The Concept of Resurrection in Islam
The Concept of Resurrection in Islam
The concept of resurrection (Al-Ba’th) is a fundamental belief in Islam, emphasizing that every human being will be raised from the dead and judged by Allah on the Day of Judgment. This doctrine serves as a reminder of accountability, justice, and the eternal consequences of one’s deeds. The Quran repeatedly asserts that resurrection is inevitable and that doubting it is a form of disbelief.
Allah states in the Quran:
وَأَنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ ءَاتِيَةٌۭ لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهَا وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبْعَثُ مَن فِى ٱلْقُبُورِ
(Surah Al-Hajj 22:7)
“And indeed, the Hour is coming—there is no doubt about it—and Allah will resurrect those in the graves.”
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) also warned about the Day of Resurrection, saying:
“يُحْشَرُ النَّاسُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حُفَاةً عُرَاةً غُرْلًا” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6527, Sahih Muslim 2859)
“On the Day of Resurrection, people will be gathered barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised.”
This belief encourages righteousness and repentance, reminding us that our earthly actions determine our eternal fate. Understanding resurrection helps us prepare for the ultimate reality—life after death.
The Reality of Resurrection in the Quran
The Quran repeatedly affirms the resurrection, challenging those who doubt it and providing signs from nature as evidence. Allah states:
وَأَنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ ءَاتِيَةٌۭ لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهَا وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبْعَثُ مَن فِى ٱلْقُبُورِ
(Surah Al-Hajj 22:7)
“And indeed, the Hour is coming—no doubt about it—and Allah will resurrect those in the graves.”
Allah compares human resurrection to the revival of dead land:
وَتَرَى ٱلْأَرْضَ هَامِدَةً فَإِذَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْهَا ٱلْمَآءَ ٱهْتَزَّتْ وَرَبَتْ وَأَنبَتَتْ مِن كُلِّ زَوْجٍۢ بَهِيجٍۢ
(Surah Al-Hajj 22:5)
“And you see the earth lifeless, but when We send down water upon it, it stirs and swells and grows every kind of beautiful plant.”
Just as rain revives dead land, Allah will resurrect humanity from their graves on the Day of Judgment.
The Blowing of the Trumpet and Resurrection
The resurrection will begin when the Angel Israfil blows the trumpet. This event will occur twice:
- First Blowing: Causes all living beings to die.
- Second Blowing: Brings everything back to life for judgment.
Allah says:
وَنُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَصَعِقَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَىٰ فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌۭ يَنظُرُونَ
(Surah Az-Zumar 39:68)
“And the Trumpet will be blown, and all who are in the heavens and the earth will fall dead—except whom Allah wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.”
This marks the beginning of the Day of Resurrection, when all souls will return to their bodies.
Description of Resurrection in Hadith
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) described the Day of Resurrection in vivid detail:
“يُحْشَرُ النَّاسُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حُفَاةً عُرَاةً غُرْلًا” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6527, Sahih Muslim 2859)
“On the Day of Resurrection, people will be gathered barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised.”
Aisha (RA) asked, “Will men and women be together looking at each other?” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied:
“الأمر أشد من أن يهمهم ذلك”
“The matter will be too serious for them to even notice others.”
This hadith highlights the fear and gravity of that day, where everyone will be concerned only about their fate.
The Gathering and Presentation of Deeds
On that day, everyone will receive their book of deeds, either in the right hand (salvation) or in the left hand (punishment):
فَأَمَّا مَن أُوتِىَ كِتَٰبَهُۥ بِيَمِينِهِۦ فَسَوْفَ يُحَاسَبُ حِسَابًۭا يَسِيرًۭا
(Surah Al-Inshiqaq 84:7-8)
“As for those who are given their record in their right hand, they will have an easy reckoning.”
وَأَمَّا مَن أُوتِىَ كِتَٰبَهُۥ وَرَآءَ ظَهْرِهِۦ فَسَوْفَ يَدْعُوا۟ ثُبُورًۭا
(Surah Al-Inshiqaq 84:10-11)
“But as for those who are given their record behind their backs, they will cry out for destruction.”
