The Belief in the Hereafter: The Bundle of Deeds in the Scales of Justice
Among the fundamental articles of Islamic faith is belief in the Hereafter. It is the fifth pillar of faith, and it means to firmly believe that a Day of Resurrection will surely come, when all human beings will be brought back to life and their deeds will be accounted for.
On that Day, the righteous will be rewarded with the eternal blessings of Paradise, while the wrongdoers will face the punishment of their deeds.
The Hereafter: The Completion of Justice
The belief in the Hereafter acquaints man with the reality of life after this world. This belief is not only religiously essential but also logically and rationally a firmly established truth.
In this world, we often observe that oppressors do not receive the full measure of punishment for their injustices, and indeed, complete justice is not even possible here. For example, if someone kills multiple people, is it possible for him to be killed multiple times in return? Similarly, it is difficult for every doer of good to be given the complete recompense for his good deeds in this life.
If there were no life after death, the demand of justice would forever remain incomplete. Therefore, belief in the Hereafter ensures that every individual will receive the full recompense of his actions.
This is also in harmony with the natural disposition of human beings, for every heart carries within it a natural sense that good deeds should be rewarded and evil deeds should be punished. If reward and punishment were confined only to this worldly life, then justice could never be complete. Thus, the concept of the Hereafter fulfills this fundamental demand of human nature.
If there were no life after death, then this world would appear to be nothing but a meaningless play. But belief in the Hereafter grants us a lofty purpose, where every action carries value and every good deed will certainly be rewarded. This belief protects a person from waywardness and encourages him towards righteousness.
Allah Almighty informed mankind of the Hereafter through His Prophets (عليهم السلام). The Noble Qur’an and all other revealed scriptures affirm this reality: that a Day will surely come when all human beings will be held accountable for their deeds.
The Importance of Belief in the Hereafter
When a person is convinced that after death he will be held accountable for every word and deed, he strives to walk upon the straight path. This belief prevents him from betrayal, oppression, and dishonesty, while guiding him towards righteousness, integrity, and piety.
Allah Almighty says:
وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُ (الزلزال: 7-8)
Whoever does an atom’s weight of good shall see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil shall see it.
The Establishment of Justice
In this world, countless hearts are broken in the pursuit of justice, countless eyes shed tears, and many rightful claimants remain deprived of their due. Yet, a Day will come when there will be no oppression, no silenced plea, and no false accusation against the innocent. That Day, justice will manifest in its most perfect form.
It will be the Day of Resurrection, when every human being will be presented before the Divine Court with their deeds. On that Day, no power, no status, no wealth, and no worldly intercession will avail. Only the scale of truth will weigh, and every person will receive the exact recompense for what they did.
The hand of the oppressor will be restrained, the plea of the oppressed will be heard, and above all, justice will be established solely according to the scales of Allah Almighty—justice in which there will be neither deficiency nor excess.
This is the very Day that the just judges of the world were warned about, and the Day that every believer must firmly believe in. For no matter what verdicts are passed in this world, the ultimate judgment will be on that Day, when the true balance of justice will be established!
Allah Almighty says:
وَنَضَعُ الْمَوَازِينَ الْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْئًا (الأنبیاء: 47)
And We shall set up the scales of justice on the Day of Resurrection, so that no soul will be wronged in the least.
This belief motivates a person to remain steadfast upon justice and fairness in this world, knowing with certainty that ultimate justice will only take place in the Court of Allah Almighty.
Moral Training and Social Order
A person who believes in the Hereafter naturally develops better character. He knows that even if his evil deeds remain hidden in this world, they will surely be exposed in the Hereafter.
This very thought, along with the fear of displeasing Allah Almighty, compels him to promote justice, honesty, and righteousness in society, thereby nurturing a fair and peaceful social order.
The First Step of the Eternal Journey
Amidst the commotion of worldly life, man rarely realizes that every step and every moment is leading him towards another world—whose first doorway is the grave.
It is the embrace of soft soil, where every grandeur fades, every voice is silenced, and every relationship is severed. It is the gate beyond which there is no worldly noise, no comfort of family ties, no glittering coins, and no crown of gold.
Only the light of good deeds or the darkness of sins accompanies a person.
Here, questions will be asked, answers will be demanded, and then either a soft bed will be granted, from which the windows of Paradise shall open, or a pit will be assigned, where the shadows of fear will become eternal companions.
This is the first step, yet it is decisive.
If light is found here, then light will follow ahead; but if darkness prevails here, then only darkness awaits beyond.
Today is the time to prepare—tomorrow will only be the Day of Reckoning.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِنَّ الْقَبْرَ أَوَّلُ مَنَازِلِ الْآخِرَةِ، فَإِنْ نَجَا مِنْهُ فَمَا بَعْدَهُ أَيْسَرُ مِنْهُ، وَإِنْ لَمْ يَنْجُ مِنْهُ فَمَا بَعْدَهُ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُ (ترمذی، ابن ماجہ)
The grave is the first stage of the Hereafter. If one succeeds in it, what follows will be easier; but if one fails in it, what follows will be even harder.
