19 April 2015: Suleiman* and Bilqees, Fear on the Day of Judgment

19 April 2015: Suleiman* and Bilqees, Fear on the Day of Judgment

Lives of the Prophets: Suleiman*

The Queen of Sheba Sends Gifts
The queen was very disturbed and hurriedly summoned her advisors. They reacted as to a challenge, for they felt that there was someone challenging them, hinting at war and defeat, and asking them to submit to his conditions. They told her that they could only offer advice, but it was her right to command action. She sensed that they wanted to meet Suleiman's invasion threat with a battle. However, she told them: "Peace and friendship are better and wiser; war only brings humiliation, enslaves people and destroys the good things. I have decided to send gifts to Suleiman, selected from our most precious treasure. The courtiers who will deliver the gifts will also have an opportunity to learn about Suleiman and his military mighty."

Reasons for War
The Queen made an observation based upon her experience and reading of history whereby when kings invade different lands they do it for resources, power and money. Afterwards, they destroy the previous government and often kill subjugate the previous ruling elite, and promote the lowly minority to help them maintain power.
This observation is still true today when most people/countries go to war they do so for material benefit, and lay waste to the country conquered and install their own puppets to maintain their control and interest.
This is evident from recent history when imperial countries like Britain or America invade countries it is never for peace, freedom, democracy or other slogans but rather to gain their resources. Neither should we accept the slogan that Western countries are peace loving because they are far from that as can be seen over the last few hundred years. In fact, since America came into existence it has constantly been at war with other countries apart from about 20 years of its existence! They cannot claim to be peace loving when they are in fact a warmongering nation.
War should in fact be a last resort once every other means for peace has been exhausted. However, in the military mindset of modern Western governments war is often the first option! In Islam however, war is always a last resort and there are only two main justifications for fighting war – either in self-defence or to remove obstacles that are preventing the spread of Islam through dawah.

Suleiman's Rejects the Queen's Gifts
Suleiman's reconnaissance team brought him the news of the arrival of Bilqees' messengers with a gift. The envoys of Bilqees, entering amidst the well-equipped army, realized that their wealth was nothing in comparison to that of the kingdom of Suleiman's. They eagerly presented their queen's precious gifts and told Suleiman that the queen wished that he would accept them as an act of friendship. They were shocked by his reaction: he did not even ask to open the covers of the containers! He told them: "Allah has given me plenty of wealth, a large kingdom, and prophethood. I am, therefore, beyond bribery. My only objective is to spread the belief in Tawheed, the Oneness of Allah." He also directed them to take back the gifts to the queen and to tell her that if she did not stop her kind of worship he would uproot her kingdom and drive its people out of the land.

The Queen Decides to Visit Suleiman
The queen's envoys returned with the gifts and delivered the message. They and told her of the wonderful things they had seen. Instead of taking offense, she decided to visit Suleiman. Accompanied by her royal officials and servants, she left Sheba. Suleiman asked the jinns who worked for him whether anyone among them could bring her throne to his palace before she arrived. One of them said; "I will bring it to you before this court session is over." Another offer also came: "I will fetch it for you in the twinkling of an eye!" No sooner had this one - who had the knowledge of the Book - finished his phrase than the throne stood before Suleiman. The mission had, indeed, been completed in the blinking of an eye. Suleiman's seat was in Palestine, and the throne of Bilqees had been in Yemen, two thousand miles away. This was a great event performed by one of those sitting with Suleiman. He asked them to make some minor modifications to test the queen, and he gave thanks to Allah for allowing this to happen.

The Queen's Visit with Suleiman
When Bilqees arrived at Suleiman's palace Suleiman asked her whether her throne looked like that one. She looked at it again and again. In her mind she was convinced that her throne could not possibly be the one she was looking at, as hers was in her palace; but, she detected a striking similarity and replied: "It is as if it were the very same."
Further information about how this throne was transported within a twinkling of an eye has not been documented and so we should not speculate about the nature of this occurrence or this book/knowledge since we have no further information other than what is mentioned in the Qur’an.
Suleiman judged that she was intelligent and diplomatic. He then invited her into the great hall, the floor of which was laid in glass and shimmering as if water flowed underneath. Thinking it was water, as she stepped on the floor, she lifted her skirt slightly above her heels, for fear of wetting it. Suleiman pointed out to her that it was made of solid glass. She was amazed. She had never seen such things before. Bilqees realized that she was in the company of a very knowledgeable person who was not only a ruler of a great kingdom but a messenger of Allah, as well. She repented, gave up sun worship, accepted the faith of Allah, and asked her people to do the same.
Further speculation about what happened after she became a Muslim is not warranted because it is not mentioned in the Koran and so we should not do a disservice to Prophet Suleiman by perpetuating myths and stories that have little foundation in Islam.

