THOSE THING THAT NEED TO BE THOUGHT ABOUT
(Surat Al 'Imran: 191)
THOSE THING THAT NEED TO BE THOUGHT ABOUT
Thus
far we have mentioned the importance of thinking, the benefits it
brings man and that thought is a very important faculty that separates
man from other creatures. We have also mentioned the causes that
prevent thinking. The main purpose in all this is to encourage people
to think and to help them see the purpose of their creation and honor
Allah's endless knowledge and might.
The following pages describe what a person believing in Allah should think about the things he encounters during the day, what lessons he can draw from the events he witnesses, how he should thank and come closer to Allah by seeing His art and knowledge in everything.
Certainly what will be mentioned here covers only a very small part of a man's thinking capacity. Man has the ability to think every moment of his life. The scope of man's thought is so broad that it is almost impossible to put any constraints or limits on it. The purpose of the next section will be to open a door for people who do not make use of their faculty of thinking as is appropriate.
It should be borne in mind that only people who reflect can understand and assume a different position than others. The situation of those who cannot see the miraculous events around them and cannot reflect has been related in the verses of Allah:
The likeness of those who disbelieve is that of
someone who yells out to something which cannot hear – it is nothing
but a cry and a call. Deaf – dumb – blind. They do not use their
intellects. (Surat al-Baqara: 171)
…They have hearts they do not understand with. They have eyes they do
not see with. They have ears they do not hear with. Such people are
like cattle. No, they are even further astray! They are the unaware.
(Surat al-A'raf: 179)
Do you suppose that most of them hear or understand? They are just like
cattle. Indeed they are even more astray! (Surat al-Furqan: 44)
Those who are able to see Allah's signs, the miraculous
aspects of the beings and events He creates, and who, therefore, can
understand, are people who reflect. Such people can derive conclusions
from everything, big or small, they see around them.
When One Wakes up in the Morning…
There are no special conditions or preparation needed for someone to start thinking. From the moment we wake up in the morning, plenty of opportunities for thought lie before us.
A long day lies ahead of us when we wake up in the morning. Most of the time, we do not feel tired or sleepy; we are ready to start everything over again. Thinking this, one remembers a verse of Allah:
It is He Who made the night a cloak for you and sleep a rest, and He made the day a time for rising. (Surat al-Furqan: 47)
Washing the face and taking a shower, we pull ourselves together and come more fully to our senses. Now we are ready to think about many useful issues. There are many concerns much more important than what we will have for breakfast or what time we have to leave home, and we first have to think about them.
First of all, the fact that we are able to wake up in the morning is a great miracle. Despite having lost consciousness entirely during the night, in the morning we recover consciousness and our personalities. The heart beats, we are able to breathe, talk and see. In fact, when we go to sleep, there is no guarantee that these favors will be returned to us in the morning. Nor have we met any disasters during the night. For example, the absent-mindedness of a neighbor could have caused a gas leakage and a great explosion during the night could have woken us. A catastrophe could have occurred in our locality and we could have lost our lives.
We could have had other problems with our bodies; for example, we could have woken up with severe pains in the kidneys or with a headache. Yet, none of these things happened and we have woken up safe and sound. Thinking about all of this, we thank Allah for His mercy and protection.
Starting a new day in good health means Allah is giving us another opportunity to achieve more for the Hereafter.
Therefore, the best attitude to take is that we will spend our day in such a way as to please Allah. Man should, prior to everything else, make plans for this and keep his mind occupied with thoughts along these lines. One of the most important ways of pleasing Allah is to ask Him for help about this matter. The prayer of the Prophet Sulayman (as), peace be upon him, sets a good example for the believers:
…My Lord, keep me thankful for the blessing You
have bestowed on me and on my parents, and keep me acting rightly,
pleasing You, and admit me, by Your mercy, among Your righteous
servants. (Surat an-Naml: 19)
What Our Weaknesses Make Us Think
 It is Allah who created you from a weak beginning then after weakness gave you strength then after strength ordained weakness and grey hair. He creates whatever He wills. He is All-Knowing, All-Powerful. (Surat ar-Rum: 19) |
Realising our incapacities as soon as we get out of bed, we start to think. Every morning we have to wash our faces and brush our teeth. Seeing these, we start to think of our other weaknesses. For instance, that we have to take a bath every day, that there is only a thin layer of skin holding our bodies together, that our bodies are vulnerable to infections, and cannot stand sleeplessness, hunger and thirst. These are all signs of our weakness.
If the person looking in the mirror in the morning is aged, some other thoughts may come to mind. The first signs of ageing start to appear on the face after the first two decades of life. In the thirties, wrinkles begin to appear beneath the eyes and around the mouth; the skin is no longer as ruddy as it used to be, and deterioration can be observed over a great part of the body. With age, the hair turns white and even the hands age.
For someone who thinks about these things, old age is one of the most powerful events displaying the temporary nature of the life of this world and it holds one back from being attached greedily to this world. Someone who starts to grow old understands that a countdown has started in his life in this world. In truth, that which ages and for which the countdown is now underway is the body. The body gradually declines but the soul does not grow old. Most people are strongly influenced by the outward appearance of a person – whether they are perceived to be attractive or otherwise. Perhaps a person with outward beauty is more confident and arrogant than someone who feels that they are unattractive. Ageing shows how temporary the outward façade of the body is, that the only thing that is acceptable before Allah and the only things of benefit to fellow man are right actions, good qualities of character along with commitment to Allah.
Each time we face our weaknesses, we realize that the only being that is Perfect and High Exalted above imperfections is Allah, and then we glorify the greatness of Allah. Allah has created every weakness man possesses with a purpose. Some of these purposes are to help people not be attached to the life of this world and not go astray with their possessions. Someone who grasps these by thinking, wants Allah to recreate him free from all these weaknesses in the Hereafter.
Our weaknesses remind us of another very important point.
While a flower that grows from the soil of the earth smells and looks
perfectly clean, we must take care of our bodies on a very regular
basis, otherwise we begin to smell. This is something that arrogant and
conceited people in particular have to think about and from which they
should take warning.
What Some Features of the Human Body Make One Think About
Looking
at the mirror in the morning, we may think about many things we have
not thought about before. For example, our eyelashes, eyebrows, bones
and teeth stop growing when they reach a certain length. If they grew
more than this certain length then it would be painful and unsightly
for us. There is perfect harmony and proportion in the growth of bones.
For example the bones of the upper human limbs do not grow
unnecessarily long leaving the body out of proportion. Their growth
comes to a halt just in time as if each bone knows how long it should
grow. On the other hand, our hair and nails continue to grow and this
too has its purpose.
Certainly, the things mentioned here come about as a result of certain physical reactions that take place in the body. Yet someone who reflects also wonders: how do these reactions take place? Who placed just as much as is necessary of hormones and enzymes in the body thus determining the growth of everything? And who controls the amounts and secretions of these?
Doubtless, it is impossible to claim that all these have
come into being by coincidence. It is impossible for the cells
constituting man or the unconscious atoms constituting cells to take
such decisions. It is evident that each one of these is the art of
Allah Who creates us in the best form.
On the way…
 There are many things on which to reflect in what we see on the way. |
After waking up and getting ready in the morning, most people set out on the way to their offices, schools or to do some other worldly work. For a believer this short trip is the beginning of doing good deeds that will please Allah. As we leave home and go outside, we readily come across many subjects on which we ought to reflect. There are thousands of people, cars, trees, big and small, and countless details all around us. Here, the outlook of a believer is very clear. We try to get the most from what we see around us. We think about the causes of events. The view we confront has come about within the knowledge of Allah and by His will. Therefore, there should certainly be causes behind it. Since Allah has set these images before us, there must be something to be seen in them and thought about. From the moment we wake up, we give thanks to Allah for having given us another day in this world to earn our reward with Him. Now, we have started a journey in which we can earn these rewards. Being aware of this, we think about the verse of Allah: "We made the day for earning a living." (Surat an-Naba': 11). In accordance with this verse, we make plans on how to spend the day in doing deeds that are useful to other people and with which Allah will be pleased.
When we reach our car or any other vehicle with these plans in mind, we again give thanks to Allah. No matter how far the destination, we have the means to get there. As a convenience, Allah has created many vehicles for people to use in travel. In particular, recent technological developments have introduced many new possibilities such as cars, trains, aeroplanes, ships, helicopters, buses, etc. Pondering this, one remembers one more issue: it is Allah Who puts this technology at the service of mankind.
 A person who thinks sees that it is Allah Who puts technology at the service of mankind. |
Everyday, scientists come up with new discoveries and innovations that facilitate our lives. They accomplish all these things with the means that Allah creates on the earth. Someone who thinks, continues his trip by giving thanks to Allah for putting these at his service.
In
this world, Allah has created settings and sights on this earth
through which we can begin to imagine what both Paradise and Hell could
be like, or guess, through comparison, how they will be. Stacks of
rubbish, foul odors, confined, dingy and dark places cause considerable
distress to our souls. One never wants to be in such places. All these
qualities remind one of Hell and anyone who encounters such scenes
remembers the verses about Hell. Allah has depicted in many verses of
the Qur'an the unpleasant sights, darkness, and filth of Jahannum:
And the Companions of the Left: what of the Companions of the Left? Amid searing blasts and scalding water,
And the murk of thick black smoke,
Providing no coolness and no pleasure. (Surat al-Waqi'a: 41-44)
When they are flung into a narrow place in it, shackled together in chains, they will cry out there for destruction. "Do not cry out today for just one destruction, cry out for many destructions!" (Surat al-Furqan: 13-14)
  A pleasant view or a confined and dingy place may trigger many different thoughts in us. |
Remembering these ayat of the Qur'an, we pray to Allah for Him to protect us from the fury of hell and we ask forgiveness for our mistakes.
One who does not employ such modes of thought, on the other
hand, spends his day grumbling, fussing, and looking for someone to
blame in every incident. He will become angry at people who dump their
rubbish and at the municipality that was late in collecting it. He will
busy his mind with many subjects throughout the day such as the unjust
scolding he receives from his boss or the negative comment from his
work colleague. These vain thoughts, however, are of no use to him in
his afterlife. One might stop to think whether he should push so many
things aside. Indeed, many people claim the real reason that keeps them
from thinking is the struggle they have to carry on in this world.
They say that they cannot think because of problems such as food,
accommodation and health. This, however, is nothing but an excuse and
deceiving oneself. One's responsibilities and the state one is in have
nothing to do with one's thinking. Someone who tries to think to gain
the pleasure of Allah will find Allah's help beside him. He will see
that the issues that seems to be a problem for him are solved one by
one and every passing day he will be able to spare more and more time
to think. This is something understood and experienced only by
believers.
What A Multi-Colored World Makes One Think
Continuing on our journey, we try to see Allah's signs and creational miracles around us, and honor His glory by thinking about them. When we look around us, we see a multi-colored world. We then think: "What would everything be like if the world were not multi-colored?"
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Have a look at the pictures below and think. Would we derive the same pleasure as we now do from a sea or mountain landscape or a flower without color? Would images of the sky, fruits, butterflies, clothes, and faces of people give us as much pleasure as they now do? It is a favor from our Lord that we live in a vibrant multi-colored world. Every color we see in nature, the perfect harmony of living beings' colors are all signs of the matchless art and unique creation of Allah. The colors of a flower, or a bird and the harmony of these colors or the soft interplay between colors, the fact that nothing disturbs our eyes in nature, that, for instance, the colors of the seas, the sky, and the trees are in tones that give us peace and do not exhaust our eyes, show the perfection of Allah's creation. Reflecting on all these things, we come to understand that everything we see around us is a work of the infinite knowledge and omnipotence of Allah. In return for all these favors Allah has granted us, we fear Allah and seek His protection from being ungrateful. In the Qur'an, Allah reminds us of the presence of colors, and states that only those who have knowledge have fear of Allah. Elsewhere, Allah makes it clear that the believers continually reflect and use their intellects, explore by thinking and derive conclusions from their reflections:
Do you not see that Allah sends down
water from the sky and by it We bring forth fruits of varying colors?
And in the mountains there are streaks of white and red, or varying
shades, and rocks of deep jet black. And mankind and beasts and
livestock are likewise of varying colors. Only those of His servants
with knowledge have fear of Allah. Allah is Almighty, Ever-Forgiving.
(Surah Fatir: 27-28)
What A Passing Hearse Should Make One Think
One day while rushing to his destination, a person may see the sight of a funeral hearse. In fact, this is a very important opportunity for reflection. The sight he meets reminds him of death. One day, he, too, will be in that hearse. There is no doubt about it, no matter how much he evades it, death will sooner or later find him. Whether in his bed, or on his way, or on vacation, he will certainly leave this world, for death is an inescapable reality.
At that instant, a believer remembers the following verses of Allah:
Every self will taste death. Then you will be returned to Us. As for those who believe and do right actions, We will lodge them in lofty chambers in the Garden, with rivers flowing under them, remaining in them timelessly, for ever. How excellent is the reward of those who act: those who are steadfast and put their trust in their Lord. (Surat al-‘Ankabut: 57-59)
 A funeral we encounter should make us think of "our own death" and that this world is short and temporary. |
Certainly, the consideration that his own body will also be placed in a shroud, covered with soil by his kinsmen, his forename and surname carved on a gravestone, removes man's attachment to the world. Someone who sincerely and realistically thinks about this, sees how senseless it is to lay claim to a body which one day is to decay in the earth.
In the above verses of Surat al-'Ankabut, Allah gives the glad tidings of Paradise after death to those who are patient and put their trust in Allah. For this reason, believers, thinking that they will die one day, try to live sincerely directed towards Allah, living in right action and with the good character commanded by Allah to attain Paradise. Every time they think about the closeness of death, their determination grows and they try to adopt the highest values and increasingly develop them throughout their lives.
On the other hand, those who give precedence to other
thoughts, and spend their lives in vain anxieties, do not think that the
same will definitely befall them one day, even in the event that they
come across a hearse and even though they pass by cemeteries every day,
and even when some of their loved ones die beside them.
During the Day…
In the face of all events he comes across throughout the day, a
believer always thinks of Allah's verses, and tries to have an
understanding of the subtleties in events and the blessings and wisdom
in Allah's creation.
He reacts to each event, which is a favor or which seems to be an untoward event with the good character of which Allah will approve. For a person who believes, the place he is in has little importance. Whether at school, at work, or shopping, by reflecting on the fact that Allah creates everything, he tries to see the hidden purpose in events and the beauties that He creates, and he leads a life abiding by the verses of Allah. This attitude of believers is related in the Qur'an as follows:
There are men who proclaim His glory
morning and evening, not distracted by trade or commerce from the
remembrance of Allah and the establishment of salat (regular Prayer)
and the payment of zakat (regular Charity); fearing a day when all
hearts and eyes will be in turmoil – so that Allah can reward them for
the best of what they did and give them more from His unbounded favor.
Allah provides for anyone He wills without reckoning. (Surat an-Nur:
37-38)
What Difficulties Someone Meets at Work Make Him Think
Man may encounter various difficulties throughout the day. However, whatever difficulty he encounters, he needs to put his trust in Allah and think: "Allah tests us with everything we do and we think about in the life of this world. This is a very important reality of which we should not lose sight even for a moment. Therefore, if we meet a difficulty in anything that we do or assume, from our point of view, that things do not proceed on the right track, we should never forget that all these events are set against us to test our conduct."
 It is essential to think that there is good in all events that seem like trouble and then everything will result in the best way with the help of Allah. |
These thoughts which cross one's mind are true of all major or minor events one encounters during the day. For instance, we may lose money due to a misunderstanding or carelessness; we may lose a file on the computer on which we have worked for hours due to a technical reason; we may fail in an exam despite working very hard; we may misplace keys or documents that cause us to miss the train to work and we may end up being late for an important meeting. There are numerous such incidents which everyone may, and almost certainly will, come across in their lifetime and consider in their opinion to be a difficulty and "nuisance".
In all these incidents, a person with faith immediately thinks that Allah is testing his conduct and patience, and that it is senseless for a man who will die and give account in the Hereafter to be carried away by such incidents and lose time by worrying about them. He knows that there is good behind all these events. He never grieves over what has occurred, never says "Alas" to any happening and asks Allah to facilitate his work.
And when relief follows difficulty, we realize that this is an answer to our prayer to Allah; that Allah is the Hearer of prayers and He responds to them, and we give thanks to Allah.
Throughout the day thinking these thoughts, one never becomes hopeless, worries, feels sorry, or is left desperate, no matter what one encounters. We know that Allah has created all of these for some good and that there is a blessing in them. Moreover, we think like this not only in major events that may befall us but, as we have mentioned, also in all of the details, big or small, we meet in our daily life.
Think of a person who cannot settle an important matter as he wishes, and who encounters serious problems just when he is about to reach his goal. If this person does not possess the deep understanding brought by faith, he then suddenly becomes angry, frustrated and distressed and, in short, develops all sorts of negative feelings. However, someone who thinks that there is good in everything, tries to find the hidden purpose in this event which Allah shows him. He thinks that Allah may have brought to his attention that he must take more definite measures regarding this issue. He takes all the essential measures and gives thanks to Allah saying, "Maybe this helped to prevent more serious harm."
Someone who misses the bus while trying to reach an appointment may think, "Perhaps my being late and not being on this bus have saved me from an accident or another harm". These are only a few examples. One may also think, "There might be many other such hidden purposes". These kinds of examples can be multiplied within a person's life. The important thing is that our plans may not always be resolved according to our wishes. We may suddenly find ourselves in a completely different situation than we had planned. In such circumstances, someone who behaves resignedly and looks for good in the particular event he faces, prospers. Allah states:
It may be that you hate something when it is good for you and it may be that you love something when it is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know. (Surat al-Baqara: 216)
As Allah states in His verse, we cannot know but Allah knows.
Therefore, it is Allah Who knows what is good and bad for us. What falls
to man is merely to take Allah, Full of Kindness and Most Merciful,
for a friend and submit to Allah with full submission.
Things that are Thought While Working at Something…
It is important that while working on something, we do not let our minds go blank and that we always think of the good. The human mind is capable of doing more than one thing at a time. A person driving a car, cleaning the house, working, walking on the street, can also think of acts of goodness at the same time.
While cleaning the house, a person can give thanks to Allah for having given him such everyday means as water and detergents. Knowing that Allah loves cleanliness and clean people, he sees the work he does as an act of worship and with it hopes to earn the good pleasure of Allah. In addition, he takes pleasure in offering a comfortable setting for other people by cleaning the place in which he resides.
Someone working at a job prays to Allah in secret constantly, asks Him to facilitate his work, and thinks that he cannot succeed in anything unless Allah wills. We see that in the Qur'an, the prophets, who set an example for us, constantly turn towards Allah in secret, and think of Allah while working. One of these blessed people is the Prophet Musa (as), peace be upon him. After helping two women he met on his way to water their flocks, he turned towards Allah:
When he arrived at the water of Madyan, he found a crowd of people drawing water there. Standing apart from them, he found two women, holding back their sheep. He said, "What are you two doing here?" They said, "We cannot draw water until the shepherds have driven off their sheep. You see our father is a very old man." So he drew water for them and then withdrew into the shade and said, "My Lord, I am truly in need of any good You have in store for me." (Surat al-Qasas: 23-24)
Another example we see in the Qur'an about this subject is that of the Prophets Ibrahim and Isma'il, peace be upon them. Allah says that these prophets thought of good things for other believers while working together, and they turned towards Him and prayed to Him about their work:
And when Ibrahim built the foundations of
the House with Isma'il: "Our Lord, accept this from us! You are the
All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. Our Lord, make us both Muslims submitted
to You, and our descendants a Muslim community submitted to You. Show
us our rites of worship and turn towards us. You are the
Ever-Returning, the Most Merciful. Our Lord, raise up among them a
Messenger from them to recite Your Signs to them and teach them the Book
and Wisdom and purify them. You are Almighty, the All-Wise." (Surat
al-Baqara: 127-129)
What A Cobweb Makes One Think
 There are many things in the perfect design of the web produced by a tiny insect on which to think. |
There are many things for someone who spends his day at home to think about. For example, while doing cleaning, he might see a spider that has woven its web in a corner of the house. If he realizes that he ought to think about this creature which is normally of no importance to anyone, he will see new doors being opened for him. This tiny insect he sees before him is a miracle of Allah's supreme creation. There is perfect symmetry in the web the spider has woven. Furthermore, the spider weaves this web in a very high speed, and while doing this, does not, even for once go back and check whether it is symmetrical or not. But it sets off a structure with a perfect composition. If, a person wonders how a tiny spider could achieve such an astonishingly perfect symmetry and does a quick research he will encounter some rather extraordinary facts: the thread a spider uses is thirty percent more flexible than a rubber thread of the same thickness. The thread the spider produces is of such superior quality that men use it as a model for the manufacture of bullet-proof vests. Indeed, a substance, which many people consider a ‘simple' spider's web, is in fact equivalent to one of the most ideal industrial materials in the world.
As
man witnesses the perfect order of the living things around him, if he
keeps on thinking, he will come across even more astonishing facts.
When he examines the fly, which he constantly meets, but to which he has
never paid attention, and probably at which he has even become angry
and tried to kill, he sees that it has a very meticulous and detailed
habit of cleaning itself. The fly frequently alights on a spot and
cleans its fore- and hind-limbs separately. Then it cleans the dust off
its wings and head thoroughly with its fore- and hind-limbs. It
continues cleaning until it is assured of its cleanliness. All other
types of flies and insects clean themselves in a similar way, with the
same attention to detail and meticulousness. This indicates that the
Almighty Allah taught them how to clean themselves.
The same fly flaps it wings approximately five hundred times per second while flying. In fact, no man-made machine could operate at such a rate, but would shatter and burn because of friction. However, neither the wings, muscles, nor the joints of the fly are harmed. Taking into account the direction and speed of the wind, it can fly in any direction without being diverted. Even with our current technology, man is very far from producing a device with these extraordinary features and techniques of flight. Yet such an insignificant living being, which man usually brushes aside and pays no attention to, achieves something remarkable that man so far has been unable to achieve. Clearly, it is impossible to claim that a fly does this by merit of its own abilities and intelligence. Allah has given the fly all its outstanding characteristics and abilities.
 Invisible mites. |
There is both visible and invisible life everywhere around us we casually glance. There is not even a square centimeter on the earth where life does not exist. Humans, plants, and animals are creatures that man is able to see, yet there are also creatures that man cannot see but of whose existence he is aware. The houses we live in, for example, are full of microscopic creatures called mites. Similarly, in the air we breathe are countless viruses. The number of bacteria living in the soil of our gardens is astonishingly high.
The person who reflects on the incredibly diverse life on earth also remembers the perfect systems of these creatures. All the creatures we see are each a clear sign of Allah's art. In the same manner, great miracles are hidden in microscopic creatures as well. The virus, bacteria or mites which are all invisible to us, have their own bodily mechanisms. Allah created their habitats, feeding patterns, and reproductive and defense systems. Someone who reflects on these facts remembers Allah's verse:
How many creatures do not carry their
provision with them! Allah provides for them and He will for you. He is
the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. (Surat al-‘Ankabut: 60)
What Illnesses Make One Think About
Man is a being who has many weaknesses and who has to make continual effort to deal with his incompleteness. Illnesses expose man's weakness most explicitly. Therefore, when a friend, or we ourselves, become sick, we have to think about the hidden purpose in it. When we think, we see that even the flu, which is considered a simple illness, offers lessons from which we can take warning. For example, it is amazing to think that the main cause of flu is a virus so tiny as to be invisible to the naked eye. However, such a tiny organism is enough to cause a grown adult to lose his strength, and make him so exhausted as to prevent him walking or talking. Most of the time, the pills we take or the meals we eat do not do any good. The only thing we can do is rest and wait. During a bout of the flu, a war is taking place in the body in which we cannot intervene. We are tied hand and foot by a tiny organism. In such a situation, what we should first remember is the following verse of Allah, in which Prophet Ibrahim (as), peace be upon him, says:
He Who created me and guides me;
He Who gives me food and gives me drink;
And when I am ill, it is He Who heals me;
He Who will cause my death, then give me life;
He Who I sincerely hope will forgive my mistakes on the Day of Reckoning.
My Lord, give me right judgment and unite me with the righteous. (Surat ash-Shu‘ara': 79-83)
  A virus invisible to the naked eye can cause a large human body to be confined to bed. |
A person who catches any type of illness should compare his attitude in good health to his attitude during his sickness and think about it. He should realize his modest state in times of illness, how strongly he understood that he is in need of Allah, and, for instance, on his way to an operation, how sincerely and strongly he prayed to Allah. A person who catches any type of illness should compare his attitude in good health to his attitude during sickness and think about it. In times of good health, one should frequently remember periods of sickness; how strongly he felt in need of Allah at such times, and, for instance, on his way to an operation, how sincerely and fervently he prayed to Allah.
When we witness someone else's illness, we should
immediately give thanks to Allah when we remember our own good health.
When a believer sees a man with a crippled leg, he should think about
what a major and important favor his own leg is to him. He understands
that his being able to walk wherever he wants, as soon as he rises in
the morning, and to run when necessary or take care of himself without
being in need of anyone else, are each great favors of Allah. As he
thinks and makes such comparisons, he grasps better the value of the
blessings he has been granted.
What Does One Think upon Meeting an Arrogant, Spoiled, Offensive, Bad-Tempered Person?
During the day, in the office or at school, one comes across many different types of people. These people may not all be good-natured people who fear Allah. The believer who meets such people, is never influenced by them but keeps on behaving in the manner commanded by Allah. He knows that the reason for the bad character traits of these people is their lack of fear of Allah and their disbelief in the Hereafter, and the following thoughts flow through his mind: Allah warns people about the agony of Hell and asks them to think of the endless torment and amend their conduct in the life of this world, turn humbly towards Allah and live sincerely by the religion (deen). If one realizes that he is face to face with such a serious threat, he will certainly take precautions to avoid it. Yet, those who do not think about it and therefore do not comprehend its seriousness, act as if there is no place of fire and torment being prepared for them.
