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Journey to Eternity
185
Your Path to Paradise or Hellfire
The Grave: This is the first stage of the hereafter: a pit of fire for the hypocrite
and disbeliever and a garden for the believer. We come to know through various
narrations that there are certain punishments in the grave for various acts of
disobedience. From them are not cleansing oneself properly from urine, tale
bearing in order to spread strife amongst people, intentionally sleeping through the
obligatory prayers, abandoning the Quran, fornication and adultery, homosexuality,
interest and usury, withholding payment of debts and other sins. Salvation from this
punishment can be achieved by performing good deeds done sincerely for Allah, by
seeking refuge in Allah from his punishment, by reciting Surah al-Mulk [67] , and by
other deeds. Those who are protected from this punishment and will not face it
include the martyrs, those who died in guard duty, those who died on the day of
Friday (Al-Jumuah) those who died in childbirth, and others.
Blowing of the Horn for Resurrection: This is an immense horn that will be
blown by the angel Israfeel who awaits the command. The first is called the Blowing
of Shock: Allah () said : “The day the trumpet will be blown and everything in
the heavens and on the earth will be swoon as shocked except for those whom
Allah wills to exempt,” [27:87] , and everything will be destroyed. Then after forty
years, it will be blown again, the Blowing of Resurrection, as Allah () said : “and
then it will be blown again, and they will be standing, looking.” [39:68]
Resurrection: Allah will send a downpour of rain and the bodies will sprout (from
the tailbone), and they will be a new creation, one which will never die. They will be
resurrected uncircumcised and naked. They will be able to see the angels and the
jinn, and they will be resurrected according to their deeds.
The Great Gathering: Allah will gather all creatures for their account. They will be in
shock, in stupor like people intoxicated, for a colossal day, the length of which will be fifty
thousand years. Their time on earth will seem to them as if it were no longer than a mere hour.
The sun will draw near a mile away, and each will perspire according to their deeds. The
tyrants as well as the weak who followed them will fall into dispute. Each disbeliever will
argue with his patron devil, Satan, and even his own limbs, and each will curse the other. The
unjust wrongdoers will bite their hands (in remorse). The Hellfire will be dragged before them
by 70 thousand latches, each latch held by 70 thousand angels. When the disbelievers see the
Hellfire, they will wish that they could ransom themselves from the punishment, or that they
could be turned to dust (to escape the coming torture). The disobedient (of the believers) will
be punished. For instance, the one who refused to pay obligatory charity (Zakah) will have the
money he refused to spend brand him like iron rods. The arrogant will be resurrected like ants
(to be trod upon). The treacherous traitor, the embezzler and the robber will be exposed. The
thief will come with what he stole [for all to see]. In short, all things hidden will be brought
out clearly into the open. As for the righteous, this day will not frighten them, and it will pass
like their performance of the Žuhr prayer.