Allah Almighty says:
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءَ أَحَدَهُمُ الْمَوْتُ قَالَ رَبِّ ارْجِعُونِ۔ لَعَلِّي أَعْمَلُ صَالِحًا فِيمَا تَرَكْتُ ۚ كَلَّا ۚ إِنَّهَا كَلِمَةٌ هُوَ قَائِلُهَا ۖ وَمِن وَرَائِهِم بَرْزَخٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ۔ (مؤمنون)
When death comes to one of them, he says: “My Lord, send me back, so that I may do good deeds in that which I left behind.” Never! It is only a word he utters, and behind them is a barrier (Barzakh) until the Day they are resurrected.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ also said:
إِنَّ الْقَبْرَ إِمَّا رَوْضَةٌ مِنْ رِيَاضِ الْجَنَّةِ، أَوْ حُفْرَةٌ مِنْ حُفَرِ النَّارِ (سنن ترمذی، مسند احمد)
Indeed, the grave is either a garden from the gardens of Paradise or a pit from the pits of Hell.
Allah, the Lord of Majesty and Glory, mentioning the torment of the grave, says:
النَّارُ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَيْهَا غُدُوًّا وَعَشِيًّا وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ أَدْخِلُوا آلَ فِرْعَوْنَ أَشَدَّ الْعَذَابِ (غافر: 46)
The Fire—they are exposed to it morning and evening. And on the Day when the Hour will be established, it will be said: “Make the people of Pharaoh enter the severest torment.”
The Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
إِذَا مَاتَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ يُعْرَضُ عَلَيْهِ مَقْعَدُهُ بِالْغَدَاةِ وَالْعَشِيِّ فَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فَمِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ النَّارِ فَمِنْ أَهْلِ النَّارِ (بخاري ومسلم)
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: When one of you dies, his place (in the Hereafter) is shown to him morning and evening. If he is among the people of Paradise, then his place in Paradise is shown; and if he is among the people of Hellfire, then his place in Hellfire is shown.
(Al-Bukhari, Muslim)
In Silent Solitude – Echoing Questions
A loneliness as deep as the darkness of night, an unfamiliar world covered in the blanket of soil—where there will be no confidant, no one to console.
All the worldly relationships will be left behind; only deeds will accompany.
And then, suddenly, breaking through the silence, echoing questions will be heard:
“Who is your Lord?”
The very Lord who provided sustenance at every moment, who veiled sins despite their abundance, and whose mercy overshadowed every fault.
But will the tongue be able to utter His name?
“Who is your Prophet?”
Is he the Prophet ﷺ whose name was always on the lips but whose Sunnah was neglected? Or is he the Prophet ﷺ whose love descended into the heart and manifested in action?
If the answer is correct, then another question will follow: What was your source of knowledge? From where did you learn your faith?
These questions will not only demand answers from the tongue but also from one’s deeds.
If faith had truly settled in the depths of the heart during life, then the grave will become a window to Paradise.
But if the answers falter, the grave will turn into a narrow and dark pit.
These are questions that every soul will face, and their answers must be prepared today—before the seal of time is placed and the tongue falls silent.
Hazrat Al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib (RA) narrated that the Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
يُثَبِّتُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِالْقَوْلِ الثَّابِتِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ (سورۃ ابراہیم: 27)
Allah will keep firm those who believe, with the firm word, in the worldly life and in the Hereafter. And Allah lets the wrongdoers go astray. And Allah does what He wills.
Then the Prophet ﷺ said:
إِذَا أُقْعِدَ الْمُؤْمِنُ فِي قَبْرِهِ أُتِيَ فَيُشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، فَذَاكَ قَوْلُهُ: يُثَبِّتُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِالْقَوْلِ الثَّابِتِ، وَيَأْتِيهِ الْمَلَكَانِ فَيَقُولَانِ لَهُ: مَنْ رَبُّكَ؟ فَيَقُولُ: رَبِّيَ اللَّهُ، فَيَقُولَانِ: مَا دِينُكَ؟ فَيَقُولُ: دِينِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ، فَيَقُولَانِ: مَا هَذَا الرَّجُلُ الَّذِي بُعِثَ فِيكُمْ؟ فَيَقُولُ: هُوَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، فَيَقُولَانِ: وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ؟ فَيَقُولُ: قَرَأْتُ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ فَآمَنْتُ بِهِ وَصَدَّقْتُ
When the believer is made to sit in his grave, the angels come to him and ask:
مَنْ رَبُّكَ؟
(Who is your Lord?)
He replies: رَبِّيَ اللَّهُ
(My Lord is Allah.)