Someone who is aware of these facts, remembers some other very important matters. While waiting at the edge of the fire of Hell, the attitudes of each one of these people will be completely different. If someone, who does not hesitate to display spoiled, impudent and arrogant manners today, lacking all belief in Allah, is arrested on the Day of Reckoning and brought before the pit of Hell dragged on the ground and subjected to constant degradation, then the expression on his face, his attitude, the way he speaks or the words he uses will not be as they used to be.
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If an aggressive disrespectful person inclined to commit
crimes, stripped from any human aspect, is brought to the edge of the
fire of Hell, he will feel eternal regret when he sees the punishment of
Hell.
Someone who makes all kinds of excuses for not living by the religious morality and not worshipping Allah in the life of this world, will not be able to make the same excuses waiting in front of the gate of Hell. At that time, prostration will no longer be possible even though the disbeliever wants to perform it, and prayer will no longer be answered even though the disbeliever prays earnestly.
Someone who fears Allah never forgets these matters. He thinks about the fire of Hell and by virtue of it sees what right manners, right words, and good character are. Since he has a strong faith in the existence of Hell and constantly thinks about it, he always acts as if he is on the edge of the Hellfire, and always thinks about the fact that he will be called to account for everything he does.
 Allah has given people various kinds of food. The presence of thousands of kinds of food with various tastes and fragrances is an indication of Allah's mercy to people. |
Allah calls people to think of Hell and the Day of Reckoning:
On the Day that each self finds the good
it did, and the evil it did, present there in front of it, it will wish
there were an age between it and then. Allah advises you to beware of
Him. Allah is Ever-Gentle with His servants. (Surah Al 'Imran: 30)
While Eating…
It is Allah Who made the earth a stable home for you and the sky a dome, and formed you, giving you the best of forms, and provided you with good and wholesome things. That is Allah, your Lord. Blessed be Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. (Surah Ghafir: 64)
Allah has given people diverse, pure, delicious food and drink in the world. Certainly, all these are manifestations of Allah's endless grace and His mercy to people. People could well live their lives with only one kind of food and drink but Allah has bestowed upon them countless favors: fruits, vegetables and various kinds of meats…
A believer who knows that all these favors are from Allah, thinks about them and gives thanks to Allah every time he sits down to a meal.
Of
What Do Fruits Served During a Meal Make One Think?
In many verses of the Qur'an, Allah mentions that He blesses people with many kinds of food. These foods are there in front of anyone who sits down to a meal. The dining table is decked with various vegetables grown from the soil, and many animal products. Man, by nature, is created to find pleasure in these foods. These foods, each one more delicious than the next, are at the same time necessary for our survival. Let us think about what we would do if these nourishing foods, so necessary for our survival, had no taste, or if they tasted bad, or if they were harmful to us despite their pleasant taste, or if there were only a few kinds of food on which we fed, solely for survival. Allah's mercy to us is the only reason we are faced with such a picture as we see on the table. Even if one thinks only of fruit, one will recognize the tremendous favor shown us.
The conscientious person, who sees a large variety of fruit on the dining table, thinks:
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Out of the dark soil come fruits of diverse colors, a variety of fragrances, with extremely clean contents, each of which has a very pleasant taste.
- The banana, tangerine, orange, melon, and watermelon, in short all fruits, are created each with its own wrapping. Their peels protect the inner fruit from decay and ruin. Their fragrances are also preserved in these wrappings. Soon after their wrappings are removed, they begin to turn black and spoil.
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When examined one by one, the fruits are seen to have many delicate points of significance. The tangerine and orange, for example, are segmented. If they were a single piece, it would have been more difficult to eat such juicy fruits. Yet, Allah has fashioned them in slices for people's convenience. Unquestionably, this flawless, extremely aesthetic order, perfectly addressing our needs, is one of the signs of the creation of Allah, the Most Knowing.
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The strawberry, for example, is a very special fruit with its particular form and taste. The patterns on it seem as if they are meticulously designed. With its refreshing red form crowned with green leaves, it is one of the works of the matchless art of Allah. The sweetness in its fragrance and taste, and tiny seeds on the surface of the fruit, make it easy to eat thus reminding one of the fruits of Paradise. That a fruit, which almost entirely grows in the soil, has such a beautiful and striking color, is a very strong sign to us from Allah Who creates it and Who manifests His art, wisdom and knowledge in the things He creates.
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The presence of different fruits in each season is another subject to think about. It is a favor and grace of Allah to people that, for example, in winter, a period when people need vitamins most, such vitamin C-rich fruits as tangerines, oranges and grapefruits are available, while in summer, such fruits as cherries and thirst-quenching melons, watermelons and peaches are abundant.
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The charming picture of fruits on their branches or as they are planted is one which Allah presents us. The picture of hundreds of fruits on the apparently bone-dry branch, tightly fastened to it and juicy inside, some of them as if specially polished on the outside, is evidence that each one of them has been created by Allah. For instance, bunches of grapes look as if they have been placed on the branches of the grapevine one by one. Allah has created each one of them as a unique creation. Their appearance on their branches is fashioned in such a way as to appeal to people. For this reason, while depicting Paradise in the Qur'an, Allah states that its fruits are ready to be picked, in the verse, "Its shading branches will droop down over them, its ripe fruit hanging ready to be picked." (Surat al-Insan: 14).
Certainly, what are mentioned here are only a few limited examples. The blessings Allah creates are too diverse to be counted. He who realizes this at the dining table remembers another verse of Allah.
Is He Who creates like him who does not
create? So will you not pay heed? If you tried to number Allah's
blessings, you could never count them. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most
Merciful. (Surat an-Nahl: 17-18)
What Flavors and Odors Make One Think
Continuing to think, we come to realize more the beauties and subtleties in the creation of Allah. While pondering all these, a conscientious person also thinks that it is a great favor of Allah that he is able to derive pleasure from the blessings that Allah offers. He remembers that the senses of taste and smell, in particular, help us perceive many of the world's beauties. And he goes on to think that if we did not have the sense of smell, we could not take as much pleasure as we now do from a rose, from the fruits we eat or even from a barbecue. If we did not have the sense of taste, we would not recognize the unique tastes of chocolate, sweets, meat, strawberries and other blessings.
We must not forget that we might well have been living in a
colorless, tasteless and odorless world. And if Allah had not given us
all these as blessings, we could by no means have acquired them. Yet,
Allah has bestowed upon people His favor by creating tastes and smells
as well as the sensory systems to perceive them.
While Strolling In the Garden…
What Beauties Seen in Nature Make One Think
He who believes in Allah praises Him for the beauties he sees in nature. He is aware that Allah has created all existing beauty. He knows that all these beauties belong to Allah and they are manifestations of His attribute of jamal – beauty.
While walking in nature, one encounters more beauty. From a single straw to the yellow daisy, from birds to ants, everything is full of details, which need reflection. As people reflect upon these, they come to understand the power and might of Allah.
   Flowers developing from their buds without being puckered at all as if ironed. |
Butterflies, for example, are very aesthetically pleasing creatures. With the symmetry and design of their lace-like wings – which are extremely precise as if drawn by hand – their harmonious, phosphorescent colors, butterflies are evidence of Allah's unequalled art and superior power of creation.
Similarly, innumerable plant and tree varieties on earth are among the beauties Allah creates. Flowers, all in different colors and trees of different forms, have been created, and among their purposes, is that they give great pleasure to people.
One who has faith thinks about how flowers such as the rose, violet, daisy, hyacinth, carnation, orchid and others have such smooth surfaces, and how they come out of their seed completely flat without any puckers as if ironed.
Other wonders Allah creates are the fragrances of these flowers. A rose, for instance, has a strong and constant ever-changing smell. Even with the latest technology, scientists cannot develop an exact match of the smell of the rose. Laboratory research to imitate this smell has not yielded satisfactory results. Smells produced based on the scent of the rose are generally heavy and disturbing. However, the original scent of the rose does not disturb.
Someone who has faith knows that each one of these is
created for him to praise Allah, to present him the art and knowledge of
Allah in the beauty He creates. For this reason, when someone sees
this beauty while strolling in the garden, he glorifies Allah, saying, "It is as Allah wills, there is no strength but in Allah."
(Surat al-Kahf: 39). He remembers that Allah has put all this beauty
at the service of mankind and that He will give the believers
incomparably excellent blessings in the Hereafter. And because of this,
his love for Allah increases ever more.
Have You Ever Thought about an Ant which You Have Seen While Walking in a Garden?
 An ant industriously carrying food to its nest. |
Some people, in general, do not see any sense in thinking about the living things they see in their surroundings. They do not imagine that those living things they come across every day may have interesting features. For a person who has faith, on the other hand, every living thing Allah creates bears the traces of a perfect creation. Ants, too, are some of these creatures.
Someone who believes does not turn a blind eye to the ants he sees while wandering in the garden. By seeing their astonishing features, he witnesses the perfect creation of Allah.
Even examining the movement of the ant is thought provoking. It moves its infinitesimal legs in a sequential and extremely organized manner knowing perfectly which leg should take the first step and which the next. It moves very rapidly without faltering.
This tiny insect lifts crumbs much bigger than its own body size. It carries them to its nest with heart and soul. It travels distances that are very long in comparison to its tiny body. On featureless land, with no guide at its service, it can easily find its nest. Despite the entrance of the nest being too small even for us to find, it is not confused and finds it no matter where it is.
When one sees in the garden those ants, lined up one after
the other, ardently toiling to carry food to their nest, one cannot
stop wondering what kind of purpose these tiny living beings might have
in working so hard. Then one realizes that not only does the ant carry
food for itself, but also for other members of its colony, for the
queen ant and baby ants. How such a tiny ant, which does not even have a
developed brain, knows diligence, discipline and self-sacrifice is a
point on which one needs to reflect. After pondering these facts, one
reaches the following conclusion: ants, like all other living beings,
act by the inspiration of Allah and obey His commands alone.
What the "Conscious" Movements of Ivy Make One Think
  The Ivy's winding itself around an object looks like the movement of a conscious being. |
A believer strolling in the garden also thinks about the ivy that he encounters, which is one of the beautiful things that Allah has created. For a man who reflects, there are signs to learn from every living thing.
For instance, the ivy's winding itself round a branch or
any other object is an event about which one needs to think carefully.
If the development of the ivy were recorded, and then the replay
speeded up, it would be seen that the ivy moves as if it is a conscious
being. Just as if it sees that there is a branch right before it, it
extends itself toward that branch and it fastens itself to the branch
as though lassoing it. Sometimes it winds around the branch several
times to secure itself. It grows very rapidly in this fashion and it
makes itself a new way, either returning or proceeding downwards, when
its path comes to an end. A believer who witnesses all these once again
sees that Allah has created all living beings with unique, flawless
systems.
As one continues observing the movements of the ivy, one witnesses
another important feature of the plant. One sees that the ivy attaches
itself firmly to the surface on which it lies by stretching out arms to
the sides. The viscous substance this ‘unconscious' plant produces is
so strong that when one tries to remove it, it may even strip paint off
the wall.
The existence of such a plant reveals to the believer, who sees and
reflects upon these, the omnipotence of Allah, the Creator of this
plant.
What Trees Make One Think
We see trees everyday and everywhere; however, have you ever thought how water reaches the farthest leaf on the top branch of a lofty tree? We can have a better understanding of the extraordinary nature of this by way of a comparison. It is impossible for the water in a tank in the basement of your building to climb to higher floors without a hydraulic tank or some other powerful system. Therefore, there should also be in trees a pumping mechanism similar to the hydraulic pump, otherwise, since water would not be able to reach the trunk of the tree and the branches, the tree would soon die.
Bright green and living leaves growing out of the dry wood of a branch,
water reaching the threadlike veins of the leaves at heights of many
meters, the leaves not drying out under the burning sun… these are
only a few of the numerous subjects about which trees make one think. |
Allah has created each tree with all the necessary equipment. Moreover, the hydraulic system in many trees is too superior to be compared to the building in which one lives. That is one of the subjects someone, who looks at everything with "an eye which actually sees", thinks upon seeing these plants.
Another subject has to do with the leaves. Someone who
reflects on the things he sees does not, upon looking at a tree,
consider the leaves as common forms, which he is accustomed to see. He
thinks of various things that do not occur to most people. Leaves, for
example, are very delicate forms. Nonetheless, they do not dry out
under the scorching heat. When a human stays out in a temperature of
40°C even for a short while, the color of his skin changes and he
suffers from dehydration. Leaves, on the other hand, can remain green
under the burning heat, without being scorched, for days, and even
months, although very little water drains through their threadlike
veins. That is a miracle of creation demonstrating that Allah creates
everything with an unequalled knowledge. Thinking over this miracle of
creation, someone who believes can once again see the might of Allah
and remember Him.
While Reading a Paper or Watching TV…
People follow the daily papers and TV news either during the
day or when they return home in the evening. In such reports, there are
issues for a conscientious person to think over, take heed from, and in
which to see the signs of Allah.
What the Frequency of Cases of Violence, Robbery and Homicide Make One Think
  In societies that fear Allah, none of these scenes take place. |
Everyday, on the local pages of the newspapers or on TV news, one comes across many reports of homicide, wounding, theft, robbery, swindle and suicide. The frequent occurrence of these events, and a large number of people's being so disposed to commit such crimes indicate the harm from which people who do not live by the religion of Allah suffer. Someone's kidnapping a small child for ransom, causing him great fear, and even killing him, another's pointing a gun at the face of a man and shooting him without hesitation, another's accepting a bribe, or committing suicide or swindling… all these are indications that these people do not fear Allah and do not believe in the Hereafter. Someone who fears Allah and knows that he will give account in the Hereafter would never do any of these things. Each of these are acts that will be recompensed with Hell in the Hereafter, if the perpetrator does not turn in repentance from them and if Allah does not forgive and show mercy.
Someone
may say: "I am an atheist. I do not believe in Allah, yet I do not
accept bribes". However, this statement of a person with no fear of
Allah is not at all convincing. It is very likely that he would decline
to keep this promise if the conditions change. For instance, if this
person has to find money for a very urgent cause, and happens to be in a
situation in which he has the opportunity to steal or accept a bribe,
he might not hold his promise. Or such a person is not expected to keep
his word when his own life is at stake. Although this person may avoid
taking bribes in difficult situations, he may be apt to commit other
forbidden acts. A person who believes, however, never does anything
whatsoever for which he cannot give account in the Hereafter, no matter
how extreme the circumstances.
So, the cause of the events that make us voice protests in
the newspapers, on TV, in our social lives, and urge us to exclaim
"What is happening to this society?" is, in truth, the lack of
religion, prevailed in various countries all over the world. A believer
who sees these reports does not turn a blind eye to them but thinks
that the only solution is to tell people about the love and fear of
Allah and to revive the values of the religion. In a society made up of
people who fear Allah and who know that they will be accountable in
the Hereafter, it is impossible for these kinds of events to occur to
the extent they do now in our time. In such a society, peace and safety
will be prevalent at the highest level.
What Discussion Programs Lasting till Morning Make One Think
For a person who continues to think over the things he sees around him, discussion programs broadcast on TV are also examples for him to think about.
These discussion programs include people who are most closely involved with the topic of the day and who are most knowledgeable about that subject. These people discuss a topic for hours, without being able to work out a solution or reach a conclusion. However, those who attend these discussion programs are people who are considered to be qualified to solve such issues.
Indeed, the solution to most of these issues is quite clear. However, some people's self-interests, their remaining under the influence of their immediate circle, their efforts to push themselves forward rather than sincerely seeking for solutions, almost bring them to deadlock and stalemate.
A conscientious person who witnesses all these, thinks that the reason for these events, too, lies in society's being distant from the religion of Allah. Someone who believes in Allah never displays an irresponsible, barren, and heedless attitude. He knows that there is good in every event to which Allah exposes him, that he is constantly being tested in this world, that he has to use his reason, strength and knowledge in such a way as to please Allah.
In addition, while watching such programs, the believer remembers a verse of Allah:
… more than anything else, man is argumentative. (Surat al-Kahf: 54)
The atmosphere in these kinds of programs discloses the argumentative and disputatious nature of most people. Most of these people's failure most of the time even to understand the question, their being obsessed only with what they will say and trying to say it first, their interrupting one another, their easily raising their voices and losing their tempers in a flash, and their starting to hurl insults at each other, clearly reveal the negative aspects of apparently educated and sophisticated people who lack the religion of Allah.
In the company of one hundred percent sincere and honest people who fear Allah, such prolonged and fruitless scenes never take place. As the purpose is to find the solution that pleases Allah and is of maximum benefit to people, the most proper and conscientious method of reasoning is found and put into practice without losing any time. Since everybody's conscience will be contented with the final decision, no dispute takes place.
If anyone has an objection grounded on reasonable causes that shows a better way, then his suggestion is employed right away. Unlike others, those who fear Allah do not display an obstinate and arrogant attitude. Remembering what Allah says in the Qur'an; "… Over everyone with knowledge there is one more knowing." (Surah Yusuf: 76), they employ the best options that they can.
These discussions that last until the morning without
reaching any solution, many examples of which are observed in most
countries all over the world , are worth considering because they show
what can happen in an environment where the values and high qualities
of character of religion are not adhered to.
What Famine and Poverty in Every Corner of the World Make One Think
One of the issues frequently dealt with in the media is injustice among people.
While there are, on one side of the world, notably prosperous
countries with very high levels of welfare, there are, on the other
side, people who do not have anything to eat, medicines to treat even
the simplest diseases, and who repeatedly die of neglect. The first
thing that this situation reveals is the iniquitous system prevailing
in the world. It would be very easy for a number of the wealthy
countries to save those people. For instance, near the nations dying of
hunger in Africa, there are communities who have accumulated wealth
from diamond mines and hence developed much material wealth. Although
it is quite easy to relocate those people who live in poverty, near to
starvation and are abandoned to die, or to provide means to meet their
needs in the areas where they live, for decades no fundamental solution
has been sought for these people. However, helping these people is not
a task that a few people can handle. In order to find fundamental
solutions, many people need to make self-sacrifices. However, the number
of people who lay claim to attempting to solve such a problem is quite
few.
Trillions of dollars are being wasted in every part of the world for
various reasons. On the one hand, that some people throw their meals
away unsatisfied with the taste, and, on the other hand, that some die
unable to find enough food to eat, is clear evidence against an
iniquitous world order caused by not living by the values of Allah’s
religion on the earth.
Someone who sees all this thinks that the only thing that will
eliminate this iniquity is the adoption of the values that Allah
commands. People who fear Allah and act by their consciences would
never allow such iniquity and injustice. They would help out needy
people with quick, definite and long-lasting solutions not allowing any
ostentation, and, if necessary, exploiting all the possibilities of
the world.
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Allah tells us in the Qur'an that helping the poor and needy is a characteristic of people who fear Allah and the Day of Judgment:
Those in whose wealth there is a known share for beggars and the destitute; those who affirm the Day of Judgment, those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord. (Surat al-Ma‘arij: 24-27)
They give food, despite their love for it, to the poor and orphans and captives: ‘We feed you only out of desire for the Face of Allah. We do not want any repayment from you or any thanks. Truly we fear from our Lord a glowering, calamitous Day.' (Surat al-Insan: 8-10)
Not feeding the poor is a characteristic of irreligious people who have no fear of Allah:
(Allah commands) ‘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 believe in Allah the Most Great,
nor did he urge the feeding of the poor. Therefore here today he has no
friend nor any food except exuding pus which no one will eat except
those who were in error.' (Surat al-Haqqa: 30-37)
What Disasters Occurring Around the World Make One Think
 There are hidden meanings to be reflected on in the disaster reports frequently covered by newspapers and TV. |
Some of the reports people frequently come across on TV and in newspapers are of disasters. People may meet disaster at any time. A powerful earthquake may happen, a fire may start or flooding may occur. Someone who sees these reports remembers that Allah has power over all things, that He can raze a city to the ground if He so wills. Thinking of these, one sees that there is no one but Allah with whom one can take refuge and from whom one can ask help. Even the strongest buildings and cities equipped with the most advanced technology cannot stand against the power of Allah; they too can perish all of a sudden.
All these scenes are for men to think about and take lessons from.
Someone who hears about or reads these disaster reports also reflects that Allah has sent a disaster against this city for a purpose. In the Qur'an, Allah relates that He consigns the disobedient nations to penalty so that they might take heed or be repaid for their deeds. Hence, if a given community practices values with which Allah is displeased, Allah may have punished them for that reason. Or, it may be that Allah is testing these people with some hardships in the world.
Thinking about these possibilities, the believer fears that all these may also befall him, and asks forgiveness of Allah for his own conduct.
No person and no nation can prevent any disaster from occurring unless Allah so wills. It makes no difference whether it is the most wealthy and powerful country in the world or a place that ordinarily would be thought to be at little risk because of its geographical location. Allah says that no nation can prevent a disaster that will befall them.
Do the people of the cities feel secure against Our violent force coming down on them in the night while they are asleep? Or do the people of the cities feel secure against Our violent force coming down on them in the day while they are playing games? Do they feel secure against Allah's devising? No one feels secure against Allah's devising except for those who are lost. Is it not clear to those who have inherited the earth after these people that, if We wanted to, We could strike them for their wrong actions, sealing up their hearts so that they cannot hear? (Surat al-A‘raf: 97-100)
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| 1. A flood disaster in Honduras. 2. A disaster in Mali-Gao caused by gusty winds. 3. A town of the coast inundated by river floods. 4. Another inundated town. 5. A devastated town. |
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| An earthquake lasting a few seconds is enough to destroy a whole city. Those who think that these scenes are ‘works of nature' are mistaken. This is because nature, an incredibly ill-defined entity, just as all other beings, under the command of Allah. |
What News Items About Usury Make One Think
Another topic frequently dealt with in the news is the decline of the economy. In particular, a number of negative news items are reported about usury each day. Someone who reads the reports mentioning that usury is out of control, and causes downturns in the economy realizes that in return for the wide adoption of such a deeply abhorrent and forbidden act, Allah depresses the productivity of people's earnings. As stated in the verse, "Allah obliterates usury but makes charitable deeds grow in value! Allah does not love any persistently ungrateful wrongdoer" (Surat al-Baqara: 276), Allah eliminates the profit earned through usury, and decreases its productivity. This fact is stated in another verse as follows:
What you give with usurious intent, aiming to get back a greater amount from people's wealth, does not become greater with Allah. But anything you give as charity, seeking the Face of Allah, all who do that will get a recompense multiplied. (Surat ar-Rum: 39)
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For a man who reflects, reports about usury, too, are examples that Allah's verses are manifest among people.
Thinking about Nice Places
It is also possible to see on TV programs, in newspapers and magazines the beauty Allah creates and to reflect on it. Looking at or visiting somewhere with a wonderful view, a beautiful house, garden or beach surely pleases everyone. These views, first of all, remind one of Paradise. A believing person remembers once more that Allah, Who gives such great blessings, and shows people such glorious beauty, will certainly create incomparable places in Paradise.
Someone who sees these also thinks the following: everything of beauty created in the world has a number of flaws and imperfections because the world is a place of testing. Someone who spends some time at a holiday resort, the images of which he has earlier seen on TV, notices these defects. The weather's extreme humidity, the sea's disturbing saline content, the blistering heat and flies; these are only a few examples. Many worldly difficulties can happen, such as sunburn, the travel agency's organizational problems, and the intolerable nature of the people with whom one shares accommodation.
In Paradise, there will be the originals of these beauties
without any of the flaws that would disturb one, and not a single
displeasing conversation will be held. In every beauty a believer
confronts in the world, he longs for Paradise. He always gives thanks
for the blessings Allah has given him in the world, and he takes
pleasure from them thinking that all these are blessings Allah has
given him out of His grace. Knowing, however, that the originals of
these beautiful things exist in Paradise, he does not forget the
Hereafter by being carried away by the beauty of the world. He leads a
life by means of which he can come to possess eternal beauty and
deserve to enter the Paradise of Allah.
What Does It Make One Think on Reading that The Building Block of Matter is the Atom?
Unless man thinks over the things he knows, he cannot grasp the subtleties in them and realize in what an extraordinary environment he lives. On that account, a person who believes continually thinks over the living beings and events Allah creates. These can sometimes be subjects known to many people, yet he is able to draw different conclusions from them than others do.
For example, it is a very well known fact that the basic component of every animate or inanimate being in the universe is the atom. That is, most people know that the books they read, the armchairs on which they sit, the water they drink and all the things they see around them are composed of atoms. Yet only conscientious people think beyond this and witness the exalted might of Allah.
When such people see reports about this subject, they think that atoms are inanimate beings. How, then, can inanimate substances such as atoms come together and form animate human beings capable of seeing, hearing, interpreting what they hear, enjoying the music to which they listen, thinking, making decisions, being happy or miserable? How could man acquire such traits making him totally different from other conglomerates of atoms?
Certainly, inanimate and unconscious atoms cannot give human beings these human qualities. It is clear that Allah creates man with a spirit endowed with such characteristics. We are reminded of a verse of Allah:
He Who has created all things in the best
possible way. He commenced the creation of man from clay; then
produced his seed from an extract of base fluid; then formed him and
breathed His Spirit into him and gave you hearing, sight, and hearts.
What little thanks you show! (Surat as-Sajda: 7-9)
Some Facts One Reaches by Deep Thinking
Have you ever thought that everything is created for man only?
When someone who believes in Allah investigates the systems and all the animate and inanimate beings present in the universe with an attentive eye, he sees that all are created for man. He understands that nothing has come into existence by coincidence but Allah creates everything in the most precise way for man's use.
 The planet and the whole universe in which we live bear all the properties necessary for our lives. Someone who thinks about this will see clearly that Allah created the whole universe for us |
Man, for example, can breathe effortlessly all the time. The air he inhales neither burns his nasal passages nor makes him dizzy nor causes headaches. The proportion of gases in the air is designed with the amounts that are most suitable for the human body. Someone who thinks of these remembers another very crucial point: if the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere were a little more or a little less than at present, in both cases life would vanish. He then remembers what a hard time he has breathing in airless places. As a believing person continues to think on this subject, he constantly gives thanks to Allah. This is because he sees that the atmosphere of the earth could well be designed, as it is on many other planets, so as to make it difficult to breathe. Yet, it is not so and the atmosphere of the earth is created in perfect balance and order in such a way as to enable billions of people to breathe effortlessly.
