The Throne of Allah on the Day of Judgment

The Throne of Allah on the Day of Judgment

In Islam, the concept of the Throne of Allah (Arsh) is a symbol of His supreme authority, majesty, and sovereignty over all creation. The Throne is one of the most magnificent and awe-inspiring elements of Islamic eschatology, especially in relation to the Day of Judgment (Qiyamah).

The throne of Allah will play a critical role on the Day of Judgment, as it serves as a focal point for the divine presence, underlining Allah’s absolute dominion over all beings and His control over the events of the final day.

The Day of Judgment is a momentous event in Islamic belief, where the entire creation will be resurrected and held accountable for their deeds. Allah will judge all human beings, jinn, and even angels. The Throne of Allah, which represents His majesty, will be central to this process.

This blog post will explore the concept of the Throne of Allah on the Day of Judgment, drawing on Quranic and Hadith references that describe its significance, grandeur, and the role it plays in the final judgment.

The Throne of Allah in Islamic Belief

The Throne of Allah, or Arsh, is a vast, magnificent structure that exists above the heavens. It is beyond human comprehension in terms of size, grandeur, and its divine function. In the Quran, Allah describes the Throne in several verses, emphasizing its immense size and importance. The Throne symbolizes Allah’s sovereignty over all of creation. Allah’s authority, power, and control over the entire universe are manifested through His Throne.

Allah says in the Quran:

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:255)
“اللَّهُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الحَيُّ القَيُّومُ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلا نَوْمٌ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ”

“Allah! There is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?

He knows what is before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.”
(Al-Baqarah 2:255)

In this verse, Allah describes His Kursi (often translated as “footstool”), which refers to a vast expanse beneath the Throne. The Kursi is an indication of Allah’s supreme authority over the entire creation, including the heavens and the earth. Although the Kursi is often mentioned, it is not the same as the Arsh, the Throne, which is even greater in magnitude.

The Throne of Allah on the Day of Judgment

On the Day of Judgment, the Throne of Allah will be central to the events of that day. It will be the seat of Allah’s judgment, where He will dispense justice to all creation. The Throne symbolizes not only Allah’s sovereignty but also His mercy, power, and the ultimate accountability of all beings.

The Significance of the Throne on the Day of Judgment

The Quran emphasizes that the Throne will be carried by the angels on the Day of Judgment. These angels are powerful, majestic beings who serve Allah and carry His Throne as an expression of His overwhelming authority.

Surah Al-Ghafir (40:7):

“الَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ الْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا۟ رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍۢ رَحْمَةً وَعِلْمًۭا فَاغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ وَاتَّبَعُوا۟ سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ”

“Those who carry the Throne and those around it exalt [Allah] with praise of their Lord and believe in Him and ask forgiveness for those who have believed, ‘Our Lord, You encompass all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire.'”
(Al-Ghafir 40:7)

This verse reveals that the angels who carry the Throne of Allah are constantly engaged in praising and glorifying Allah. They are also interceding on behalf of the believers, asking Allah to forgive them and protect them from the torment of Hell.

Allah’s Throne as a Symbol of Justice and Mercy

On the Day of Judgment, the Throne of Allah will symbolize not only His absolute justice but also His mercy. Allah is described as Al-Adl (The Just) and Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful), and these attributes will manifest as He judges His creation.

Surah Al-Anbiya (21:47):
“وَنَضَعُ ٱلْمَوَٰزِينَ ٱلۡقِسۡطَ لِيَوْمِ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌۭ شَيْـٖٔا وَإِن كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍۢ مِّنۡ خَرۡدَلٍۢ أَتَيْنَا بِهَا ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِمُحَاسِبِينَ”
“And We will set up the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be wronged in anything. And if there is a deed the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountants.”
(Al-Anbiya 21:47)

This verse illustrates that Allah’s judgment will be absolute, and no one will be wronged. Even the smallest good deed or evil act will be accounted for. The Throne of Allah, in its immense glory, will oversee this perfect judgment, and all creation will be held accountable for their actions, words, and intentions.

