Proofs of Resurrection and Its Commencement (2/4)
Shawna A. Aziz
Observed Phenomenon: Reviving the Dead in Truth in this Worldly Life
Concerning this Allah says, “And have made your sleep as (Subata) a thing for rest.” [Soorah an-Naba (78): 9] (Subata comes from the word,) Subath: (meaning) discontinuation/interruption of activity/movement.
It is said that this (i.e., discontinuity of movement) is death, so it (sleep) is a minor death, and Allah called it (sleep) death in His Saying, “It is Allah Who Yatawaffa (lit. causes to die) the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep.” [Soorah Az-Zumar (39): 42]
And His Saying, “It is He, Who Yatawaffakum (lit; causes you to die) by night (when you are asleep), and has knowledge of all that you have done by day, then he raises you up again (i.e.; wakes you up) (so) that a term appointed (your life period) be fulfilled…” [Soorah al-An’aam (6): 60] [End quote from Adwaul-Bayaan]
After mentioning the four proofs of resurrection, Allah describes how Resurrection will commence; the atmosphere of the earth and condition of its people on the Day of Judgement.
“Verily, the Day of Decision is a fixed time. The Day when the Sur will be blown and you shall come forth in crowds (groups);” [Soorah an-Naba (78): 17-18]
It is the Day of Judgment that Allah calls, the Day of Decision. It is called such because on that day Allah will decide between the people of truth and the people of falsehood, the disbelievers and the people of Iman, and He will decide between the people of Paradise and the people of Hell-Fire.
Allah will also decide between His slaves who disagreed. He will decide between the oppressors and the oppressed to the extent that, “The animal who lost a horn will settle the score with the one that has horns on the Day of Resurrection.” [Hadeeth quoted from Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
If it is asked, how can scores be settled among the animals that are not accountable? Then it will be said:
Firstly, Allah does as He wills, and He cannot be questioned as to what He does.
Secondly, the purpose of settling the scores even amongst the animals is to demonstrate that on the Day of Judgement nobody’s rights will be neglected. “The rights of the oppressed will be settled, and the oppressor will be held accountable. This is the Perfect Justice of Allah be gathered together.” [Soorah at-Takweer (81): 5]
Imam an-Nawawi writes in Sharh Muslim, under the hadeeth of Tarjumah, “This clearly indicates that the animals will be gathered on the Day of Resurrection and that they will be are whom Allah says, “And when the wild beasts shall resurrected. There is also evidence in the accountable. Children, resurrected on the Day of Resurrection like humans who the insane and those the call did not reach will also be Qur’an and Sunnah to support that. If there is a phrase in a text of sharee'ah whose apparent meaning is not impossible whether according to sharee’ah or reason, then it must be interpreted according to its apparent meaning. The scholars said that reward and punishment are not essential features of the gathering and the resurrection. The settling of scores between the hornless and horned animals is not based on accountability, because they are not held accountable, rather it is retaliation in kind for the sake of justice. And Allah knows best.”
If this is the situation with regard to animals who are not accountable, then how about us who are accountable for our actions and also have the ability to reason and logic?
Imam Ahmad recorded that Abdullah Ibn Muhammad Ibn Aqil heard Jabir Ibn Abdullah say, “I was told about a Hadeeth which a man heard from the Prophet, so I bought a camel and put my saddle on it, then I traveled on it for a month until I came to Sham, where Abdullah Ibn Unays was. I said to the doorkeeper, “Tell him that Jabir is at the door.” He said, “Jabir bin Abdullah?” I said, “Yes.” So he came out, still putting his garment on, and embraced me, and I embraced him, and said, “I heard a Hadeeth narrated by you, that you heard from the Messenger of Allah about reciprocal punishments. I was afraid that you or I would die before I could hear it.” He said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah say, “Allah will gather the people -- or His servants -- on the Day of Resurrection, naked, uncircumcised and Buhman.” I asked, “What is Buhman?”
He said, “They will have nothing with them. Then a voice will call out to them that will be heard by those far away just as easily as it will be heard by those near, ‘I am the Sovereign, I am the Judge. None of the people of Hell should enter Hell if he is owed something by one of the people of Paradise, until I have settled the matter, and none of the people of Paradise should enter Paradise if he is owed something by one of the people of Hell, until I settle the matter - even if it is only the case of a slap.’ We said, “How will that be, when we have come before Allah barefooted, naked, uncircumcised and having nothing with us.” He said, “By good deeds and by evil deeds.”” [Quoted from Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
Imam Ahmad recorded that Aa’'isha said that one of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah sat down before him and said,
“O Messenger of Allah, I have two slaves who lie to me, betray me and disobey me, and I hit them and insult them. How do I stand with regard to them?”
The Messenger of Allah said, “The extent to which they betrayed you, disobeyed you and lied to you will be measured against the punishment you meted out to them. If your punishment was commensurate with their misconduct, then you will be equal and you will not have anything counted for you or against you. If your punishment of them was less than what they deserved for their misconduct, then this will count in your favor. If your punishment of them was more than what they deserved for their misconduct, then Allah will take what is due to them from you.” Then the man started to weep before the Messenger of Allah, and he asked, “What is the matter with him. Has he not read the words of Allah, ‘And We shall set up Balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it. And sufficient are We to take account.” The man said, “O Messenger of Allah, I think there is nothing better than keeping away from these people -- meaning his slaves -- I call upon you to bear witness that they are all free.” [Quoted from Ibn Katheer]
The exact time of the Hour is hidden from the creation including the Prophets, Messengers and Angels. Even the best of the Messengers.
(Continued)