The righteous will rejoice, while the disbelievers and sinners will suffer regret and humiliation.
The Resurrection of the Prophets and Nations
On the Day of Resurrection (Yawm al-Qiyamah), all of humanity, including prophets and their nations, will be resurrected and gathered before Allah for judgment. Each prophet will be a witness over his people, testifying whether they followed the divine message or rejected it.
Allah says in the Quran:
وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍۢ شَهِيدًۭا ثُمَّ لَا يُؤْذَنُ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ
(Surah An-Nahl 16:84)
“And [mention] the Day when We will resurrect from every nation a witness, then it will not be permitted for those who disbelieved to make excuses, nor will they be allowed to appease Allah.”
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“يُدْعَى نُوحٌ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ هَلْ بَلَّغْتَ؟ فَيَقُولُ نَعَمْ يَا رَبِّ” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3339)
“Noah will be called on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be said to him: ‘Did you convey (the message)?’ He will reply, ‘Yes, O my Lord.’”
Every nation will be judged based on their response to their respective prophets, ensuring divine justice and accountability.
The Final Judgment and Eternal Destiny
On the Day of Judgment (Yawm al-Qiyamah), every soul will stand before Allah for the final reckoning. Deeds will be weighed, and people will either attain Paradise (Jannah) or be condemned to Hell (Jahannam) based on their actions and faith.
Allah says in the Quran:
فَمَن ثَقُلَتْ مَوَٰزِينُهُۥ فَهُوَ فِى عِيشَةٍۢ رَّاضِيَةٍۢ وَمَن خَفَّتْ مَوَٰزِينُهُۥ فَأُمُّهُۥ هَاوِيَةٌۭ
(Surah Al-Qari’ah 101:6-9)
“Then as for the one whose scales are heavy [with good deeds], he will be in a pleasant life. But as for the one whose scales are light, his refuge will be an abyss.”
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“أَوَّلُ مَا يُحَاسَبُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ الصَّلَاةُ” (Sunan Abu Dawood 864)
“The first thing a servant will be held accountable for on the Day of Judgment is prayer.”
The final judgment is the decisive moment where each soul’s eternal destiny is determined, urging believers to live righteously and seek Allah’s mercy.
The Certainty of Resurrection
Many disbelievers mocked the idea of resurrection, asking:
وَقَالُوا۟ أَءِذَا كُنَّا عِظَٰمًۭا وَرُفَٰتًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ خَلْقًۭا جَدِيدًۭا
(Surah Al-Isra 17:49)
“They say: ‘When we are bones and dust, will we really be resurrected into a new creation?’”
Allah responded by reminding them of His power:
قُلْ يَحْيِيهَا ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنشَأَهَآ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍۢ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ خَلْقٍ عَلِيمٌ
(Surah Ya-Sin 36:79)
“Say: He will give them life Who created them the first time! And He is All-Knowing of every creation.”
Just as Allah created us from nothing, He will resurrect us again.
Conclusion
The resurrection (Al-Ba’th) is a cornerstone of Islamic belief, reminding every soul of the certainty of accountability and the eternal consequences of their actions. It signifies the power of Allah to bring life back from death and establish absolute justice on the Day of Judgment. For the righteous, it is a day of reward and eternal bliss, while for the wicked, it is a moment of reckoning and punishment.
Allah affirms in the Quran:
ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ لَمَيِّتُونَ ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ تُبْعَثُونَ
(Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:15-16)
“Then indeed, after that, you are to die. Then indeed, on the Day of Resurrection, you will be resurrected.”
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) also emphasized:
“إِنَّكُمْ مَحْشُورُونَ إِلَى اللَّهِ حُفَاةً عُرَاةً غُرْلًا” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3349, Sahih Muslim 2860)
“Indeed, you will be gathered before Allah barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised.”
The certainty of resurrection serves as a reminder to live righteously, seek Allah’s forgiveness, and prepare for the Hereafter. A true believer embraces this reality and strives to earn Allah’s mercy and paradise through faith and good deeds.
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