Life after death - Akhirah

Question 1

What do Muslims believe about life?

Answer 1

That it is just preparation for the next.

Question 2

What determines how they are judged in the afterlife?

Answer 2

How well they follow the guidance on how they should live in the Qur’an, and how well the follow the example of the prophet Muhammad.

Question 3

What is Barzakh?

Answer 3

The waiting period between an individuals death and the Day of Judgement.

Question 4

What are the different beliefs about Barzakh?

Answer 4

• Some believe the soul’s experience in Barzakh will be affected by the life the person has lead, either good or bad, punishment or reward
• Others believe the soul is given a temporary body during this time, which will be light or dark, reflecting the good or bad in their life (the soul will know what it’s final judgment will be due to the temporary body).

Question 5

What signs will there be that the end of the world and the Day of Judgement is approaching?

Answer 5

• Sunni’s believe that Isa as the Messiah will appear
• Some believe he will bring together true Muslims
• Others believe he will lead a battle until until Islam is left as the one true religion.

Question 6

What do Shi’ites believe will appear instead of Isa?

Answer 6

The twelfth ‘hidden’ Imam is the Messiah who will return.

Question 7

What will Allah display on the Day of Judgement?

Answer 7

The All Seeing and the All Knowing Allah is the Bringer of Judgement. His judgement will display perfect justice.

Question 8

Where do people go on the Day of Judgement?

Answer 8

Those who die a Muslim will be admitted to paradise for ever. Those who are not will be sent to the fires of hell.

Question 9

Can a bad person enter paradise eventually after being punished and why?

Answer 9

Yes because Allah is merciful.

Question 10

Which sin is the only sin that is excluded from Allah’s forgiveness forever?

Answer 10

The sin of shirk.

Question 11

What ressurrection will take place on the Last Day?

Answer 11

A physical resurrection. Allah will recreate the decayed body.

Question 12

How is the Day of Judgement described?

Answer 12

As passing over hell on a narrow bridge, the Siraat, to reach paradise. Those who fall, due to weight of their bad deeds, will remain in hell forever.

Question 13

What are the two exceptions of this description? (provided by the Qur’an)

Answer 13

1. Warriors who die fighting in the cause of God are sent immediately into the presence of Allah.
2. Enemies of Islam are sentenced immediately to hell upon death.

Question 14

How will believers be welcomed into al-Jannah?

Answer 14

Believers will be welcomed by angels delivering a message of peace. It will be a constant state of peace.

Question 15

How many doors does al-Jannah have?

Answer 15

8, which Muhammad named.

Question 16

What 3 doors do they include?

Answer 16

• Baab As-Sadaqah: an entry for those who have often given to charity
• Baab Al-Hajj: for those who have completed the hajj pilgrimage
• Baab Al-Iman: for those who constantly work hard to be obedient to Allah.

Question 17

What is believed about Hell (Jahannan)?

Answer 17

It is believed to be a place of punishment and eternal suffering. Those who are sent there will be in constant pain. It is presented as a place of darkness and fear.

Question 18

What is Hell for different believers?

Answer 18

• For sinful believers, it is a place of purification. When Allah chooses he will move these believers on to heaven.
• For unbelievers, Hell is a place of eternal punishment.

Question 19

What is martyrdom?

Answer 19

Being killed in the defence of, or struggle for, your faith.

Question 20

What will a death in martyrdom mean?

Answer 20

It will cause the person to enter into the presence of Allah immediately.

Question 21

What can the teachings on martyrdom be used to justify?

Answer 21

Some extremists have used this teaching as a way of justifying terrorist acts. They do this to try to establish some form of Islamic rule.

Question 22

What is the justification of terrorism contrary to?

Answer 22

This is contrary to the teaching in the Qur’an which says there should ‘be no compulsion in the religion’ (Surah 2:256).

Question 23

What is the impact of all of these teaching on Muslims?

Answer 23

They will aim to do good and be obedient to Allah, holding back from doing evil because they want a good final judgement.

Question 24

Why does Islam teach believers not to be obsessed with possessions or outward appearances?

Answer 24

Because Muslims know that all they have is given by Allah, and it is their inner self which will survive after death.

Question 25

What does belief in the reality of eternal punishment for unbelievers cause Muslims to do?

Answer 25

This causes Muslims to seek and to share their faith. They do this so that others may convert to Islam and eventually share in heaven.

Question 26

Key quote: Surah 2:160

Answer 26

‘Except for those who repent and correct themselves and make evident (what they concealed). Those - I will accept their repentance, and I am the Acceptinf of repentance, the Merciful.’

Question 27

Key quote: Surah 3:169

Answer 27

‘And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather they are alive with their Lord.’