The belief in resurrection and life after death stands as the most principle in Islam, following the principle of monotheism. Numerous verses in the Holy Qur’an and the teachings of the prophets are dedicated to this profound subject.
Resurrection signifies the return of the soul to the body, leading to the individual’s living again, every individual, based on his/her beliefs and actions, gets his/her recompense or punishment on the Day of Resurrection.
Hence, faith in resurrection plays a pivotal role in shaping human behavior, motivating virtuous deeds, and deterring wrongdoing.
A- The Significance of Believing in the Resurrection:
Believing in resurrection exerts a profound impact on human life in two fundamental ways.
- In Individual Life
Life in this world, devoid of faith in the afterlife, would be hollow and purposeless. Those who lack belief in resurrection and only consider this short period in this world inevitably face a sense of emptiness and aimlessness. In contrast, faith in resurrection imparts meaning to human life, liberating individuals from “anxiety,” “worry,” and “absurdity.” because this world is a bridge and a passage to another world. So, belief in resurrection becomes the basis for human conduct, motivating virtuous deeds and steering clear of wrongdoing. The Holy Qurān also asserts that man was created for a purpose (Al-Mu’minūn 23:115).
- In Social Life
Belief in life after death assumes a vital role in shaping social life and fostering mutual respect among individuals. It instills a sense of responsibility in people, acting as a deterrent against deviation, misguidance, cruelty, and violence. When such a belief permeates society, there is a diminished need for force and coercion to enforce just laws and regulations, curbing oppression and aggression[1].
B- Reasons of Resurrection
Although the fact of resurrection is evident, three reasons are presented to substantiate this belief:
- Requirement of Wisdom
God’s wisdom requires purposeful and intentional actions and is free from Cancellation and invalidity. It was God’s will to create the world in such a way that ensure all beings attain their ultimate goal and perfection. As humans possess eternal souls, their pursuit of goals consistent with eternal perfection necessitates an afterlife. If life is limited in this world and existence is destroyed by death, humans cannot reach ultimate perfection, so God’s purpose in creating humans and the world is not fulfilled, which is inconsistent with divine wisdom. Therefore, God’s wisdom requires an afterlife in which a person is transferred to reach the ultimate perfection, so God’s wisdom and purpose for creation are fulfilled. The Holy Qurān also mentions this argument: That the system of the universe was not created aimlessly but for a specified purpose (Ad-Dukhān 44:38).
Justice is one of God’s attributes, underlying the structure of His creation. Human beings are endowed with the freedom to choose between good and bad deeds, resulting in a diverse array of actions. Justice demands that every individual witnesses the full consequences of their actions. This world, however, lacks the capacity to fully realize justice, necessitating a court after death so that the wrongdoers are punished and right-doers attain their reward. The law of God’s justice, which governs the universe, will be violated if there is no resurrection. The Holy Qur’an emphasizes that the righteous and the wicked are not equal on the Day of Resurrection; each will be recompensed according to their deeds (Al-Jāthiyah 45:22).
- Necessity of nature:
The innate desire for survival and immortality is inherent in humans. While the world is transient, humans naturally yearn for eternal life to fulfill their desires. This longing for immortality aligns with the concept of resurrection and is consistent with divine wisdom. Thus, it must be an eternal world to fulfill human survival desires.
Exercises:
- Can you define the resurrection?
- What are the effects of believing in resurrection on a person’s life?
- Can you elaborate on the necessity of God’s wisdom regarding resurrection?
- Would you state the necessity of God’s justice concerning the resurrection?
[1]. Mohammad Taqi Misbah, Education of Beliefs, pp 339-341.
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