The Resurrection
The Islamic Propagation Office in Rabwah
القيامة
باللغة الإنجليزية
المكتب التعاوني للدعوة وتوعية الجاليات بالربوة
First Edition, 1425/2004
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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Preface
All praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Day of Judgment, and
may the Peace and may the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon the seal of all
prophets, Muhammad ibn Abdullah, and upon his companions
and followers till the Day of Judgment.
We all believe that our life has an end, and nothing is eternal ex-
(1). cept Allah
كُلُّ مَنْ عَلَيْهَا فَانٍ * وَيَبْقَى وَجْهُ رَبِّكَ ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ
“Whatsoever is on it (the Earth) will perish. * And the
Face of your Lord, full of Majesty and Honour, will
remain forever.”
[Surah Ar-Rahmaan (55):26-27]
It is better for all of us to ponder deeply about out future and
about our eternal life which is everlasting. We are expected to
devote some time in this to ponder what will occur in the life
to come.
The Day of Judgment is the day on which all creation will meet,
fully and fairly, the reward for how they conducted themselves in
this life. It is a day which is different from all other days. It will
come, sooner or later. But some questions must be raised: Are we
fully prepared and aware of this day? What are its signs and hor-
rors? When will it come? What will it look like?
Sheikh Muhammad bin 'Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy on
him, gave a sermon describing the signs and horrors of such a
day.
May Allah save us and make us steadfast on the right path till
the Day of Judgment.
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(1) Subhaanahu wa Ta'alaa: trans. ‘Most Glorified [May Allah be exalted above
all what the disbelievers attribute to Him] and Most High is He’.
Biography
Abu 'Abdullah, Muhammad ibn Saalih ibn Muhammad ibn
'Uthaymeen at-Tamimi an-Najdi was born in the city of 'Unayzah,
in the region of al-Qaseem on 27"th" day of Ramadan, in the year
1347 A.H./1926 C.E. into a religious family.
He received his religious education from many prominent school-
ars, from them Sheikh 'Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sa'di, Sheikh Mu-
hammad Ameen ash-Shinqeeti and Sheikh 'Abdul-'Azeez ibn
Baaz. He was from among those who served Islam without any
type of religious prejudice and kept himself away from the limita-
tions of blind following. He was distinguished for his great exer-
tion in religious matters and analogical deductions. In giving reli-
gious verdicts, like Sheikh ibn Baaz, his fataawaa (verdicts) were
based on evidence from the Qur'aan and Sunnah.(2) He taught reli-
gious fundamentals in the Faculty of Sharee'ah at Imaam Mu-
hammad ibn Sa'ud Islamic University in al-Qaseem. He was also a
member of the Council of Senior Scholars in Saudi Arabia.
During the final years of his life, he suffered greatly from cancer.
He undertook a trip to America for chemotherapy to alleviate his
sickness, but due to personal reasons and other circumstances, he
chose to forego the treatment and was admitted to King Faisal
Specialist Hospital in Jeddah on 3 Shawwal/30 December.
He passed away on Wednesday, the 15"th" of Shawwaal in the year
1421 A.H/10 January 2001 C.E. at the age of 74. May Allah
have mercy upon his soul, Ameen.
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(2) The Sunnah of the Prophet is that path which he followed. It could also
denote something established to have been practiced by the Prophet , con-
trary to bid'ah, or innovation. At other times, it used to denote ahaadeeth.
Introduction
Judgment Day is just a blink away. We live and we die, and then
we will inevitably be resurrected. The step from death to resurrec-
tion is indeed small, but no matter how difficult death may be,
the Day of Resurrection is far worse. So what lies in between?
DEATH
by:
Ahmad ibn Roysten Boulter
Death
Every man has a fixed period of life given to him when he is
born. This is called Qadar. We do not live longer or shorter than
this fixed period of life. When we have finished this period of life,
the Angel of Death takes the soul from our body. This is called
death.
Concerning the journey of the soul after death, the following is a
saheeh hadeeth(3) from the Messenger of Allah .(4) He said,
When the believer is about to depart from this world and
proceed to the next, angels with faces as bright as the sun
descend from the heavens and sit around him in throngs
stretching as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of
Death comes and sist at his head and says, “Good soul,
come out to forgiveness and pleasure from Allah!”
His soul then emerges like a drop of water that flows from
a water-skin, and the angel takes hold of it. When he has
grasped it, the other angels do not leave it in his hand even
for the twinkling of an eye.
They take it and place it in a perfumed shroud, and it gives
off a fragrance like the sweetest scent of musk found on
the face of the Earth.
Then they ascend with it, and whenever they take it past a
company of angels, they ask, “Who is this good soul?” The
angels with the soul reply, “So-and-so, the son of so-and-
so,” using the best names by which people used to call him
in this world. They bring him to the lowest heaven and ask
for the gate to be opened for him.
It is opened for him, and angels who are near Allah from
each of the heavens accompany him to heaven.
Allah says, “Register the book of my slave in 'Illiyun(5)
and take him back to Earth. I created them from it and I
return them to it, and I will bring them forth from it again.”
