Akhirah

Al-Ākhirah is an Arabic term referring to the afterlife or the "Hereafter." It is derived from the word "akhir," meaning last, ultimate, or end. In Islamic eschatology, which is the study of end times, this concept is central to understanding existence. It is one of the six essential beliefs that Muslims hold. This belief includes monotheism, angels, holy books, prophets, and predestination. Al-Ākhirah suggests that death is not the final end of a person. Instead, it is a transfer from the temporal world to an everlasting one.

Muslims distinguish between two main realms of existence. The current, temporary world is called the dunya. The Quran often contrasts dunya with al-Ākhirah. It describes dunya as "now" and al-Ākhirah as "later." Some verses suggest that life in the dunya is a distraction or a sport. However, other scholars emphasize that dunya is necessary to carry out divine will. Muhammad Darwazah noted that Islam is a religion of both the world and the next world.

Between the dunya and the afterlife lies a state called Barzakh. The word Barzakh means a barrier or a separation. This is a phase that occurs after a person dies but before the resurrection. Many Muslims believe people receive a taste of their future reward or punishment during this time. Different scholars offer varying views on this state. Al-Ghazali suggested Barzakh might be a place for souls going neither to heaven nor hell. Ibn Hazm proposed that Barzakh is where unborn souls reside in the lowest heaven.

Before the final judgment, the world will experience a period of great change. This time is marked by signs, which are divided into minor and major signs. The Quran describes the destruction of the material world in dramatic terms. It mentions that the earth and mountains will be removed from their places. The mountains may be reduced to dunes of shifting sand or scattered like dust. The sky might appear like molten brass. These events signify that the promised end is approaching.

A major event in this process is the sounding of a trumpet. The Quran mentions the trumpet being blown in connection with these dramatic changes. The first blast is said to cause all living things in the heavens and earth to fall dead. A second blast will then cause people to rise up from their graves. This leads directly to Yawm ad-Din, the Day of Judgment. On this day, Allah will decide the eternal destination of every soul.

During Yawm ad-Din, God judges human beings based on their choices. Most Muslims believe that individuals possess free will to make their own decisions. Crucially, judgment is not based solely on the number of deeds performed. Instead, deeds are judged by the intention or the will behind them. People are categorized into different groups during the resurrection. There are pious believers, infidels, and disobedient Muslims. Disobedient Muslims may undergo a period of purification to remove their evil before potentially entering paradise.

The final destinations are Jannah and Jahannam. Jannah is often described as a beautiful heaven with many different levels. The status of a person in Jannah depends on their good deeds and their intentions. It is said that Paradise has one hundred degrees. Jahannam is a place of torment or hardship. It also contains various levels based on a person's bad deeds. In mainstream Islam, the experiences in these realms are both spiritual and physical. While Jannah offers gardens and divine pleasure, Jahannam involves physical and spiritual suffering.