Suleiman is Informed About the Queen of Sheba
Almighty Allah told us this story in the Quran:
"He inspected the birds, and said: "What is the matter that I see not a hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees? I will surely punish him with a severe torment, or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear reason."
But the hoopoe stayed not long, he came up and said: "I have grasped (the knowledge of a thing) which you have not grasped and I have come to you from Sheba with true news. I found a woman ruling over them, and she has been given all things that could be possessed by any ruler of the earth, and she has a great throne. I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allah, and Satan has made their deeds fair seeming to them, and has barred them from Allah's Way, so they have no guidance."
Al-La (this word has two interpretations) [As Satan has barred them from Allah's Way} so that they do not worship (prostrate before) Allah, or so that they may worship (prostrate before) Allah, Who brings light to what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what you conceal and what you reveal. Allah, La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne! (Suleiman) said: "We shall see whether you speak the truth or you are one of the liars. Go with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them, then draw back from them, and see what answer they return."
She said: "O chiefs! Verily! Here is a delivered to me a noble letter. Verily! It is from Suleiman and verily! It (reads): 'In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful; Be you not exalted against me, but come to me as Muslims (true believers who submit to Allah with full submission)."
She said: "O chiefs! Advise me in this case of mine. I decide no case till you are present with me."
They said: "We have great strength, and great ability for war, but it is for you to command; so think over what you will command."
She said: "Verily! Kings, when they enter a town (country), they despoil it, and make the most honorable amongst its people low. And thus they do. But verily! I am going to send him a present, and see with what answer the messengers return."
So when (the messengers with the present) came to Suleiman, he said: "Will you help me in wealth? What Allah has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay, you rejoice in your gift!" (Then Suleiman said to the chief of her messengers who brought the present): "Go back to them. We verily shall come to them with hosts that they cannot resist, and we shall drive them out from there is disgrace, and they will be abased."
He said: "O chiefs! Which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me surrendering themselves in obedience?"
An Ifrit (strong) from the jinns said: "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place (council). And verily, I am indeed strong, and trustworthy for such work."
One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: "I will bring it to you within the twinkling of an eye!" then when Suleiman saw it placed before him, he said: "This is by the Grace of my Lord, to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for the good of his ownself, and whoever is ungrateful, he is ungrateful only for the loss of his ownself. Certainly! My Lord is Rich (Free of all wants), Bountiful!"
He said: "Disguise her throne for her that we may see whether she will be guided (to recognize her throne), or she will be one of those not guided."
So when she came, it was said to her: "Is your throne like this?"
She said: "It is as though it was the very same."
And Suleiman said: "Knowledge was bestowed on us before her, and we were submitted to Allah (in Islam as Muslims before her)."
And that which she used to worship besides Allah has prevented her from Islam, for she was of a disbelieving people.
It was said to her: "Enter As-Sarh" (a glass surface with water underneath it) or a palace, but when she saw it, she thought it was a pool, and she tucked up her clothes, uncovering her legs. Suleiman said: "Verily, it is Sarh paved smooth with slab of glass."
She said: "My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, and I submit (in Islam), together with Suleiman, to Allah, the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinns, and all that exists)." (TMQ 27:20-44)

 
Main Topic:
Descriptions of the Day of Judgment
 
The Day of Resurrection will be a Day of tremendous import and immense horror, the like of which mankind will never have seen. Several things point to the enormity of its terrors:
 
A great, heavy and hard day
Allah described that Day as being great, as being heavy, and as being hard. His description of it as such is sufficient for us to know that it is more serious than we can ever imagine.
“Think they not that they will be resurrected [for reckoning], On a Great Day, the Day when [all] mankind will stand before the Lord of the 'Aalameen [mankind, jinn and all that exists]?) (TMQ 83: 4-6)
“Verily, these [disbelievers] love the present life of this world, and put behind them a heavy Day [that will be hard]. (TMQ 76: 2 7)
“Truly, that Day will be a Hard Day - Far from easy for the disbelievers) (TMQ 74: 9-10)