Someone who keeps thinking about the planet on which he lives, thinks how important water, which Allah creates, is for human life. The following comes to mind: people, in general, understand the importance of water only when they are deprived of it for a long time. Water, however, is a substance which we need every moment of our lives. For instance, a considerable portion of our body cells and of the blood that reaches every point in our body consists of water. Were it not so, the fluidity of blood would decrease and its flow in the veins would become very difficult. The fluidity of water is important not only for our bodies but also for plants. Thus, water reaches the furthest end of the leaf by passing through its thread-like vessels.
The great quantity of water in the seas makes our earth habitable. If the proportion of sea to land on the earth were smaller, then lands would turn into deserts and life would be impossible.
A conscientious person who thinks about these matters is
completely convinced that the establishment of such a perfect balance on
the earth is surely not a coincidence. Seeing and thinking about all
these shows that Allah, Who is exalted and the owner of eternal power,
created everything for a purpose.
Moreover, he also remembers that the examples on which he has been
reflecting are very limited in number. Indeed, it is impossible to
count the examples regarding the delicate balances on earth. Yet a man
who reflects can readily see the order, perfection and balance that
prevail in every corner of the universe, and thus reach the conclusion
that Allah has created everything for man. Allah states this in the
Qur'an thus:
And He has made everything in the heavens and
everything on the earth subservient to you. It is all from Him. There
are certainly Signs in that for people who reflect. (Surat
al-Jathiyya: 13)
What Eternity Makes One Think
Everyone is familiar with the concept of eternity, yet have
you ever thought about eternity? This is one of the subjects upon which a
person believing in Allah reflects.
Allah's creating of the eternal life of Paradise and Hell is a very
important subject over which everyone needs to think. Someone who
thinks it over poses the following questions: the eternal nature of
Paradise is one of the greatest blessings and rewards bestowed in the
life after death. The glorious life in Paradise will never end. Man may
live in this world for at most a hundred years. Life in Paradise,
however, is timeless, so that in comparison a quadrillion times
quadrillion years is short.
Someone who remembers this will also soon realize that it is impossible
for man to comprehend eternity. No matter what figure man comes up
with, it would still be negligible in comparison to the number of years
to be spent in the eternal life.
Someone who thinks on these matters reaches the following
conclusion: Allah possesses such great knowledge that what is
everlasting for man, in His sight has already ended. Every incident and
every thought that has taken place from the first moment time began to
its last moment are, with their times and forms, determined and come
to an end within His knowledge.
One should, in the same way, think that hell is a place in which
unbelievers will dwell forever. There are various kinds of torture,
torments, and distresses in Hell. Unbelievers in Hell are subject to
uninterrupted physical and spiritual torture, which never stops, nor is
the sufferer spared any time for sleep or rest. If there were an end to
the life in Hell, there would be hope for the companions of Hell even
if that rest were many millions of years later. Yet, what they receive
in return for their associating partners with Allah and their disbelief
is eternal torment.
As for those who reject Our Signs and are arrogant
regarding them, they are the Companions of the Fire, remaining in it
timelessly, for ever. (Surat al-A'raf: 36)
It is extremely important for each individual to try to comprehend
eternity by reflecting on it. It increases man's endeavors for the
Hereafter, and reinforces both his fears and his hopes. While he
strongly fears eternal torment, he cherishes the hope of attaining
eternal bliss.
What Does One Think About Dreams?
There are important purposes in dreams for someone who reflects. Such a person thinks about how realistic the dreams are that he sees while asleep, which in that way are no different in their realism from the moment he awakes. For instance, despite being physically present in bed, a person’s dreams take him on business trips around the world, to meet new people and encounter new situations that he would not dare to face in reality.
 Allah takes back people's selves when their death arrives and those who have not yet died, while they are asleep. He keeps hold of those whose death has been decreed and sends the others back for a specified term. There are certainly Signs in that for people who reflect. (Surat az-Zumar:42) |
Despite lying still in bed with the eyes shut, a person sees images far different from those in his immediate surroundings. This means that what ‘saw’ was not the eyes. Despite being in a quiet room, a person may have heard voices. Thus what ‘heard’ was not the ears. Everything had taken place in his brain. Still, everything was very realistic as if every image had an original form. What is it, then, that although none of them has originals in the external world, forms such realistic images in the brain? Man cannot formulate these consciously and intentionally while asleep. Nor can the brain produce such images on its own. The brain is a bulk of meat made up of protein molecules. It would be extremely unreasonable to claim that such a substance forms images on its own, and that it even forms human faces, places and sounds never seen or heard before that day. Who is it, then, that shows these images in a dream while asleep? One who reflects upon such questions once again sees the obvious truth: it is Allah Who makes men sleep, takes back their souls while they are asleep, sends them back to them when they awake and shows them their dreams in sleep.
Someone who knows that Allah shows the dreams also reflects upon the dream's hidden purposes and the reasons for their creation. In one's dream, one is as sure of the people and events he experiences as when awake. We think that all of them really exist, that the lives we dream are uninterrupted and continuous. If somebody comes up to us and says, "You are having a dream now, wake up", we would not believe him. Someone who realizes this, on the other hand, thinks as follows: "Who can say that the life of this world is not also a temporary and dream-like life? Just as I wake up from a dream, one day I will also wake up from the life of this world and see totally different images, for instance, the images of the Hereafter…"
WHAT ARE THE REASONS THAT PREVENT THOUGHT?
(Surat Al 'Imran: 191)
WHAT ARE THE REASONS THAT PREVENT THOUGHT?
There
are many factors that hinder people from thinking. They may detain a
person from thinking and seeing the truth. In this respect, it is
necessary that everyone identify the factors that affect them
negatively, and rid themselves of these, otherwise, one cannot see the
real face of the life of this world, and that might bring great loss in
the Hereafter.
In the Qur'an, Allah tells us the situation of those people who are accustomed to think superficially:
They know an outward aspect of the life of this
world but are heedless of the Hereafter. Have they not reflected
within themselves? Allah did not create the heavens and the earth and
everything between them except with truth and for a fixed term. Yet
many people reject the meeting with their Lord. (Surat ar-Rum: 7-8)
Following the Majority Causes Mental Numbness
One of the issues that mislead people most is their belief that what the "majority" does is right. Man is usually inclined to accept what he is taught by the people around him, rather than finding the truth by thinking for himself. He sees that things that seem odd to him at first sight are most of the time considered ordinary by people, and after a while, he too begins to become accustomed to them.
For instance, if the majority of the people in a person’s
social circle do not acknowledge that they will die one day, if they
avoid talking about death, then the person looks around him and says,
"Since everybody is like that, there must be nothing wrong with my
behaving the same way" and begins to live without remembering death at
all. If, however, the people around him had acted with fear of Allah
and struggled with due diligence for the Hereafter, most probably this
person too would have changed his attitude.
As another example, hundreds of news items of disasters, unfairness,
injustice, oppression, suicide, homicide, theft and swindle are covered
in the media, and thousands of needy people are mentioned everyday. Yet
many people who come across these news items are unaffected. In
general, people do not think why there are so many of these kind of
news items, or what has to be done and what kind of precautions have to
be taken in order to stop them, or what they themselves can do about
these problems. Neither do people around them think over those
problems. Most people hold others responsible for these problems,
employing such logic as, "What can I do about this?"
Mental Indolence
Indolence is a factor that keeps the majority of people from thinking. Because of mental indolence, people do everything the way they have always seen and to which they are used. To give an example from our daily lives, the way people do the cleaning is just how they have seen their parents do it. They generally do not think, "How could things be done in a cleaner and more practical way" nor try to find new methods. Similarly, when something needs repair, people use the methods they have been taught since their childhood. They are generally reluctant to practice a new method that might be more practical and efficient. Such people's styles of speech are also the same. The way an accountant speaks, for example, is just the same as all the other accountants he has seen in his life. Doctors, bankers, salesmen, people from all classes have particular styles of speech. They do not seek to find the most proper, the best, and the most favorable way by thinking about it. They just imitate what they have heard.
The solutions found to problems also reflect indolence in thinking. For example, the manager of a building brings to the building's waste disposal problem exactly the same solution as the one brought by previous managers. Or a mayor tries to solve the traffic problem by looking at what preceding mayors have done. In many cases, because of not thinking he is unable to find new solutions.
Certainly, the examples cited here are issues from which people suffer harm in their everyday lives. Yet there are subjects far more important than these, which, if people fail to think about, may cause them to suffer great and eternal loss. The cause of this loss is one's failure to think about the purpose of existence in the world, and disregarding the fact that death is unavoidable, and that we will definitely meet on The Day of Reckoning after death. In the Qur'an, Allah invites people to reflect upon these crucial matters.
Those are the people who have lost their
own selves. What they invented has abandoned them. Without question
they will be the greatest losers in the Hereafter. As for those who
believe and do right actions and humble themselves before their Lord,
they are the Companions of the Garden, remaining in it timelessly,
forever. The likeness of the two groups is that of the blind and deaf
and the seeing and hearing. Are they the same as one another? So will
you not pay heed? (Surah Hud: 21-24)
Is He Who creates like him who does not create? So will you not pay heed? (Surat an-Nahl: 17)
The Erroneous Indoctrination that "Thinking Too Much is Not Good"
There is an ill-judged belief prevalent in society that deep thought is not good. People warn one another saying, "Don't think so much, you will lose your mind". This is merely a superstition invented by people who are distant from religion. People should not avoid thinking; however, they should avoid thinking negatively or being carried away by exaggerations and misapprehensions.
Since those who do not have strong faith in Allah and the Hereafter think without committing themselves to fairness and goodness, but instead think negatively, then by their contemplation they achieve outcomes that are not entirely beneficial. They think, for example, that the life of this world is temporary, and that one day they will die, but this causes them to display great pessimism. This is because, conscientiously, they are aware that the life they pass without following the commands of Allah prepares a wretched end for them in the Hereafter. Some, on the other hand, are pessimistic because they have a superstitious belief that they will totally vanish after death.
A wise person who believes in Allah and the Hereafter draws
completely different scrumptious conclusions when he reflects on the
fact that the life of this world is temporary. First of all, his
realization that the world is temporary causes him to engage in zealous
struggle for his real and eternal life in the Hereafter. Since he
knows that this life will sooner or later end, he does not become
carried away by the ambition for worldly passions and interests. He is
extremely resigned. Nothing in this temporary life annoys him. He
always cherishes the hope of attaining an eternal and pleasant life. He
also enjoys worldly blessings and beauty but keeps these things in
perspective. Allah has created the world incomplete and flawed in order
to test people. The intelligent person thinks that if there is so much
beauty, which is pleasing to man even in this incomplete and flawed
world, then the beauty of Paradise should be unimaginably more
attractive. He hopes to see in the Hereafter the "originals" of all the
beauty he views here. And he comprehends all of these by thinking
deeply.
Therefore, it would be a great loss to worry about "what if I become
pessimistic by finally seeing the truth?", and hence, avoid thinking.
For a person who always entertains hope by virtue of his faith in
Allah, and who thinks positively, there is nothing to be pessimistic
about.
Avoiding the Responsibilities that Thinking Brings
Most people think that they might be able to evade various responsibilities by avoiding thinking and setting their brain to work on certain issues. By doing so in this world, they succeed in holding themselves aloof from many subjects. One of the greatest ways in which people are deceived, however, is in their supposition that they can escape their responsibilities to Allah by not thinking. This is the main reason why people do not think about death and life after death. If man thinks that he will die one day and remembers that there is an eternal life after death, he will necessarily have to strive strenuously for his life after death. He, however, deceives himself, supposing that he is saved from such responsibility when he does not think of the existence of the Hereafter. This is a great self-deception and if man does not attain the truth in this world by thinking, he will understand, with death, that there is no escape for him.
The stupor of death will come in truth.
(And it is said unto him): "That is what you were trying to evade! The
trumpet is blown. That is the day of the threat." (Surah Qaf: 19-20)
Not Thinking Because of Being Swept Away by the Flow of Daily Life
The majority of people spend their whole lives in a rush. When they reach a certain age, they have to work and look after themselves and their families. They call this "the struggle for life" and complain that they have no time for anything as they have to rush around in this struggle. In this so-called "shortage of time", thinking is one of the things for which they cannot spare any time. Therefore, they are swept away wherever the flow of their daily lives takes them. In this way of life, the majority of people become insensitive to events taking place around them.
The aim of man, however, should not be to consume time, rushing from one place to another. The main issue is to be able to see the real face of this world and assume a way of living accordingly. No one's sole purpose in life is earning money, going to work, studying at university or purchasing a house. Surely, man may need to do those things during the course of his life, yet there is something that he should always bear in mind while doing them: the purpose of his existence in this world is to be a servant of Allah, to work for Allah's pleasure, His mercy in order to achieve Paradise. All works other than this purpose can serve only as a means to help man to attain his true purpose. Adopting the means to certain ends as the real purpose is a serious deception with which satan misleads man.
Someone who lives without thinking may easily take these means as his real purpose. We can cite an example from our daily lives. It is undoubtedly a good act for one to work and produce beneficial things for society. A person who believes in Allah performs such an act eagerly and wishes for a reward from Allah both in the world and in the Hereafter. If a person, on the other hand, does the same thing without remembering Allah and only for worldly interests such as status and people's appreciation, he is making a mistake. And he will regret this when he faces realities in the Hereafter. In a verse, Allah refers to those who indulge in this manner in the life of this world:
Like those before you who had greater
strength than you and more wealth and children. They enjoyed their
portion; so enjoy your portion as those before you enjoyed theirs. You
have plunged into defamation as they plunged into it. The actions of
such people come to nothing in this world or the Hereafter. They are
the lost. (Surat at-Tawba: 69)
Looking at Everything with "The Eye of Habit" And Therefore Seeing No Need to Reflect Thereon
When people come across certain things for the first time, they may understand the extraordinary nature of them and this may spur them to further inspect what they see. After a while, however, they develop a habitual resistance to those things and they no longer impress them. In particular, an object or happening they meet everyday becomes ordinary for them.
For instance, it makes a great impression on some prospective doctors the first time they see a corpse, or the first time one of their patients dies. This makes them ponder deeply. It may be that all of a sudden they face the lifeless, almost stuff-like body of a person, who was, just a few minutes ago, full of life, laughing, making plans, talking, taking pleasure, eyes sparkling with life. The first time a cadaver is laid down in front of them for autopsy, they think over everything they see in that corpse: that the body decays so fast, that a repugnant smell comes out of it, that the hair once so pleasant to look at become so unpleasant that it is repulsive to touch, are all subjects they think about. This leads them to consider that the composition of everyone's body is the same and everyone will meet the same end, and that they too will become like this.
Yet, after seeing a few cadavers or losing some patients, these people develop a habitual resistance to certain things. They begin to treat cadavers, and even patients, as if they are objects.
Surely, this situation does not hold true for doctors alone. For the majority of people, the same situation applies in many areas of their lives. For example, when a person who lives in difficulty is granted a pleasant lifestyle, he understands that everything he possesses is a blessing for him; that his bed is more comfortable, his house has a beautiful view, he can buy everything he wants, he can heat his house in winter as he wishes, he can easily move by car, and many other things are all blessings for this person. Thinking of his old state, he rejoices at each of these new things. Yet someone who possesses these means from birth may not think so much about their worth. So, his appreciation of these blessings does not become possible unless he thinks over them.
For a man who ponders, on the other hand, it makes no difference whether he possesses these blessings from birth or whether he attained them afterwards. He never looks at his possessions in a habitual way. He knows that anything he owns has been created by Allah and Allah may take them back from him at any time if He wills. For example, believers say the following prayer when they travel by any means of transport:
... "Glory be to Him Who has subjected this to us. We could never have done it by ourselves. Indeed we are returning to our Lord!" (Surat az-Zukhruf: 13-14)
In another verse, it is said that when believers enter their gardens, they remember Allah and say, "... It is as Allah wills, there is no strength but in Allah..."
(Surat al-Kahf: 39). Whenever they enter their gardens, they think
that Allah has created and sustains this garden. On the other hand, a
man who does not think may be impressed the first time he sees a
beautiful garden, but then it becomes an ordinary place for him. His
admiration fades for the beauty therein. Some people do not realize
these blessings at all since they do not think. They can be mistaken by
taking these blessings for granted and "something that already had to
exist". Therefore, they cannot derive pleasure from their beauty.
Conclusion: It is Imperative for Man to Eliminate All the Factors That Hold Him Back From Thinking
As we mentioned earlier, the fact that the majority of people do not think and live heedless of truth cannot be a sufficient excuse for one not thinking. Each person is an independent individual responsible to Allah by himself alone. It is very important to bear in mind that Allah tests people in the life of this world. The indifference of others, people who do not think, reason, and see the truth is, most of the time, a part of this test. A person who thinks sincerely does not say, "Most people do not reflect, and are unaware of all these, so why should I alone think?". On the contrary, he takes warning by thinking about the heedlessness of these people and takes refuge in Allah in order not be one of them. It is clear that the situation of these people cannot be an excuse for him. In the Qur'an, Allah informs us in many of His verses that most people are heedless and do not believe:
Yet no faith will the greater part of mankind have, however ardently you desire it. (Surah Yusuf: 103)
Alif Lam Mim Ra. Those are the signs of the Book. And what has
been sent down to you from your Lord is the truth. But most people do
not believe. (Surat ar-Ra'd: 1)
They swear by Allah with their most earnest oaths that Allah
will not raise up those who die, when, on the contrary, it is a binding
promise on Him; but most people do not know it. (Surat an-Nahl: 38)
We have variegated it for them so they might pay heed but most people begrudge aught save ingratitude. (Surat al-Furqan: 50)
In other verse, Allah announces the end of those who have gone astray by following the majority, those who failed to obey the commands of Allah by forgetting the purpose of their creation:
They will shout out in it, "Our Lord! Take us out! We will act rightly, differently from the way we used to act!" Did We not let you live long enough for anyone who was going to pay heed to pay heed? And did not the warner come to you? Taste it then! There is no helper for the wrongdoers. (Surah Fatir: 37)
For this reason, every person should, by getting rid of the
reasons preventing him from thinking, sincerely and honestly think over
every event and creature that Allah creates and draw a lesson and
warning from his reflections.
In the next chapter, we will be discussing what man may reflect on
about certain events and creatures he may come across in his daily life
in order to provide the reader with guidance and help them spend the
rest of their lives as people who think and draw warnings from what
they reflect on.
WHAT DO PEOPLE USUALLY THINK ABOUT?
(Surat Al 'Imran: 191)
WHAT DO PEOPLE USUALLY THINK ABOUT?
In
previous chapters, we mentioned that people do not think as they ought
to and do not develop their faculty of thinking. Yet here there is an
important point that needs to be clarified. Surely certain things cross
one's mind every moment of one's life. There is almost no moment, save
at times of sleep, that the human mind is utterly blank. However, a
great many of these are useless, futile and unnecessary thoughts that
are of no avail in one's Hereafter, that lead nowhere, and serve one no
good.
If someone tries to remember what he thought during the day and notes it down, then looks over it at the end of the day, he will see how futile most of his thoughts are. Even if he were to find some of it useful, he would most likely be mistaken. For, on the whole, thoughts that seem correct may not be of any use in the Hereafter.
Just as people waste time dealing with futile things in their daily lives, equally they spend time in vain carried away with futile thoughts. In the verse: "Successful indeed are the believers…who keep aloof from what is vain…" (Surat al-Muminun: 3), Allah points out one of the characteristics of the believers. Surely, this command of Allah holds true for people's thoughts as well. This is because thoughts, unless we control them consciously, continuously flow through our minds. One unconsciously jumps from one thought to another. While thinking about what needs to be brought from the shops, the mind suddenly starts to think about an old conversation with a friend. This uncontrolled and useless thinking may go on uninterruptedly throughout the day.
Yet controlling thought is possible. Everyone possesses the ability to think things that will improve him, his faith, mind, courtesy and his surroundings.
In this chapter, we will mention what sorts of things heedless
people tend to think about in general. The reason for mentioning this
is so that the readers may recognize in these heedless thoughts, ones
similar to their own and realize that what they are thinking is not
beneficial and useful. This will help in taming the thought process to
think of subjects that are truly useful.
Useless Worries
When one fails to control thoughts and direct them towards achieving a good end, one may often feel apprehension or treat events that have not happened as if they have occurred and become led astray by unnecessary grief, distress, worry and fear.
The parent of a student sitting for an exam, may fear the worst consequence and as a result worry uselessly, for example, “If my child fails this exam then he will have wasted the money that I spent on his education, he will not be able to get married and then what will people say? What if my neighbor's child passes but my child fails…?”
These misapprehensions are never ending but it is important not to lose sight of the fact that the student has not yet taken the exam. Someone who is distant from religion and its teachings cannot resist such useless worries. There is surely a reason for it. The Qur'an relates that the reason why people cannot be relieved of useless anxieties is their lending ear to the whisperings of satan:
(Satan:) "Most certainly I will lead them astray and excite in them vain desires…" (Surat an-Nisa: 119)
As seen in the above verse, he who is occupied with futile anxieties, who forgets Allah and does not think clearly, is always open to the whisperings of satan. In other words, if man, deceived by the life of the world, does not exercise his will-power and act conscientiously and if he lets himself drift in the course of events, he comes completely under the control of satan. One of the most crucial patterns of behavior of satan is that he causes people to become anxious. Therefore, all misapprehensions, pessimism and anxieties such as "what will I do if such-and-such happens?" contrived in the mind are caused by the whisperings of satan.
Allah shows people the way to save themselves from this situation. In the Qur'an, Allah advises people that when an evil impulse from satan provokes them, they should seek refuge in Allah and remember Him:
As for those who have taqwa, when they are bothered by visitors from Satan, they remember and immediately see clearly. But as for their brothers, the visitors lead them further into error. And they do not stop at that! (Surat al-A'raf: 201-202)
As stated in the verses, someone who reflects, sees what is right while someone who does not, goes wherever satan drags him.
The important thing is to know that these thoughts will be of no use to
the person and will, on the contrary, hamper him from thinking the
truth, reflecting on important matters, and therefore purifying the mind
from these useless thoughts. Man can think properly only if he frees
his mind from futile thoughts. In this way, he "keeps aloof from what
is vain" as Allah commands in the Qur'an.
DEEP THINKING
(Surat Al 'Imran: 191)
DEEP THINKING
Most people believe that in order to think deeply, one needs to put one's head between one's hands, withdraw to an empty room, and isolate oneself from all other people and affairs. Indeed, they make such a big issue of thinking deeply that they find it too difficult, and imagine that it is a quality exclusive to philosophers.
However, Allah invites people to reflect and says that He has revealed the Qur'an for people to reflect on it: "It is a book We have sent down to you, full of blessing, so let people of intelligence ponder its signs and take heed." (Surah Sad: 29). What is important is one's sincerely improving one's ability to think and going deeper in thinking.
On the other hand, people who do not spend effort to that end continue their lives in deep heedlessness. The word heedlessness has connotations like neglectfulness without forgetting, abandoning, being mistaken, disregarding, being careless. The heedless state of those who do not reflect is a consequence of forgetting or deliberately disregarding the purpose of their creation and of the realities which religion teaches. Yet, this is an extremely dangerous course that may lead to Hell. Correspondingly, Allah has warned people against being among the heedless:
Remember your Lord in yourself humbly and
fearfully, without loudness of voice, morning and evening. Do not be of
the heedless ones. (Surat al-A'raf: 205)
Warn them of the day of bitter regret when the affair will be
resolved. But they take no notice and they do not believe. (Surah
Maryam: 39)
In the Qur'an, Allah refers to people who reflect and who, after reflecting conscientiously, see the truth and therefore fear Him. Allah says that those who blindly follow the superstitious beliefs and thoughts of their forefathers without thinking, are wrong. When asked, these people say that they believe in Allah. Yet, since they do not think as is due, they do not amend their conduct from fear of Allah. In the following verses, the mentality of these people is clearly laid out:
Say: "To whom does the earth belong, and everyone in it, if you have any knowledge?"
They will say: "To Allah." Say: "So will you not pay heed?"
Say: "Who is the Lord of the Seven Heavens and the Lord of the Mighty Throne?"
They will say: "Allah." Say: "So will you not have taqwa*?"
Say: "In whose hand is the dominion over everything, He who
gives protection and from whom no protection can be given, if you have
any knowledge?"
They will say: "Allah's." Say: "So how have you been bewitched?"
The fact is that We have given them the truth and they are liars. (Surat al-Muminun: 84-90)
Thinking Removes the Spell on People
In the above verse, Allah asks people, "So how have you been bewitched?" The word "bewitched" in the verse implies a state of mental numbness that takes control of people as a whole. An unthinking person's mind is benumbed, his sight becomes fuzzy, he acts as if he does not see the facts before his eyes, and his faculty of judgement weakens. He becomes incapable of grasping even a plain truth. He cannot be fully conscious of extraordinary events taking place right before him. He does not notice the intricate details of events. The reason for people's leading heedless lives for thousands of years and their staying away from deep thought as a whole, as if it is merely a cultural heritage, is actually this mental numbness.
We can explain one of the outcomes of this collective spell with an example:
Beneath the earth's surface lies a boiling stratum or layer
called magma. The crust of the earth is very thin, which implies that
this blaze is very close to us, almost under our feet. In order to have
a better understanding of how thin the earth's crust is we can make a
comparison: the thickness of the earth's crust in proportion to the
whole earth can be compared to the thickness of the peel of the apple
in proportion to the whole apple.
Everyone knows that there is a stratum boiling at very high
temperatures right beneath the earth's surface, but few people think
much about it. This is because their parents, brothers, relatives,
friends, neighbors, the journalists of the newspapers they read, TV
program producers and their university professors do not think about it
either.
Let us try to make you think over this a little. Let us assume that a
person, having lost his memory, tries to learn about his surroundings
by asking questions of everyone around him. This person would first ask
where he is. What would he think if he was told that beneath the
ground he stands on lies a globe of boiling fire and that these flames
could gush out of the earth's surface in the event of a strong
earthquake or a volcanic eruption? Let us go further and suppose that
this person was told that this world is simply a small planet and it
floats in an infinite dark void called space and that space contains
even greater dangers than those beneath the earth’s crust. For example,
meteors weighing tons freely move around in space. There is no reason
why they should not alter their courses, perhaps because of some
gravitational influence from another planet, and collide with the
earth.