The Shade of Allah’s Throne on the Day of Judgment

One of the most magnificent descriptions related to the Throne of Allah is its ability to provide shade to certain believers on the Day of Judgment. Among the most fortunate of believers are those who will be granted the privilege of being shaded under Allah’s Throne, protected from the scorching heat of the sun and the intense trials of that day.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“سَبْعَةٌۭ يُظِلُّهُمُ اللَّهُ فِى ظِلِّهِۦ يَوْمَ لَا ظِلَّ إِلَّا ظِلُّهُ: إِمَامٌۭ عَادِلٌۭ وَشَابٌۭ نَشَأَ فِى عِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِۦ وَرَجُلٌۭ قَلْبُهُۥ مُعَلَّقٌۭ بِالْمَسَاجِدِ وَرَجُلَانِ تَحَابَّا فِى اللَّهِ اجْتَمَعَا عَلَيْهِ وَتَفَرَّقَا عَلَيْهِ وَرَجُلٌۭ دَعَتْهُ امْرَأَةٌۭ ذَاتُ مَنصِبٍۢ وَجَمَالٍۢ فَقَالَ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ اللَّهَ وَرَجُلٌۭ تَصَدَّقَ بِصَدَقَةٍۢ فَأَخْفَاهَا حَتَّىٰ لَا تَعْلَمُ يَمِينُهُۥ مَا تُنفِقُ شِمَـٰلُهُۥ وَرَجُلٌۭ ذَكَرَ اللَّهَ خَالِيًۭا فَفَاضَتْ عَيْنَاهُ”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
“Seven are the people whom Allah will shade with His shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His shade: a just ruler, a youth who grew up worshiping Allah, a person whose heart is attached to the mosque, two people who loved each other for the sake of Allah

and met and parted for that reason, a man whom a woman of beauty and status seduced, but he said: ‘I fear Allah,’ a person who gave charity secretly such that his left hand did not know what his right hand gave, and a person who remembered Allah in private and his eyes overflowed with tears.”

This hadith highlights the seven categories of people who will be privileged to receive the special mercy of Allah on the Day of Judgment. These individuals will be shaded by the Throne of Allah, symbolizing the divine protection and reward that they will receive for their piety, faith, and righteousness.

The Role of the Throne in the Final Judgment

When the Day of Judgment arrives, the Throne of Allah will be central to the entire process. Allah will be seated upon His Throne, overseeing the reckoning of all creation. Each person will be presented with their deeds, and the balance of their good and bad deeds will be weighed.

Allah’s Throne, which embodies His sovereignty, will be the source of all judgment. It is from this Throne that Allah will distribute justice, rewarding the believers for their righteous actions and punishing the disbelievers and wrongdoers for their misdeeds.

The Quran mentions that every person will receive their book of deeds, and the consequences of their actions will be evident:

Surah Al-Isra (17:71):
“وَإِذَا جَآءَتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍۢ جَآءَتْ لِتُحَاسِبُ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ كَانُوا۟ فِى أَعْمَالٍۢ فِى النَّارِ إِلَّا تَرَىٰٓ أَحَدًا يَفْشُوۥ سُوءًۭا قَضَىٰ اللَّهُ سُمُهُۥٰا.”
“And when every soul arrives, it will be judged for what it has done, and as for those who have done evil, they will be in the fire, where they will neither speak nor hear anything.”
(Al-Isra 17:71)

This verse emphasizes the seriousness and finality of the Day of Judgment, where every soul will face the consequences of its actions. The Throne of Allah plays a central role here, as it will be from this supreme throne that Allah will witness all the deeds of humanity and pass His ultimate judgment.

The Throne and the Final Judgment of Humanity

When the Day of Judgment arrives, the final reckoning will take place, and each person will be made to stand before Allah. The Throne of Allah will be the place where the judgment will unfold. Each individual’s deeds will be brought before Allah, and the final outcome will be determined based on the balance of good and bad deeds.