The Fear that Day
The fear and terror which will befall mankind on that Day will be so great that the mother who would readily sacrifice herself for her infant will, on that Day, be heedless of him. Pregnant women will miscarry, and people will be like drunkards who have lost their senses.
“O' mankind! Fear your Lord and be dutiful to Him! Verily, the earthquake of the Hour [of Judgement] is a terrible thing. The Day you shall see it, every nursing mother will forget her nursling, and every pregnant one will drop her load, and you shall see mankind as in a drunken state, yet they will not be drunken, but severe will be the Torment of Allah) (TMQ 22: 1-2)
Because of the intensity of the terror, on that Day eyes will be not blinking and not looking to the right or the left. Because of their great fear, their hearts will be empty, not comprehending anything at all.
“Consider not that Allah is unaware of that which the Zaalimoon [polytheists, wrongdoers] do, but He gives them respite up to a Day when the eyes will stare in horror. [They will be] hastening forward with necks outstretched, their heads raised up [towards the sky], their gaze returning not towards them and their hearts empty [from thinking because of extreme fear]. (TMQ 14: 42-43)
Because of their extreme terror, the hearts of the evildoers will rise to their throats, but they will not come out, neither will they settle back in their places: 
“And warn them [O' Muhammad] of the Day that is drawing near [i.e. the Day of Resurrection], when the hearts will be choking the throats, and they can neither return them [hearts] to their chests nor can they throw them out..) (TMQ 40: 18)
Elsewhere, Allah describes what will happen to people's hearts and eyes on that Day:
“They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will be overturned [out of the horror of the torment of the Day of Resurrection]. (TMQ 24: 3 7)
“[Some] hearts that Day will shake with fear and anxiety. Their eyes will be downcast) (TMQ 79: 8-9)
It suffices to know that the hair of the child who has never committed sin will turn grey because of the intense horror of what he is seeing:
“Then how can you avoid the punishment, if you disbelieve, on a Day [i.e. the Day of Resurrection] that will make the children grey-headed? Whereon the heaven will be cleft asunder? His Promise is certainly to be accomplished) (TMQ 73: 1 7-18)
We ask Allah to give us peace and security on that day. Ameen.

Every Man for Himself
Blood ties (bonds of kinship) will be severed on the Day of Resurrection, as Allah says: “Then, when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no kinship among them that Day, nor will they ask of one another) (TMQ 23: 101)
On that Day, each person will care only about himself, and will not think of anyone else. Indeed, a man will run from those who are dearest to him, from his brother, his mother, his father, his wife and his sons:
“Then when there comes As-Saakhkhah [the second blowing of the Trumpet on the Day of Resurrection] - That Day shall a man flee from his brother, and from his mother and his father, and from his wife and his children. Every man that Day will have enough to make him careless of others) (TMQ 80: 33-3 7)
“O mankind! Be afraid of your Lord [by keeping your duty to Him and avoiding all evil], and fear a Day when no father can avail aught for his son, nor a son avail aught for his father. Verily, the Promise of Allah is true .. ) (TMQ 31: 33)
“And fear a Day [of Judgement] when a person shall not avail another, nor will intercession be accepted from him nor will compensation be taken from him nor will they be helped) (TMQ 2: 48)

The Willingness to Sacrifice Anything
On the Day of Resurrection, the disbelievers will be prepared to give up everything to save themselves from the punishment. If they possessed everything on earth, they would try to ransom themselves with it. Even if they had as many times as what is on earth, they would not be able to ransom themselves with it. He will be prepared to sacrifice what he has, even if it were an earthful of gold, if that were possible, but Allah will not accept it from him.
“And if every person who had wronged [by disbelieving in Allah and by worshipping others besides Allah] possessed all that is on the earth and sought to ransom himself therewith [it will not be accepted] .. ) (TMQ 1O: 54)
“But those who answered not His Call [disbelieved in the Oneness of Allah and followed not His Messenger Muhammad], if they had all that is in the earth together with its like, they would offer it in order to save themselves [from the torment, but it will be in vain]. For them there will be the terrible reckoning .. ) (TMQ 13: 18)
“Verily, those who disbelieved, and died while they were disbelievers, the [whole] earth full of gold will not be accepted from anyone of them even if they offered it as a ransom. For them is a painful torment and they will have no helpers) (TMQ 3: 91)
Bukhari it is narrated from Anas ibn Malik that the Prophet* used to say:
"The non-believer will be brought forth on the Day of Resurrection and it will be said to him, 'Do you think that if you had an earthful of gold that you would be able to ransom yourself with it?' He will say, 'Yes. ' It will be said to him, ' I used to ask you for less than that. "'
On that Day, things will be so bad for the non-believer that he will wish that he could send the most beloved of people to him to the Fire, in order to save himself from the torment: “ ... The Mujrim, [criminal, sinner, disbeliever] would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children. And his wife and his brother, and his kindred who sheltered him, and all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. By no means! Verily, it will be the fire of Hell.) (TMQ 70: 11-15)
A non-believer will sacrifice anything for the sake of freeing himself. That non-believer who wasn’t willing to give Allah in this world will be willing to give the world and everything in it. Allah is not asking us for all of the gold in the world. They were asked for something easier than that (to join none in worship with Allah (i.e. to accept Islam, but they refused). Imagine your children. Imagine there is a burning building with blazing flames, and you throw your children and watch them burn in front of your eyes. I don’t think anyone can even imagine doing that, nevermind anything else. The horror of the Day of Judgment will be such that we will be willing to do even that – and more. We would be willing to give up our parents and everything that we have. By just seeing hellfire for one moment – it will change our state of mind.
If we will be willing to sacrifice our families that day, we need to give that day some effort while we are in this dunya. No matter what we give, it won’t be a lot. It’s going to be a little. That’s why The Prophet* says in an authentic hadith, “If one of you is being dragged on his face from the day that he is born until the day that he dies, and he is doing that for the sake of Allah, he would view that as insignificant and nothing on the day of judgment.” Not just sujood or dhikr – but being dragged on your face.

