Life after Death: A Concept of Islam - Essay Example

? Life after Death: A Concept of Islam Introduction Life after death is a concept that is refuted by many mainly because of the fact that there is a non-availability of scientific explanation. Most of times the question of life after death is speculated with questions that leaves with a question mark. What people usually fail to understand is that there are many existing cases in the hospitals of people who have had near death experiences and many doctors believe that there is a scientific explanation for life after death as there were many patients in the state of coma, who have narrated their near death experience once they regained consciousness. The following paper uses scholarly articles, e-books, and authentic articles available online, to explain the concept of life after death in the religion of Islam. It will also enlighten the reader about the factors that if performed in the world can lead to happier times in the life hereafter. Many people are scared to die perhaps because they are not aware of the fact that what will happen next. However, Islam is one religion that explains thoroughly as to what awaits an individual in life hereafter. It also lays down the principles that are of benefit in this life as well as the hereafter. Therefore, it is these principles or in the nonprofessional terms the deeds that will describe the quality of life beyond this tangible world. Nevertheless, before unfurling the concept of life after death it is important be familiar with the concept of Islam and its teachings in general. Islam: As a Religion Islam is a religion based on the oneness of God named Allah and in the believe that Muhammad is his last prophet. Muhammad was born in the Arab world which was back then lead an ignorant life. Rights were denied to females, female child was buried alive and there was law that could protect people. Thus, Prophet Muhammad was sent as a mercy to the people of Arab and the entire humanity. It is believed that the prophet received revelations from God through angel Gibereal, the revelations were conserved on different mediums in the life of the prophet and after his demise the revelation were compiled in the form of a book which was called Quran. All the verses in the Quran are as authentic as they were revealed to the prophet Muhammad, i.e. not even a single word has been changed since then. The teachings of Islam stand erect on the five pillars and the 7 articles of faith that include the following: Articles of Faith 1. Oneness of Allah (no one is worthy of worship except one God) 2. Predestination 3. In the angels of Allah 4. In the messengers of Allah (The Prophets) 5. In the day of Judgment 6. In life hereafter. Pillars of Islam 1. Witness (Islamic Creed) 2. 5 daily prayers 3. Fasting in the prescribed month 4. Alms giving (Zakat) 5. Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj: At least once in a life time) However, the Articles of Faith can be grouped in to three broader categories: 1. Oneness of Allah 2. Prophet hood 3. The day of judgment A Muslim is required to believe in the above-mentioned categories. It is the category i.e. the Day of Judgment that sheds light upon the life after death. The evidence in the Holy book of Muslims, the Quran provides evidence in the following verse: “ Did you not think that We had created you in play and that you would not be brought back to us?” (Quran, chapter number: 23, Verse number: 115). “And those who disbelieve say ‘when we have become dust we and our fathers, shall we really be brought forth again?’” (Quran chapter number 27, Verse Number: 67) The above-mentioned verses make it incumbent upon the Muslims to believe in life after death. In addition, in the Holy Quran Allah has promised a glorious life that will be for the believers alone. Moreover, it will be a reward for those believers who spent their life in remembrance of God, fearing him, and following the teachings of his beloved prophet Muhammad who is also considered the seal of prophets (Egan 10-11). The Insight into Life After death Muslims staunchly believe that this life is a trial that prepares the individuals for the life after death. Therefore, it will not be incorrect in saying that the Muslims believe that the intentions and actions that humans have will fetch them reward in the life after death. Therefore, understanding the demarcation of right wrong along with its implementation will lead humans to a better life that is after death. When a Muslim enters the next realm that’s is when he dies the family members give bath to the body of the deceased, wrap it in the unstitched white clothe that is usually purified with the Holy water of Zamzam. A special prayer is said in the mosque in a gathering of family members, friends and brother’s in faith among the Muslim men. After the prayers, the body is buried (Religion Facts ) in the nearby graveyard in the gathering of the family and friends along Muslim priest who chants prayers for the deceased and prays to God in order to forgive the sins of the deceased and to give strength to the family for the irreparable loss. It is important to mention here that the body of the deceased is preferred to be buried the same day; and the death of a family member or a friend is reflected upon and is taken as a reminder that death is inevitable (Iqraa). The Holy Quran continuously mentions about the Day of Judgment and highlights it as the day when the dead will be resurrected. It is believed that a will come when the universe will be destroyed and people whether dead or alive will stand before god with their list of deeds in their hands. It is believed that those who have been abiding to the law and teachings of Islam will hold their list of deeds in their right hand; however, those who have been disobedient to the word of God will hold their list of deeds in their left hand. Nevertheless, this particular have will be the start point of the life after death that will never end. Upon this very day, people will be judged according to their deeds in this world. Thos who will enter paradise will reside there in forever. In addition, for those who have been a source of pain to the people and disobeyed God will enter hell to adhere to the prescribed punishment. Nevertheless, it is believed that upon dying the dead continue to be in state of consciousness existence in the grave. Therefore, according to the Muslim belief a person upon dying enters an intermediate state of life which is between death and the day of resurrection (Iqraa). The concept of Hell and Heaven Heaven The concept of heaven in accord to the Islam describes a garden full of bounties of the God. The Holy Quran explains that there will be rivers flowing of clean water and wine; with palm trees and fruits that will be available to those who reside in paradise. In the following verse of Quran from “In them (both) will be two springs gushing forth water” ( 55: 66). Moreover, it describes that righteous men and women will be bestowed with beautiful virgin fairies that no man or women has ever dreamt of. Furthermore, it is described that those who have been righteous on the earth will meet their family members as well as their spouses. The Quran says “Wherein both will be those (maidens) restraining their glances upon their husbands, whom no man or jinn yatmithhunna (has opened their hymens with sexual intercourse) before them” (55:56) and also “Therein (gardens) will be fair (wives) good and beautiful;” (55:70). They will be given the option to live with their spouse or to choose among from among the fairies. Nevertheless, those spouses who have been in love and have been kind to each other in this world will be granted to live together in paradise as well (Khalil). The following verse from the Quran provides evidence of the Muslim believe in the concept of the Garden: "O soul who is at rest, return to thy Lord, well-pleased with Him, well-pleasing Him. So enter among My servants, and enter My garden." (89:27-30). Hell However, on the contrary the concept of hell in Islam is that of a place where the individuals with evil deeds will reside there in for the prescribed period. It is believed that the residents of hell will be provided with food that will not quench their thirst, relief them of hunger, and neither will they be nourished with it as the Quran say’s “No food will there be for them except from a poisonous, thorny plant which neither nourishes nor avails against hunger” (88:6-7). It also describes that the fuel for the hell fire will be the human bodies and stones. The following verse of the Holy Quran highlights this belief: “then fear the Fire, whose fuel is men and stones,” (2:24). However, it is believed that the God will remove those believers from the hell fire who have in their lifetime done few of the good deeds (Khalil). Works Cited Egan, A. Islam. Heinemann, 2002. Iqraa. "Dying and Death: Islamic View." 2013. civic.bev. 31 January 2013 . Khalil, M. "Muslim Scholarly Discussions on Salvation and the Fate Of ‘Others’." 2007. deepblue. 31 January 2013 . Read More