Surely, that person would not be able to forget, even for a moment, the
risky situation he is in. He would investigate how people lead their
lives in such an environment to which they hang on by the skin of their
teeth. He would realize that a flawless system has been brought into
being. The inside of the planet on which he lives contains great
danger, yet very delicate balances prevent this danger from harming
people, except in unusual circumstances. The person who realizes this
understands that the earth and all creatures on it live and continue
their existence in safety only by the will of Allah, owing to the
flawless balance He has created.
This example is only one of millions, even billions of examples upon
which people need to ponder. Giving another example will be useful to
help us understand how heedlessness affects people's faculty of thought
and restrains their intellectual capacity.
People know that the life of this world passes away and ends very
rapidly, yet still, they behave as if they will never leave this world.
They act as if there is no death in the world. This, indeed, is a kind
of spell carried over from generation to generation. This has such a
strong effect that when someone talks about death, people immediately
close the subject for fear of breaking the spell on them and facing the
reality. People who have spent their entire lives in order to buy fine
houses, summer residences and cars, and to send their children to good
colleges, do not want to think that one day they will die and that
they will not be able to take their cars, their houses, or children
with them. Consequently, rather than beginning to do something for the
real life after death, they choose not to think.
However, everyone, sooner or later, will definitely die and after one
dies, whether one believes it or not, the eternal life will begin for
everyone. Whether this eternal life will be spent in Paradise or in Hell
depends on what one has done in the short life of this world. While
such is the plain truth, the only reason why people behave as if death
does not exist is this spell that has covered them because they do not
think.
Those who cannot, by thinking, save themselves from this spell and
therefore from a heedless state, will understand the facts by seeing
them with their eyes after they die. Allah communicates this fact in the
Qur'an:
You were heedless of this, so We have stripped you of your covering and today your sight is sharp. (Surah Qaf: 22)
As Allah says in the verse, the sight which here is blurred because of
not thinking, will be "sharp" at the time when the person gives account
in the Hereafter after death.
It should be pointed out that people deliberately impose such a spell
on themselves. They suppose that by doing so they will live restful and
relaxed lives. However, real amenity, peace, joy and comfort can be
gained by this spell being removed. Besides it is very easy for anyone
to make a decision and shake off this mental numbness, and begin to
live with a clear consciousness.
Allah has presented the solution to people; people who
reflect can dispel this enchantment while they are in the world. They
thus come to understand that all events have a purpose and an inner
meaning, and are able to see wisdom in the events that Allah creates at
every instant.
One can Think at Anytime and Anywhere
 Such a crowd makes one reflect upon Allah's unique vast creation. Since the moment the world came into existence, Allah has created billions of human faces, all different from each other. |
There is no time, place or condition necessary for thought.
Anyone may think while walking on the street, going to the office,
driving a car, working at the computer, attending a friend's gathering
or having lunch.
While driving a car, for example, it is possible to see hundreds of
people outdoors. He who looks at these people can think about many
different things. It may come to his mind that the physical appearances
of these hundreds of people are completely different. None of these
people look like one another. It is astonishing that, although these
people share basically similar features such as eyes, eyebrows,
eyelashes, hands, arms, legs, mouths and noses, they all look so
different from one another. Thinking a little further, one remembers
the following:
Allah has created billions of people over thousands of years all
different from one another. This certainly is a piece of evidence of
Allah’s obvious existence and marvelous creation.
The person watching all these people rushing may be occupied by many
different thoughts. At first glance, each one of these people seems like
a distinct individual. Every one of them has his own world, wishes,
plans, ways of living, topics that make him happy or unhappy, and
tastes. Yet these differences are misleading. In general, every human
being is born, grows up, goes to school, looks for a job, works,
marries, has children, sends the children to school, marries them off,
ages, becomes a grandmother or grandfather and finally passes away.
From this point of view, there are no big differences between people's
lives. Whether one lives in a neighborhood in Istanbul or in a Mexican
city does not change anything at all. All of these people will
definitely die one day. A century later, perhaps not even one of these
people will be alive. The person who realizes all this, carries on
thinking and asks himself the following questions: "Since all of us will
die one day, why does everybody act as if they will never depart from
this world? While a person, whose death is certain, ought to strive for
his life after death, how is it that almost all people behave as if
their lives in this world will never end?"
Such a person is one who thinks and reaches a very crucial conclusion from what he thinks.
A great majority of people do not think about these issues. If they are
suddenly asked, "What are you thinking at the moment?", it will be
seen that they think extremely unnecessary things that will not be of
much use to them. However, man is able to think meaningful, wise and
important subjects at every moment from the time he wakes up until he
sleeps, and derive conclusions from what he thinks.
In the Qur'an, Allah informs us that in all circumstances the believers
reflect and derive beneficial conclusions from their thinking.
In the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of
night and day, there are signs for people with intelligence: those who
remember Allah, standing, sitting and lying on their sides, and reflect
on the creation of the heavens and the earth: "Our Lord, You have not
created this for nothing. Glory be to You! So safeguard us from the
punishment of the Fire." (Surah Al 'Imran: 190-191)
As we are also informed in the verse, because believers are people who
reflect, they are able to see the miraculous side of the creation and
exalt the power, knowledge and wisdom of Allah.
Thinking Sincerely by Turning Towards Allah
In order for contemplation to benefit a person and lead him to
the right conclusions, he should always think positively. For instance,
a person who, seeing someone far more handsome than himself, feels
inferior because of his physical inadequacy by thinking about the other
person's good looks or who becomes jealous of this person, is thinking
a thought of which Allah does not approve. Yet, a person who aims to
earn the approval of Allah considers the good looks of the other person
as a manifestation of Allah's perfect creation. Since he looks at this
person as a beauty Allah has created, he derives great pleasure from
it. He asks Allah to enhance the beauty of this person in the
Hereafter. As for himself, he also asks Allah for true and eternal
beauty in the Hereafter. He realizes that man can never be perfect in
this world, because the world has been created with imperfections as a
part of a test. His craving for Paradise increases. This is certainly
only one example of sincere thought. Throughout life, man encounters
many instances like this. He is tested to see whether he displays the
beliefs and good manners with which Allah will be pleased.
In order to be successful in the test of this world and thus achieve
the best Hereafter, one needs to derive lessons and warnings from the
things one thinks about. For this, it is imperative that one thinks
truthfully continually. Allah states in the Qur'an:
It is He Who shows you His signs, and sends down
provision to you out of heaven. But none pay heed save those who turn
unto Him repentant. (Surah Ghafir: 13)
From Mr. Adnan Oktar's Live Interview on
Tempo TV on April-8 2009
ADNAN OKTAR: Human beings are created to serve Allah. Their duty is to serve. But Allah tests us; but after seeing what we will do in the test Allah has no need to determine what we are. Allah has already known this for all time before. Because Allah created all these. Allah knows what we do. Allah’s real aim in inward is to allow us to know ourselves; what kind of people are we? What kind of moral values have we? What kind of character do we have? ... If Allah chooses and we go to Paradise, we will develop a great love for ourselves by saying: “I was a very good person. I served, I communicated Islam, and I helped the poor and supported others in times of difficulty.” In other words, we will have attained a rich color in Paradise. |
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INTRODUCTION
(Surat Al 'Imran: 191)
INTRODUCTION
Have
you ever thought about the fact that you did not exist before you were
conceived and then born into the world and that you have come into
existence from mere nothingness?
Have you ever thought about how the fragrant and beautifully colored flowers you see everyday have come out of pitch black, muddy soil?
Have you ever thought about how mosquitoes, which irritatingly fly around you, move their wings so fast that we are unable to see them?
Have you ever thought about how the peels of fruits such as bananas, watermelons, melons and oranges serve as wrappings of high quality, and how the fruits are packed in these wrappings so that they maintain their taste and fragrance?
Have you ever thought about the possibility that while you are asleep a sudden earthquake could raze your home, your office, and your city to the ground and that in a few seconds you could lose everything of the world you possess?
Have you ever thought of how your life passes away very quickly, and that you will grow old and become weak, and slowly lose your beauty, health and strength?
Have you ever thought about how one day you will find the angels of death appointed by Allah before you and that you will then leave this world?
Have you ever thought about why people are so attached to a world from which they will soon depart when what they basically need is to strive for the Hereafter?
Man is a being whom Allah furnishes with the faculty of
thought. Yet, most people do not use this very important faculty as they
should. In fact, some people almost never think.
In truth, each person possesses a capacity for thought of which even he
himself is unaware. Once man begins to use this capacity, facts he has
not been able to realize until that very moment begin to be uncovered
for him. The deeper he goes in reflection, the more his capacity to
think improves, and this is possible for everyone. One just has to
realize that one needs to reflect and then to strive hard.
The purpose of this book is to invite people to think in the best way
and show ways of doing this. Someone who does not think will remain
totally distant from truths and lead his life in self-deception and
error. As a result, he will not grasp the purpose of the creation of the
world, and the reason for his existence on the earth. Yet, Allah has
created everything with a purpose. This fact is stated in the Qur'an as
follows:
We did not create the heavens and the earth and
everything between them as a game. We did not create them except with
truth but most of them do not know it. (Surat ad-Dukhan: 38-39)
Did you suppose that We created you for amusement and that you would not return to Us? (Surat al-Muminun: 115)
Therefore, each person needs to ponder the purpose of creation, first
as it concerns him himself, and then as it pertains to everything he
sees in the universe and every event he experiences throughout his
life. Someone who does not think, will understand the facts only after
he dies, when he gives account before Allah, but then it will be too
late. Allah says in the Qur'an that on the day of account, everybody
will think and see the truth:
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)
While Allah has given us an opportunity in the life of this world to
reflect and derive conclusions from our reflections, to see the truth
will bring us great gain in our life in the Hereafter. For this reason,
Allah has summoned all people, through His prophets and books, to
reflect on their creation and on the creation of the universe:
Have they not reflected within themselves? Allah
did not create the heavens and the earth and everything between them
except with truth and for a fixed term. Yet many people reject the
meeting with their Lord. (Surat ar-Rum: 8)
From Mr. Adnan Oktar's Live Interview on Ahi TV ADNAN OKTAR: The works of Harun Yahya primarily aim at the signs leading to faith, and the importance of the signs leading to faith. Because it is very important for people’s faith to be strengthened before making a proposition. It is important that they have a very strong faith. And signs leading to faith are very important for a powerful faith. The marvels of Allah in Creation, in other words. I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed satan; Allah frequently says, "Do they not think, do they not reflect?” in the Qur’an. This is a subject that the great and holy scholar Bediuzzaman Said Nursi discussed as one of the greatest importance. It is a very, very important subject. In other words, for instance, the Turkish nation has a very strong faith. We see the effects of that faith everywhere, but this comes from their attaching importance to the signs leading to faith, to seeing Allah’s artistry everywhere and to being predisposed to hardship. Our nation is predisposed to hardship. |
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The Torments In Hell
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'ah: 8)
The Torments In Hell Being Taken to Hell Hell is the place, where the attributes of Allah, the al-Jabbar (the Compeller), the al-Qahhar (the Subduer) and al-Muntaqim (the Avenger) are manifested for all eternity . It is specially created to inflict suffering on unbelievers. In the Qur’an, Hell is depicted as if it were a living being. This creature is full of rage at and hatred for unbelievers. Since the day it was created, it waits to take its revenge upon unbelievers. As related in the Qur’an, Hell is “ceaselessly scorching the flesh.” (Surat Al-Muddaththir: 29) When it encounters those who deny the religion, its rage intensifies. The creation of this fire serves a purpose; to inflict an unbearable torment. Indeed, it will carry out its duty and give the gravest of all pain. After the judgment of unbelievers takes place in the Presence of Allah, they will take their Books from the left side. This is the moment they will be sent to Hell for all eternity. For the unbelievers, there is no opportunity to escape. There will be billions of people, yet this huge crowd will not offer the unbelievers an opportunity to escape or to be ignored. No one can hide himself in this crowd. Everyone will come with a witness and one who drives the soul on . Allah states as follows: The Trumpet will be blown. That is the Day of the Threat. Every soul will come along with one who drives it on, and one who testifies against it. One will say 'You were heedless of this, so We have stripped you of your covering and today your sight is sharp.' His inseparable comrade will say, 'My testimony is ready to hand.' (And it is said): 'Cast into Hell every obdurate disbeliever, impeder of good, doubt-causing aggressor, who has set up another deity besides God. Hurl him into the terrible punishment.' (Surah Qaf: 20-26) Unbelievers are driven towards this terrible place. As related in the Qur’an, they are driven “in divisions”. However, on the way to Hell, fear is inspired in the hearts of unbelievers. The horrible noise and roar of the fire is heard from a distance: 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?' (Surat al-Mulk: 7-8) In the 12th verse of Surah al- Furqan, it is revealed that “When it sees them coming from a long way off, they will hear it seething and rasping.” From the verses, it is obvious that when they are recreated, all unbelievers will understand what will befall them. They will remain all alone; no friends, relatives, or supporters will be there to help. Unbelievers will not have the strength to be arrogant and they will look with averted eyes. In the Qur’an their desperation is stated as follows: You will see them as they are exposed to it, abject in their abasement, glancing around them furtively. Those who have faith will say, 'Truly the losers are those who lose themselves and their followers on the Day of Resurrection. The wrongdoers suffer an everlasting punishment.' (Surat ash-Shura: 45) Entrance to Hell and the Gates of Hell In the Qur’an the events the unbelievers will experience at the gates of Hell are described 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) For each one of the groups a special gate of Hell is created. Depending upon the extent of their rebellion against Allah, people are subjected to a classification. Unbelievers are placed in their individual locations in Hell according to the sins they have committed. It is stated thus in the Qur’an: He will say, 'Enter the Fire together with the nations of jinn and men who have passed away before you.' Each time a nation enters, it will curse its sister nation, until, when they are all gathered together in it, the last of them will say to the first, 'Our Lord, those are the ones who misguided us, so give them a double punishment in the Fire.' He will say, 'Each will receive double. But you do not know it.' (Surat al-A'raf: 38) In another verse in the Surat al-Hijr we are informed that Hell will have seven different gates: ... Hell is the promised meeting-place for all of them. It has seven gates and each gate has its allotted share. (Surat al-Hijr: 43-44) Those subjected to the severest torment will be the hypocrites. These are the people who behaved in this world as if they were believers, although they had no faith in their hearts. The place of the hypocrites in Hell is stated in the Qur’an as follows: The hypocrites are in the lowest level of the Fire. You will not find any one to help them. (Surat an-Nisa': 145) Hell is full of hatred; its hunger for unbelievers can never be quenched. Despite the many unbelievers thrown into it, it asks for more: On the Day He says to Hell, 'Are you full? 'it will ask, 'Are there no more to come?' (Surah Qaf: 30) Once Hell catches, it keeps the unbeliever for all eternity. Allah describes Hell in the Qur’an as follows: I will roast him in hellfire. What will convey to you what hellfire is? It does not spare anyone and it does not ease up, ceaselessly scorching the flesh. (Surat al-Muddaththir: 26-29) As seen in the verses, unbelievers will be “thrown” into Hell. In another verse in Surat ash-Shu’ara, we are informed that they are “bundled” (Surat ash-Shu’ara: 94) into it. An Endless Life Behind Locked Doors As soon as unbelievers arrive in Hell, the doors are locked behind them. Here, they see the most fearsome sights. They immediately understand that they will be “presented” to Hell, the place where they will remain for all eternity. The closed doors indicate that there will be no salvation. Allah describes the state of unbelievers as follows: And (as for) those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the people of the left hand. On them is fire closed over. (Surat al-Balad: 19-20) The torment in the Qur'an is described as "a severe punishment" (Surah Al 'Imran: 176), "a heavy doom" (Surah Al 'Imran: 4), and "a painful chastisement" (Surah Al 'Imran: 21). The descriptions of it are inadequate to give a full understanding of the punishment in Hell. Being unable to suffer even minor burns in the world, man cannot grasp being exposed to fire for all eternity. What is more, the pain that a fire gives in the world does not stand comparison with the severe torture of Hell. No pain can be similar to that of Hell: None punishes as He will punish on that day! None binds as He then will bind. (Surat al-Fajr: 25-26) There is life in Hell. Yet it is a life in which every moment is full of torture and anguish. In that life, every type of physical, mental and psychological torment, along with various types of torture and disgrace rage unchecked. To compare it to any distress in the world is impossible. People in Hell perceive pain through all five senses. Their eyes see disgusting and terrible images; their ears hear frightening screams, roars and cries; their noses fill with terrible and acrid smells; their tongues taste the most unbearable, vile tastes. They feel Hell deep in their cells; this is a maddeningly severe pain that is difficult to imagine in this world. Their skin, their internal organs and their whole body are wracked and they writhe in pain. The people of Hell are very resistant to pain and they never die. Allah states in the Qur’an as “How steadfastly they will endure the Fire!” (Surat al-Baqara: 175) Their skins are mended as they burn; the same torture continues for all eternity; the intensity of torture never decreases. Allah says in the Qur’an: “Burn in the flames of Hell. It makes no difference whether you bear it with patience, or not.” (Surat at-Tur: 16) No less than physical pain, mental pain is also severe in Hell. People in Hell have profound regrets, fall into hopelessness, feel desperate and spend ages in despair. Every corner, every place in Hell is created to give mental suffering. The suffering is eternal; if it were to end after millions or billions years, even such a long-term possibility could arouse fervent hopes and remain a strong reason for happiness and joy. Yet, the eternity of torture will inspire a kind of hopelessness that cannot be compared to any similar feeling in this world. As described in the verses of the Qur’an, Hell is a place where extreme pain is experienced. It is narrow, noisy, smoky and gloomy, injecting feelings of insecurity into the human soul. It is a place characterized by disgusting smells, fires burning deep in the heart, nasty food and drink, garments of fire and liquid pitch. These are the basic characteristics of Hell. There is a life going on in this terrible environment, however. They hear, talk and argue, and they try to escape from suffering. They burn in the fire, become thirsty and hungry, and feel regret. They are tormented by feelings of guilt. They want the pain to be relieved. The people of Hell live a life infinitely more debased than that of the animals in this dirty and disgusting environment. The only nourishment they have is the fruits of the bitter thorn and the tree of zaqqum (oleander). Their drink, on the other hand, is blood and pus. Meanwhile, fire engulfs them everywhere. With skin rent, flesh burned, and blood splattering all over, they are chained and whipped. Hands tied to their necks, they are cast into the core of Hell. Angels of punishment, in the meantime, place those who are guilty in beds of fire, with their covers also of fire. The coffins they are placed in are likewise covered with fire. Unbelievers constantly scream to be saved from such anguish. And in return, they often receive more humiliation and torture . They are left all alone. These scenes will all come true. They are real. They are as real as our daily lives. Those who make money, status, careers and other such material things the main goals of their lives and accordingly neglect the good pleasure of Allah; those who alter the commands of Allah in accordance with their own wishes and desires; those who interpret the Qur’an according to their own interests; those who go astray from the right path - in brief – all polytheists, unbelievers and hypocrites will abide in Hell, except for those upon whom Allah bestows His mercy and forgiveness. This is the conclusive word of Allah and will certainly be borne out: If We had so willed, We could certainly have brought every soul its true guidance: but the word from Me will come true, "I will fill Hell with jinn and men all together." (Surat as-Sajda: 13) These people are already destined for Hell: Many are the jinn and men we have made for Hell: They have hearts with which they do not understand, eyes with which they do not see and ears with which they do not hear. They are like cattle - nay more misguided: for they are heedless (of warning). (Surat al-A'raf: 179) The Torment of Fire In this life of Hell, one of the greatest torments is no doubt being exposed to fire. Unlike other forms of torture, fire leaves irreparable traces on the human body. As related in the Qur’an, it is a torment permeating the human body down to its cells. The people of Hell are thrown into this “Raging Blaze” (Surat al-Ma’arij: 15). They burn in “a Searing Blaze” (Surat al-Furqan: 11) which is “a Fire which rages” (Surat al-Layl: 14). In Surat al-Qari’ah, it is said: But as for him whose balance is light, his motherland is hellfire. And what will convey to you what that is? A raging Fire! (Surat al-Qari'a: 8-11) From the verses, we understand that fire rages all over Hell. In this pit, there is not a single place which remains protected against fire. Fire reaches every corner of Hell. While being subjected to other forms of physical and spiritual tortures, the unbeliever is constantly in touch with fire. The hellfire is enormously big. In the Qur’an, analogies are drawn between the sparks of fire and “great sparks the size of castles” and “a herd of yellow camels” to describe the intensity and magnitude of the fire. On that Day, woe to the deniers! Proceed to that which you denied! Proceed to a shadow which forks into three but gives no shade or protection from the flames, shooting up great sparks the size of castles, like a herd of yellow camels. (Surat al-Mursalat: 28-33) Unbelievers devote all their energy to escaping the flames, but it is not allowed. As related in the 17th verse of Surat al-Ma’arij, it is a fire “which calls for all who drew back and turned away.” In another verse the fate of the deniers is related thus: But as for those who are deviators, their refuge is the Fire. Every time that they want to get out, they are put straight back into it again and they are told, 'Taste the punishment of the Fire, which you denied.' (Surat as-Sajda: 20) The screams and sighs of those who are subjected to such torment can be heard all over. Just these terrifying screams and sighs are a special source of torment for unbelievers. This is related in the Qur’an thus: There will be sighing for them. (Surat an-Anbiya': 100) As for those who are wretched, they will be in the Fire, where they will sigh and gasp. (Surah Hud: 106) Fire causes unbearable pain. Human beings are unable to endure even such pain as the flame of a match gives. However, any pain we experience in this world is insignificant as compared to that of hellfire. No one can be exposed to fire in the world over a long period of time. He either dies in 5-10 seconds or feels the pain for a limited period of time. However, hellfire is horrible; it does not kill but only inflicts pain. People in Hell will be subjected to a fire which will abide for all eternity , unless Allah wills otherwise. Knowing that this torment will never end will make Hell’s inmates fall into a state of utter hopelessness. They will feel desperate and experience a sense of total destruction. A burned face is the most undesirable aspect of torment. That is because the face is important in being the part of the body which gives one a feeling of pride. It gives a person an identity and it is the most significant expression of what we call “I”. Often, the features of being ugly or beautiful are attributed to the face. Upon seeing photographs of a person with a severe burn on his face, people shrink and immediately turn to Allah asking for protection for themselves against such a disaster. Nobody wants to be struck down by such misery. However, unbelievers are heedless of one important fact; they are gradually approaching a similar end, and an incredibly severe one. The pain of hellfire penetrates the entire human body. However, when the face is exposed to fire, it becomes an unbearable torture. Eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin, in brief, all sensory organs are located in this important part of the body. Any threat to the face, albeit minor, elicits a strong reflex response. In Hell however, the face is scalded. In this way, the most vulnerable part of the body is injured the most severely. This torment is depicted in the following verses: They will say on the Day their faces are rolled over in the Fire, 'If only we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger!' (Surat al-Ahzab:66) ...wearing shirts of tar, their faces enveloped in the Fire. (Surah Ibrahim: 50) The Fire will sear their faces, making them grimace horribly in it, their lips drawn back from their teeth. (Surat al-Mu'minun: 104) The Firewood for Hellfire and Boiling Water In the Qur’an, unbelievers are referred to as “firewood for Hellfire”. Their burning is dissimilar to the burning of any other thing in fire. Unbelievers themselves make up the fuel of the fire. This is related in the Qur’an thus: The deviators will be firewood for Hellfire. (Surat al-Jinn:15) Wood the kindling for fire, burns longer than any other material and with a greater intensity. Likewise, unbelievers become the wood for this fire which they once upon a time denied. This fact is made manifest in the following verses: You who have faith! Safeguard yourselves and those who are close to you from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones.... (Surat at-Tahrim: 6) As for those who are unbelievers, their wealth and children will not help them against Allah in any way. They are fuel for the Fire. (Surah Al ‘Imran: 10) You and what you worship besides Allah are fuel for Hell. You will go down into it. (Surat al-Anbiya': 98) As well as the people serving as wood, there is also real wood to kindle the fire. Yet, this is another source of torment. Unbelievers, who used to be very close in the world,— husband and wife, for instance—carry wood for each other’s fire. Abu Lahab and his wife are given as an example in the Qur’an: Ruin to the hands of Abu Lahab and ruin to him! His wealth has not helped him nor anything he has earned. He will burn in a Flaming Fire. And so will his wife, the firewood-carrier, with a rope of twisted fiber round her neck. (Surat al-Masad: 1-5) This is the break-up of all bonds in this world. Unbelievers, who used to say that they were very much in love and rebelled against Allah together, build the fires of one another in Hell. One’s spouse, close relatives and all one’s intimate friends will become enemies. Treachery will know no bounds. Skin, one of the vital organs stretched all over the human body, and hardly a few millimeters in thickness, makes one perceive the outer world by the sense of touch. All vital parts of body like the face, hands, arms, legs—the organs to which one attaches the utmost importance—are covered by skin. Owing to its sensitivity, the human skin can become a major source of pain. It is especially vulnerable to fire and boiling liquids. Fire scorches the skin, boiling water scalds it. Scalding water wracks the skin completely; hardly a piece of skin remains unhurt. The thin skin first swells and then becomes inflamed, inflicting a severe pain. Neither physical charm, material wealth, strength, nor fame, in brief, nothing renders a person resistant to the injury done by scalding water. As related in the Qur’an, “...they will have scalding water to drink and a painful punishment because they were unbelievers.” (Surat al-An’am:70) In Surat al-Waqi’a, it is said: And if he is one of the misguided deniers, there is the hospitality of scalding water and roasting in the Blazing Fire. This is indeed the Truth of Certainty. (Surat al-Waqi'a: 92-95) In another Surah, this form of torment for unbelievers is described as follows: 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: 47-50) These aside, there are other forms of anguish inflicted by fire. Branding is one of them; people of Hell are branded with red-hot metals. However, these metals are actually the possessions unbelievers ascribed as partners to Allah in the world: ...As for those who hoard up gold and silver and do not spend it in the Way of Allah, give them the news of a painful punishment. The Day will surely come when they are heated up in the fire of Hell and their foreheads, sides and backs are branded with it: 'This is what you hoarded for yourselves, so taste what you were hoarding!' (Surat at-Tawba: 34-35) Other Forms of Torment Contrary to the received wisdom, Hell is not merely a place where the people of Hell will be exposed to fire. The people of Hell are also engulfed by other physical and psychological torments. Various methods and equipment are employed to subject someone to torture in this world. People are often crippled or sometimes die of the pain. Those who survive become mentally distorted. Yet, the fact remains that the techniques employed for torture in this world are incomparably simpler than those of Hell. The people of Hell will undergo very different and severe tortures. In the case of a person who is electrocuted, the electricity given as well as the vulnerability of man to electricity are both created by Allah. Many other unknown sources of pain and the weaknesses of man all form part of Allah’s perfect knowledge. Accordingly, Allah will inflict the most severe of all tortures. This is the law of Allah, the al-Qahhar (the Subduer). As stated in the Qur’an, in Hell, there is misery everywhere. There is no avoidance of torment; it engulfs the people of Hell from all sides. They can neither fend off the torment nor avoid it . The situation they are in is related in the Qur’an as follows: They ask you to hasten the punishment, but Hell already encircles the unbelievers. (Surat al-Ankabut: 54-55) Besides, there are other sources of suffering in Hell. These are enumerated in the Qur'an as follows: Hell, where they will roast. What an evil resting-place! This! So let them taste it - boiling water and scalding pus, and other such torments. (Surah Sad: 56-58) In the Qur’an the various kinds of torments in Hell are alluded. Surely, Allah has the power to create many other forms of torments for the wrongdoers beyond one’s imagination . Hotness, Darkness, Smoke and Narrowness Narrow, hot and dirty places are the most troublesome to be in for any individual in this world. Humidity and heat cause a feeling of suffocation; breathing, an essential function of body, is rendered difficult by high levels of humidity. Not being able to breathe causes intense weariness; the breast constricts. Even shade does not provide any relief in very hot weather and humidity. An unseen yet thick encompassing layer of air becomes suffocating. Even the levels of temperature and humidity in luxury saunas are difficult to tolerate. Unable to withstand intense steam for only ten minutes, a person locked in a sauna faints in a short while. A longer stay means death. This stifling atmosphere dominates Hell. Man, who takes elaborate precautions against becoming over-heated in this world, feels desperate in Hell. Hell is hotter than any desert and dirtier and more oppressive than any place imaginable. Heat penetrates the human body; it is felt deep within the cells. For unbelievers, there is no possibility of relief or of cooling down there. In the Qur’an, the situation of the people of Hell is depicted as follows: And the Companions of the Left: what of the Companions of the Left? They shall dwell amid searing blasts and scalding water and the murk of thick black smoke, providing no coolness and no pleasure. (Surat al-Waqi'a: 41-44) On that Day, woe to the deniers! Proceed to that which you denied! Proceed to a shadow which forks into three but gives no shade or protection from the flames. (Surat al-Mursalat: 28-31) In such a dense atmosphere, being confined to a narrow place proves to be another form of torment. This punishment for the unbelievers is described in Surat al-Furqan as follows: When they are flung into a narrow place in it, shackled together in chains, they will cry out there for destruction. 