Article appeared Friday, March 16th, 2018 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (517) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Is a Day of Judgment necessary? Revealed Holy Scriptures warn about a Day of Judgment. As
the scriptures warn of dire consequences, would it be worthwhile or important to find out about
it? If so, the following three questions may arise. What is the Day of Judgment? Is such a point
in time necessary and what would be the scale/s of measurement? To start off let us browse the
Internet for possible answers and do an analysis to come to personal conclusions. The
conclusions and subsequent actions must be personal as judgment would be necessarily
individual.

The Wikipedia site Last Judgment {1} covers the concept of individual judgment as part of a
number of religions. While practical details differ, the concept of judgment and consequences
appears to be common. The Oxford Islamic Studies Online {2} on the other hand compares
Biblical accounts with those of Islam as quoted below.
“Muslims believe that at the end of time, all human beings will have to face God and
account for their deeds, good and bad. God will judge them accordingly, assigning
reward or punishment. The time of the Day of Judgment is not specified in the Quran but
is understood to be near. Its depiction is similar to biblical accounts, with earthquakes,
moving mountains, the sky splitting open, heaven being rolled back, the sun ceasing to
shine, stars being scattered and falling upon the earth, oceans boiling over, graves
opening, the earth bringing forth hidden sins as well as lost stories and the dead
themselves, and people vainly trying to flee divine wrath. Everyone will bow before God.
Traditional Islamic thought portrays the Day of Judgment as preceded by a cosmic battle
between Satan's forces, represented by the false messiah al-Dajjal and Gog and Magog,
and God's forces, led by the Mahdi and Jesus.” {2}

The account {2} mainly covers the events near and on the Day of Judgment. The three
questions at the beginning of the article, however, are directed more towards the purpose and
necessity of accountability, since the fate of individuals would be at stake after the completion of
judgment. Let us turn to the Al-Qur’an for guidance on the answers. What would be the process
of Judgment?
“We shall set up scales of justice for the Day of Judgment so that not a soul will be dealt
with unjustly in the least. And if there be (no more than) the weight of a mustard seed
We will bring it (to account): and enough are We to take account.” [21.47]

Essentially, justice will be delivered on the Day of Judgment while taking into account the
smallest of an individual’s deeds. Each and every deed will weighed – weighed against what?
“And on the Day that the Unbelievers will be placed before the Fire (it will be said to
them): "You received your good things in the life of the world and took your pleasure out
of them: but today shall you be recompensed with a Penalty of humiliation: for that you
were arrogant on earth without just cause and that you (ever) transgressed."” [46.20]

Our deeds will be weighed against the blessings we received while on earth. What can these
blessings be? We derive pleasure from existence (having been created from nothing), from
being an individual unique self, having a status, having parents, children, skills, wealth, beauty,
health, success, etc. On one side of the scales would be the enjoyment of these umpteen
blessings. On the other side would be how we have responded to God for having these
blessings. One way to respond would be to become grateful, adore God for such wonderful
opportunities, and report/share with others the news of personal blessings and do good deeds.
Alternatively, one could become arrogant and feel that the blessings are deserved and/or give
credit to objects other than God. Crediting self or others is a serious transgression against God.
In the following Verse, humans are divided into two categories.
“In order that Allah may separate the impure from the pure put the impure one on
another heap them together and cast them into hell. They will be the ones to have lost.”
[8.37]

Impure are those who have demonstrated ingratitude against His blessings, have demonstrated
arrogance and have transgressed by crediting self or others for God’s blessings. Is it logical for
God wanting to separate such people from those who have demonstrated purity, e.g., by
showing gratitude, adoration and by praising Him for the things He has done for them?
“O people! Adore your Guardian-Lord who created you and those who came before you
that you may have the chance to learn righteousness.” [2.21]

So the purpose of the temporary sojourn on earth is to create a window of opportunity to learn
and demonstrate a proper behavior towards the One who has created life. On route to the
permanent life after death the Day of Judgment will separate the two categories of people.

On earth, those who have acknowledged the blessings of their Creator are further given
commandments to follow. This is to help them to lead a peaceful life during their sojourn on
earth. Prophets before Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) were also given further commandments and
guidance.

21.48 “In the past We granted to Moses and Aaron the Criterion (for judgment)
and a Light and a Message for those who would do right.”
Those who have acknowledged the blessings of the Creator must further follow these
commandments by studying Revelation.
“Say: "O men! Now the Truth has reached you from your Lord! Those who receive
guidance do so for the good of their own souls; those who stray do so to their own loss:
and I am not (set) over you to arrange your affairs."” [10.108]

The job of the prophets is only to clearly deliver Revelation, i.e., the Guidance from God. It is up
to believers to study and adhere to commandments in Revelation to lead a blessed life on earth
and subsequently a favored life in the afterlife, after the Day of Judgment.
“And We have explained to man in this Qur'an every kind of similitude: yet the greater
part of men refuse (to receive it) except with ingratitude!” [17.89]

“Those to whom We have sent the book study it as it should be studied; they are the
ones that believe therein; those who reject faith therein the loss is their own.” [2.121]

Who would want to know what message God has Revealed?

21.49 “Those who fear their Lord in their most secret thoughts and who hold the
Hour (of Judgment) in awe.”

21.50 “And this is a blessed Message which We have sent down: will you then
reject it?”
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{Notes}:
{1} https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Judgment
{2} http://www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/article/opr/t125/e513