Akhirah: The Final Judgment in Islam

Akhirah (The Final Judgment)

• Refers to the day individuals are held accountable for good and bad deeds.
• Signifies the culmination of human life; Allah judges based on actions, intentions, and faith.
• Also known as Yawm al-Qiyamah (Day of Resurrection).
• Marks the end of the world and the start of eternal life in Paradise (Jannah) or Hell (Jahannam).

Importance for Muslims

• Shapes how Muslims live; encouraging righteousness and adherence to Islamic principles from the Qur'an and Sunnah.
• Encourages avoiding sin and seeking Allah's pleasure.
• Promotes repentance for wrongdoings, relying on Allah's mercy and forgiveness.
• Actions must align with Islamic teachings.
• All individuals have free will, but actions will be judged accordingly.

Responsibility and Accountability

• Muslims believe individuals are responsible for their actions.
• Allah has ultimate control.
• Guidance is provided through the Qur'an and Sunnah.
• Accountability is central; judgment is based on life actions.

Rewards and Sanctions

• Good deeds, like worshiping Allah and helping others, lead to Paradise (Jannah).
• Jannah is seen as a place of eternal peace, happiness, gardens, rivers, and blessings.
• Bad actions, like sinning without repentance, are punishable by Hell (Jahannam).
• Hell is depicted as a place of torment, but Allah may forgive sincerely repentant sinners.

Barzakh

• The phase between death and the Final Judgment.
• Described as a "barrier" or "intermediate state" where the soul resides until the Day of Judgment.
• Experiences in Barzakh can be pleasant or tormenting, based on deeds in life.
• Souls may experience peace, rest, and comfort if righteous, or torment if sinful in Barzakh.

Soul After Death

• The soul lives on after death in Barzakh.
• It is not permanently attached to the physical body.
• The body is buried, but the soul enters Barzakh.
• At death, the body and soul are separated.

Visiting Graveyards

• A form of respect for the deceased and a reminder of mortality.
• Allows prayer for the deceased and seeking Allah's mercy.
• It is believed that praying for the dead can help them and earns rewards as an act of charity.
• Serves as a reminder of life's temporary nature, death's certainty, and preparing for the Hereafter.

Day of Judgment

• Preceded by major and minor signs described in Islamic texts.
• Include the appearance of the Mahdi, the return of Jesus (Isa), and the rise of corruption and wars.
• The angel Israfil will blow the Trumpet when the appointed time comes.
• The first blow will cause all living beings to die.
• The second blow will resurrect everyone for judgment.
• The universe transforms, and the final judgment takes place for each individual.

Malaikah (Angels in Islam)

• Divine beings created by Allah from light (Nur).
• They are neither male nor female.
• They don't eat, drink, or sleep.
• They have no free will and always obey Allah without question.
• Serve and carry out Allah's commands, unlike humans and jinn.
• They do not have desires or personal choices.

Roles of Angels

• Deliver divine messages.
• Record deeds.
• Protect people.
• Carry out natural phenomena.
• Act as intermediaries between Allah and His creation.
• Angels do not have personal responsibilities or accountability; they only follow Allah's commands.

Importance in Delivering Divine Messages

• Act as messengers who convey revelations from Allah to prophets.
• Cannot disobey or alter divine messages, ensuring purity of revelation.
• Help establish divine laws that guide people's lives.

Human-Like Functions

• Angels do not have human-like functions.
• They do not eat, sleep, or procreate.
• They do not possess free will.
• They are not tested the way humans are; angels only execute commands.

Accountability for Actions

• Angels are not accountable because they lack free will.
• Humans and jinn are accountable because of their ability to choose between right and wrong.