'Do not cry out today for just one destruction, cry out for many destructions!' (Surat al-Furqan: 13-14) Being locked in a narrow place is really hard and depressive for a person. Solitary confinement is one of the severest punishments for prisoners. Being stuck in a car for hours after an accident or remaining locked in the wreckage of an earthquake-ravaged city is considered to be among the gravest disasters. However, such examples are insignificant beside their counterparts in Hell. After all, someone trapped among the rubble either loses consciousness and dies, or is rescued alive after some time. In both cases, the pain lasts for a certain period of time. This does not hold true for Hell, however. There is no end to the pain in Hell and thus no hope. In a dirty, stuffy, gloomy atmosphere with smoke filling the air, the unbeliever, hands tied to his neck and cast into a small room, is afflicted with anguish. He struggles, strives for salvation, but to no avail. He cannot even move. Ultimately, he begs to be allowed to disappear, as stated in the verse, and wishes only that he were dead. This request is simply returned. In that narrow hole he is confined in, he remains for months, years and may be for hundreds of years. A growing trouble fills his heart, while he begs thousands of times for his own disappearance. Once “saved,” he will not taste salvation, but will encounter another face of Hell. Food, Drinks and Garments The world abounds in countless varieties of delicious and nutritious food. Each one is a blessing from Allah. Various kinds of meat, fruits and vegetables with innumerable colors, tastes and odors, dairy products, honey and many other nutrients produced by animals and spices, had all been created specially and generously given for the service of man by the time this world was created. Moreover, the human senses have been created in such a way as to perceive all these delicious tastes. By the inspiration of Allah, man has an appetite for dainty food, while he is disgusted at rotten and nasty food, pus and so on. This is another inspiration by Allah. Favors, far greater than the ones in this world, are kept prepared in paradise, and from them believers will derive the benefit for all eternity. This is the gift of Allah, the One Who gives blessings and prosperity. The people of Hell, on the other hand, in retribution for the wicked deeds they engaged in in this world, are kept distant from the favors of Allah, the ar-Razzaq, (Surat ash-Shuara: 19) so that all they encounter is torment . The end they will face in the Hereafter is related in the Qur’an as follows: On the Day when those who were unbelievers are exposed to the Fire, (it will be said): 'You dissipated the good things you had in your worldly life and enjoyed yourself in so doing. So today you are being repaid with the punishment of humiliation for being arrogant on the earth without any right and for being deviators.' (Surat al-Ahqaf: 20) There shall be no further favors for them. Even meeting the most essential needs turns out to be a torment. Allah has created food specially as a source of suffering. The only edible things are the fruits of the bitter thorn and the tree of zaqqum, which neither nourish nor satiate. They only give pain, tearing apart mouth, throat and stomach and giving off a disgusting taste and odor. In the Qur’an, we find descriptions of both the glorious beauties and the delicious food peculiar to paradise as well as the unendurable food of the people of Hell: Is that better by way of hospitality or the tree of Zaqqum which We have made to be an ordeal for the wrongdoers? It is a tree that emerges in the depths of the Blazing Fire. Its fruits are just like the heads of devils. They will eat from it and fill their bellies with it. (Surat as-Saffat: 62-66) They have no food but a bitter thorny bush which neither nourishes nor satisfies. (Surat al-Ghashiyah: 6-7) The people of Hell, being rebellious and ungrateful to Allah, deserve such a requital. As a punishment, they encounter due "hospitality." In Surat al-Waqi'a, this is related as follows: Before that they were living in luxury, persisting in immense wrongdoing and saying, 'When we are dead and turned to dust and bones, shall we then be raised again or our forefathers, the earlier peoples?' Say: 'The earlier and the later peoples will certainly all be gathered on an appointed day. Then you, you misguided people, you deniers, will eat from the tree of Zaqqum, filling your stomachs with it and drink scalding water on top of it, slurping like thirst-crazed camels. This will be their fare on the Day of Judgment!' (Surat al-Waqi'a: 45-56) In the world, one occasionally suffers from a severe soar throat or a stomach ache. However, in Hell, the unbelievers suffer from the severest of all these pains. The food unbelievers are entitled to eat chokes them. If they can ever manage to swallow, it seethes in the belly like molten brass (Surat ad-Dukhan: 44). It never satiates. This being the case, the people of Hell suffer an everlasting, horrible hunger. The people of Hell feel hunger so intensely that, despite trying countless times, they can not help but eat the fruits of the bitter thorn, which make them writhe in pain. Then they rush to the boiling water. Yet, this water can never be digested. As stated in the verse above, they slurp like thirst-crazed camels. To make this suffering even more severe, unbelievers are driven to Hell thirsty. (Surah Maryam: 86) Another disgusting drink of the people of Hell is pus. This fluid is known in medicine as the most offensive odor. In another verse, it is related that pus is served with boiling water, so as to make the unbeliever taste the obscene taste of pus and perceive the torment of boiling water with all his senses. Despite their being disgusting and unbearable, that unbelievers still drink them to meet their needs shows their craving for drink. Once they taste this torment, they run to another. This also lasts for all eternity. Due to a never-ending thirst, the people of Hell writhe in affliction . This is related in the Qur’an thus: Not tasting any coolness there or any drink, except for boiling water and scalding pus-a fitting recompense. (Surat an-Naba': 24-26) Therefore here today he has no friend nor any food except exuding pus which no one will eat except those who were in error.' (Surat al-Haqqa: 35-37) Unbelievers struggle to swallow this mixture, but to no avail. Blood and pus choke them yet they never manage to die: And beyond him is Hell where he will be given pus to drink. He gulps at it but can hardly swallow it down. Death comes at him from every side, but he does not die. And beyond him is relentless punishment. (Surah Ibrahim: 16-17) In this desperate situation, by means of a special dialogue, dwellers of Hell see the people of paradise. They witness the wonderful favors the people of paradise enjoy. This enormously adds to their torment. Meanwhile, the people of Hell plead for some of their provisions. But this is a futile supplication. Their supplication is stated in the Surat al-A’raf 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-A’raf: 50) Aside from the provisions, the garments of the people of Hell are also specially created for them. Human skin is a sensitive tissue; even touching a hot stove or an iron for a second gives an unbearable pain. In such a case, the afflicted person suffers for days, his wound becomes inflamed and swells. Hell, however, abounds in garments hotter than molten iron which turn into a flame which blankets the skin and viciously burns: ...Those who are unbelievers will have garments of fire cut out for them... (Surat al-Hajj: 19) ...wearing shirts of tar, their faces enveloped in the Fire. (Surah Ibrahim: 50) They will have Hell as a resting-place and covering layers on top of them. That is how We repay wrongdoers. (Surat al-A'raf: 41) Angels of Punishment There will not be a single soul to provide aid to the people of Hell. No soul will be able to save them from it. More importantly Allah will not help them or talk to them forever. Being abandoned will give them a bitter feeling of loneliness. Of the wrongdoer Allah says in the Qur’an: “Therefore, here today, he has no friend” (Surat al-Haqqa: 35). Among them, there will be only “angels of punishment”, who will inflict perpetual torture and suffering. These are extremely stern, merciless, terrifying guards against the unbelievers, bearing the sole responsibility for inflicting severe torture on the people of Hell. The sole purpose of their existence is to take revenge upon those who rebel against Allah, and they discharge their responsibility with due care and attention . Allah states in the Qur’an thus: You who have faith! Safeguard yourselves and those who are close to you from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones. Harsh, terrible angels are in charge of it who do not disobey Allah in respect of any order He gives them and carry out what they are ordered to do. (Surat at-Tahrim: 6) No indeed! If he does not desist, We will grab him by the forelock, his lying, sinful forelock. Let him call his attendants; We will call the Guards of Hell! No indeed! Do not obey him, but prostrate yourself and draw near. (Surat al-'Alaq: 15-18) These angels of punishment related in the Qur’an are the manifestations of Allah’s wrath and rage for the unbelievers. They subject the people of Hell to the severest, and most terrifying and degrading tortures. The angels of punishment administer the punishment in the way unbelievers deserve. These angels, the main manifestation of Allah’s justice, are the holy beings who perform this duty with great pleasure and in a manner submissive to Allah. THE SPIRITUAL TORMENT IN HELL The unbelievers will experience spiritual torment as well as the physical torment in Hell. Regret, hopelessness, humiliation, a feeling of being ill-treated, embarrassment, and disappointment are the feelings aroused by these various torments. "The Fire Reaching Right into the Heart" In one way or another, people who do not submit themselves to Allah or who do not believe Him, taste spiritual torment in this world. For instance when such people lose their closest friends, spouse, or children or are deceived by someone in whom they have placed unquestioning trust , their hearts are filled with an inexplicable grief. This grief is, in fact, a special form of torment which Allah implants in a person’s heart as a penalty for idolizing someone lost or someone who betrayed him. The individual needs essentially to demonstrate to Allah his feelings of love, appreciation, awe, devotion, trust and friendship. Failing to do this and simply extending these feelings to someone else, who is also created by Allah and thus in need of Him, in other words, associating partners with Allah, causes this penalty. Idolaters taste this grief, so that they may take lessons from it, ask for pardon and turn to Allah before they are caught by death. The being which is idolized is not, necessarily, a human being. People have different things they cannot resist. Possessions, money, fortune, fame, in brief, anything or any concept being worshipped besides Allah may well be idolized. The pain the loss of these idols inflicts on one’s heart in this world is but a glimpse of the great torment one would undergo in Hell. In essence, it is a warning. In Hell, the real and non-ending form of this pain awaits an idolater. Sometimes, this spiritual torment becomes so intense that, one would prefer physical torture. Even, suicide is considered a salvation. This spiritual aspect of torment in Hell is stressed in the Qur’an and described as a “fire reaching right into the heart”: Woe to every faultfinding backbiter who has amassed wealth and hoarded it! He thinks his wealth will make him live for ever. No indeed! He will be flung into the Shatterer. 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: 1-9) Even the severest pain in this world disappears in time. Its traces may remain for a while, but time eventually erases its most hurtful traces. In Hell, however, an even more bitter pain penetrates the hearts of unbelievers like a fury and remains there eternally. Apart from this, the spiritual torment produces a sensation somewhat between hopelessness and humiliation, rage and hatred. No less than physical pain, unbelievers are also subjected to an insufferable spiritual pain. Humiliation in Hell Many verses regarding Hell inform us that a degrading, humiliating torment awaits unbelievers there. They incur this punishment due to their arrogance and pride. In this world, one of the main goals of unbelievers is to make others envy them and appreciate their personality and social status. A distinguished career, children, beautiful mansions, cars, and similar other worldly passions mean more to the individual when they become a part of a vain display of himself. Indeed, in the Qur’an, boasting of one’s wealth and properties are mentioned as being among the lures of this world. This passion, namely “boasting”, turns in the hereafter to anguish which includes degradation as well as physical pain. That is because, the unbeliever forgot about “Allah, Who is Praiseworthy” (Surat al-Baqara: 267) and “has taken his whims and desires to be his god” (Surat al-Furqan: 43). For this reason, he has mainly busied himself in earning appreciation for himself rather than glorifying and praising Allah. He has built his life upon earning the pleasure of other people rather than earning Allah’s approval. That is why he is blighted most when he is humiliated in front of other people. The most horrible nightmare of an unbeliever is being disgraced and degraded in front of other people. There are even some people who would consider dying only to be appreciated rather than be disgraced. Adversities peculiar to Hell have this feature at their core. The dismal state of the dwellers of Hell is mainly due to their haughtiness. Never before have they been so utterly degraded. In numerous verses this fact is stated: On the Day when those who were unbelievers are exposed to the Fire, (it will be said): ‘You dissipated the good things you had in your worldly life and enjoyed yourself in so doing. So today you are being repaid with the punishment of humiliation for being arrogant on the earth without any right and for being deviators.’ (Surat al-Ahqaf: 20) Those who are unbelievers should not imagine that the extra time We grant to them is good for them. We only allow them more time so that they will increase their evil-doing. They will have a humiliating punishment. (Surah Al ‘Imran: 178) Unbelievers are subjected to thousands of kinds of degrading treatment... even lower than that which animals receive in this world. Iron whips, shackles and collars are available only to humiliate. The faithless are tied to pillars, collared and chained. In reality, humiliation is the essence of all the torments in Hell. For instance, while being cast into the fire, they are degraded. This dreadful treatment starts from the moment the unbeliever is resurrected and chosen to be sent to Hell. Among billions of people, the unbeliever is taken by the angels and grabbed by his forelock and feet. As related in the Qur’an, “That Day no man or jinn will be asked about his sin...The evil-doers will be recognized by their mark and seized by their forelocks and their feet.” (Surat ar-Rahman: 39-41) In Hell, the unbeliever has to come to terms with a type of treatment even worse than that which animals receive. Seized by his hair, he will be dragged along the ground and then cast into Hell. Unable to resist, he will ask for help, but to no avail. A feeling of desperation only increases the torment: No indeed! If he does not desist, We will grab him by the forelock, his lying, sinful forelock. Let him call his attendants; We will call the Guards of Hell! No indeed! Do not obey him, but prostrate yourself and draw near. (Surat al-’Alaq: 15-18) As stated in the verses , unbelievers will be “shoved roughly into the Fire of Hell” (Surat at-Tur: 13-14) and they will be “herded headlong into Hell.” (Surat al-Furqan: 34) Similarly, ...those who perform bad actions will be flung head first into the Fire: ‘Are you being repaid for anything other than what you did?’ (Surat an-Naml: 90) ...On the Day that they are dragged face-first into the Fire. (It will be said): ‘Taste the scorching touch of Hell!’ (Surat al-Qamar: 48) Degradation becomes even more intense once in Hell. Apart from the physical pain, an intense feeling of degradation overwhelms the dwellers of Hell: ‘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: 47-50) To humiliate unbelievers, specially created whips, collars and chains are used . This is related in the Qur’an as follows: ‘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.’ (Surat al-Haqqa : 30-34) In this world, except for those which are savage, even animals are not chained. And as for human beings, only the untreatable and dangerously mentally retarded are chained. This being the case, those sent to Hell are the most inferior of all creatures. That is why, they are bound in “a chain which is seventy cubits long”, as stated in the above verse. Other verses also give details of this degrading torment: ...they have shackles and chains around their necks and are dragged along the ground into the boiling water and then are thrown into the Fire! Then they will be asked, ‘Where are those besides Allah you associated with Him?’ ( Surah Ghafir: 71-73) ... If you are surprised at their blindness, what could be more surprising than their words: 'What, when we are turned to dust, shall we then be created all anew?' These are the people who reject their Lord. Such people have iron collars round their necks. Such people are the Companions of the Fire, remaining in it timelessly, for ever. (Surat ar-Ra'd: 5) ...that Day you will see the evil-doers yoked together in chains, wearing shirts of tar, their faces enveloped in the Fire. So that Allah may repay every self for what it earned. Allah is swift at reckoning. (Surah Ibrahim: 49-51) Those who are unbelievers will have garments of fire cut out for them, and boiling water poured over their heads, which will melt the contents of their bellies as well as their skin, and they will be beaten with cudgels made of iron. (Surat al-Hajj: 19-21) The dark spirit the degradation accounts for becomes apparent on the faces of the people of Hell. In the world too, you can see the serious trouble of people who are disgraced, dishonored and mistreated. The degradation in Hell will also affect the appearance of dwellers of Hell as stated in the following verse: Some faces, that Day, will be humiliated. (Surat al-Ghashiyah: 2) Apart from all the methods of humiliation we have mentioned so far, we have to keep in mind that various other forms of it will be exercised in Hell. In the Qur’an, the term “humiliation” is used and a few examples are provided to illustrate it. However, we need to keep in mind that this is a broad term which can by no means be limited to a few examples. All feelings, treatment or events stirring up humiliation in man’s soul in this world are included in this concept and they are all available in Hell. An Irrecoverable Regret By the time he is resurrected, the unbeliever bitterly realizes what he has done wrong. The regret caused by his irreparable wrong gives him a bad shaking up. His desperate situation is exacerbated by this profound regret. When the unbeliever is confronted with the deeds he engaged in this world, he understands that he has no longer any other opportunity to restore any honor to his life. Yet he still asks for another opportunity. In this spirit, he wants to return to his old life to atone for his wrongdoing. Meanwhile, he never again wants to see his friends and beloved ones with whom he heedlessly enjoyed life. All friendships, all bonds are torn apart. The lifestyle and traditions people adhered to in life, their houses, cars, spouses, children, companies, the ideologies they advocate lose their value and vanish. Quite simply, they are replaced by torment. The spirit caused by the terror of that day is related as follows: If only you could see them 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.' Indeed that which 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. They say, 'There is nothing but this life and we will not be raised again.' If only you could see them when they are standing before their Lord. He will say, 'Is this not the Truth?' They will say, 'Yes indeed, by our Lord!' He will say, 'Then taste the punishment for your disbelief.' (Surat al-An'am: 27-30) The Contention Among the People of Hell Social status and hierarchical relations , which were assumed to be momentous in this world, lose all their meaning in Hell. The state that both the people and their leaders are reduced to is such that they curse one another . This is related in the Qur’an thus: When those who were followed disown those who followed them, and they see the punishment, and the connection between them is cut, those who followed will say, 'If only we could have another chance, we would disown them just as they have disowned us.' In that way Allah will show them their actions as a cause of anguish and remorse for them. They will never emerge from the Fire. (Surat al-Baqara: 166-167) They will say on the Day their heads roll about 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 led us away from the right path. Our Lord, give them double the punishment and curse them many times over!' (Surat al-Ahzab: 66-68) 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 evil-doers 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!' There is certainly a Sign in that, yet most of them are not believers. (Surat ash-Shu'ara: 96-103) Among the people of Hell encountering an eternal torment, contentiousness arises. Everyone accuses everyone else. Intimate friends hate one another. The main source of this hate is the friendship they cherished in the world. They tempted one another into committing sins and offered encouragement in denial. All concepts regarding friendship have disappeared in the face of hellfire and all bonds strengthened in this life are broken. In the midst of all this crowd, everyone is alone, cursing all the others: He will say, 'Enter the Fire together with the nations of jinn and men who have passed away before you.' Each time a nation enters, it will curse its sister nation, until, when they are all gathered together in it, the last of them will say to the first, 'Our Lord, those are the ones who misguided us, so give them a double punishment in the Fire.' He will say, 'Each will receive double. But you do not know it.' (Surat al-A'raf: 38) Those who are unbelievers say, 'Our Lord, show us those jinn and men who misguided us and we will place them beneath our feet, so that they will be among the lowest of the low.' (Surah Fussilat: 29) When they are squabbling with one another in the Fire, the weak will say to those deemed great, ‘We were your followers, so why do you not ward off from us some of the flames?’ But those who deemed themselves great will say, ‘All of us are in it. Allah has clearly judged between His slaves.’ ( Surah Ghafir: 47-48) 'Here is a troop rushing headlong with you! There is no welcome for them. They will certainly roast in the Fire.' (And the damned will say to their leaders), 'No, it is you who have no welcome. It is you who brought this upon us. What an evil place to settle!' They will say, 'Our Lord, give him who brought this on us double the punishment in the Fire!' 'But how is it that we do not see some men whom we used to count among the worst of people and whom we turned into figures of fun? Did our eyes miss them?' All this is certainly true - the bickering of the people of the Fire. (Surah Sad: 59-64) Pleas of Desperation and Hopelessness The people of Hell are in a hopeless state. The torture they undergo is extremely cruel and never-ending. Their only hope is to beg for salvation. They see the people of paradise and beg for water and food. They try to repent and ask forgiveness of Allah. Yet, all these moves are in vain. They beseech the keepers of Hell. They even want them to act as intermediaries between them and Allah and ask for mercy. Their pain is so unbearable that they want to be saved from it even if it is only for a single day: Those in the Fire will say to the custodians of Hell,’Call on your Lord to make the punishment less for us for just one day.’ They will ask, ‘Did your Messengers not bring you the Clear Signs?’ They will answer, ‘Yes.’ Then they (their keepers) will say, ‘Offer your prayers!’ But the prayers of the unbelievers shall be in vain. (Surah Ghafir: 49-50) Unbelievers further try to seek forgiveness, but they are strictly turned down: They will say, 'Our Lord, our miserable destiny overpowered us. We were misguided people. Our Lord, deliver us from Hell! Then if we revert to sin, we will definitely be wrongdoers.' He will say, 'Stay here in shame and do not plead with Me. There was a group of My slaves who said, "Our Lord, we have faith, so forgive us and have mercy on us. You are the Best of the Merciful." But you made a mockery of them so that they made you forget to remember Me while you were laughing at them. Today I have rewarded them for being steadfast. They are the ones who are victorious.' (Surat al-Mu'minun: 106-111) This is actually the last address of Allah to the people of Hell. His words “Stay here in shame and do not plead with Me!” are conclusive. From then on, Allah never considers the people of Hell. One would not even like to think about this situation. While the sinners burn in Hell, those who attain “happiness and salvation” remain in paradise enjoying the benefit of endless favors. The suffering of the people in Hell becomes more intense when they observe the life of believers in paradise. Indeed, while being subjected to unbearable torture, they can “watch” the magnificent blessings of paradise. Believers, whom unbelievers derided in this world, now lead a full and happy life, living in glorious locations, magnificent houses and savoring delicious food and drinks. The sight of the believers in a state of peace and abundance further aggravates the humiliation of being in Hell. These scenes add greater pain and suffering to their grief. The regret becomes deeper and deeper. Not having followed the commands of Allah in the world makes them feel profound remorse. They turn to the believers in paradise and try to speak to them. They beg for help and sympathy from them. Yet, these are vain efforts. The people of paradise also see them. This exchange between the peoples of Hell and paradise is as follows: In Gardens they will ask the evil-doers: 'What caused you to enter Hell?' They will reply, 'We were not among those who prayed and we did not feed the poor. We engaged in vain disputes and denied the Day of Judgment until the inevitable end overtook us.' The pleas of the intercessors will not help them. (Surat al-Muddaththir: 40-48) The dialogue between the believers and the hypocrites is also related in the Qur’an. Hypocrites are the people who remained with the believers for a certain period of time. Despite having no faith in their hearts, and purely for personal gain, they performed their religious duties as if they were believers. Thus, they earned the appellation of “hypocrites”. In hellfire, they implore the believers to give them help. The dialogue between believers and hypocrites is conveyed in the Qur’an as follows: That Day the hypocrites, both men and women, will say to those who have faith, ‘Wait for us, so that we may borrow some of your light.’ But they will be told, ‘Go back and look for some other light!’ And a wall with a gate will be erected between them. Inside there will be mercy, but on the exterior lies punishment. They will call out to them, ‘Were we not with you?’ They will reply, ‘Indeed you were. But you made trouble for yourselves and hung back and doubted, and false hopes deluded you until Allah’s command arrived. The Dissembler tricked you about Allah. 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: 13-15) An Eternal Torment With No Salvation There is an important aspect of Hell which augments the intensity of torment inflicted: it is eternal. In this world, the fact that even the sharpest pain lessens with time gives comfort to man and there is always hope for salvation. However, there is no such hope in Hell and this is what overwhelms the people of Hell most. When they are cast into the fire, chained, scalded, whipped, and crammed into narrow places, their hands tied to their necks, they know that it will last for all eternity. Their attempts to escape can never meet with success. This indicates that their torment will continue forever. The anguish they feel is stated in the Qur’an as follows: 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) Hell is an entirely isolated place. Unbelievers enter it and never re-emerge. There is no way out of Hell. The feeling of confinement engulfs unbelievers. They are surrounded with walls and locked doors. This bitter feeling of confinement is described in the Qur’an as follows: Those who reject Our signs,they are the Companions of the Left. Above them is a sealed vault of Fire. (Surat al-Balad: 19-20) Say: ‘It is the truth from your Lord; so let whoever wishes have faith and whoever wishes be a unbeliever.’ 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 showered with water like seething molten brass, which will scald their faces. What a noxious drink! What an evil repose! (Surat al-Kahf: 29) The shelter of such people will be Hell. They will find no way to escape from it. (Surat an-Nisa': 121) By the time unbelievers see the fire, they fully recognize where they belong. They truly understand that there is no chance whatsoever of getting away from the fire. At this stage, the time concept loses its meaning and an eternal torment begins. The incessant nature of pain is its worst aspect. Even if a hundred years, a thousand years or millions of years pass by, one never draws close to the end. Millions of years is nothing as compared to eternity. The unbeliever dwelling in Hell awaits an end, yet to no avail. That is why the eternal nature of Hell is stressed: Allah has promised the hypocrites, both men and women, and the unbelievers the Fire of Hell. They shall remain in it timelessly, for ever. It will suffice them. Allah has cursed them. They will have everlasting punishment. (Surat at-Tawba: 68) If those (the idols) had really been gods, they would not have gone down into it. Each one will be in it timelessly, for ever. (Surat al-Anbiya': 99) As for those who are unbelievers, the Fire of Hell awaits them. Death shall not deliver them, nor shall its punishment be lightened for them. That is how We repay every thankless man. (Surah Fatir: 36) All the pain in this world comes to an end. There is always salvation. One who suffers from pain either dies, or his pain is alleviated. However, in Hell, pain is continual and incessant, offering no relief for even a moment. An Important Reminder to Avoid Torment In the Qur’an it is related that those who reject the commands of Allah in this world and deny the existence of our Creator will have no salvation in the hereafter and that they will face a terrifying torment in Hell and people are warned. Therefore, without losing any time, each one has to realize his situation in the Presence of Allah and surrender to Him. Otherwise, he will regret it and face a fearsome end: It may be that those who are unbelievers will wish that they had been Muslims. Leave them to eat and enjoy themselves. Let false hope divert them. They will soon know. (Surat al-Hijr: 2-3) The way to avoid eternal punishment, win eternal bliss and attain the approval of Allah is apparent: Before it is too late, have true faith in Allah. Spend your life in doing good deeds to earn His pleasure…
Hell
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'ah: 8)
Hell
...He (the denier) reflected and he schemed. Curse him,
how he schemed! Again curse him, how he schemed! Then he looked. Then
he frowned and glowered. Then he drew back and was proud. He said, 'This
is nothing but magic from the past. This is nothing but the words of a
mere mortal!' I will roast him in the Fire. What will convey to you what
the Fire is? It does not spare anyone and it does not ease up, ceaselessly
scorching the flesh.