The Length of that Day
Allah tells us in the Qur’an of what happened in the past, and He also tells us of things that are set in the future. When we see the Day of Judgment, what will happen? Allah conveys to us some of the conversation in Jannah and in hell. Another indication of how terrible that Day will be is the fact that it will be so long. Allah says: “The angels and the Ruh, [Jibreel (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years. So be patient [O' Muhammad], with a good patience. Verily, they see it [the torment] afar off. But We see it [quite] near) (TMQ 70: 4-7)
The context of the ayaat (verses) clearly indicates that what is referred to here is the Day of Resurrection. Because that Day will be so long, on the Day of Resurrection, people will think that they only stayed in this world for a part of a day, as Allah says:
“And on the Day when He shall gather [resurrect] them together, [it will be] as if they had not stayed [in the life of this world and graves] but an hour of a day .. ) (TMQ 1O: 45)
“The Day they see it, [it will be] as if they had not tarried [in this world] except an afternoon or a morning) (TMQ 79: 46)
“We know very well what they will say, when the best among them in knowledge and wisdom will say: 'You stayed no longer than a day! ' (TMQ 20: 104)
“And on the Day that the Hour will be established, the Mujrimoon [criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners] will swear that they stayed not but an hour .. ) (TMQ 30: 55)
This indicates how short the life of this world is in comparison with the Hereafter, as Allah says: “He [Allah] will say: 'What number of years did you stay on earth?' They will say: 'We stayed a day or part of a day. Ask of those who keep account. ' He [Allah] will say: 'You stayed not but a little, if you had only known! ' (TMQ 23: 112-114)
That’s why we ask Allah in the du’aa`: “Make the best day of our days, the day that we meet you.” That day is the most important of all days. Allah says, “When they see it.” We don’t see it now, so we underestimate it and don’t appreciate it.
Look at the advice that Luqman al-Hakim gives his son: “Serve the world according to the time you are going to spend in it and work for akhirah according to the time you’re going to spend in it.” We are not saying not to work in this world, just give it what it deserves and give the akhirah what it deserves. Even so, we will only enter Jannah by the Mercy of Allah – because whatever we do will not be enough the deserve eternity in Paradise.

22 March 2015 - Prophet Suleiman and The Resurrection, Names of the Day

22 March 2015 - Prophet Suleiman and The Resurrection

Lives of the Prophets: Prophet Suleiman* continued

Prophets leave no inheritance

Allah says in Surah Saad: "To Dawud* we gave Suleiman* (for a son)" and he was a Prophet "how excellent in Our service! Ever did he tum when (to Us)!"

"And Suleiman* was Dawud's heir." (AI-Naml: 16) 

This verse means that Suleiman* inherited his father's kingdom and Prophetic office. It does not imply that he inherited his property and riches as Dawud* would not bequeath him solely his property. Moreover, it was reported by authentic transmission that the Prophet* said, "Our property, we the chain of Prophets, is not to be inherited, and whatever we leave is to be given to charity.

His Power and Kingdom:

Allah, Exalted be He, says, "And we did try Suleiman* - We placed on his throne a body (without life). But he did tum (to Us in true devotion): He said, 'O my Lord! Forgive me, and grant me a kingdom which (it may be), suits not another after me. For Thou art the Grantor of Bounties (without measure). " (Saad: 32)

One of the possible interpretations of this ‘dead body on his throne’ is the story mentioned by some of the early Muslims that Suleiman* had a many wives (900 or 700 or 300) and Abu Hurairah stated that Allah's Messenger* said, “Suleiman*, son of Dawud said, I can stop by all my wives causing each of whom to give birth to a baby who will fiercely fight for Allah's cause. However he did not say InshaAllah ("if Allah wills it"). He did stop by his wives and not one of them conceived, with the exception of one who gave birth to half a child. Allah's Messenger* said, had he said, 'If Allah wills it', each of the Women would have given birth to a boy who would fiercely fight for Allah's cause. "

After that incident Suleiman asked for forgiveness and wanted a unique kingdom which was granted to him by Allah – one that would not occur again. Hence, his power over the Jinn, the wind and special buildings.

