1.11 How belief in akhirah affects the lives of Muslims
What is akhirah?
Akhirah is the belief in life after death. It is one of the main beliefs of Islam. Muslims believe that our life on Earth is
simply a preparation for a better life after death. The good will go to Paradise, described in the Qur’an as a garden
with water and flowers, and the bad will go to Jahannam (hell), a place of torment and pain. Death is like a gateway
into the next world.
Life on Earth
Life is a test from Allah.
Nothing can happen
without Allah's
knowledge. how we
deal with the test will
determine what
happens after death.
Death
Death is returning to
Allah and not something
to be feared
Before entering the next life Muslims believe they will appear before Allah to be
judged on the way they have lived their lives. Their book of deeds in which all
their actions during life are recorded will be opened and presented to them.
Allah is in control of the world and has given human beings the responsibility to
look after it. Allah will judge how each individual has fulfilled their duty on a day at
the end of time, the Day of Judgement. No one knows when this will be.
Barzakh
Barzakh is a place
where souls wait until
the Day of Judgement.
The word means
'barrier' and divides the
living from the dead
Judgement
On the Day of
Judgement everyone
will stand alone before
Allah. t will be too late
for forgiveness . No
one else can help you
now, what you have
done is your
responsibility alone.
'The Day when no soul
shall have the power to
do aught for another.'
(Surah 82:19)
Paradise
or
Jahannam
How does this belief affect the life of a Muslim?
Imagine that instead of your forehead you had a computer screen that showed all
your thoughts and recorded all your actions so that everyone could see exactly
what you were like as a person. Nothing would be hidden. In a way, that is how
Muslims have to live their lives as they believe that Allah is aware of everything.
During life, it is possible to ask for forgiveness for any wrong thoughts or actions,
but after death that is no longer possible.
The belief in that Allah is ‘closer than your jugular vein’ gives Muslims a great
sense of ‘God-consciousness’ (taqwa). It alters a Muslim’s motivation for doing
things. For Muslims, everything they do is an act of ibadah, worship of Allah, so it
should be done to the best of their ability – both small things like helping at home
and large things like caring for the poor. Life on Earth is a test. Everybody has
good and bad things happen to them, but it is how you react in these situations
that will determine if you pass the test and are rewarded in paradise.
So Muslims will aim to:
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Observe the Five Pillars of Islam
Learn the Qur’an
Follow Shari’ah Law and avoid things that are haram (forbidden)
Show kindness to others
Work hard in a job that is acceptable to Allah
Be honest and fair in every aspect of life
Perform every act for the pleasure of Allah
For Muslims this belief in akhirah is a positive thing. It gives a meaning and
purpose to their lives. It is good to know that there is a supreme God who cares
for His people. It is good to know that Allah is merciful and will forgive them if
things go wrong. Remember that the only unforgiveable sin is shirk (idolatry).