(Surat al-Muddaththir: 18-29)
Introduction
Deceptions and Facts
Hell is the place, where unbelievers will remain for all eternity and specially created for them to bear the penalty of their sins.
The unbelievers are guilty. Their guilt is to be ungrateful and rebellious to the Allah, the One Who gives man a soul . Therefore, in the hereafter there is grievous punishment for such a deadly sin. That is the purpose that Hell serves. Man is created to be a servant of Allah. If he denies the main purpose of his creation, then he surely receives what he deserves in Hell. Allah states the following in one of the verses:
...those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves in Hell - in humiliation! (Surah Ghafir: 60)
People who do not believe Allah, who do not measure Him with His true measures and do not serve Him will be sent to Hell at the end and no one has any guarantee to be saved from it. The biggest threat to man is Hell. Therefore nothing can be more important than gaining Allah’s approval and saving one’s soul from Hell.
Despite this, some people on earth live in a state of unawareness. They occupy themselves with other troubles in their daily lives. They work for months, years, even decades for insignificant issues, yet never think of the biggest threat, the gravest danger to their eternal existence. Hell is right next to them; yet, they are too blind to see it . In the Qur’an, the following is said about this group of people who are in a constant state of heedlessness:
Closer and closer to mankind comes their Reckoning: yet they pay no heed and turn away. To each renewed Message from their Lord they listen as in jest: their hearts are set on pleasure. (Surat al-Anbiya': 1-3)
Such people engage in vain effort. These people spend their whole lives on the basis of various distractive objectives they imagine will benefit them in the transitory life of this world. Most of the time, their goals are being promoted in the company, marrying, having a “happy family life”, earning a lot of money or being an advocate of a useless ideology. While doing these things, these people are unaware of the big threat ahead of them which will last forever. One catches the insensitive attitude they have towards Hell even from their manner of referring to the subject. The “ignorant society” composed of such people frequently utter the word “ Hell” without having a thorough grasp of its meaning. Now and then, this word becomes the subject of jokes. However, nobody gives as much thought to the subject as it deserves. This is one of the gravest mistakes of these people and For them, Hell is an imaginary fiction.
In fact, Hell is more real than this world. The world will cease to exist after some time, but Hell will remain for all eternity. Allah, the Creator of the universe and the world and all the delicate balances in nature, has likewise created the hereafter, paradise and Hell. A grievous punishment is promised to all unbelievers and hypocrites.
Hell, the worst place that can ever be imagined, is a source of the sheerest torture. This torture and pain is not similar to any kind of pain in this world. It is much more intense than any pain or misery one can ever face in this world. It is surely the work of Allah, the Exalted in Wisdom.
A second reality about Hell is that, for everyone, this torture is timeless and eternal. The majority of people in this ignorant society have a common misconception about Hell: they assume that they will “serve their sentence” in Hell for a certain period and then they will be forgiven. This is only wishful thinking.
Such people assume that there is no limit to the extent that they may indulge in worldly pleasures. According to the same belief, they will attain paradise after receiving temporary punishment in Hell. However, the end awaiting them is more painful than they expect. Hell is definitely a place of everlasting –unless Allah wills otherwise- torment. In the Qur’an, it is often stated that punishment for unbelievers is constant and everlasting. This is made explicit in the following verse : “They will dwell therein for ages.” (Surat an-Naba’: 23)
The rationale stating: “ I will serve my sentence for a while and then I will be forgiven” is bigoted thinking indulged in by some to comfort themselves. Indeed, Allah draws attention to this in the Qur’an, the same rationale having also been given utterance to by the Jews:
They say, ‘The Fire will only touch us for a number of days.’ Say, ‘Have you made a contract with Allah - then Allah will not break His contract - or are you rather saying about Allah what you do not know?’ No indeed! Those who accumulate bad actions and are surrounded by their mistakes, are the Companions of the Fire, remaining in it timelessly, for ever. (Surat al-Baqara : 80-81)
Being ungrateful and rebellious to the Creator who “gave hearing and sight and intelligence and affections” (Surat an-Nahl: 78) certainly deserves unceasing suffering. The excuses one puts forward will not save one from Hell. The verdict given for those who display indifference - or worse, animosity - towards the religion of his Creator is certain and invariable:
When Our Signs are recited to them - Clear Signs - you can detect denial in the faces of those who are unbelievers. They all but assault those who recite Our Signs to them! Say: ‘Shall I inform you of something worse than that? The Fire which Allah has promised those who are unbelievers. What an evil destination!’ (Surat al-Hajj: 72)
Those who remained arrogant to Allah and harbored enmity towards believers will hear the following words on the Day of Judgment:
So enter the gates of Hell, to dwell therein. Thus evil indeed is the abode of the arrogant. (Surat an-Nahl: 29)
The most fearsome characteristic of Hell is its eternal nature. Once in Hell, there will be no return except for the ones Allah saves. The only reality is Hell together with many other kinds of torture. Encountering such an eternal torture, a person falls into total despair. He has no further expectations. This state is described in the Qur’an as follows:
As for those who are rebellious and wicked, their abode will be the Fire. Every time they wish to get away from it, they will be forced into it, and they will be told: 'Taste the Penalty of the Fire, which you were wont to reject as false.' (Surat as-Sajda: 20)
…The Fire is your home. You will be in it timelessly, for ever, except as Allah wills. Your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing. (Surat Al-An’am: 128)
They will want to get out of the Fire but they will not be able to. They will have an everlasting punishment. (Surat al-Ma'idah: 37)
In addition, there is the following hadith of our Prophet (saas) as a blessing from Allah:
The Prophet (saas) said: “He with the slightest speck of faith will be saved from the fire.” Abu Said says: “Whoever doubts (that he really said this) should read the following verse: “Allah does not wrong anyone by so much as the smallest speck...” (Surat an-Nisa, 40) (Tirmidhi, Sfatu Cehennem 10, (2601))
The Death Of The Universe
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'ah: 8)
The Death Of The Universe
In the Qur’an, it is stated that apart from all the created beings, the universe will also confront death. It is not only man who is mortal. All animals and plants die. Even the planets and stars die. Death is the destiny common to all that has been created. In Allah’s Presence, on a predestined day, all people, all living beings, the Earth, the Sun, the Moon, the stars, in brief, all the material world will disappear. In the Qur’an, this day is called the “Day of Resurrection”. This is “...the Day mankind will stand before the Lord of all the worlds” (Surat al-Mutaffifin: 6)
Just as the death of man is terrifying, so is the death of the universe. On the Day of Resurrection, those who did not have faith previously, will, for the first time, have an intense feeling of Allah’s greatness and might. That is why the Day of Resurrection is a day of grief, torment, regret, pain and great confusion for unbelievers. A person witnessing the Day of Resurrection will be seized by some grave fear. This indefinable fear is hundreds of times more intense than all the fears one is likely to experience in this world. The Qur’an provides account of each phase of the Day of Resurrection. How this great event will happen and what will happen to people on that day are all described .
The First Blast of the Trumpet
The Day of Resurrection begins when the Trumpet is blown. This is the sign of the total destruction of the world and of all the universe and the beginning of the end. This is the point of no return. This is the sound declaring that the life of the world has come to an end for all and that the real life has begun. This is the initial sound arousing an uninterrupted fear, terror and confusion in the hearts of unbelievers. This sound heralds the beginning of the difficult days for unbelievers which will extend to eternity. In Surat al-Muddaththir, the Day of Resurrection is thus referred to from the point of view of unbelievers:
For when the Trumpet is blown, that Day will be a difficult day, not easy for the unbelievers. (Surat al-Muddaththir: 8-10)
The sound of the Trumpet will surely create a great dread and unrest among unbelievers. An imperceptible, non-definable vibration with no apparent source will permeate the entire world and hence all people will acknowledge that great events are about to happen. The unrest felt by unbelievers soon turn into panic and horror. The consecutive events following the sound of the Trumpet will raise this horror to an unimaginable level.
The Destruction of the Universe
As revealed in the Qur’an a great tremor and a “deafening blast” follows the sound of the Trumpet. At this moment, people recognize that they are face to face with a horrible disaster. It is obvious that the world and life is about to cease to exist. That is why, everything on earth loses its value in just a few moments. Even the sound of the Day of Resurrection will suffice to break all worldly relations among people. No thoughts can occupy the minds of people other than escaping and rescuing themselves. Fear is rife and, on that day, everyone is concerned only about himself:
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)
After an intense shake, it is revealed in the Qur’an that the earth throws up all its treasures and discloses all its secrets, none of which will have any value at all from then on:
When the earth is convulsed with its quaking and the earth then shakes off its burdens and man asks, 'What does this mean?'-on that Day it will impart all its tidings because your Lord will have inspired it. (Surat az-Zalzalah: 1-5)
A terrifying noise followed by an intense tremor and sudden underground explosions ravage everything to which people formerly attached a great deal of importance. For instance, people treasured their houses, offices, cars and fields. Some people held a house to be the main target of their lives. Yet, the vanity of such goals surfaces at the very moment of the Day of Resurrection. The wealth, to which people devoted all their lives, will disappear in a second. The goals of one who makes getting promoted in the company his main ambition become worthless. Another who devoted his life to seizing power in his country experiences the same terrifying situation. He bitterly witnesses the disappearance of that country... Everything loses its significance , except everything done to earn Allah’s approval. As Allah states in the Qur’an: “When the Great Calamity comes: that Day man will remember what he has striven for and the Blazing Fire will be displayed for all who can see.” (Surat an-Nazi’at: 34-36)
The Crushing of Mountains
The calamities which will occur on the Doomsday are beyond one's imagination. Mountains, the most awe-inspiring, unshakeable structures of the earth, are set in motion; they are lifted from their roots and crushed. Even a minor earthquake spreads terror into the hearts of people and inspires in them feelings of insecurity. It makes them leave their homes and spend the whole night out on the streets. This being so, the type of disaster so dreadful as to cause the mountains to shift proves to be unbearable. In the Qur'an, the mountains on that day are depicted as follows:
So when the Trumpet is blown with a single blast, and the earth and the mountains are lifted and crushed with a single blow,-on that Day, the Dread Event will come to pass. (Surat al-Haqqa: 13-15)
The Day of Decision is a fixed appointment: the Day the Trumpet is blown and you come in droves. The gates of heaven shall swing open and the mountains shall be shifted and become a mirage. (Surat an-Naba': 17-20)
(Each soul shall know what it has done) 'when the mountains are set in motion, when the camels in foal are neglected, when the wild beasts are all herded together.' (Surat at-Takwir: 3-5)
'On that day men shall become like scattered moths and the mountains like tufts of carded wool... (Surat al -Qari'ah: 4-5)
That day, there is an awesome and unbounded might, so powerful as to throw black mountains of stone, earth and rocks into the air like “tufts of carded wool”. Now, people are well aware of the fact that this is not something which is within the “power of nature” to accomplish. They witness that “mother nature”, which they once upon a time worshipped as an idol and to which they attributed their existence, cannot prevent its own destruction. Now is the time for the unbelievers, who did not measure Allah with His true measures, to become acquainted with the real owner of this power. Yet, this acquaintance is no longer of any benefit to them. They will apprehensively understand facts, which they have failed all their lives to grasp as a matter of wisdom and conscience.
This terror encloses all beings, living and non-living. This horror keeps everything under its control. Human beings, animals and nature alike are all crushed under this common fear. Mountains are no longer majestic, oceans are not boundless and heaven is not as unattainable as in the past. The sun, stars and all the universe are surrounded by the quaking of the Day of Resurrection. They all submit to their Creator. As mountains crumble like sand castles, man, inexpressibly feeble next to the mountains, stars and oceans, goes through a phase of great destruction. Only the ones who had fear of Allah and lived their lives by the Qur’an will be saved from the horror of that day. This is Allah’s promise:
On the Day the Trumpet is blown and everyone in the heavens and everyone on the earth is terrified – except those Allah wills, everyone will come to Him abject. (Surat An-Naml, 87)
The Surge of Oceans
With its present faculties, it is unlikely that the human mind can conceive of the horror of the Day of Resurrection. The events that will take place on that day will be the manifestation of Allah’s infinite power. One of these manifestations of Allah’s infinite might will be seen in the oceans:
When the oceans surge into each other, when the souls are divided into classes. (Surat at-Takwir: 6-7)
When the seas flood and overflow.” (Surat al-Infitar: 3)
The Destruction of Heavens
On the Day of Resurrection, not only the earth but also the entire universe will be destroyed. The predetermined time of extinction will also come for the sky, the Moon, the Sun and the planets as well as the earth, whatever lies underground, the mountains and oceans. Allah states that on that day, “what you are promised will certainly happen. When the stars are extinguished, when heaven is split open, when the mountains are pulverized...” (Surat al- Mursalat: 7-10)
On the Day of Resurrection, all beings to whom, and established orders to which people attribute eternity will collapse and will ultimately be reduced to nothing. This also holds true for the sky. From the moment one comes into existence, the atmosphere proves to be a protective roof. Yet, on the Day of Resurrection, the air and atmosphere, which surround man all through his life will become “like molten brass.” (Surat al-Ma’arij: 8) and will burn with great intensity.
A comparison drawn between the fear created by disasters in this world and the horror of the events of the Day of Resurrection may provide some understanding about that day. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions frighten most of the people. The earth crust cracked by an earthquake or a volcanic eruption dispels the tediousness of everyday life in a moment. This makes man appreciate the solid ground he steps on with confidence.
Nevertheless, despite all the pain they give, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are lived through only once. An earthquake or an eruption lasts for a certain period of time. Pains are forgotten and in time they become memories. But the Day of Resurrection is neither like an earthquake nor any other disaster. Incredible acts of destruction occurring one after another signify that everything has come to a point of no return. For instance, an event beyond one’s imagination will happen: heaven will crack and split apart. This is the collapse of all the known “laws of physics” and the concepts one has trusted so far. The heaven and the earth which have remained in existence for thousands of years are crushed by Allah, Who constructed them. The Day of Resurrection, as is explained in the Qur’an (Surat al-Infitar: 1-3), will be marked by the sky splitting apart, the stars being strewn about, and the seas flooding and overflowing. When the sky bursts open, it will be “hearkening to its Lord as it is bound to do!” (Surat al-Inshiqaq: 1-2)
Everything people attach importance to in this world will cease to exist. The heavenly bodies will die one after another as revealed in the Qur’an:
When the sun is compacted in blackness, when the stars fall in rapid succession. (Surat at-Takwir: 1-2)
When the Sun, the source of light for the earth for millions of years, is folded up, people will come to realize that it has a real owner and that it has moved until then under His control. Up till that point, people will have gone on thinking of stars as unattainable, glorious and mysterious entities. However, on that day, they will be extinguished . Unshakeable mountains will be moved, boundless oceans will begin to boil. With such scenes, who the real Owner is of all beings, the one and only Possessor of might Who is above and over everything, will become most apparent. The predestined time will be over and thus unbelievers will be bitterly awoken from the heedlessness they have indulged in. The reason for this heedlessness is unbelievers’ failure to appreciate the might of their Creator while they were still in the world. On that day, however, they will understand who the real owner of the universe and life is:
They do not measure Allah with His true measure. The whole earth will be a mere handful for Him on the Day of Resurrection, the heavens folded up in His right hand. Glory be to Him! He is exalted above the partners they ascribe! (Surat az-Zumar: 67)
The Situation of the People
All this fear, dread and confusion of the Day of Resurrection will be caused by the unbeliever’s heedlessness. The more heedless a person is, the more his dread will be on that day. The feeling of fear and horror which begins with death never ends for all eternity. Each event becomes a source of fear for him. Every hideous event he confronts will also nurture his future fears. This fear will be so intense that it will even turn children’s hair grey. Allah reveals in the Qur’an thus:
How will you safeguard yourselves, if you are unbeliever, against a Day which will turn children grey, by which heaven will be split apart? His promise will be fulfilled. (Surat al-Muzzammil: 17-18)
Those who assumed Allah to be unaware of their deeds realize at that moment that Allah postponed their judgment until the Day of Resurrection. This is explained in the Qur’an as follows:
Do not consider Allah to be unaware of what the wrongdoers perpetrate. He is merely giving them respite till a Day on which their gaze will be transfixed. (Surah Ibrahim: 42)
In another verse, the fear felt by unbelievers is described as follows:
The Crashing Blow! What is the Crashing Blow? What will convey to you what the Crashing Blow is? It is the Day when mankind will be like scattered moths and the mountains like tufts of carded wool. (Surat al-Qari'a: 1-5)
One of the strongest bonds in this world is the love and feeling of protection a mother feels for her child. The intensity of the Day of Resurrection will break even this strong bond, however. That great shock will make people lose their consciousness. Confused and panicked, they will run about like drunks. The situation of the unbelievers in the face of Allah’s wrath is revealed in the Qur’an thus:
Mankind, have fear of your Lord! The quaking of the Hour is a terrible thing. On the day they see it, every nursing woman will be oblivious of the baby at her breast, and every pregnant woman will abort the contents of her womb, and you will think people drunk when they are not drunk; it is just that the punishment of Allah is so severe. (Surat al-Hajj: 1-2)
Apart from fear and dread, another grievous feeling people will experience on that day is desperateness. Mankind takes necessary precautions against all possible disasters; against the most lethal calamity, the most powerful earthquakes, floods, hurricanes or the most horrible nuclear war. Man finds ways to protect himself and builds shelters. However, on that day, there will not remain a single secure place where one can take refuge. The unbelievers will receive no help from Allah. There will also be no other person or authority who could provide help. In the past, man sought assistance and guidance from science and technology. But now, all the laws of science will have collapsed. Even if advanced technology could enable one to flee to the remotest point of space, Allah’s wrath would find him there. That is because the Day of Resurrection pervades the entire universe. Not only the earth he lived on securely but also the remote stars will submit to the will of Allah, with the Sun, “compacted in blackness,” and the stars “falling in rapid succession.” (Surat at-Takwir: 1-2)
The despair into which human beings will fall on that day is described as follows:
...and the moon is eclipsed, and the sun and moon are fused together. On that Day man will say, 'Where can I run?' No indeed! There will be no safe place. That Day the only resting place will be your Lord. (Surat al-Qiyama: 8-12)
The Second Blast of The Trumpet and Raising of The Dead
When the trumpet is blown for the first time, heaven and earth will be crushed and the whole universe will come to an end. Not a living soul will be left. As stated in the Qur’an: “On the Day the earth is changed into a different earth, and the heavens likewise, mankind shall stand before Allah, the One who conquers all.” (Surah Ibrahim: 48) Our Lord says the following about this new environment prepared for the Last Judgment:
They will ask you about the mountains. Say: 'My Lord will scatter them as dust. He will leave them as a barren, level plain on which you will see no dip or gradient.' (Surah Ta ha: 105-107)
This is the point at which people will rise from dead, gather and wait to give an account of their deeds. This is also the place where they will learn where they are heading for. The time has come for people to be raised from the dead and presented to Allah, the al-Qahhar (The Subduer). And then the trumpet will be blown for a second time. Those who denied the hereafter and resurrection in the world will be raised from their graves. This will be something they never expected. The following account of these happenings are given in the Qur’an as follows:
The Trumpet will be blown and those in the heavens and those on the earth will all lose consciousness, except those Allah wills. Then it will be blown a second time and at once they will be standing upright, looking on. And the earth will shine with the Pure Light of its Lord...(Surat az-Zumar: 68-69)
The Emergence of the Dead From their Graves
Allah gives a detailed account of the situations which will take place as the dead rise again by His will. As related in the Qur'an, this great event will occur thus:
By the time the trumpet is blown for the second time, the dead will be called from the earth. Upon this call, they will rapidly "emerge from their graves with downcast eyes, like swarming locusts." (Surat al-Qamar: 7)
"(...Then, when) He calls you forth from the earth, you will emerge at once." (Surat ar-Rum: 25)
"The Day the earth splits open all around them as they come rushing forth, that is a gathering, easy for Us to accomplish." (Surah Qaf:44)
-As if hastening on to a goal, they will follow the inviter who will call them with their necks extended towards him. This call will be dissimilar to any other call hitherto heard:
... On the Day the Summoner summons them to something unspeakably terrible. (Surat al-Qamar: 6)
On that day they will follow the Summoner who has no crookedness in him at all. (Surah Ta ha: 108)
...That Day they will emerge swiftly from their graves as if rushing to rally to the flag. (Surat al-Ma'arij: 43)
Those who committed transgressions beyond the limits set by Allah, who did not obey Allah, insisted on their own ways, denied Allah, and remained arrogant, will suddenly become obedient and submit to Him as soon as they are raised from the dead. Without questioning, they will respond to this call. Because the test in this world will be over, they will have no other choice but to conform. Even if they so desired, they could not do otherwise. They could not even harbor such a wish. They will have no power to resist this call. That is why, they will feel deep inside that this is a “pitiless day”:
With necks outstretched, eyes transfixed, rushing headlong to the Summoner, the unbelievers will say: 'This is a pitiless day!' (Surat al-Qamar: 8)
Thus the unbelievers will run forward. Everyone will display an absolute obedience. That day, the one and only important thing people possess is faith. However, unbelievers are bereft of it. That is why, their hearts are “hollow” as they rush “headlong- heads back, eyes vacant.” (Surah Ibrahim: 43)
They will slide towards Allah:
...the Day the Trumpet is blown and you come in droves (Surat an-Naba': 18)
The Trumpet will be blown and at once they will be sliding from their graves towards their Lord. 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: 51-52)
The exclamation “‘Alas for us!” which is revealed in the verse, is the expression of great panic and disappointment. The unbeliever who witnesses his own resurrection realizes that Allah’s apostles who conveyed this message throughout his life had told the truth. He then grasps that he will be subjected to the “eternal torment” with which the unbelievers were threatened. At that moment, he sheds all doubts on the subject and comes to terms with the fact that there is just not anything like “eternal sleep”. His disappointment is intensified by his diminishing hopes of salvation from the forthcoming torment.
-During the Day of Resurrection, unbelievers will feel fear, horror and they are desperate. Their general appearance is frightening; their faces are black, dust-covered. What is more, they will be humiliated:
Some faces on that Day will be downcast (Surat al-Ghashiyah: 2)
That Day some faces will be dust-covered, overcast with gloom. Those are the dissolute unbelievers. (Surah 'Abasa: 40-42)
On the Day of Resurrection you will see those who lied against Allah with their faces blackened. Do not the arrogant have a dwelling place in Hell? (Surat az-Zumar: 60)
-Allah will raise unbelievers on the Day of Resurrection, blind.