Specific Roles of Angels

• Jibreel (Gabriel) is responsible for delivering Allah's messages to the prophets.
• Also revealed scriptures like the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel to previous prophets.
• Mika'il (Michael) is responsible for sustenance and weather.
• Israfil will blow the trumpet on the Day of Judgment.
• Azrael (Malak al-Mawt) is responsible for taking souls at the time of death.
• Munkar and Nakir question souls in the grave about their faith after death.
• Raqib and Atid record good and bad deeds; records will be used on the Day of Judgment.
• Malik is in charge of Jahannam (Hellfire) and oversees punishment.
• Ridwan is in charge of Jannah (Paradise) and welcomes believers into eternal bliss.

Shari'ah

• Includes the meaning and importance of Halal and Haram in Islam.
• "Halal" (permissible) and "Haram" (forbidden) define boundaries of what is allowed and prohibited by Allah.
• Guidelines apply to all aspects of life, including food, business transactions, behavior, and worship.

Importance of Halal and Haram

• Obedience to Allah is achieved by following halal and avoiding haram.
• Moral and spiritual purity is ensured by distinguishing between halal and haram.
• Social and economic justice is promoted through Islamic laws on fairness (e.g., banning interest-based transactions).
• Physical and mental well-being are protected through prohibitions (e.g., avoiding alcohol, drugs).

Five Categories (Ahkam Pentad)

• Fard (Compulsory/Obligatory) are actions Muslims must perform.
• Failure to follow fard actions results in sin and punishment.
• Mandub (Recommended/Sunnah) are actions that are highly encouraged but not obligatory.
• Mubah (Permissible/Neutral) are actions that are neither rewarded nor sinful.
• Makruh (Disliked/Discouraged) are actions should be avoided.
• Haram (Forbidden/Prohibited) are actions that are strictly forbidden.

Fard Examples

• Praying five daily Salah
• Fasting in Ramadan
• Paying Zakat (charity tax)
• Performing Hajj (if one can afford it)

Mandub Examples

• Praying Sunnah (extra) prayers
• Giving voluntary charity (Sadaqah)
• Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays
• Smiling and kindness

Mubah Examples

• Eating certain foods (as long as they are halal)
• Sleeping and resting
• Choosing a profession (as long as it follows Islamic principles)

Makruh Examples

• Wasting water during Wudu (ablution)
• Eating too much
• Praying while feeling sleepy
• Using excessive perfume for men in public

Haram

• Actions that are strictly forbidden and result in sin and punishment unless repented for.

Haram Examples

• Drinking alcohol and using drugs
• Eating pork or carrion
• Engaging in interest-based (riba) transactions
• Stealing, lying, and cheating

Early Leaders of the Muslim Community

• Sunnis believe leadership is chosen by agreement among Muslims and believe in the succession of Khilafat.

The First Four Caliphs

• Abu-Bakr
• Umar
• Uthman
• Imam Ali

Shia View

• The term 'Imam' for Shias is also used for the successor of the Prophet. Leadership is based on divine appointment.

Sunni View: Leadership Based on Consensus (Caliphate System)

• Sunni Muslims believe leadership should be chosen through Shura (consultation and consensus).
• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not appoint a specific successor.
• Companions (Sahabah) selected Abu Bakr (RA) as the first Caliph (Khalifah) based on leadership qualities.
• The leader is chosen through election or selection by scholars and trusted community members.
• Al-Khulafa' Al-Rashidun are the rightly guided Caliphs.

Sunni Belief About the Caliph

• Must be pious, knowledgeable, and just.
• Should be chosen through consultation and consensus.
• Has political authority but is not divinely appointed.

Shia View: Leadership Based on Divine Appointment (Imamate System)

• Shia Muslims believe leadership should remain within the Prophet's family (Ahlul Bayt).
• Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) was divinely appointed as the first leader (Imam).
• Shia believe Allah appoints the leader, and only the Prophet's family has the right to lead.
• The leader (Imam) is not just a political ruler but also a spiritual and religious authority.
• The Twelve Imams are infallible and divinely guided successors of the Prophet.

Shia Belief About the Imam

• The Imam must be from the Prophet's family (Ahlul Bayt).
• Leadership is divinely chosen by Allah and not through election.
• The Imam is both a religious and political leader. The Twelver Shia believe in 12 Imams.