah states that these are the sorts of people who will be most overwhelmed with grief:
Say: "Shall I inform you of the greatest losers in their actions? People whose efforts in the life of the world are misguided while they suppose that they are doing good." Those are the people who reject their Lord's Signs and the meeting with Him.
Their actions will come to nothing and, on the Day of Resurrection, We will not assign them any weight. (Surat al-Kahf: 103-105)
Provided that one attains the good pleasure of Allah in this world by way of his attitude and morals, Allah will certainly protect him both in this world and beyond. However if he loses this opportunity in this world, he will regret this terrible error at the moment the angels of death appear to him. This error, unlikely to be compensated for, will be a cause for eternal regret-unless Allah wills otherwise. In the Qur'an, Allah describes the regret that people feel in His Presence as follows:
He will say, "Oh! If only I had prepared in advance for this life of mine!" (Surat al-Fajr: 24)
...He said, "Oh, if only I had not associated anyone with my Lord!" (Surat al-Kahf: 42)
.. "Alas for me! If only I had gone the way of the Messenger!" (Surat al-Furqan: 27)
A person who would not like to desperately utter these words should, right at this moment, submit to our Lord and live by the principles laid by our Creator.
One Should Take Heed From the Regret Felt in This World
The life of this world is an important opportunity granted so that man can earn the perfect and eternal life of the Hereafter.
Those who do not make use of this opportunity and live a life far removed from the religion of Islam will regret every moment they spent in the world when they see the torment in the Hereafter. This is due to the fact that these people had been warned several times and been informed about the existence of the two abodes-Hell and Paradise. They had also been informed that their conduct would dictate which abode they would earn, just as the Prophet (saas) said, "The world is the farm of the Hereafter." (Ihya' al-ulum, iv, 14.)
Allah mercifully provides training for mankind about this feeling of regret in this world by stimulating one's thoughts and feelings through the experience of regret, so that he may avoid reaching this irreversible end. In addition, Allah gives people a certain amount of time so that they can purify themselves from their mistakes and flawed attitudes. During one's lifetime, every human being is offered the opportunity to repent and lead the rest of his life in the way of Allah.
Viewed from this point, the feeling of regret is actually a great opportunity that Allah grants to man. This is because after such deep regret, if one turns to Allah, Allah grants him eternal salvation in response to his sincerity. Conversely, if one heedlessly ignores these warnings and opportunities, then his punishment will be regret and grief that he will not be able to be saved unless Allah so wills it.
In the Qur'an, Allah illustrates various examples of people who regretted their mistakes. These feelings of regret urged a group of people to turn to Allah and saved them from repeating their mistake for the rest of their lives. Yet another group totally forgot about this regret in time, and out of recurring ignorance, returned to their former rebellious selves.
Allah informs us in the Qur'an of the regret experienced by the three people who did not take part in a battle during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (saas) as an apposite example of repentance stemming from regret:
Allah has turned towards the Prophet, and those who fled (their homes) and the helpers who followed him at the "time of difficulty," after the hearts of a group of them had almost deviated. Then He turned towards them - He is All-Gentle, Most Merciful to them-and also towards the three who were left behind, so that when the earth became narrow for them, for all its great breadth, and their own selves became constricted for them and they realized that there was no refuge from Allah except in Him, He relented towards them so that they might repent. Allah is the Ever-Returning, the Most Merciful. (Surat at-Tawba: 117-118)
As we learn from the verses above, the three people who were left behind suffered a great regret in their hearts. Consequently, they realized that the only way to be saved from this regret was to repent and seek refuge in Allah. This is the sincere regret that mobilizes people, changes them, and urges them to correct their mistakes. Such sincere people will lead a life in compliance with Allah's consent and hope for Allah's compassion and mercy. Allah informs us in the Qur'an that He surely accepts repentance from His servants and forgives them:
Except for those who repents and have faith and act rightly: Allah will transform the wrong actions of such people into good -Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful - for certainly all who repents and act rightly have turned sincerely towards Allah. (Surat al-Furqan: 70-71)
But as for those who do evil actions and then subsequently repent and have faith, in that case your Lord is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat al-Araf: 153)
But I am Ever-Forgiving to anyone who repents and has faith and acts rightly and then is guided. (Surah Ta Ha: 82)
It is also stated in the Qur'an that those nations to whom the prophets were sent regretted their wrong doings. Likewise, the people of the Prophet Moses (as) who couldn't wait for him to return from Mount Sinai with Allah's message forgot Allah and reverted to idol-worship. Allah describes this nation's great regret for their sin as follows:
After he left, Moses' people adopted a calf made from their ornaments, a form which made a lowing sound. Did they not see that it could not speak to them or guide them to any way? They adopted it and so they were wrongdoers.
When they took full stock of what they had done and saw they had been misled, they said, "If our Lord does not have mercy on us and forgive us, we will certainly be among the lost." (Surat al-A'raf: 148-149)
Allah emphasizes regret once again in the Qur'an in the story of the owners of the garden. Allah granted them a garden as a favor. However, they grew arrogant, appropriated the garden for themselves, and forgot to be grateful to Allah. Hence the punishment they received caused them to regret their actions and turn towards Allah. The verses concerning the owners of the garden as follows:
We have tried them as We tried the owners of the garden when they swore that they would harvest in the morning but did not say the redeeming words, "If Allah wills." So a visitation from your Lord came upon it while they slept and in the morning it was like burnt land stripped bare. In the morning they called out to one another, "Leave early for your land if you want to pick the fruit." So they set off, quietly saying to one another, "Do not let any poor man into it today while you are there." They left early, intent on carrying out their scheme.
