Article appeared Friday, June 22nd, 2018 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (529) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Can life after death be a reality? After death, is it possible that we would again be given life –
first to face God, who has given us life, and then on to eternal life? The questions may seem
distant or irrelevant, especially since we are confidently preoccupied enjoying the fruits of living
an intelligent life on earth. Regarding the concepts mentioned we see people around us dying,
however, our own death may seem far off. About the concept of eternal life, after death, is it
really possible?

Would it be worthwhile engaging our thoughts to analyze and come to a conclusion about these
life extending concepts? If we ignore these concepts, do nothing and eventually one day are
raised from the grave, after death, what might happen then? The Holy Scripture Al-Qur’an
actually foretells the situation so that we can take pre-emptive action. Before examining what it
says, let us lay out some logic to understand the overall situation, look at known scientific facts
and then finally, for confirmation, examine what the different Holy Scriptures say on the subject.

How can we put together some logic? We could start by taking a closer look at ourselves to
work out how we came about. For example, there was a point in time that we individually did not
exist. From nothing, could we have created our self? If not, there must be an external
agent/force that created us. The external force must be of a supreme degree of intelligence,
completely creative and most powerful. By the same logic of not being able to come into
existence from nothing, the external force itself must be uncreated, i.e., must have existed
always – is eternal without a beginning. The question now is would an eternal Being have a
purpose in making intelligent human beings and would then the purpose be fulfilled in just a few
years?

What could this Being possibly want from His created humans? Can it be material wealth or
abstention from food? He Himself has blessed us with wealth and food for our enjoyment. Could
it be gratitude for being given life and recognition as the originator and the source of everything
in life? Note that it is only human beings that can logically work out the existence and truth of
the Creator as well as give Him the recognition and praise that He deserves for conceptualizing,
designing, creating and sustaining creation. If so, being eternal, would it be logical for Him to
want this creator-creation relationship only for a few years? If He has created each human to be
with Him through eternity, could there be a special purpose of the brief sojourn on earth? Could
it be to separate those who are grateful and would stand as witnesses to His truth vs. those who
would deny Him by being ungrateful and arrogant? If so, then the Day of Judgment promised by
Holy Scriptures would be the day for sorting out those who are for Him and those who simply
have used Him to live a life of pleasure for themselves.

So that we can take pre-emptive action, the Holy Scripture Al-Qur’an points out what may
happen when individuals are raised from their graves.
“They will say: "Ah! Woe unto us! Who has raised us up from our beds of repose? (A
voice will say:) "This is what (Allah) Most Gracious had promised and true was the word
of the Messengers!"” [36.52]

We will be raised from our graves to face God and then to spend the rest of eternity in a form
that will be decided by Him. Therefore, God warns in the Al-Qur’an,
“And fear the Day when you shall be brought back to God. Then shall every soul be paid
what it earned and none shall be dealt with unjustly.” [2.281]
How shall each soul be paid? The Bible answers this question.
“And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
[Matthew 25:46, ESV] {1}

So, the judgment will be to decide who have been righteous as opposed to those who are
unrighteous. Who could be righteous or what would be righteousness? A righteous person
would say to himself/herself, “I am enjoying a life and personality that I had no part in designing
or creating. I need to find who gave me life and be grateful to Him!” The righteous proceed to
discover God, find ways to express their gratitude and share their experiences of Him with
others. Who can the unrighteous be? Can it be those who enjoy life, approach God as well as
other things/objects besides Him only to fulfill their selfish needs?

21.98 “Surely you (the Unbelievers), and the (false) gods that you worship
besides Allah are (but) fuel for Hell! To it will you (surely) come!”
Who could be the false gods? For example, if one keeps their shop open during prayer times for
fear of missing/losing customers, what does it indicate to God? Is God the provider or are
customers and money the providers? So wealth, status, fame, religious sages, prophets, etc.,
may assume more importance than God. If we do not care to find God and give Him due
importance we may become prey to false gods. If indeed, there would be any other power, other
than God Himself, they may have power to protect themselves.

21.99 “If these had been gods they would not have got there! But each one will
abide therein.”
Once decision has been taken on the Day of Judgment, there will be no way out. The
unrighteous will face eternity in Hell.

21.100 “There, sobbing will be their lot, nor will they there hear (anything else).”
All will have regrets, but to no avail – this is God’s warning. The righteous are

21.101 “Those for whom the Good (Record) from Us has gone before will be
removed far therefrom.”
They will not feel or hear anything of the sobbing or even a little heat of the Fire of Hell.

21.102 “Not the slightest sound will they hear of Hell: what their souls desired in
that will they dwell.”

21.103 “The Great Terror (Hell) will bring them no grief: and the angels will meet
them (with mutual greetings): "This is the Day that you were promised."”
The promise made to those righteous will be delivered on the Day of Judgment. They will rest in
perpetual bliss.
“For them will be Gardens of Eternity; beneath them rivers will flow; they will be adorned
therein with bracelets of gold and they will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy
brocade; they will recline therein on raised thrones. How good the (final) recompense!
How beautiful a couch to recline on!” [18.31]
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{Notes}:
{1} https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A46&version=ESV