It was reported by Abu Hurairah, that the Prophet* said, "A strong demon from the Jinns came to me yesterday suddenly, so as to spoil my prayer, but Allah enabled me to overpower him, and so I caught him and intended to tie him to one of the pillars of the mosque so that all of you might see him, but I remembered the invocation of my brother Suleiman*:' o my Lord! Forgive me, and grant me a kingdom which (it may be), suits not another after me: ' so I let him go humiliated. "

Virtues of Al-Aqsa

It was stated by Amr Ibn Al-Aas that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "When Suleiman* built Jerusalem, he asked Allah, Exalted be He, three things, two of which he was granted and we hope to have been granted the third: he asked Him judgment that was comparable to Allah's, and this he was granted, he asked him a kingdom that suits not another after him, and this he was granted, and he asked him that whenever a man left his house with the sole intention of praying in this mosque (Al Aqsa Mosque), he would be absolved of all his sins and would become sinless as he was the day he was born. We therefore hope that Allah has granted us this. "

The Valley of the Ants

"And before Suleiman* were marshaled with his hosts - of Jinns and men and birds, and they were all kept in order and ranks. At length, when they came to a (lowly) valley of ants, one of the ants said, 'O ye ants, get into your habitations, lest Suleiman* and his hosts crush you (under foot) without knowing it.' So he smiled, amused at its speech; and said, "O my lord! so order me that I may be grateful for Thy favours, which Thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may work the righteousness that will please Thee: and admit me, by Thy Grace to the ranks of Thy Righteous Servants. "(AI Naml: 17-9)

The ant voiced an order, issued a warning, and saw the excuse of Suleiman* and his soldiers namely, that they did not know or did not do it deliberately. Suleiman* understood its speech, and smiled out of joy and happiness for being solely chosen by Allah to be let in on this. Even as the colony of ants may be destroyed the ant still sought to find an excuse for Suleiman* and his army. How quick are we nowadays in blaming our fellow Muslims for the most minor issue and come up with 70 ways to blame. Rather than look for 70 excuses and seeking to forgive our fellow Muslim.

Main Topic: The Resurrection

Our purpose in Life

Our purpose in Life is to live according to the wishes of Allah (what makes Allah pleased) and to avoid the evil. If we do that we will pass the test and enter into Paradise for eternity. That is the deal. Hence, the central tenant of our deen and all religions from Allah are this contract and ‘The Hour’ / ‘Day of Judgment’ have been mentioned by all Prophets throughout all the ages. Essential to this is for Muslims to believe without doubt that we will return (be resurrected) ready for Judgement. There are some people that have always denied that we can come back and many people still do as they see only what is in front of them and are materialistic. So, Allah tries to address this in many ways and one way to communicate this to the desert Arabs was how life returns to seemingly dead land after rain.

The short video clips highlight this:

The Desert: https://youtu.be/2jX9SgtRTgE

Flowers in the Desert: https://youtu.be/z1IBnHIOFxs

Al Ba’ath wa An-Nushur (Resurrection)

Allah described it and said, “And the trumpet will be blown and behold, from the graves they will come out quickly to their Lord. They will say, ‘Woe to us! Who has raised us up from our place of sleep? This is what the Most Gracious has promised us and the Messengers spoke the truth.’ It will be but a single shout, and behold, they will all be bought before us.”

Notice how people say “Who has woke us up from our sleep?” because when we are sleeping, the worse thing that can happen is that we wake up in a state of surprise. When we’re sleeping, we want to wake up slowly and calmly. You’ll find that when you suddenly wake someone up, that person wakes up disoriented. Imagine waking up from the graves after a long state of sleep…

Imagine that a child is coming out of the grave. On the day of resurrection, he comes out and sees mountains exploding; the oceans in flames; the planets knocked out of their orbits; the sun will be just above their heads; the people will be running around them as if they are drunk. What do you think the response of this child will be? Allah says in the Qur’an, “How will you save yourselves from a day [if you disbelieve] that will make a child grey-headed?” The horrors of that day will turn that child’s head grey. A child that hasn’t even sinned! What will happen to us – who are insisting on sins and not repenting?

How will the Resurrection Happen?

Allah will send down a rain after everything is destroyed and dead. We will grow from our seeds. What are our seeds? The Prophet* told us in a hadith that every part of our body will decompose except for a small part of our body – at the bottom of our spines. That small part will remain intact and that will be the seed we are going to grow from. Allah will send down a liquid from the sky (different from water) and we will grow up from that small seed.

The Prophet* says in a hadith in Bukhari, “Between the two shouts is forty.” The Prophet* was asked, “Forty days?” He did not respond. “Forty months?” He did not respond. He was asked, “Forty years?” Still, The Prophet* did not respond. So we do not know. The Prophet* said that a fluid will fall from the sky and then we would grow up like plants would grow. Everything in the human being will decompose except for ajab udh-dhanab, and that is what the human body would grow out of it. That is why you will find when Allah talks about the Resurrection, He ties it up with the growing of plants.

