4.1.7

Life After Death

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Life After Death

In Muslim thought, death is not the end of existence but the start of a new one.

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Akhirah (life after death)

  • In Muslim thought, death is not the end of existence but the start of a new one.
  • After the body dies, Muslims believe that there is some form of consciousness even in the grave.
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Barzakh (the barrier)

  • While a Muslim is in the grave, Allah sends two angels to question them about their beliefs. If they answer correctly they will be shown the rewards that are to come. If they deny the articles of faith, they will be shown the punishments that will come to them.
  • While in this in-between zone, no one can go back to physical life and teach people the truths that await the living and no one can enter paradise. They wait in the grave for the Day of Judgement.
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Day of Judgment

  • Only Allah knows when the Day of Judgment will be. At the time He chooses, the angel Israfil will blow the trumpet, the world as we know it will be destroyed and everyone who has ever lived will be brought back to life and judged by God.
  • People will be given new physical bodies and everyone will receive a record of their life story (written by the angels).
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Day of Judgement (continued)

  • People who lived virtuous lives in line with the teaching of Islam will go to heaven whilst those who were not submissive/obedient/peaceful will go to hell.
  • If a person shows remorse for their bad deeds, God in His mercy will forgive them.
  • People are sorted by crossing the Sirat Bridge. Good people pass quickly, bypassing the fires of Hell.
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Jannah (heaven, paradise)

  • Heaven or paradise is a beautiful place. The Qur'an describes it in Surah 56. Scholars are divided about accepting a literal interpretation or explaining the text as a metaphor.
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Jahannam (hell)

  • Hell is also described in vivid language that lends itself to different interpretations.
  • However one understands the description, hell is a place of punishment and torture for those who rejected Allah and practised evil.

Jump to other topics

1Buddhism

2Christianity

3Catholicism (Christianity)

4Islam

5Judaism

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