Author: Abu Ayesha
Resurrection After Death (part 14)
The Argument from Motion
This world is a world of motion and change, and stable and permanent objectives cannot be fulfilled within it due to their constant association with movement and transformation. Therefore, human purposes must be fulfilled in another world beyond this one; otherwise, the creation of the worldly system and of humankind would be futile and meaningless. This is while the Qur’an explicitly states that this world has not been created in vain.[1]
Allah the Exalted beautifully states in this regard: أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّمَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ عَبَثًا وَأَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَا تُرْجَعُونَ” Translation: “Did you then think that We created you in vain and that you would not be returned to Us?”]2]
Factors Behind the Denial of Resurrection After Death
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Ignorance of Allah the Exalted
If we wish to understand the first and most important factor behind the denial of resurrection after death, and why some people reject the Hereafter, we must recognize that such individuals have not properly comprehended Allah the Exalted. They possess no true knowledge of Him and do not understand that Allah is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. They have failed to grasp the meaning of the heavens and the earth, their exalted status, and Allah’s power and ability in their creation and structure. These individuals have not realized the extent of Allah’s power in their own existence, life, and creation.
Due to their ignorance of their Lord—His immense power, vast knowledge, and expansive dominion—they only affirm what they can see and deny what they cannot perceive. This is despite the fact that Allah the Exalted has provided numerous evidence for such people.[3]
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Arrogance and Pride
Another factor that leads to the denial of resurrection after death is arrogance and pride.
This trait is among the worst attributes of the human soul and among the most reprehensible moral qualities. It blinds and deafens a person to truth and reality, causing self-admiration, rejection of truth, and ingratitude toward Allah the Exalted and His countless blessings. For this reason, Islam has strictly prohibited this habit, as it leads to destruction and ruin in both the present and the future. It is one of the greatest obstacles to the pursuit of perfection and the search for truth and clear proofs, acting as a veil that prevents a person from attaining guidance and salvation, and attracting the displeasure and wrath of Allah the Exalted.
How many blessings have been transformed into calamities due to this vile trait, and how much honor, dignity, and strength have been turned into humiliation, degradation, and disgrace because of it. [4]
Allah the Exalted says regarding the arrogant: «كَذَلِكَ يَطْبَعُ اللَّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ قَلْبِ مُتَكَبِّرٍ جَبَّارٍ» Translation: “Thus does Allah seal every heart of an arrogant tyrant.” [5]
And in another verse, He says: سَأَصْرِفُ عَنْ آيَاتِيَ الَّذِينَ يَتَكَبَّرُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ Translation: “I shall turn away from My signs those who behave arrogantly on the earth without right.” [6]
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Hypocrisy and Double-Faced Behavior
Another cause for denying resurrection after death is hypocrisy and duplicity. Despite the fact that the truth may sometimes become clear to a hypocrite—because they associate with Muslims, hear their words, and witness matters that should lead them to affirmation—they nonetheless persist in denial and rejection.
For this reason, the punishment of such a person is even more severe than that of a disbeliever who is ignorant of these matters. Allah the Exalted says regarding the hypocrites: وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَقُولُ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَبِالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَمَا هُمْ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ يُخَادِعُونَ اللَّهَ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَمَا يَخْدَعُونَ إِلَّا أَنْفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ Translation: “And among the people are those who say, ‘We believe in Allah and in the Last Day,’ while they are not believers. They seek to deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive only themselves, though they do not perceive it.” [7]
Today, hypocrisy and hypocrites—despite their diverse forms and types—have greatly increased, and their harm to Islam and Muslims has become immense. What we observe of this group—through their statements, actions, and the attribution of offensive labels to Islam and Muslims, or through conspiracies against Islam and espionage aimed at destroying it—all serve to confuse people and obscure the truth regarding resurrection after death.[8]
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Ignorance and Blind Imitation Without Insight
Ignorance and blind imitation without insight, knowledge, or investigation is another factor behind the denial of resurrection after death. Despite the spread of knowledge, the multiplicity of means, the ease of access to information, and the abundance of signs indicating the truthfulness of the prophethood of the Prophet (PBUH) and the authenticity of what he brought from Allah the Exalted, there are still individuals who deny the crucial issue of resurrection after death. [9]
The primary reason for their denial is blind following and imitation of their forefathers and those whom they have adopted as role models and authorities. In doing so, they abandon the tools of knowledge and understanding and fail to employ reason and insight. The polytheists and those who denied resurrection followed the path of their fathers and ancestors, and abandoning even the smallest aspect of the belief upon which they were raised was among the most difficult matters for them. Rather, they considered this familiar concept—resurrection after death, which sound intellect necessitates—to be impossible and unacceptable.[10]
Allah the Exalted says in this regard: وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اتَّبِعُوا مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ قَالُوا بَلْ نَتَّبِعُ مَا أَلْفَيْنَا عَلَيْهِ آبَاءَنَا أَوَلَوْ كَانَ آبَاؤُهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَهْتَدُونَ Translation: “And when it is said to them, ‘Follow what Allah has revealed,’ they say, ‘Rather, we follow that upon which we found our fathers.’ Even if their fathers understood nothing and were not guided?” [11]
This calamity has afflicted all disbelievers and even the People of the Book, despite the fact that they possess some inherited knowledge. The reason for this negligence lies in the deviation of scholars who preferred their desires and worldly interests, misleading their nations and communities and instilling in their minds the notion that religious scholars—according to their own claim—are guarantors of forgiveness and Paradise for them and will bear their burdens in the Hereafter.
As a result, they came to claim that worldly life is merely movement, devoid of purpose, goal, or wisdom, and that places of worship and centers of corruption are each reserved for specific groups, and that life is nothing but play, amusement, adornment, and rivalry in wealth and offspring.[12]
However, Allah the Exalted clearly warns such people and reminds them that humankind has not been created neglected, purposeless, or in vain. Allah the Exalted says: أَيَحْسَبُ الْإِنْسَانُ أَنْ يُتْرَكَ سُدًى” Translation: “Does man think that he will be left neglected?” [13]
Continues…
Previous Part
References:
[1]. Qaramalaki, Muhammad Hasan, Al-Ma‘ād, trans. Musa Ahmad Qasir, 1440 AH, pp. 36–37.
[2]. Surah Al-Mu’minun, verse 115.
[3]. Al-Sufi, Mahir Ahmad, Mawsu‘at al-Ba‘th wa al-Nushur, p. 90.
[4]. Ramadan, Manzur b. Muhammad, Manhaj al-Qur’an al-Karim fi Ithbat ‘Aqidat al-Ba‘th, p. 9.
[5]. Surah Ghafir, verse 35.
[6]. Surah Al-A‘raf, verse 146.
[7]. Surah Al-Baqarah, verses 8–9.
[8]. Ramadan, Manhaj al-Qur’an al-Karim, p. 10.
[9]. Ibid.
[10]. ‘Awaji, Ghalib b. ‘Ali, Al-Hayah al-Akhirah, vol. 1, p. 133.
[11]. Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 170.
[12]. Ramadan, Manhaj al-Qur’an al-Karim, p. 12.
[13]. Surah Al-Qiyamah, verse 36.