But when they saw it, they said, "We must have lost our way. No, the truth is we are destitute!" The best of them said, "Did I not say to you, why do you not glorify Allah?" They said, "Glory be to our Lord! Truly we have been wrongdoers." They turned to face each other in mutual accusation. They said, "Woe to us! We were indeed inordinate. Maybe our Lord will give us something better than it in exchange. We entreat our Lord." (Surat al-Qalam: 17-32)
But when the conditions change or they are given a new opportunity, most people forget the warning, which is supposed to make them regret, repent and encourage them to do good deeds. Those who ignore the warnings and return to their former attitudes will surely be punished unless they repent in time as was the case with Thamud, the people of the Prophet Salih. (as). These people blatantly rejected the warnings of the Prophet Salih (as), although they knew that they would regret their inevitable doom. Surely Allah will never break His promise in bringing forth His command. Allah informs us of this fact, which will be a lesson for all people in the Qur'an:
He said, "Here is a she-camel. She has a time for drinking and you have a time for drinking-on specified days. Do not do anything to harm her or the punishment of a terrible day will come down on you." But they hamstrung her and woke up full of remorse, for the punishment did come down them. There is certainly a Sign in that, yet most of them are not believers. Truly your Lord is the Almighty, the Most Merciful. (Surat ash-Shu'ara: 155-159)
One has to remember that Allah is just. He does not leave any fault unanswered; yet He also generously rewards the good deeds done for Him. He gives glad tidings of His mercy and Paradise to those who turn towards Him with sincere repentance. Considering these, one should ask oneself the following: being aware of the intense trouble a temporary regret causes in this world, is it worth taking the risk of a regret that may last forever? Not to forget that this will be the regret one would suffer in the never-ending afterlife in Hell...
Surely, nobody would risk feeling such regret in the Hereafter. In this case, what one has to do is apparent: every single person in this world still has the time to seize this opportunity. The one who capitalizes on this favor of Allah will not only be saved from the fire but will also be the heir of the blessings of this world and the eternal Hereafter.
Therefore, every person who endeavors to attain these blessings and avoid the regret of the Companions of the Fire needs to devote himself to earning the pleasure of Allah. One needs to unconditionally follow the route bringing man out of darkness into light. Allah lays down this route in the following verses:
It is He Who calls down blessing on you, as do His angels, to bring you out of the darkness into the light. He is Most Merciful to the believers. Their greeting on the Day they meet Him will be "Peace!" and He has prepared a generous reward for them. (Surat al-Ahzab: 43-44)
(Surat al-Muminun: 39-40)
Occasionally a person faces various physical and spiritual sorrows and troubles in the world. Amongst these are feelings so intense that they cannot be compared with any other physical pain. This feeling that causes such great distress in the human soul is a feeling called "regret."
There are two completely different forms of regret, however. The regret felt by people of faith and the regret that non-believers experience. These two feelings are extremely different from one another.
Believers are the people who have an absolute faith in the fact that events take place by Allah's Will, and whatever befalls them does so by Allah's Will. This explains their all-important distinctive attribute of putting their unyielding trust in Allah, at good times, in trouble or when they make a mistake. The Prophet Muhammad (saas) pointed out the strong character of the believer with a comparison in the hadith below:
The similitude of a believer is that of a standing crop in a field which is shaken by wind and then it comes to its original position but it stands at its roots. (Muslim)
Upon making a mistake, a believer immediately repents with sincerity and hopes for Allah's forgiveness. As a result, he does not suffer from a distressful and long-lived feeling of regret. The regret felt by believers urges them to ask for repentance, to purify themselves and prevents them from repeating this error. It helps them rectify their errors and prevents them from plunging into a distressful and pessimistic mood. Moreover, this regret does not reduce their enthusiasm, devotion, or religious zeal nor does it drag them downward into a spiral of apprehension and depression.
Regret felt by unbelievers, on the other hand, is very distressing and long-lasting, as they do not put their trust in Allah when they encounter a difficulty or commit a transgression. Throughout their lives, they often use phrases like "I wish I had not done this..." "I wish I had never said this...," and so on.
More importantly, they are subject to a much greater regret in the Hereafter. Those who lived a life apart from the religion (deen) in this world will regret every misguided moment of their lives. They were warned before and invited to the straight path. They had enough time to contemplate and embrace the right way. Yet they did not listen when they were warned, ignoring the Hereafter as if they would never die. Then in the Hereafter, they will have no possibility to get back to this world and correct their errors. In the Qur'an, Allah relates their regretful expressions as follows:
We have warned you of an imminent punishment on the Day when a man will see what he has done, and the unbeliever will say, "Oh, if only I were dust!" (Surat an-Naba': 40)
If only you could see when they are standing before the Fire and saying, "Oh! If only we could be sent back again, we would not deny the Signs of our Lord and we would be among the believers." (Surat al-An'am: 27)
They will say, "If only we had really listened and used our intellect, we would not have been Companions of the Blaze." (Surat al-Mulk: 10)
The aim of this book is to warn people against a day when they will regret saying "had we only understood...," "had we only not rejected the signs of our Lord...," "had we only followed those who brought us the message...," "had we only done this and that" etc and to invite them to live for Allah while they still have the possibility to correct their wrongs.
Keep in mind that that day no one's regret will save him from Allah's wrath. The only way to avoid this regret is to submit to Allah while there is still time and to comply with the commands of Allah.
This book is an invitation to the way of Allah and a reminder of the penalty in the inevitable Hereafter, where there will be no place to hide nor any probability of deliverance. Allah reminds this fact in the Qur'an in this way:
Respond to your Lord before a Day comes from Allah which cannot be turned back. On that Day you will have no hiding-place and no means of denial. (Surat ash-Shura: 47)