His soul is then returned to his body and two angels come
to him. They make him sit up and they ask him, “Who is
your Rubb.”(6)
He replies, “My Rubb is Allah.”
They ask him, “What is your religion?”
He replies, “My religion is Islam.”
They ask him, “Who is this man who was sent among
you?”
He replies, “The Messenger of Allah.”
They ask him, “How did you come to know these things?”
He replies, “I read the book of Allah, believed it, and de-
clared it to be true.”
Then a voice from on high declares, “My slave has spoken
the truth, so spread out carpets from the Garden for him
and open one of its gates!”
Then some of its fragrance and perfume reaches him, his
grave is expanded for him as far as the eye can see, and a
man in beautiful garments with a fragrant scent comes to
him and says, “Rejoice in what delights you, for this is the
day which you were promised.”
He asks, “Who are you? Yours is a face which presages
good.”
He replies, “I am your good actions.”
Then he says, “O Rubb, let the Last Hour come soon so
that I may rejoin my family and my property!”
When an unbeliever is about to depart from this world and
proceed to the next, angels with black faces descend from
the heavens carrying a rough haircloth and sit around him
in throngs stretching as far as the eye can see. Then the
Angel of Death comes and sits at his head and says, “Foul
soul, come out to the wrath and anger of Allah!”
Then his soul scatters within his body and it is dragged out
like a skewer is pulled out of a wet piece of wool. Then the
angel takes hold of it. When he has grasped it, the other
angels do not leave it in his hand even for the twinkling of
an eye. They take it and wrap it in a rough haircloth, and a
stench comes out of it like the worst stench of a corpse on
the face of the Earth.
Then they ascend with it, and whenever they take it past a
company of angels, they ask, “Who is this foul soul?” The
angels with the soul reply, “So- and-so, the son of so-and-
so,” using the worst names by which people used to call
him in this world. They bring him to the lowest heaven and
ask for the gate to be opened for him, but it is not opened.
The Messenger of Allah then recited,
لاَ تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمْ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاء وَلاَ يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ حَتَّى يَلِجَ الْجَمَلُ فِي سَمِّ الْخِيَاطِ
‘The gates of heaven will not be opened to them nor
will they enter the Garden until the camel passes
through the eye of the needle [i.e never].’
[Surah al-A'raaf (7):40]
Then Allah will say, “Register his book in Sijjeen(7) in the
lowest earth.” And then his soul is flung down.
The Prophet then recited,
وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَكَأَنَّمَا خَرَّ مِنَ السَّمَاء فَتَخْطَفُهُ الطَّيْرُ أَوْ تَهْوِي بِهِ الرِّيحُ فِي مَكَانٍ سَحِيقٍ
“Whoever associates anything with Allah, it is as
though he has fallen the sky, and the birds snatch
him away, or the wind sweeps him headlong into a
place far away.”
[Surah al-Hajj (22):31]
Then his soul is returned to his body and two angels come
and say to him, “Who is your Lord?”
He replies, “Alas, alas, I do not know!”
Then they say to him, “What is your religion?”
He replies, “Alas, alas, I do not know!”
Then they say to him, “Who is this man who was sent
among you?”
He replies, “Alas, alas, I do not know!”
Then a voice calls from on high, “My slave has lied, so
spread out carpets from the Fire and open one of its gates
for him!”
Then a hot blast from Hell-fire comes to him, his grave is
made so narrow for him that his ribs are pressed together,
and a man with a hideous face and clothing and a foul
odour comes to him and says, “Grieve on account of what
has brought you disgrace, for this is the day which you
were promised.”
He asks, “Who are you? Yours is a face which presages
evil.”
He replies, “I am your bad actions.”
Then he says, “O Lord, do not let the Last Hour come!”
[Abu Dawud and Ibn Maajah]
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(3) A narration of anything attributed to the prophet , whether it be his ac-
tions, statements, affirmations, or attributes. Pl. ahaadeeth.
(4) Salla Allahu alaihi sallam: trans. ‘May Allah exalt him and grant him Peace’.
(5)The register in which the deeds of the righteous are inscribed.
(6) Rubb: usually translated as Lord, is one of the Names of Allah, the Provider
and Sustainer of all that exists.
(7)The register in which the deeds of evil people are inscribed.
Who is your God?
Allah says in His Mighty Book that He will always support His
obedient slaves:
يُثَبِّتُ اللّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ بِالْقَوْلِ الثَّابِتِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الآخِرَةِ وَيُضِلُّ اللّهُ الظَّالِمِينَ وَيَفْعَلُ اللّهُ مَا يَشَاءُ
“Allah will keep firm those who believe, with the word
that stands firm in this world (i.e. they will keep on
worshipping Allah Alone and none else), and in the
Hereafter. And Allah will cause to go astray those who
are Dhaalimoon (polytheists and wrong-doers), and
Allah does what He wills.”
[Surah Ibraaheem (14):27]
The hadeeth below concerns the questioning in the grave which
occurs as the people depart from it after burial.