Allah says, “And it is Allah who sends the winds so that they raise up the clouds and we drive them to a dead land and revive the earth therewith after its death. As such will be the resurrection.” Allah is telling us to look at the dead earth, and how He revives the plants. This is the exact thing that will happen with us on the day of resurrection. Just as flowers in a desert bloom after rain (despite the desert being as dead) that is how we shall be brought back to life.

The reason why there are so many names for the Day of Judgment

If things are important to people and society – there will often be many names to reflect that. In this society alcohol is important and we find so many names for it – and even all the soap operas in the UK are based around the pub! The names given by the children in the circle within 60 seconds included: Alcohol, beer, cider, ale wine, red / white, drink, vodka, lager, strongbow, whiskey, gin, Guinness.......

A Muslim scholar stated: "Everything that is of great status has many attributes and many names. This is the way in which the Arabs express the importance of a thing. Do you not see that because the sword is so important to them and is held in such high esteem by them, that they gave it five hundred names? And there are other similar examples. Because the Resurrection is so important and its terrors are so many, Allah has given it many names in His Book, and has described it in many ways."

The Names of The Day Of Resurrection

Allah has called this Day - on which this universe will be destroyed and the Resurrection and Reckoning will take place - by many names. A number of scholars have endeavoured to list these names. Al-Ghazali and Qurtubi counted them and listed fifty names.

1 - Yawm al-Qiyaamah (The Day of Standing)

This name is mentioned in seventy ayat (verses) of the Qur'an, such as:

“Allah! Laa ilaaha ilia Huwa [none has the right to be worshipped but He]. Surely, He will gather you together on the Day of Standing about which there is no doubt..)” (Qur 'an 4: 87)

“And We shall gather them together on the Day of Standing on their faces, blind, dumb and deaf .. )” (TMQ 1 7: 97)

“Verily, the losers are they who lose themselves and their families on the Day of Standing.” (TMQ 42: 45)

The root of the word qiyaamah in Arabic is to stand, rise. It appears in the feminine form (with the ending -ah) to give more emphasis to its meaning, as is the custom of the Arabs in their speech. It is so called because of the great events which will happen (yaqoomu fihaa) on that Day, as described in the texts. One of these events is when the people will stand before the Lord of the Worlds.

2 - Al-Yawm al-Aakhir (The Last Day)

“But Al-Birr is [the quality of] the one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, the Prophets .. ) (TMQ 2: 1 77)

“... This [instruction] is an admonition for him among you who believes in Allah and the Last Day .. ) (TMQ 2: 232)

“The mosques of Allah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day .. ) (TMQ 9:18)

This Day is called the Last Day, because it is the Day after which there will be no more days. Sometimes it is called Al-Aakhirah (the Hereafter) or Ad-Daar alAakhirah (the Home of the Hereafter), as in the verses:

“... Truly, We chose him in this world and verily, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous) (TMQ 2: 130)

3 - As-Saa'ah (The Hour)

“... And the Hour is surely, coming, so overlook [O' Muhammad], their faults with gracious forgiveness.) (TMQ 15: 85)

“Verily, the Hour is coming - and I am almost hiding it...) (TMQ 20: 15)

“O' mankind! Fear your Lord and be dutiful to Him! Verily, the earthquake of the Hour [of Judgement] is a terrible thing) (TMQ 22: 1)

There are 3 interpretations for the Hour (not just the 24 hours!):

• it refers to the current time, i.e. now. The Resurrection is called As-Saa 'ah either because it is close at hand, for everything that is coming is near

•  or as an indication of the tremendous, heart-stopping events that will happen on that Day

• It was also said that it is called the Hour because it will come suddenly, in an instant

4 - Yawm al-Ba'th (The Day of Resurrection)

Allah says: “O' mankind! If you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then verily, We have created you [i.e. Adam] from dust..) (TMQ 22: 5)

lbn Man’oor said: "Al-Ba'th refers to when Allah will revive the dead and bring them forth on the Day of Resurrection.

5 - Yawm al-Khurooj (The Day of Coming Out)

Allah says: “The Day when they will hear A􀀠-SaylJah [shout] in truth, that will be the Day of coming out [from the graves, i.e. the Day of Resurrection].) (TMQ 50: 42)

“The Day when they will come out [yakhrujoon] of the graves quickly as racing to a goal) (TMQ 70: 43)

It is so called because on that Day people will come out of their graves when the Trumpet is blown.

6 - Al-Qaari'ah (The Striking Hour)

Allah says: (A!-Qaari'ah [the striking Hour, i.e. the Day of Resurrection]. What is the striking [Hour]? And what will make you know what the striking [Hour] is?) (TMQ 101: 1-3)

“Thamood and 'Aad people denied the Qaari 'ah [the striking Hour of Judgement] !

