Outline the Islamic views on Death, Resurrection and Judgement .

Answer Details

Belief in the Last Day is one of the six articles of faith (Iman) in Islam. It embraces death, resurrection and judgement.

Death (al-Mawt).

• Death is the separation of the soul from the body and the appointed end of every living thing. "Every soul shall taste death" (Q3:185).
• It comes at a fixed term (ajal) decreed by Allah, which none can hasten or delay.
• The Angel of Death (‘Izra’il) takes the soul. After burial, the two angels Munkar and Nakir question the deceased in the grave about his Lord, his religion and his Prophet.
• The period between death and resurrection is the Barzakh, in which the righteous enjoy ease and the wicked suffer torment of the grave.

Resurrection (al-Ba‘th).

• On the Last Day the trumpet (Sur) will be blown by the angel Israfil; all creation will die, then a second blowing will raise everyone to life.
• People will be raised barefoot, naked and uncircumcised, and gathered for reckoning. "Then after that you will surely die, then on the Day of Resurrection you will be raised" (Q23:15-16).
• The dead are restored in body and soul; Allah who created them the first time will recreate them.

Judgement (al-Hisab).

• Every person receives his book of deeds: the righteous in the right hand, the wicked in the left or behind the back.
• Deeds are weighed in the Balance (Mizan); no injustice is done, for even an atom's weight of good or evil is accounted for (Q99:7-8).
• All must cross the Sirat (the bridge over Hell). The intercession (Shafa‘ah) of the Prophet will be granted by Allah's leave.
• The final abode is settled: the God-fearing enter Jannah (Paradise) and the disbelievers and evildoers enter Jahannam (Hell).

These beliefs teach the Muslim accountability, restrain him from sin, and encourage righteous deeds in preparation for meeting Allah.