Ahmad and Abu Hatim reported that Prophet said,
When a deceased person is laid in his grave, he hears the
sound of the footsteps of people as they depart. If he is a
believer, the salaah(8) will stand by his head, the sawm(9) will
be to his right, zakaah(10) to his left, and all other good deeds
of charity, kindness to relations, and good behaviour will be
by his feet.
The angels at his head will question the deceased. The sa-
laah will say," There is no entrance through me.”
Then he will be questioned at his right side where the sawm
will say, “There is no entrance through me.”
Then he will be questioned at his left side where the zakaah
will say, “There is no entrance through me.”
Then he will be questioned at his feet where good acts of
voluntary charity, kindness to relations, and good behav-
iour will say, “There is no entrance through me.”
Then they will say to him, “Get up,” and he will get up.
The sun will appear to him and it will begin to set.
Then they will ask, “This man who was among you, what
do you say about him? What is your testimony about him?”
The man will say, “Leave me alone until I pray!”(11)
The angels will say, “You will pray, [but first] answer our
question. What do you think about this man who was
among you? What do you say concerning him? What do
you testify concerning him?”
The deceased will say, “I bear witness that Muhammad was
the Messenger of Allah who brought the Truth from Al-
lah.”
The deceased will be told, “According to this you lived,
died, and according to this you will be resurrected, if Allah
wills.”
Then the door to Paradise will be opened for him. He will
be told, “This is your place in Paradise and what Allah has
prepared for you.”
At this, the desire and happiness of the deceased will in-
crease. His grave will be enlarged seventy arms-lengths and
his grave will light up. His body will change to its original
form and his spirit will be placed in a dangling lantern by
the trees of Paradise in a nice breeze.
The Prophet added, “That is what is meant by the statement
of Allah,
يُثَبِّتُ اللّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ بِالْقَوْلِ الثَّابِتِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الآخِرَةِ وَيُضِلُّ اللّهُ الظَّالِمِينَ وَيَفْعَلُ اللّهُ مَا يَشَاءُ
“Allah will keep firm those who believe, with the word
that stands firm in this world (i.e. they will keep on
worshipping Allah Alone and none else), and in the
Hereafter. And Allah will cause to go astray those who
are Dhaalimoon (polytheists and wrong-doers), and
Allah does what He wills.”
[Surah Ibraaheem (14):27]
He also mentioned the unbeliever and said, “His grave will
be compressed, so that his ribs will be crushed together.
About this the Qur'aan says,
وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَن ذِكْرِي فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنكاً وَنَحْشُرُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَعْمَى
‘But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e.
neither believes in this Qur'an nor acts on its teach-
ing), Verily, for him is a life of hardship and We will
resurrect him blind on the Day of Resurrection.’ ”
[Surah Taa Haa (20):124]
Another hadeeth depicts the consequences faced by the unbeliev-
ers. Qataadah reported on the authority of Anas ibn Maalik that
the Prophet said,
When a human is laid in his grave and his companions re-
turn and he hears their footsteps, two angels will come to
him and make him sit up. They will ask him, “What did you
say about this man, Muhammad
He will say, “I testify that he is Allah’s servant and His
Messenger.”
Then it will be said to him, “Look at your place in Hellfire.
Allah has exchanged for you a place in Paradise instead of
it.”
The Prophet added, “The dead person will see both of his
places.”
“As for a non-believer or a hypocrite, two angels will come
to him and make him sit up.
They will ask, “Who was the man who was sent on a mis-
sion among you?”
He will reply, “Alas, alas! I do not know, but I used to say
what the people used to say!”
It will be said to him, “Neither did you know, nor did you
seek guidance from those who had knowledge.”
Then a crier will call from Heaven, “He has lied, so spread
a bed for him from Hell, clothe him from it, and open one
of its doors for him.”
Then he will be hit with an iron hammer between his two
ears, and he will cry. That cry will be heard by all creation
except human beings and the Jinn. [Saheeh Bukhaari, Sa-
heeh Muslim, Sunan Abu Dawood]
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal said,
“I asked Abu Abdullah about the punishment in the grave.
He replied, “These are sound ahaadeeth; we believe in them
and affirm them. We affirm everything that comes from the
Prophet with a sound chain of narrators. If we were to
confirm a report as being from the Prophet and then re-
ject or oppose it, we would be denying the Words of Allah,
وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ
“Whatever the Messenger of Allah gives you,
take…”
[Surah al-Hashr (59):7]
I asked him, ‘Is the punishment of the grave a reality?’
He said, ‘Yes, it is a reality. People are punished in their
graves.’
I heard Abu Abdullah saying, ‘We believe in the punish-
ment of the grave, in Munkar and Nakeer [the two ques-
tioning angels], and that the deceased will be questioned in
their graves.’”
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(8) Salaah: The prayer
(9) Sawm or Siyaam: The Fast.
(10) Zakaah: The obligatory charity due upon Muslims who meet the required
conditions.
(11) He will ask to pray because he will see that it is time for the Maghrib prayer.
Following that, God willing ...