7 - Yawm al-Fadl (The Day of Judgement, Day of Decision)

 “This is the Day of Judgement which you used to deny.• (TMQ 3 7: 21)

It is so called because on that Day Allah will judge or decide (yafe.il) between His slaves in that concerning which they differed and disputed. Allah says: “Verily, your Lord will judge [yafe.il] between them, on the Day of Resurrection, concerning that wherein they used to differ) (TMQ 32: 25)

8 - Yawm ad-Deen (The Day of Recompense)

“And verily, the Fujjaar [the wicked, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners and evildoers] will be in the blazing Fire [Hell], Therein they will enter, and taste its burning flame on the Day of Recompense, And they [Al-Fujjaar] will not be absent therefrom. And what will make you know what the Day of Recompense is? Again, what will make you know what the Day of Recompense is? [It will be] the Day when no person shall have power [to do anything] for another, and the Decision, that Day, will be [wholly] with Allah) (TMQ 82: 14-19)

In Arabic, the word deen means recompense and reckoning. (This Day) is so called because Allah will reward or punish His slaves and will bring them to account for their actions on that Day.

9 - Ad-Daakhkhah (The Trumpet-Blast)

 “Then when there comes Ad-Daakhkhah [the (second) blowing of the Trumpet on the Day of Resurrection]. (TMQ 80: 33)

lbn Katheer said: "Al-Baghawi said: Ad-Daakhkhah means the tumult of the Day of Resurrection. It is so called because it will penetrate their ears to such an extent that it will nearly make them deaf. '"

10 – At-Taammat al-Kubraa (The Greatest Catastrophe)

“But when there comes the greatest catastrophe [i.e. the Day of Recompense]. (TMQ 79: 34)

Qurtubi said: "At-Taammah means overwhelming - as you say tamma ash-shay 'u if it overwhelms and takes over. Because it will overwhelm everything, this Day alone has this name which is true.

11 - Yawm al-Hasrah (The Day of Grief and Regrets)

“And warn them [O' Muhammad] of the Day of grief and regrets, when the case has been decided, while [now] they are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not) (TMQ 1 9: 39)

“... Until all of a sudden, the Hour [signs of death] is on them, and they say: 'Alas for us that we gave no thought to it.' .. ) (TMQ 6: 31)

It is so called because of the intensity of the grief and regret that people will feel on that Day. The disbelievers - will regret their lack of faith. The sorrow and regret that the disbelievers feel will reach their peak when the masters and followers disown one another:

“And those who followed will say: 'If only we had one more chance to return [to the worldly life], we would disown [declare ourselves as innocent from] them as they have disowned [declared themselves as innocent from] us. ' Thus Allah will show them their deeds as regrets for them. And they will never get out of the Fire. (TMQ 2: 167)

12 - Al-Ghaashiyah (The Overwhelming)

“Has there come to you the narration of the overwhelming [i.e. the Day of Resurrection]? (TMQ 88: 1)

It is so called because its terrifying events will overwhelm the people and cause them grief. One of the aspects of this meaning is that the Fire will overwhelm the non-believers and encompass them from above and from beneath their feet, as Allah says:

“On the Day when the torment [Hell-fire] shall cover them from above them and from underneath their feet.” (TMQ 29: 55)

13 - Yawm al-Khulood (The Day of Eternal Life)

“Enter you therein in peace and security - this is a Day of eternal life!) (TMQ 50: 34)

That Day is called the Day of eternal life because the people will go to their place of eternal abode: the disbelievers will abide forever in Hell, and the believers will abide forever in Paradise.

Allah says: “But those who disbelieve and belie Our Aayaat [proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.] - such are the dwellers of the Fire. They shall abide therein forever) (TMQ 2: 39)

14 - Yawm al-Hisaab (The Day of Reckoning)

Allah says: “- .. Verily, those who wander astray from the path of Allah [shall] have a severe torment, because they forgot the Day of Reckoning) (TMQ 38: 26)

“Moosa [Moses] said: 'Verily, I seek refuge in my Lord and your Lord from every arrogant who believes not in the Day of Reckoning! ' (TMQ 40: 2 7)

This Day is called the Day of Reckoning, because on this Day Allah will bring His slaves to account. The meaning of Al-Hisaab (the Reckoning) is that Allah will count people's deeds, good and bad, and will count His blessings (that He bestowed). Then He will weigh the elements of good and evil (in each action), and whichever outweighs the other will determine whether that action is recorded as good or evil. It is narrated that the Prophet* said: "There is not one among you but Allah will speak to him directly without any mediator."

15 - Al-Waaqi'ah (The Event)

 “When the Event [i.e. the Day of Resurrection] befalls - (TMQ 56:1)

Ibn Katheer said: "It is so called because it will definitely come to pass."

The root of waqa 'a in Arabic means "took place" or "existed".