Then they ask:
مَا دِينُكَ؟
(What is your religion?)
He replies: دِينِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ
(My religion is Islam.)
Then they ask about the Noble Prophet ﷺ:
مَا هَذَا الرَّجُلُ الَّذِي بُعِثَ فِيكُمْ؟
(Who is this man who was sent among you?)
He replies: هُوَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ
(He is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.)
Then the angels ask:
وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ؟
(And how did you know?)
He replies: قَرَأْتُ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ فَآمَنْتُ بِهِ وَصَدَّقْتُ
(I read the Book of Allah, believed in it, and affirmed it.)
But as for the disbeliever and the hypocrite, he will say:
هَاهْ هَاهْ! لَا أَدْرِي سَمِعْتُ النَّاسَ يَقُولُونَ شَيْئًا فَقُلْتُهُ
(Alas, alas! I do not know. I only heard the people saying something, so I said the same.)
(Musnad Ahmad, Sunan Ibn Majah, Sunan Abu Dawood)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِنَّ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةَ تُبْتَلَى فِي قُبُورِهَا، فَلَوْلَا أَنْ لَا تَدَافَنُوا لَدَعَوْتُ اللَّهَ أَنْ يُسْمِعَكُمْ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ الَّذِي أَسْمَعُ مِنْهُ (مسلم)
“This Ummah will be tested in their graves. Were it not that you would refrain from burying one another, I would have prayed to Allah to let you hear the torment of the grave that I hear.” (Muslim)
The Trumpet (Ṣūr): The Echo of Resurrection
The world is absorbed in its splendor, and mankind is lost in its dreams. Yet, a day will come when suddenly everything will come to a halt. That will be the day when, by the command of Allah, Israfil (عليه السلام) will blow the Trumpet.
All creation will perish. Mountains will scatter like fluffed wool, the seas will blaze, and the earth will disgorge its secrets.
This will be the first blowing of the Trumpet, with which every living being will be embraced by death. Then, time itself will stand still until the Trumpet is blown a second time, and all mankind will be resurrected — brought back to life for accountability, judgment, and recompense.
This is a reality that cannot be ignored. When the sound of the Trumpet is raised, there will be no refuge, except for those who had prepared for the Hereafter while in the world.
Today is the day of preparation; tomorrow will be only for accountability.
Allah Almighty says:
وَنُفِخَ فِي الصُّورِ فَصَعِقَ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ، ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَى فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنْظُرُونَ (الزمر: 68)
“And the Trumpet will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall down unconscious, except whom Allah wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.” (Az-Zumar: 68)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
كَيْفَ أَنْعَمُ وَقَدِ الْتَقَمَ صَاحِبُ الْقَرْنِ الْقَرْنَ وَحَنَى جَبْهَتَهُ، يَسْتَمِعُ مَتَى يُؤْمَرُ بِالنَّفْخِ فَيَنْفُخُ (مسند احمد)
“How can I feel at ease while the one assigned to blow the Trumpet has already placed it to his mouth, his forehead lowered, waiting for the command to blow it — and then he will blow?” (Musnad Ahmad)
Resurrection after Death — When Life Returns
Death, which man always assumes to be the end, is in reality the beginning of a new journey. It is the doorway beyond which awaits a life that will never end, nor fade. The slumber of the world will come to an end, and the moment of eternal awakening will arrive.
When the Trumpet is blown, and every living being has turned to dust, the earth will return its secrets, graves will open, and every soul will be resurrected. Some faces will shine with radiant light, while others will tremble under the shadow of shame and fear.
The records of deeds will be opened, the Balance will be set, and every particle of action will be accounted for. Those who had forgotten the Hereafter in the world will strike their hands in regret, while those who had kept the lantern of faith and righteous deeds burning will be admitted under the shade of Divine Mercy.
Resurrection After Death – An Unavoidable Reality
بعث بعد الموت is an undeniable reality, awaiting every human being. This life is but a fleeting moment, and death is nothing more than a doorway.
The true and everlasting abode lies in that realm where everything will remain forever.
Allah Almighty says:
وَأَنَّ اللَّـهَ يَبْعَثُ مَن فِي الْقُبُورِ (الحج)
“And indeed, Allah will resurrect those who are in the graves.” (Al-Hajj)
In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah Almighty says:
كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَكُنتُمْ أَمْوَاتًا فَأَحْيَاكُمْ، ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ (البقرہ: 28)
“How can you disbelieve in Allah when you were lifeless and He gave you life; then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you back to life, and then to Him you will be returned?” (Al-Baqarah: 28)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
يُحْشَرُ النَّاسُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حُفَاةً، عُرَاةً، غُرْلًا (بخاری ، مسلم)
“On the Day of Resurrection, people will be gathered barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
The Presentation Before the Scale (Mīzān)
When the hand of time completes its final turn, when the sun will be drawn near and people will be drowning in their own sweat—then will arrive that moment from which none can escape:
The Presentation Before the Scale.