But if anyone turns away from My reminder, his life will be a dark and narrow one and on the Day of Resurrection he will come before Us blind.' He will say, 'My Lord, why have you brought me blind before you when before I was able to see?' He will say, 'Just as Our Signs came to you and you forgot them, in the same way you too are forgotten today.' (Surah Ta Ha:124-126)
Whoever Allah guides is truly guided. But as for those He leads astray, you will not find any protectors for them apart from Him. We will bring them before Us on the Day of Resurrection, flat on their faces, blind, dumb and deaf. Their shelter will be Hell. Whenever the Blaze dies down, We will increase it for them. (Surah al-Isra': 97)
-The white part of the eye will turn to a bluish color. This color of the eye will intensify the frightening and disgusting appearance of unbelievers.
On the Day the Trumpet is blown, We will gather the evil-doers on that Day, their eyes dimmed (as if they were covered with a bluish film). (Surah Ta Ha: 102)
With this terrible and degraded appearance the unbelievers will be distinguished from the believers at first sight. This is the beginning of the end of this group of people who waged war against the verses of Allah and remained arrogant.
There Exists no Friendship, Kinship and Cooperation
On that day, a person will be too occupied to worry about others. He will even abandon his own mother, father, spouse and children. The intensity and inconceivable terror of the Day of Resurrection will make everyone concern himself over his own affairs. Allah describes the Day of Resurrection as follows:
What will convey to you what the Day of Judgment is? Again! What will convey to you what the Day of Judgment is? It is the Day when a soul will have no power to help any other soul in any way. The command that Day will be Allah’s alone. (Surat al-Infitar: 17-19)
When the Deafening Blast comes, that 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)
And thus the most precious social bonds that one worshipped in this life will come to a bitter end. The terror of that day will render all close relations and kinship meaningless. The only precious thing remaining will be faith:
Then when the Trumpet is blown, that Day there will be no family ties between them; they will not be able to question one another. Those whose scales are heavy are the successful ones. Those whose scales are light are the losers of their souls, remaining in Hell timelessly, for ever. (Surat al-Mu'minun: 101-103)
Bonds and family ties break down in such a way that people would give their so-called beloved sons, spouses, brothers and even all their relatives in ransom for their own salvation:
No good friend will ask about his friend, even though they can see each other. An evil-doer 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 only that meant that he could save himself. But no! It is a Raging Blaze. (Surat al- Ma'arij:10-15)
This offer for ransom on the Day of Resurrection is actually an indication of the vanity of this life. Some people usually chase after trivial goals; they work for a life time for an admirable job, a beautiful house, for a career or money . However, as related in the Qur’an , in his desperate efforts to be saved, a person will be willing to pay, not just a single woman or a man, but all the women and the men in the world or all possible possessions in the world in ransom for his own personal salvation. However, these are all futile efforts.
The Gathering of People To Give an Account of Their Deeds
The Qur'an states the real meaning of life:
O Man! You are toiling laboriously towards your Lord but meet Him you will. (Surat al-Inshiqaq: 6)
No matter what we do in the course of our lives, we will eventually stand before Allah. The ultimate aim of this life is to be His servant. The most important time, on the other hand, is the Day of Resurrection, when we shall be giving an account of our lives.
Each passing day brings us even closer to that point in time. Each passing hour, minute or even second is a step taken towards death, resurrection and the moment of reckoning. Life, like an hourglass, flows continuously in this direction. There is no way to stop time or to reverse it. All people will be following this path. Allah states in the Qur’an:
Certainly it is to Us they will return. Then their Reckoning is Our concern. (Surat al-Ghashiyah: 25-26)
There are billions of people on the earth today. Adding this figure to the total number of people who ever lived in the past will give some idea of the crowd that will gather on the Day of Resurrection. All people, from the Prophet Adam (as), the first man on earth, to the last person who will ever live in the world will be there. This horde of human beings will present an amazing picture. Nevertheless, at the same time, it is certain that it will be a fearsome one. The situation of all people in the Presence of Allah is depicted in the Qur’an as follows:
On that day they will follow the Summoner who has no falsity in him at all. Voices will be hushed before the All-Merciful and You shall hear only the sound of marching feet.
On that Day intercession will not be of any use except for him whom the All-Merciful has authorized and with whose word He is well-pleased.
He knows what is in front of them and behind them. But their knowledge does not encompass Him.
Faces will be humbled before the Living, the All-Sustaining One. And anyone weighed down with wrongdoing will have failed. (Surah Ta Ha: 108-111)
The moment of giving accounts, which unbelievers neglected for a lifetime, while believers zealously prepared for it, has come. A glorious location is created for this great court. As related in the Qur’an, on that day:
"Heaven will be split apart, for that Day it will be very frail. The angels will be gathered round its edge. On that Day, eight will bear the Throne of their Lord above their heads." (Surat al-Haqqa: 16-17)
On the Day when the Spirit and the angels stand in ranks, they shall not speak; except him who shall receive the sanction of the Merciful and says what is right. (Surat an-Naba': 38)
Allah, the Lord of the heavens and earth will demand an account of their deeds from His servants. A source of infinite torture is also created for the unbelievers. No one can inflict the type of anguish Allah will give on that day. In the Qur’an Allah states:
No indeed! When the earth is crushed and ground to dust and your Lord arrives with the angels rank upon rank 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!' That Day no one will punish as He punishes and no one will shackle as He shackles. (Surat al-Fajr: 21-26)
If man fails to serve His Creator in the world and to prepare for this great day, then he shall suffer a keen regret. On that day the unbelievers will say “Oh, if only I were dust!” (Surat an-Naba: 40) Yet, this regret will be of no avail. On the contrary, it will become a new source of anguish and add to the torment he will be subjected to in Hell.
The Giving Out of the Books and Just Balances
Right after the resurrection, the unbelievers become struck with fear and grief. This is because they will give an account of their deeds in the Presence of Allah. All the deeds they engaged in throughout their lives and all their thoughts will be disclosed. No minor detail is forgotten. It is stated in a verse as follows:
'... even if something weighs as little as a mustard-seed and is inside a rock or anywhere else in the heavens or earth, Allah will bring it out. Allah is All-Pervading, All-Aware. (Surah Luqman: 16)
When the people are questioned, they will see what they had presented for their eternal life. This is related in the Qur’an as follows:
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-Zalzalah: 6-8)
As mentioned in the Qur'an, unbelievers will receive their books from their left, while believers will receive theirs from their right. The experience of the people of the "right" is described as follows:
On that Day you will be exposed-no concealed act you did will stay concealed. As for him who is given his Book in his right hand, he will say, 'Here, come and read my Book! I counted on meeting my Reckoning.' He will have a very pleasant life in an elevated Garden, its ripe fruit hanging close to hand. 'Eat and drink with relish for what you did before in days gone by!' (Surat al- Haqqah: 18-24)
Contrary to the happiness and joy of believers, unbelievers will have an acute feeling of malaise and regret. They would like to die, even to disappear. Their desperate mood is indicated in the Qur’an 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)
As for him who is given his Book in his right hand, he will be given an easy reckoning and return to his family joyfully. 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 people. He thought that he was never going to return. But in fact his Lord was always watching him! (Surat al-Inshiqaq: 7-15)
The deeds recorded in the Books are measured by just balances. That day, in the Presence of Allah’s justice, everyone will be justly treated:
We will set up the Just Balance on the Day of Resurrection and no soul 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 an-Anbiya': 47)
Every deed engaged in this life, even of a minor nature, is placed in this balance. The indicator of this balance determines whether one will be sent to eternal torment or to eternal bliss and salvation. If the balance is well weighed down with good deeds, the person being judged is sent to paradise. If not, he will be destined for Hell. No one, no power can help him but Allah:
As for him whose balance is heavy, he will have a most pleasant life. But as for him whose balance is light, his motherland will be the Abyss. And what will convey to you what that is? A raging Fire! (Surat al-Qari'a: 6-11)
Then, all men give their accounts one by one. Here, positions and ranks in the world lose their meanings. A president of a country or an ordinary person are both the same; they receive the same treatment in the Presence of Allah. Here, they are subjected to arduous questioning as to whether or not they served their Creator and obeyed His commands. All sins, wicked deeds, and inner thoughts of an unbeliever are disclosed:
...on the Day when the secrets are sought out and man will have no strength or helper. (Surat at-Tariq: 9-10)
This process is grueling for those who did not live by the laws of Allah but by their own desires or by the distorted values, beliefs and principles of their environment. In the following verse s, Allah gives an account of this great day:
When the baby girl buried alive is asked for what crime she was killed, when the Pages are opened up, when Heaven is peeled away, when the Fire is set ablaze, when the Garden is brought up close: then each soul will know what it has done. (Surat at-Takwir: 8-14)
No one can deny what he engaged in in the Presence of Allah. All his deeds, good and wicked, are disclosed. Even if he denies anything, there are witnesses to tell the truth. People who witnessed him during the course of his life are also brought to the fore to testify. Allah states in the Qur’an as follows:
And the earth will shine with the Pure Light of its Lord; the Book will be put in place; the Prophets and witnesses will be brought; and all will be judged with fairness; none shall be wronged. (Surat az-Zumar: 69)
In the course of giving accounts, there are other unexpected witnesses awaiting the unbelievers. The senses of hearing and sight as well as human skins are endowed with the faculty of speech by the Will of Allah and testify against them. The betrayal of even one’s own organs, which one assumed to belong to oneself for a lifetime, adds to the depression one will suffer on that day. Allah describes this fact in the Qur’an as follows:
On the Day, We crowd the enemies of Allah into the Fire and they are driven in close-packed ranks; when they reach it, their hearing, sight and skin will testify against them concerning what they did. They will ask their skins, 'Why did you testify against us?' and they will reply, 'Allah gave us speech as He has given speech to everything. He created you in the first place and you will be returned to Him. You did not think to shield yourselves from your hearing, sight and skin testifying against you and you thought that Allah would never know much of what you did. It is that thought you had about your Lord that has destroyed you, so now you find yourselves among the lost.' If they are steadfast, the Fire will still be their residence! If they ask for pardon, they will not receive it. (Surah Fussilat: 19-24)
Unbelievers bear the great guilt of rebelling against the Creator, Who created them and made living possible for them. That is why, on the Day of Resurrection, they are not allowed to defend themselves. No opportunity is given to them to voice their defense. Humiliated and desperate, they wait for the verdict to be given thus:
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 any cunning, use it against Me now!' On that Day, woe to the deniers! (Surat al-Mursalat: 34-40)
That day, the unbeliever feels an inner loathing for his own deeds and his own self. However, Allah’s feeling of aversion is more intense.
The unbelievers will be addressed thus:
…Allah’s abhorrence of you, when you were called to the faith but then chose to disbelieve, is even greater than your hatred of yourselves. (Surah Ghafir: 10)
Encountering Allah’s wrath, the unbeliever falls into a state of profound hopelessness , sorrow and shame, and wishes he would never rise from the dead. He wishes that death had put an end to his life for all eternity. However death is not an end, but only a beginning. And there is no death other than this. Their state of mind is thus expressed in the Qur’an as follows:
It may be that those who are unbelievers will wish that they had been Muslims. (Surat al-Hijr: 2)
In contrast to the difficulties the unbelievers will experience on that Day, the way believers will give their accounts will be quite easy. After giving their accounts before Allah, the believers will remain in eternal bliss. Allah, the Most Merciful, will forgive their sins, as they have lived by the principles laid down by our Creator . They thus attain paradise, a place filled with Allah’s boundless favors and are kept remote from hellfire.
O Man! You are toiling laboriously towards your Lord but meet Him you will! As for him who is given his Book in his right hand, he will be given an easy reckoning and return to his family joyfully. (Surat al-Inshiqaq: 6-9)
The Desperateness of Unbelievers
On that day, the unbeliever intends to comply with all orders, yet, he fails to do so. That is because, he no longer has any energy to accomplish anything. When he is called upon to prostrate himself, he wants to do so. However, he cannot even succeed in doing this. Just like a person having a bad dream, he wants to scream but cannot. Neither can he move his legs or hands. Fear, terror and despair leave him almost paralyzed. This situation the unbelievers experience is described in the Qur’an thus:
On the Day when legs are bared and they are called on to prostrate themselves, they will not be able to do so. Their eyes will be downcast, darkened by debasement; for they were called on to prostrate themselves when they were in full possession of their faculties. (Surat al-Qalam: 42-43)
One of the purposes of calling upon the unbeliever to prostrate himself in the Hereafter may be to intensify the regret and sorrow he feels at not having complied with the call made when he was in the world, and to remind him that this disobedience, unlikely to be compensated for, will be a source of eternal sorrow and hopelessness.
also informed about how believers and unbelievers will look on that day. The inner joy of believers is seen on their faces; their eyes shine brightly. Unbelievers, on the other hand, realize how they ungratefully and unwisely conducted themselves and start to wait for the torment they will be subjected to. Contrary to the joyful expressions on the faces of believers, disbelievers’ faces are dull and gloomy:
You love this fleeting world and you disregard the hereafter. There will be faces that Day which will be radiant, gazing at their Lord. And there will be faces that Day which will be glowering, realizing that a back-breaking blow has fallen. (Surat al-Qiyama : 20-25)
Seeing Hell
Allah informs us in Surah Maryam that all people, both believers and unbeliever, will be assembled around Hell on their knees:
Man says, 'When I am dead, will I then be brought back to life again?' Does not man recall that We created him out of the void? By your Lord, We will collect them and the devils together. Then We will assemble them around Hell on their knees. Then We will drag out from every sect the one among them most insolent towards the All-Merciful. Then it is We who will know best those most deserving to roast in it. There is not one of you who will not come to it. That is the final decision of your Lord. Then We will rescue those who feared Us and We will leave the wrongdoers in it on their knees. (Surah Maryam: 66-72)
As we see from the above verses, on the Day of Resurrection, people will be gathered around Hell on their knees. Unbelievers and believers alike will all hear the horrible noise and roar of the fire together and witness stunning images. However, believers are saved with Allah’s approval after some time and unbelievers are left on their knees. Then, they are cast into the hellfire.
Having a better grasp of Allah’s wrath and being grateful to Him can be considered as one of the purposes of the presence of believers among the crowd gathered around Hell. A believer witnessing the wrath in Hell looks like comprehends how a great favor the faith granted to him is. Because Hell is a terrible place, even being saved from torment means bliss for the human being.
Witnessing Hell, the believer can make comparisons and thus better appreciate paradise, a place of blessings where he will reside for all eternity. Even in the world, to be saved from pain is a great boon. For instance, someone facing the danger of being frozen on a mountain rejoices at finding an old hut with a fireplace. He perceives this hut almost as if it were a luxury hotel room. For someone who has not eaten anything for days a loaf of bread is a feast. The end of pain is an unsurpassable reason for joy, happiness, peace and gratefulness.
A believer who sees Hell at close quarters and is saved from it by Allah, attains this kind of bliss. Moreover, being rewarded with paradise makes believers attain the salvation mentioned in the Qur’an. Having seen the greatest torment in Hell, the believer very well understands the value of paradise overflowing with blessings. For the rest of his eternal life, he never forgets what Hell looks like and hence takes greater pleasure in paradise.
On the Day of Judgment, people hear the following words of those who recognize believers and unbelievers from their faces:
There will be a dividing wall between them and on the ramparts there will be men who recognize everyone by his look. They will call out to the people of the Garden: ‘Peace be upon you!’ But they will not enter it yet for all their ardent desire to do so. When they turn their eyes towards the inmates of the Fire, they will say, ‘Our Lord, do not cast us among these wrongdoers!’
The Companions of the Ramparts will call out to men they recognize by their mark, saying, ‘What you amassed was of no use to you. Likewise your arrogance. Are these the people you swore would never earn Allah’s mercy?’ (Again turning to the blessed, they will say): ‘Enter the Garden. You will feel no fear and know no sorrow.’ (Surat al-A’raf: 46-49)
After Resurrection, it is the time when believers, “the best of creatures”, (Surat al-Bayyina:7) and unbelievers, “the worst of creatures”, (Surat al-Bayyina: 6) are separated from one another. This day is described in the Qur’an as follows:
When the Messengers' time is appointed-until what day is that deferred? Until the Day of Decision. And what will teach you what the Day of Decision is? On that Day, woe to the deniers! Did We not destroy the earlier peoples, then cause others to follow them? That is how We deal with evil-doers. On that Day, woe to the deniers! (Surat al-Mursalat: 11-19)
In the Surah Qaf, the journey believers and unbelievers take to their real abodes is related as follows:
The throes of death come revealing the truth. That is what you were trying to evade! The Trumpet will be blown. That is the Day of the Threat. Every soul will come along with one who drives it on and one who testifies against it. One will say: “You were heedless of this so We have stripped you of your covering and today your sight is sharp.’ His inseparable comrade will say, ‘My testimony is ready to hand.’ (And it is said): ‘Cast into Hell every obdurate unbeliever, impeder of good, doubt-causing aggressor, who has set up another deity besides Allah. Hurl him into the terrible punishment.’ His inseparable comrade will say, ‘Our Lord, I did not make him overstep the limits. He was, in any case, far astray.’ He will say, ‘Do not argue in My Presence when I gave you advance warning of the Threat. My Word, once given, is not subject to change and I do not wrong My slaves.’ On the Day He says to Hell, ‘Are you full? ‘it will ask, ‘Are there no more to come?’ And the Garden will be brought up close to the righteous. (And it is said): ‘This is what you were promised. It is for every careful penitent: those who fear the All-Merciful in the Unseen and come with a contrite heart. Enter it in peace. This is the Day of Timeless Eternity.’ (Surah Qaf: 19-34)
Resurrection
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'ah: 8)
Resurrection
...Yet man still wants to deny what is ahead of
him, asking, 'So when is the Day of Resurrection?' But when the eyesight
is dazzled, and the moon is eclipsed, and the sun and moon are fused together,
on that Day man will say, 'Where can I run?' No indeed! There will be
no safe place. That Day the only resting place will be your Lord.
(Surat al-Qiyama : 5-12)
Faith in the Hereafter
Faith in the hereafter is one of the most important pillars of faith. In the first surah of the Qur'an, after His attributes, the "All-Merciful" and the "the Most Merciful", Allah states that "He is the King of the Day of Judgment" (Surat al-Fatiha: 3). In the third verse of the next surah, it is stated that believers are "...those who have faith in the Unseen..." (Surat al-Baqarah: 3)
This concept of “the Unseen” also includes rising from the dead after death, the Day of Resurrection, paradise and Hell, in brief, everything related to the Hereafter. Indeed, in the 4th verse of Surat al-Baqara , with the words “...they are certain about the Hereafter”, the importance of faith in the Hereafter is reminded once more.
The faith in the Hereafter as defined in the Qur’an provides strong evidence for the sincerity and truthfulness of a believer. One having faith in the Hereafter has already reposed unconditional faith in Allah, in His Book and in His messenger. Such an individual knows that Allah has power over all things and that His words and promises are true. Consequently, he never harbors doubts about the Hereafter. Before seeing and witnessing these facts, he puts his faith in them as if he has already seen them. This is the natural consequence of the faith and trust he puts in Allah and the wisdom granted to him. An unshakeable faith in the Hereafter, purified of all forms of doubts, embraces faith in the existence of Allah as well as in His attributes, as explained in the Qur’an, and complete trust in and submission to Him. This faith also makes one know Allah and appreciate Him as is proper. This is the faith Allah considers to be precious.
Having true and complete conviction is possible with a committed faith in the Hereafter. In many parts of the Qur’an, Allah reveals the unbelievers’ denial of the Hereafter and their indecision about its realization. In fact, the majority of these are people who believe in the existence of Allah. However, what misleads them most is not the existence of Allah but His attributes. Some believe Allah initially created everything and then left human beings to their own devices. Some, on the other hand, hold that Allah created man, but that it is the individual himself who determines his own fate. Another group maintains that Allah does not know the inner thoughts and secrets of man. Some others believe in the existence of Allah, but reject the idea of religion. Allah reveals about the holders of this false conviction as follows:
They do not measure Allah with His true measure when they say, ‘ Allah would not send down anything to a mere human being.’ (Surat al-An’am:91)
As revealed in the verse, rather than a total denial of the existence of Allah, “not measuring Allah with His true measure” and accordingly, the denial of the Hereafter, underlie faithlessness. Indeed, the proportion of people refusing to accept the existence of the Creator is rather low and many of them often entertain doubts about their convictions. One finds extensive reference to people who ascribe partners to Allah and deny rising from the dead, the Judgment Day, Paradise, Hell and to all the details and rationales pertaining to faith in the Hereafter.
Although the Hereafter is a fact which cannot be perceived through the five senses, Allah created it along with countless pieces of evidence so that our minds might easily have a grasp of it. As a matter of fact, as a requisite for passing the test of this world, one should perceive this fact, not through the five senses, but with wisdom and as a matter of conscience. Any average person, after some contemplation, easily recognizes that everything in his environment, including himself, could not have come into existence as a result of pure coincidence but rather by the exercise of the superior might, knowledge, will and control of our Creator. Then, he consequently comprehends that the creation of the Hereafter is easy for Allah and that it is the result of Allah’s wisdom and justice .
Although this is so apparent, one who is rebellious against the commandments of Allah, would dislike the idea of rising from the dead. As one who spends his life on satisfying his vain desires, he would not be willing to stand before Allah to give an account of the deeds he engaged in throughout his life. That is why, despite having a thorough grasp of the existence of Allah, he would choose to suppress the voice of his conscience and deceive himself. Being confined in heedlessness, an unbeliever starts to make unwise, inconsistent and irrational comparisons without any long-term considerations, just to deny the resurrection and the Hereafter. In the Qur’an one of such comparisons made by the unbelievers is revealed thus:
He makes likenesses of Us and forgets his own creation, saying, 'Who will give life to bones when they are decayed?' (Surah Ya sin: 78)
However, this question, asked merely to escape reality and bolster self-deceit, has an explicit answer . Allah reveals:
Say 'He Who made them in the first place will bring them back to life. He has total knowledge of each created thing.' (Surah Ya sin: 79)
In the Qur’an, Allah states that the making of such inconsistent comparisons is an attribute peculiar to unbelievers:
Evil are the ways of those who do not have faith in the Hereafter. But most sublime are the ways of Allah. He is the Almighty, the All-Wise. (Surat an-Nahl: 60)
Some, on the other hand, attempt to justify their stance by providing some so-called explanations. However every word they say reveals their foolishness more. Allah says the following in the Qur’an about such people:
They will say, 'Are we to be restored to our former state? When we have become decayed, worm-eaten bones?' They say, 'That will clearly be a fruitless restoration!' (Surat an-Nazi'at: 12)
In Surat an-Nahl, the persistence of the unbelievers in denying the Hereafter is revealed as follows:
They swear by Allah with their most earnest oaths that Allah will not raise up those who die, when, on the contrary, it is a binding promise on Him; but most people do not know it. (Surat an-Nahl: 38)
Taking their whims and desires as their gods, these people veil their consciences and deceive themselves. Allah reveals the nature of these people who deny the existence of the Hereafter:
We created many of the jinn and mankind for Hell. They have hearts they do not understand with. They have eyes they do not see with. They have ears they do not hear with. Such people are like cattle. No, they are even further astray! They are the unaware. (Surat al-A'raf: 179)
In another verse in the Qur'an, the situation of these people is described as follows:
Have you seen him who takes his whims and desires to be his god-whom God has misguided knowingly, sealing up his hearing and his heart and placing a blindfold over his eyes? Who then will guide him after God? So will you not pay heed?
They say, 'There is nothing but our existence in the world. We die and we live and nothing destroys us except for time.' They have no knowledge of that. They are only conjecturing. (Surat Al-Jathiyah: 23-24)
The Reality of the Worldly Life
Unbelievers have doubts about rising from the dead and the Hereafter, however these are the truths of the life of this world.
Sleep and dreams are important comparisons for death and rising from the dead. One who insistently denies that he will rise from the dead after death and constantly escapes from the thought of death, is in fact not aware that he experiences death every night in his sleep and likewise rises from the dead in the morning when he wakes up. The account provided in the Qur’an of sleep is of great help in understanding the subject.
Allah takes back people's selves when their death arrives and those who have not yet died, while they are asleep. He keeps hold of those whose death has been decreed and sends the others back for a specified term. There are certainly Signs in that for people who reflect. (Surat az-Zumar: 42)
It is He Who causes you to be (like) dead at night, while knowing the things you perpetrate by day, and then brings you back to life (wakes you up) again, so that a specified term may be fulfilled. Then you will return to Him. Then He will inform you about what you did. (Surat al-An'am: 60)
In the verses above, the state of sleeping is referred to as “death”. No significant distinction is made between “death” and sleep.
Sleep is the departure of the human soul from the body that it occupies while it is awake. In dreaming, on the other hand, the soul acquires a totally different body and starts to perceive a totally different setting. Most of the time we cannot discern that this is a dream. We feel fear, regret, and pain, we become excited, or experience pleasure. In our dreams, we feel very assured that what befalls us is real and we often give the similar responses as we give when we are awake.
If it were technically possible to intervene from outside and tell the dreamer that what he saw were mere illusions, he would simply ignore this warning or even would not believe. However, in reality, these perceptions have no material correlates in the external world and what we experience in our dreams is the sum of the images and perceptions which Allah projects to our souls.
The most important point we need to keep in mind is the fact that the same Divine law still applies when we wake up. Allah, in the Qur’an, affirms that dreams are under His will and control as stated in the verse: “Remember when Allah showed them (the unbelievers) to you in your dream as only a small band. If He had shown them to you as a great army, you would have lost heart and quarreled about the matter; but Allah saved you. He knows what your hearts contain.” (Surat al-Anfal: 43). The verse, “Remember when Allah made you see them as a few when you met them, and also made you seem few in their eyes. This was so that Allah could settle a matter whose result was preordained. All matters return to Allah.” (Surat al-Anfal: 44) provides clear evidence that the same law applies to daily life. The fact that the perceptions and images we have of matter are entirely subject to the will and creation of Allah and that apart from them, there is no existence in the external world is stated in the following verse:
There was a sign for you in the two parties which met face to face, one party fighting in the Way of Allah and the other unbelievers. You saw them as twice their number with your own eyes. Allah reinforces with His help whoever He wills. There is instruction in that for people of insight. (Surah Al ‘Imran:13)
Just as is in the case of dreams, what we experience in the course of daily life are images projected to our souls by Allah, along with the feelings He makes us perceive . Images and actions pertaining to our bodies as well as those of other beings exist because Allah creates the related images and perceptions frame by frame. This fact is explained in the Qur’an:
You did not kill them; it was God Who killed them; and you did not throw, when you threw; it was God Who threw: so He might test the believers with this excellent trial from Him. God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. (Surat al-Anfal: 17)
The same Divine law applies to the creation of the Hereafter and the images and perceptions related to it. When death comes, all relations with this world and the body are broken. The soul, however, is eternal by Allah’s will. Transition from this world to the Hereafter is no different from waking up from sleep and proceeding with daily life.