Surah Al-Qari’ah (101:6-9):
“فَأَمَّا مَنْ ثَقُلَتْ مَوَازِينُهُۥ فَهُوَ فِى عِيشَةٍۢ رَّاضِيَةٍۢ ۝ وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوَازِينُهُۥ فَأُمُّهُۥ هَاوِيَةٌۭ ۝ وَمَآ أَدْرَاكَ مَا هِيَهْ ۚ نَارٌۭ حَامِيَةٌۭ”
“As for those whose scales are heavy, they will be in a pleasant life. But as for those whose scales are light, their home will be the Pit. And what will make you know what that is? It is a scorching fire.”
(Al-Qari’ah 101:6-9)

The scales mentioned in this Surah represent the weighing of deeds, which will occur on the Day of Judgment, and the Throne of Allah will witness this momentous event.

The Throne of Allah and the Intercession of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

On the Day of Judgment, Allah will allow the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to intercede on behalf of the believers. This intercession will occur with the permission of Allah, and it is granted because of the Prophet’s closeness to Allah and his role as the mercy for mankind.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“إِنِّيٓ لَسَائِلٌۭكُمْ فِى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ فَلا تَمْنَعُونِى شَفَاعَتِى لِأُمَّتِى”
(Sahih Muslim)
“I will ask for intercession for my ummah on the Day of Judgment, and I will not be refused.”

The Prophet’s intercession is one of the most significant aspects of the Day of Judgment, and it will be through Allah’s Throne that this intercession will be granted.

The Throne of Allah and the Ultimate Victory of the Believers

On the Day of Judgment, those who believed in Allah and led righteous lives will be rewarded with eternal paradise. The Throne of Allah will serve as the ultimate reminder of the divine justice and mercy that will prevail. For the believers, it will be a source of comfort, as they will be granted mercy under Allah’s majestic Throne.

Surah Al-Furqan (25:23):
“وَمَآ أَمْلَكُمْ مِنْ أَجْرِهِۦ إِلَّا إِنَّمَا لِلَّهِ الْجَزَاءُ وَيَجْزِى اللَّهُ كُلَّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ.”
“And you do not have any reward except from Allah, the One who will reward the doers of good.”
(Al-Furqan 25:23)

This verse highlights that all rewards for good deeds come from Allah, and the Throne of Allah will be central in the rewarding of believers for their sincerity and devotion in this world.

Conclusion: The Throne of Allah and Its Role on the Day of Judgment

The Throne of Allah (Arsh) on the Day of Judgment is not only a symbol of His majesty, authority, and omnipotence but also a manifestation of His justice and mercy. The events of the Day of Judgment will unfold under the observation of Allah’s Throne, and every person will be held accountable for their actions.

The Quran and Hadith provide a detailed understanding of the Throne’s importance. Allah’s Throne will be the seat of ultimate justice, from which He will judge His creation. Those who have lived righteous lives will be rewarded, while those who have disbelieved or committed evil deeds will face the consequences of their actions. The shade of Allah’s Throne will be extended to the chosen believers who led lives of piety, devotion, and sincerity.

The Throne of Allah also represents the ultimate victory of divine justice, where no wrong will go unnoticed, and no good deed will be unacknowledged. For the believers, the sight of Allah’s Throne on the Day of Judgment will be a source of comfort and joy, as it signifies that their Lord, the Most Merciful, is witnessing their deeds and rewarding them with eternal paradise.

May Allah grant us the ability to live lives that are pleasing to Him, so that we may be among those who will be shaded under His Throne on the Day of Judgment and granted the ultimate success in the Hereafter. Ameen.

References:

• Quranic Verses:

  • Surah Al-Baqarah (2:255)
  • Surah Al-Ghafir (40:7)
  • Surah Al-Anbiya (21:47)
  • Surah Al-Isra (17:71)
  • Surah Al-Qari’ah (101:6-9)
  • Surah Al-Furqan (25:23)

• Hadith:

  • Sahih al-Bukhari
  • Sahih Muslim