16 - Yawm al-Wa 'eed [The Day Whereof Warning (had been given)]

 “And the Trumpet will be blown - that will be the Day whereof warning [had been given] [i.e. the Day of Resurrection].) (TMQ 50:20)

- because it is the Day of which He had warned His slaves, and warning means telling of the punishment when an offence takes place.

17 - Yawm al-Aazifah (The Day that is Drawing Near)

 “And warn them [O' Muhammad] of the Day that is drawing near [i.e. the Day of Resurrection], when the hearts will be choking the throats ...  (TMQ 40: 18)

It is so called because it is close at hand. The Hour is very near, for everything that is coming is near, even if it is still far away. And after its signs appear, the Hour is even closer.

18 - Yawm al-Jama ' (The Day of Assembling)

 “And thus We have revealed to you [O' Muhammad] a Qur'an in Arabic that you may warn the Mother of the Towns [Makkah] and all around it, and warn [them] of the Day of Assembling of which there is no doubt..) (TMQ 42: 7)

It is so called because on this Day Allah will assemble all of mankind together.

19 - Al-Haaqqah (The Inevitable)

Allah says: “The Inevitable [i.e. the Day of Resurrection]! What is the Inevitable? (TMQ 69: 1 -2)

It is so called because on this Day the promise and the warning will be fulfilled. It is the Inevitable because on that Day there will be reward and punishment and the reality of things will become apparent.

20 - Yawm at-Talaaq (The Day of Mutual Meeting)

 [He is Allah] Owner of High Ranks and Degrees, the Owner of the Throne. He sends the Revelation by His Command to any of His slaves He wills, that he [the person who receives Revelation] may warn [men] of the Day of Mutual Meeting [i.e. the Day of Resurrection].) (TMQ 40: 15)

lbn Katheer said: on that Day, Adam and the last of his children will meet, on that Day the people of heaven and earth will meet, and the Creator and His created beings will meet, on that Day the oppressor and the one whom he oppressed will meet.

21 - Yawm at-Tanaad (The Day When There will be Mutual Calling)

Allah tells us that the believer among the people of Pharaoh said to his people:  “And, O' my people! Verily, I fear for you the Day when there will be mutual calling [between the people of Hell and of Paradise].) (TMQ 40: 32)

It is so called because there will be so much calling that Day. Each person will be called by name to be brought to account and rewarded or punished accordingly. The people of Paradise will call the people of Hell, and the people of Hell will call the people of Paradise.

22 - Yawm at-Taghaabun (The Day of Mutual Loss and Gain)

 [And remember] the Day when He will gather you [all] on the Day of Gathering, - that will be the Day of mutual loss and gain .. ) (TMQ 64: 9)

It is so called because the people of Paradise will get the better of the people of Hell; they will enter Paradise and take that which was promised to them, and they will inherit the disbeliever's share of Paradise.

Other names:

These are the most famous names of the Day of Resurrection. Some scholars also list other names apart from those that we have mentioned. These names they have derived from what is mentioned in the texts.

So they called it Yawm as-Sadr (the Day of proceeding), based on the aayah (verse): “That Day mankind will proceed [yasdur] in scattered groups that they may be shown their deeds.) (TMQ 99: 6)

Yawm al-Jidaal (the Day of pleading), based on the aayah: [Remember] the Day when every person will come up pleading [tujaadil] for himself...) (Qur'an 16: 111)

They listed names describing that Day in the same terms that Allah has described it. Among the names they mentioned are the following:

A Hard Day:

A Mighty Day;

the Day when all (the dwellers of the heavens and the earth) will be present;

A Day, hard and distressful, that will make the faces look horrible (from extreme dislike of it);

The Day after which there will be no night.

Other names that they have mentioned include:

The Day which will bring low and exalt:

The Day of retribution;

The Day of recompense;

The Day when the Trumpet is blown;

The Day of the (final) earthquake;

The Day when the earth and the mountains will shake violently;

The Day when the Trumpet is sounded;

The Day of dispersal;

The day when the earth will split;

The Day when the contents of the graves are brought forth;

The Day of regret; the Day of flight.

The Day when all the secrets will be examined:

The Day when no person shall have power (to do) anything for another;

The Day when they will be pushed down by force to the Fire of Hell, with a horrible, forceful pushing;

The Day when the eyes will stare in horror;

The Day when their excuses will be of no profit to the Dhaalimoon (wrongdoers);

The Day when they shall not speak;

The Day whereon neither wealth nor children will avail;

The Day when not a single fact will be hidden from Allah;

The Day from Allah which none can avert;

The Day on which there will be neither mutual bargaining nor befriending;

The Day of which there is no doubt.

Some scholars add other names. Qurtubi said: "There is no reason not to call it by names other than those which have been mentioned, based on the circumstances that will prevail on that Day, such as crowding, constriction, humiliation, helplessness, the appointed Day, and so on."