Here, no currency will work, no schemes will avail, no tongue will succeed in giving an excuse.
There will be only deeds — and the Balance!
On one side will be the radiance of righteous deeds,
and on the other, the heavy burden of sins.
There, the prostrations performed in the stillness of the night will bear witness.
The tears shed as drops of repentance will shine.
The charity that once reached the hand of a needy person will sparkle.
Those with Empty Hands
But there will also come those whose hands will be empty — whose bundle contained the love of this world, but no righteous deeds; those who wasted their time and took the burden of sins lightly.
The Balance will tilt, and the verdict will be announced:
This one succeeded — or this one is among the losers.
This is the Day for which preparation is possible today; otherwise, tomorrow the Scale will weigh, but hands will be unable to grasp anything.
Allah Almighty says:
يَوْمَ نَحْشُرُهُم جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ نَقُولُ لِلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا مَكَانَكُمْ أَنتُمْ وَشُرَكَاؤُكُمْ (یونس: 28)
“The Day We will gather them all together, then We will say to those who associated others (with Allah): ‘Stay in your place, you and your partners.’” (Yunus: 28)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِنَّ الشَّمْسَ تَدْنُو يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حَتَّى يَبْلُغَ الْعَرَقُ نِصْفَ الْأُذُنِ (مسلم)
“On the Day of Resurrection, the sun will draw so near that the sweat will reach up to half the ear.” (Muslim)
Allah Almighty says:
فَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِيَ كِتَابَهُ بِيَمِينِهِ، فَسَوْفَ يُحَاسَبُ حِسَابًا يَسِيرًا (الانشقاق: 7-8)
“Then as for the one who is given his record in his right hand, he will be judged with an easy account.” (Al-Inshiqāq: 7-8)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
لَا تَزُولُ قَدَمَا عَبْدٍ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حَتَّى يُسْأَلَ عَنْ أَرْبَعٍ: عَنْ عُمْرِهِ فِيمَا أَفْنَاهُ، وَعَنْ عِلْمِهِ مَاذَا عَمِلَ فِيهِ، وَعَنْ مَالِهِ مِنْ أَيْنَ اكْتَسَبَهُ وَفِيمَا أَنْفَقَهُ، وَعَنْ جِسْمِهِ فِيمَا أَبْلَاهُ (ترمذی، دارمی)
“On the Day of Resurrection, a servant’s feet will not move until he is asked about four things:
- How he spent his life,
- How he acted upon the knowledge he had,
- From where he earned his wealth and where he spent it,
- And how he used his body.” (Tirmidhi, Darimi)
And the Prophet ﷺ also said:
إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَا يُحَاسَبُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مِنْ عَمَلِهِ صَلَاتُهُ (ترمذی)
“Indeed, the first of his deeds for which the servant will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayer.” (Tirmidhi)
The Eternal Judgment of Paradise or Hell
The world is deception — but the end is reality.
A Day will come when the Court will be established, the records of deeds will be opened, and every soul will be recompensed for what it earned.
Then either the gates of Paradise will be opened, or the flames of Hell will rise.
Paradise — where there is no sorrow, no grief, only peace, comfort, and everlasting smiles.
Hell — where cries will avail nothing, eyes will be filled with regretful tears, but there will be no savior.
That moment is near — when respite will end and the judgment will be sealed forever.
Choose your path today, for tomorrow only the outcome will remain.
Allah Almighty says:
فَرِيقٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَفَرِيقٌ فِي السَّعِيرِ (الشوریٰ: 7)
“A group will be in Paradise, and a group will be in the blazing Fire.” (Ash-Shura: 7)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
يُقَالُ لِأَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ: يَا أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ، خُلُودٌ لَا مَوْتَ وَلِأَهْلِ النَّارِ: يَا أَهْلَ النَّارِ، خُلُودٌ لَا مَوْتَ (مسلم)
“It will be said to the people of Paradise: ‘O people of Paradise! You shall live forever, never will you die.’
And it will be said to the people of Hell: ‘O people of Hell! You shall live forever, never will you die.’” (Muslim)
اللَّهُمَّ أَجِرْنَا مِنَ النَّارِ، اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنَا مِنْ عِبَادِكَ الصَّالِحِينَ، وَأَدْخِلْنَا جَنَّاتِكَ بِرَحْمَتِكَ، وَنَجِّنَا مِنْ عَذَابِكَ يَا رَحْمَٰنُ يَا رَحِيمُ.
O Allah, save us from the Fire, O Allah, make us among Your righteous servants, admit us into Your Gardens by Your mercy, and deliver us from Your punishment, O Most Merciful, O Most Compassionate.
Ameen