With resurrection, a new life begins in the Hereafter with a new body. Allah, the Creator of infinite images, voices, odors, tastes and feelings pertaining to this life, will, in like manner, create infinite images and feelings of paradise and Hell. The creation of all these is easy for Allah:
...When he decides on something, He just says to it, 'Be!' and it is. (Surat al-Baqara : 117)
Another fact to be noted is that just as life in this world appears in sharper relief than dreams, so does the Hereafter as compared to life in this world. Likewise, just as dreams are short compared to this life, so also is this life as compared to the Hereafter. As known, time is a relative concept. This is a fact which is verified by science today. In dreaming, an event assumed to go on for hours, lasts only for a few seconds. Even the longest dream is of only a few minutes duration. Yet, the one who has the dream assumes he has most probably spent days experiencing it. Allah reveals in the Qur’an the relativity of time:
The angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in a day whose length is fifty thousand years. (Surat al-Ma'arij: 4)
He directs the whole affair from heaven to earth. Then it will again ascend to Him on a Day whose length is a thousand years by the way you measure. (Surat as-Sajda: 5)
Similarly, a person spending long years in this world actually lives a short life based on the time concept in the Hereafter. The following conversation during the judgment in the Hereafter is a good example of this:
He (Allah) will say, 'How many years did you tarry on the earth?' They will say, 'We tarried there for a day or part of a day. Ask those able to count!' He will say, 'You only tarried there for a little while, if you did but know! Did you suppose that We created you for amusement and that you would not return to Us?' (Surat al-Mu'minun: 112-115)
Since this is the case, it is evident that risking one's eternal life in return for this temporary one is an unwise choice. This becomes more clear when one considers the shortness of the worldly life in comparison to the Hereafter.
To sum up, everything we experience in this world is nothing but sensations projected to man’s soul by Allah. The body is also nothing but an image which Allah projects to man’s soul. Allah changes the images whenever he wishes. When one dies, the veil over the eyes is removed and then one realizes that death is not disappearance as one had believed. This is stated in the Qur’an as follows:
The throes of death come revealing the truth. That is what you were trying to evade! The Trumpet will be blown. That is the Day of the Threat. Every soul shall come attended by one who will drive it on, and another to testify against it. One will say: ‘You were heedless of this, so now We have stripped you of your covering and today your sight is sharp.’ (Surah Qaf: 19-22)
Unbelievers thereby attain a better comprehension of the truth and this is revealed 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)
From then on, the unbeliever starts to experience great regret—the greatest of all regrets.
The Actual Death And What Is Observed About Death
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'ah: 8)
The Actual Death And What Is Observed About Death
The Death of the Soul (The Actual Death)
Have you ever thought about how you will die, what death looks like and what will happen at the moment of death?
So far, nobody has appeared who died and was raised again and who could share his actual experiences and feelings about death. This being the case, it is, technically, impossible to gather information regarding what death is like and what one feels at the moment of death.
Allah, the One Who bestows life upon man and takes it back in due course, informs us in the Qur'an about how death actually occurs. Thus, the Qur'an is the only source from which we can learn about how death really occurs and what someone who dies actually experiences and feels.
Death, as referred in the Qur'an, is quite unlike the "medical death" people observe from outside.
Primarily, in the Qur'an we are informed with events as seen by the dying person himself, which can never be perceived by others. This is related in the Surat al-Waqi'a:
Why then, when death reaches his throat and you are at that moment looking on- We are nearer him than you, but you cannot see. (Surat al-Waqi'a: 83-85)
In another verse it is related that the unbelievers experience death as a great source of torment.
Do not let their wealth and their children impress you. Allah merely wants to punish them by them in this world, and for them to expire while they are unbelievers. (Surah at-Tawba: 85)
Unlike the unbelievers’ death, that of the believers is blissful:
...the angels reclaim the souls of the just, saying: (to believers) 'Peace be upon you! Enter the Garden as a reward for your labors.’ (Surat an-Nahl: 32)
In these verses we are informed about a very important and unchanging fact about death: at the moment of death, what the dying person goes through and what those nearby observe are dissimilar experiences. For instance, a person who spent his entire life as an unyielding unbeliever may be perceived from outside to experience a death in his sleep. However, the soul, in a totally different dimension now, tastes death in a very painful way. Alternatively, the soul of a believer, despite seemingly suffering great pain, leaves his body “in a virtuous state”.
In brief, the "medical death of the body" and the death of the soul, which is referred to in the Qur'an, are totally different events.
As mentioned earlier, the death “tasted” by unbelievers is a great source of torment for them, while it turns out to be bliss for believers. In the Qur’an we are given a detailed account of the difficulty the unbelievers undergo while their souls are taken away, because of the way angels deal with the soul of an unbeliever at the moment of death:
The angels will take the unbelievers in death by beating their faces and backs:
How will it be when the angels take them in death, beating their faces and their backs? That is because they followed what angers Allah and hated what is pleasing to Him. So He made their actions come to nothing. (Surah Muhammad: 27-28)
In the Qur'an there is also reference to the "throes of death," which are actually the result of the angels giving the news of eternal torment at the moment of death:
...If you could only see the wrongdoers in the throes of death when the angels are stretching out their hands, saying, 'Yield up your souls. 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)
If only you could see when the angels take back those who were unbelievers when they died, beating their faces and their backs: 'Taste the punishment of the Burning! That is for what you did. Allah does not wrong His slaves.' (Surat al-Anfal: 50-51)
As the verses make it clear, just the death of an unbeliever is an entire period of agony in itself. While people surrounding him see a seemingly untroubled death in his bed, a great spiritual and physical torment begins for him. The angels of death take his soul, inflicting pain and humiliation on him. In the Qur’an, the angels who take the souls of unbelievers are described as: “those who pluck out harshly”. (Surat an-Nazi’at: 1)
In other verses the death of the unbeliever is explained as follows:
No indeed! When it (the soul) reaches the gullet and he hears the words, 'Who can heal him now?' he knows it is indeed the final parting. (Surat al-Qiyama : 26-28)
At this moment, the unbeliever faces the truth he denied all throughout his life. With death, he will start to suffer the consequences of his great guilt, his denial. Angels “beating their backs” and “plucking (the soul) out harshly” are only the beginning and a minor indication of the grief awaiting him.
On the contrary, death for the believer is the beginning of eternal happiness and bliss. Unlike that of the unbeliever who suffers bitterly, the soul of the believer is “drawn out gently” (Surat an-Nazi’at: 2) with the angels saying: “Peace be upon you! Enter the Garden as a reward for your labors.” (Surat an-Nahl: 32) This is similar to the state of sleep.
This is the ultimate truth about death. Externally, people witness only the medical death: a body gradually losing its corporeal functions. Those watching from the outside a person on the brink of death see neither his face and back being beaten, nor his soul reaching the gullet. Only the soul of the person concerned experiences these feelings and sees these images. However, the actual death is "tasted" in all of its aspects by the person dying in a dimension unfamiliar to those witnessing death from the outside. In other words, what is experienced during the course of death is a "change in dimension."
The Death of the Believer
- Being aware that death is inevitable, the believer prepares himself for death all throughout his life and ultimately passes on.
- Angels of death greet him and give him the glad tidings of paradise.
- Angels take the soul of a believer gently.
- The believer feels the need to give the glad tidings to other believers in the world that Allah's promise is assured and that there is neither fear nor sorrow for believers. Yet, this is not allowed.
The Death of Unbeliever
- He meets the death he has always avoided all throughout his life.
- He suffers from intense fits of shaking during the course of death.
- Angels extend their hands to him and give him the tidings of the degrading punishment of the Burning.
- Angels take him in death, beating his face and back.
- The soul is taken with a great inner pain.
- The soul is taken as it reaches the gullet and at that moment there remains no one to heal him.
- The soul is taken with difficulty while he is indulging in denial.
- At the moment of death, his faith or repentance is not accepted.
When he sees the truth, he feels immense regret and says “If only we could have another turn [on Earth] then we would be among the believers!” (Surah Ash-Shu’ara’). But his wish is not accepted.
There are also lessons to be drawn from the "medical death" people witness from outside. The way medical death reduces the human body to insignificance makes one see certain very important facts. Therefore, the "medical death" and the grave, awaiting each one of us, also deserve mention and contemplation.
The Death of the Body (As Witnessed from Outside)
At the moment of death, as the soul leaves the dimension the human being lives in, it leaves behind the lifeless body. As in the case of living beings changing their skins, it leaves behind his body and proceeds towards its real life.
However, the story of the body which remains here in this world is important, especially for those who attach more importance to the body in this life than it actually deserves.
Have you ever thought in detail about what would befall this body when one dies?
One day you will die. Maybe in a way you have never expected. While going to the grocery to buy bread, a car will hit you. Or, a fatal disease will bring your life to an end. Or, simply, your heart will stop beating for no reason at all.
So, you will begin experiencing death.
From then on, you will have no relation with your body whatsoever. That body, you possessed as “yourself” all your life, will turn into an ordinary heap of flesh. With your death, your body will be carried by other people. There will be people around weeping and mourning. Then that body will be carried to the morgue, where it will remain for a night. The next day, the burial operations will start. The lifeless body, now very rigid, will be washed all over with cold water. Meanwhile, the traces of death will start to appear and some parts of the body will turn purple.
Then, the body will be wrapped in a shroud and put in a wooden coffin. The hearse will be ready to take the coffin. Proceeding towards the graveyard, life will be as always on the streets. Seeing that a hearse is passing by, some people will show respect, but the majority will go on with their daily tasks. At the graveyard, the coffin will be carried by those who love you or by those who seem to love you. Most probably, there will again be people around weeping and mourning. Then, people will arrive at the inescapable destination: the grave. On the marble stone, your name will be inscribed...Your corpse will be taken out of the coffin and placed in the pit. Finally, people with shovels will start to cover your body with soil. Soil will also be thrown into the shroud. It will fill your mouth, throat, eyes and nose. Then the soil will gradually cover your shroud. Soon, the funeral will be over and people will leave the grave. Then, the graveyard will return to its deep silence. Those attending the funeral will go on with their everyday lives and for your buried body, life will no longer be meaningful. A beautiful house, a pretty person, a breathtaking landscape will mean nothing. Your body will never meet a friend again. From then on, the only certainty for the body will be the soil and the worms and bacteria inhabiting it.
Have you Ever Thought About What Your Body will Look Like After Death?
With burial, your body will undergo a rapid process of decay, caused by internal and external factors.
Soon after you are placed in the grave, the bacteria and insects proliferating in the corpse due to the absence of oxygen will start to function. The gases released from these organisms will inflate the body, starting from the abdomen, altering its shape and appearance. Bloody froth will issue from the mouth and nose due to the pressure of gases on the diaphragm. As corruption proceeds, body hair, nails, soles, and palms will fall off. Accompanying this outer alteration in the body, internal organs such as lungs, heart and liver will also decay.
In the meantime, the most horrible scene takes place in the abdomen, where the skin can no longer bear the pressure of gases and suddenly bursts, spreading an unendurable disgusting smell. (The smell of the dead body is one of the worst smells in the world.)
Your body, you think to be yourself, will thus disappear in a terrible and disgusting manner. While those you leave behind carry out the customary rituals, worms, insects and bacteria in the soil will eat the body away.
If you die by an accident and are not buried, then the consequences will be even more tragic. Your body will be worm-eaten, just like a piece of meat left at room temperature for a long time. By the time the worms have eaten the last bit of flesh, your body will have become a skeleton.
This is the way, a human being's life, created in "the best of forms", comes to the most horrible end possible.
Why?
It is surely by the Will of Allah that the body ceases to exist in such a drastic way. That it does so actually carries a very important inner message in itself. The terrible end awaiting man should make him acknowledge that he is not a body himself, but a soul "encased" within a body. In other words, man has to acknowledge that he has an existence beyond his body. Such a striking end, with its many lessons, is made ready for man so that he may understand that he is not mere “flesh and bones ,” but he has a soul.
Man should look at this body to which he attaches importance, as if he would stay in this temporary world forever, and should contemplate the end of it-its death. For it will decay under the soil, become worm-eaten and finally turn into a skeleton.
The Temporary Life Of This World
Have you ever thought why does man need to devote so much time and effort to keeping his body clean? Why does an unclean body, a foul-smelling mouth, greasy skin or hair seem so unbecoming? Why does man sweat and why is the odor accompanying sweat so disturbing?
Unlike man, plants have extremely pleasant odors. A rose or a carnation never stinks, despite the fact that it grows in soil and remains in an environment of dust and dirt. However, man can hardly achieve such a permanent fragrance, no matter how much he cares for his body.
Have you ever thought why man is created with so many weaknesses? Why Allah created flowers with beautiful fragrances but made the human body prone to such weaknesses?
The weaknesses of man are not limited to things mentioned above: he gets tired and hungry, feels weak, gets injured, becomes nauseated, sick...
All these may seem to be ordinary to man, yet it has a deceiving aspect. It could well be that a bad odor never came from the body. Likewise, one might never suffer from a headache or fall sick. All these difficulties happen not by “coincidence” but are created by Allah on purpose. Allah assigned man a particular goal and intentionally made him with these features.
First of these goals is to make man realize that he is a weak being, a “servant” of Allah. Being perfect is an attribute of Allah. His servants, on the other hand, are infinitely frail and thus inherently in need of their Creator. This is explained in the Qur’an as follows:
Mankind! you are the poor in need of Allah, whereas Allah is the Rich Beyond Need, the Praiseworthy. If He wills He can dispense with you and bring about a new creation. That is not difficult for Allah. (Surat al-Fatir: 15-17)
Another purpose these weaknesses serve is to remind man of the temporary nature of this life. That is because these weaknesses are peculiar to the body in this world. In the Hereafter, the Companions of the Garden will be endowed with a perfect body. The poor, imperfect and weak body in this world is not the actual body of the believer but a temporary mould he remains in for a certain period.
That is why, in this world perfect beauty is never attainable. The most physically perfect and beautiful person also has physical weaknesses, sweats, has bad breath in the mornings and now and then suffers from acne. One needs to involve oneself in endless routines to keep clean and fresh. Some people have pretty faces but lack shapely bodies. There are also cases in which just the contrary is true. Some have beautiful eyes but a big nose. There are countless such examples. A person with outwardly perfect looks might be suffering from a serious disease.
Over and above this, even the most perfect-looking person ultimately grows old and dies. In an unexpected traffic accident, his body might be irremediably injured. It is not only the human body which is imperfect, flawed and temporary in this world. All flowers fade, the most delicious food decays and goes bad. All these are peculiar to this world. The short life in this world granted to us as well as this body are temporary favors bestowed by Allah. An eternal life and a perfect creation are possible only in the Hereafter. As it is put in the Qur’an :
Whatever you have been given is only the enjoyment of the life of the world. What is with Allah is better and longer lasting for those who have faith and trust in their Lord. (Surat ash-Shura: 36)
In another verse the real essence of the world is explained as follows:
Know that the life of the world is merely a game and a diversion, ostentation and a cause of boasting among yourselves, and a quest to outdo one another in wealth and children. It is like the plants which flourish after rain: this delights the cultivators, but then they wither and you see them turning yellow, and then they become broken stubble. In the Hereafter a terrible punishment awaits you but also forgiveness from Allah and His good pleasure. The life of the world is nothing but the enjoyment of delusion. (Surat al-Hadid: 20)
In brief, in this world, Allah, as a sign of His infinite might and knowledge, creates many beautiful and wonderful things as well as many flawed things. Permanence and excellence are against the laws of this world. Nothing the human mind can imagine, including advanced technology, will ever change this law of Allah. This is so that people has to strive to attain the Hereafter and show due respect and gratefulness to Allah. It is also so that people may realize that the actual place of these favors is not this temporary world, but the eternal abode prepared for believers. In the Qur’an, this is alluded to as follows:
Yet still you prefer the life of the world when the Hereafter is better and longer lasting. (Surat al-A'la: 16-17)
Another verse says: "The abode of the Hereafter-that is truly Life if they only knew." (Surat al-Ankabut: 64) There is a very thin border between this world, which is a temporary abode, and our “actual life”, the Hereafter , which is our real life. Death raises this curtain. By death, man will break off all his relations with his body and this world; he will start his eternal life with his newly created body.
The real life is the one beginning with death . Flaws, imperfections and impermanence are the laws of this world . The real laws are formulated on the principles of infiniteness, excellence and immortality. In other words, what is normal is a non-fading flower, a never-ageing man, a never-decaying fruit. The actual laws entail the instant realization of every wish of man or the removal of pain and diseases, or even sweating or feeling cold. However, temporary laws are in effect in this temporary life, while the actual laws are binding upon the next life.
The abode of the actual laws, namely the Hereafter, is very close. Allah can end the life of man at any moment He wills and makes him pass to the Hereafter. This transition will occur in a very short period; in the blink of an eye. This is similar to waking up from a dream. The brevity of this world is explained in the Qur’an follows:
He will say, 'How many years did you tarry on the earth?' They will say, 'We tarried there for a day or part of a day. Ask those able to count!' He will say, 'You only tarried there for a little while if you did but know! Did you suppose that We created you for amusement and that you would not return to Us?' (Surat al-Mu'minun: 112-115)
When death comes, dreams come to an end and man starts his actual life. Man, who remained on earth for a period as short as "the blink of an eye" comes into the Presence of Allah to give an account of his deeds in this world. If he has kept death in his mind all throughout his life and lived to attain Allah's approval, he will hope to be saved. In the Qur'an, the words of "those who are given their Books in their right hands" are quoted as follows:
As for him who is given his Book in his right hand, he will say, 'Here, come and read my Book! I counted on meeting my Reckoning.' (Surat al-Haqqa : 19-20)
The Situation Of Those In This World And The Hereafter Who Do Not Take Lessons From Death
Some people falsely believe that “Death is the moment life ends .” However if these people could think a little further then they would comprehend that death is the moment the next life starts. This ill-informed outlook makes unbelievers compress everything they want into the very short time of this life. That is why, those who do not come to realize the truth of the Hereafter want to make the most of this life without giving it a second thought. Not making a distinction between right and wrong, they seek to satisfy all their tastes in this world. This stance is essentially based upon the notion that death will put an end to all the joys and pleasures of this world. Believing that they still have long years ahead of them, they chase after long-term plans. This is one of the most classical methods employed by satan to deceive man. Allah reveals this “deceptive method” in the following verses:
Those who have turned back to unbelief after Allah's guidance has been revealed to them, are seduced by satan who has filled them with false hopes. (Surah Muhammad: 25)
He makes promises to them and fills them with false hopes. But what satan promises them is nothing but delusion. (Surat an-Nisa': 120)
Amassing fortune in this world as if life would last forever, unbelievers perceive life as a competition. All throughout their lives, they take pride in possessions and children. This pride gives them a sense of artificial superiority, which causes them to drift completely away from the thought of the Hereafter. However, the following verses disclose where they are destined for because of this great delusion:
Do they imagine that, in the wealth and children We give to them, We are hastening to them with good things? No indeed, but they have no awareness! (Surat al-Mu'minun: 55-56)
Do not let their wealth and children impress you. Through them Allah merely wants to punish them during their life in the world and for them to expire while they are unbelievers. (Surat at-Tawba: 55)
Allah gives man many warnings and messages to make him ponder upon death and the Hereafter. In one verse, Allah draws attention to the trials given as a warning to man:
Do they not see that they are tried once or twice in every year? But still they do not turn back. They do not pay heed. (Surat at-Tawbah: 126)
Indeed, the majority of people encounter various trials, so that they may frequently ask for forgiveness and take heed. These may take place very rarely, once or twice in a year, as stated in the verse. Alternatively, they may be small, daily troubles. Man witnesses accidents, deaths or injuries. In the face of such events, man should remember that calamities can at any time befall him and at any moment his testing period may end. Such an awareness makes one sincerely turn to Allah, seek refuge in Him and ask for forgiveness from Him.
The lessons believers draw from the adversity they encounter are abiding. Yet, the same events have a totally different impact on unbelievers. Being terrified by the thought of death, unbelievers turn their backs on the reality of death or simply try to forget it. In doing this, they seek relief. However, this deceptive method only does them harm. That is because Allah “reprieves them till a predetermined time” and this period, contrary to what they think, works against them. (Surat an-Nahl: 61) In the Qur’an Allah says:
Those who are unbelievers should not imagine that the extra time We grant to them is for their good. We only allow them more time so they will increase their evil-doing. They will have a humiliating punishment. (Surah Al 'Imran: 178)
A heedless person, who does not take a lesson even when death befalls someone very close to him, becomes very sincere towards his Creator, when he himself encounters death. This psychology is related in the Qur'an as follows:
It is He Who guides them on both land and sea so that, when some of them are in 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.' (Surah Yunus: 22)
However upon deliverance, these people return to their initial heedless state. Forgetting their promise, they display a low and false attitude and, while doing this, never feel the slightest pangs of conscience. Yet, this falsity will be evidence against them on the Day of Judgment:
But then, when He does rescue them, they become rebellious in the land without any right to do so. Mankind, your rebelliousness is only against yourselves. Take your enjoyment in the life of the world and then you will return to Us and We will inform you about what you did. (Surah Yunus: 23)
Desperately, man re-attempts to do the same at the moment of death. Yet, the time predetermined for him is already over:
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. Before them there is an interspace until the Day they are raised up. (Al-Muminun: 99-100)
We see that the unbelievers persist with this attitude even before Allah. This is revealed in the Qur’an as such:
If only you could see the evil-doers hanging their heads in shame before their Lord: 'Our Lord, we have seen and we have heard, so send us back again and we will act rightly. Truly, we are now firm believers.' ...(It will be said to them): 'So taste this. Because you forgot the meeting of this Day, We have forgotten you too. Taste the eternal punishment for your misdeeds.' (Surat as-Sajda: 12-14)
The same unyielding efforts will continue also in Hell:
There they will cry out: 'Our Lord! take us out! We will act rightly, differently from the way we used to act!' 'Did We not let you live long enough for anyone who was going to pay heed to pay heed? And did not the warner come to you? Taste this then! There is no helper for the wrongdoers. (Surat al-Fatir: 37)
These hopeless strivings in the Hereafter and the painful end are surely the results of man’s scant acknowledgement of the actual purpose of his existence on earth and of his value. One who has no faith does not take lessons from the happenings around him, does not listen to the warnings sent by Allah, feigns ignorance of the voice of his conscience or flouts it, and sees death as an unlikely event for himself. He complies with the wishes of the wicked side of his soul rather than seeking Allah’s pleasure. All these eventually pave the way for death to seize him suddenly and make him fall into the desperate situation depicted in the above verses. Thus, before death comes upon one, one should wake up from the deep sleep of heedlessness, since the moment of death is too late for such a recovery . People are warned in the Qur’an against this:
Give from what We have provided for you before death comes to one of you and he says, 'My Lord, if only you would give me a little more time so that I can give alms and be one of the righteous!' But Allah will not give anyone more time, once their time has come. Allah is aware of what you do. (Surat al-Munafiqun: 10-11)
A person with wisdom should constantly dwell upon death rather than keep avoiding the thought of it. Only thus can he act in compliance with Allah’s will and prevent the wicked side of his soul and satan from deceiving him with this fleeting life. Indeed, making the life of this world one’s only goal is the greatest danger for people. Our Prophet ( saas) also reminded the believers of this with his supplication “let not worldly affairs be our greatest care of all that we know about.” (Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar, Al-Tirmidhi, 783)
Getting Prepared for Death
This world is a place where man is being trained. Allah charged man with many responsibilities in this world and informed him about the limits He has set for him. Provided that man observes these limits, complies with His orders and avoids prohibited acts, he will attain personal maturity and a better state of wisdom and awareness. With such attributes, a believer shows inexhaustible patience no matter what befalls him; he turns only to Allah and seeks help only from Him. These are the ways to revere Allah and to feel an inner submission to and an unbounded faith in Him. Realizing the actual worth of favors bestowed by Allah, he expresses a deeper gratefulness to Allah and feels closer to Him. Consequently, he becomes an ideal believer endowed with the superior attributes of wisdom and morality. Furthermore, he becomes the type of person deserving to attain paradise, a place of perfection.
Man continues to be tested by countless events befalling him; his success in dealing with them earns him rewards in his eternal life, while his failure earns him punishment. Nobody knows when his period of testing will be over. In the words of the Qur'an, "the term of every life is fixed." (Surah Al 'Imran: 145) This term can sometimes be long, but can also sometimes be short. The truth is, however, that even the period we regard as being long rarely extends beyond 7 or 8 decades.
That is why, rather than engage in making long-term plans, man has to be guided by the Qur’an and the sunnah of our Prophet (saas) and live by their principles, knowing that he will give an account of all his deeds in the Hereafter. Otherwise, failure to prepare oneself for the eternal life, missing the one and only opportunity granted for this purpose, and deserving Hell for all eternity will be a painful situation indeed. That is why, every moment spent in vain in this world is a great loss and a giant step taken towards an atrocious end.
Since this is so, this fact should take precedence over everything else in this world. Just as a person prepares himself for the possible situations which he will confront in the course of his life, one needs to devote similar and even greater efforts, to be prepared for the next life. Everyone will experience everything which will happen after death all alone. To those seeking eternal salvation, Allah commands the following:
You who have faith! Have fear of Allah and let each self look to what it has sent forward for tomorrow. Have fear of Allah. Allah is aware of what you do. Do not be like those who have forgotten Allah, so that He has made them forget themselves. Such people are evil-doers. (Surat al-Hashr: 18-19)