Author: Abu Ayesha
Resurrection after Death (Part 16)
Introduction
After examining the proofs for resurrection after death and concluding that the Hereafter (al-Maʿād) is established both through transmitted evidence (the verses of the Noble Qur’an, the Hadiths of the Prophet (PBUH), the consensus of the Muslim community, and the statements of scholars) and through rational evidence (intellectual arguments and logical proofs), and after clarifying the causes and factors that lead some people to deny resurrection, it is appropriate to ask: What is the ruling regarding those who, despite such clear and manifest proofs, deny resurrection after death and refuse to accept it? In light of the verses of the Noble Qur’an, the Hadiths of the Prophet (PBUH), scholarly consensus, and the opinions of scholars, what judgment is issued concerning such individuals?
The Issue of Resurrection: A Question That Remained Unresolved for Some
The matter of resurrection after death has been a point of doctrinal difficulty for many groups since Allah the Exalted sent the Prophets (peace be upon them).
The Prophets of Allah (peace be upon them) called people to righteous deeds and forbade them from evil actions. They warned them of accountability before Allah the Exalted after resurrection and at the time of reckoning. Allah the Exalted says: “وَأَقْسَمُوا بِاللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَانِهِمْ لَا يَبْعَثُ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَمُوتُ ۚ بَلَىٰ وَعْدًا عَلَيْهِ حَقًّا وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ” [1] Translation: “And they swore by Allah their strongest oaths that Allah will not resurrect one who dies. Yes indeed, it is a true promise binding upon Him, but most people do not know.”
Those who deny resurrection consider the revival after death—after the body has decayed and its particles have dispersed—to be exceedingly difficult. They overlook the miracle of the initial creation of life and remain unaware of the true nature of Allah’s power. The issue of resurrection after death is one of the core doctrines of Islam that, in every era and during the mission of every Prophet, has faced numerous opponents and generated significant controversy. [2]
The denial of resurrection is not a phenomenon unique to the present age. It has existed since ancient times among people who either failed to recognize Allah, did not comprehend His power, greatness, and majesty, or who recognized these realities yet feigned ignorance and deliberately ignored them.
From the materialist atheists (al-Dahriyyah) who denied the Creator altogether, to the polytheists of Quraysh—concerning whom numerous Qur’anic verses were revealed—the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) warned extensively in his Hadiths about them and about later deniers who would arise, carrying forward the same claims and fabrications.
The fundamental problem of the disbelievers of Quraysh, after their idolatry, was their denial of resurrection after death. They believed that there was no life after death and that no evidence existed for the possibility of being brought back again. For this reason, the Noble Qur’an repeatedly responds to their doubts, directing warnings and admonitions toward them. Various forms of threat and warning are mentioned, among the most severe of which is the realization of the punishment of Hellfire—where they will be fed from the tree of Zaqqum, causing their bellies to boil, flames to be poured over their heads, melting them, and exposing them to every form of humiliation, disgrace, and torment, before being left in that state. [3]
Continues…
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References:
[1] The Qur’an, Surah al-Nahl (16:38).
[2] Fa’iz, Ahmad. Al-Yawm al-Ākhir fī Ẓilāl al-Qur’ān (The Hereafter in the Shade of the Qur’an). 1414 AH / 1994 CE, p. 24.
[3] Al-Zuhayli, Dr. Wahbah ibn Mustafa. Al-Tafsīr al-Wasīṭ li al-Zuhayli. 1422 AH, Vol. 3, p. 2385.
