Al-Qiyamah (The Resurrection)

Assalamu Alaikum.

Dear Readers, I've been through many websites to get knowledge on Al-Qiyamah (The Resurrection day).

Except for the theme of monotheism, the Qur'an speaks more of the coming Qiyamah - also known as the Resurrection, the Day of Judgment, Day of Gathering, and the Great Announcement - than of any other topic. "Confessing the Shahadah - "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Prophet of God" - and believing in the accountability of all humans before God are the cement which holds Islam together.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), among other things, came to warn us of a time when truth would be known, when the thoughts and intentions of the heart would be revealed. He earnestly proclaimed as inevitable a day when accounts would be settled and when scales would be balanced.

Fazlur Rahman, in an oblique paraphrase of sura 50:22, said that Judgment Day is the "Hour when every human will be shaken into a unique and unprecedented self-awareness of his deeds; he will squarely and starkly face his own doings, not-doings, and mis-doings and accept the judgment upon them. . . . "

Something like a Final Judgment or Day of Reckoning is a naturally corollary of monotheism. If there is one God who knows all and sets standards of behavior for the world, there must be a time of judgment, or the edifice crumbles of its own weight."

This major theme and promise is upheld not only in the Qur'an, but also in other religious scriptures. Though opinions may differ on precise details it is generally believed that it is connected to a time of momentous upheaval, calamity and the end of Earth.

Hundreds of interpreters have written commentaries on it during the 14 centuries of its existence, and none have claimed to understand all of its various aspects and meanings. This website is an attempt to examine in detail what different verses in the Qur'an tell us about Qiyamah and to reconcile what might appear as differing, even contradictory descriptions of the event. It contains hundreds of intellectually challenging and severely critical pages vigorously demanding answers pertaining to and upholding this central theme of Islam. The result of a five-year research, this study compels Muslims not to allow themselves to pick and choose verses that suit their doomsday notion of Al-Qiyamah. Rather we must take the Qur'an in its entirety and examine those resurrection-related surahs and Sure Signs that have challenged our scholars over the centuries. As a result of their admitted shortcomings and apparent incomprehension, the scattered verses relating to Al-Qiyamah have been disfigured beyond recognition by mistranslations that reflect the views of the ulema. (It must be strongly emphasized that this website exclusively deals with resurrection-related surahs and nothing else. Thus the ulema is openly challenged to respond and deny the Great News that the Ummah, and the rest of humankind, are called upon to participate in and bear witness to the Resurrection Day and the self-reproaching Spirit. Till date no Muslim scholar has risen to the challenge.)

SURE SIGNS OF DAY OF AL-QIYAMAH:

The Sure Signs and descriptions of Al-Qiyamah in the Qur'an are generally agreeable as follows:

1) There is a set time for it;

He questions: "When is the Day of Resurrection?" At length, when the sight is dazed and the moon is buried in darkness, and the sun and moon are joined together that Day will Man say; "Where is the refuge?"

Qur'an 75.6-10

2) That this event is inevitable;

In that is a Sign for those who fear the penalty of the Hereafter: that is a Day for which mankind will be gathered together: that will be a Day of Testimony. Nor shall We delay it but for a term appointed.

Qur'an 11.102-7

3) The verses revealing Al-Qiyamah will be collected from all over the Qur'an, promulgated, recited and explained;

Move not thy tongue concerning the (Revelation of Al-Qiyamah), to make haste therewith. It is for Us to collect it and to promulgate it: But when We have promulgated it, follow thou its recital: Nay more, it is for Us to explain it.

Qur'an 75.16-19

Concerning what are they disputing?
Concerning the Great News. [5889]
About which they cannot agree.
Verily, they shall soon (come to) know!
Verily, verily they shall soon (come to) know!

surah 78:1-5 Al Naba' (The Great News)

"5889. Great News: usually understood to mean the News or Message of the Resurrection."

Abdullah Yusuf Ali, The Holy Qur'an, Amana Corporation, 1989.

4) Prophesied Sure Signs of Allah (SWT) will confirm Al-Qiyamah;

Nafas al Rachman, breath of the Merciful, experienced daily by those taking part in Al-Qiyamah (The Resurrection) (Photo taken 1st August 2008 in Russia of the Nafas al Rachman which, though invisible to the naked eye, can be felt as Cool Breeze or Wind of the Resurrection flowing from hands, head and other parts of the body.)

 

 

 

(Translation of Al-Rum 30:56 only) "But those who [in their lifetime] were endowed with knowledge and faith will say: "Indeed, you have been tardy in [accepting as true] what God has revealed, [Lit., "with regard to (fi) God's revelation (kitab)", i.e., that the dead shall be resurrected and judged by Him. It is to be noted that the verb labitha signifies "he waited [for something] or he was tardy [with regard to something]" as well as "he stayed [in a place]" or "he remained". Evidently, in verse 55 ma labithu has the meaning of "they had not stayed" or "remained", while in verse 56 labithtum denotes "you have been tardy" or "you have waited".] [and you have waited] until the Day of Resurrection: this, then, is the Day of Resurrection: but you - you were determined not to know it! [Lit., "you were wont not to know" - i.e., "you persistently closed your mind to this promise".] (Al-Rum 30:56)" Muhammad Asad.

 

 

 

 

We will show them Our signs in all the regions of the earth and in their own souls until they clearly see that this is the truth.

Qur'an 41.53


It is Allah who sends forth the Winds so that they raise up the Clouds,
And We drive them to a Land that is dead,
And revive the earth therewith after its death:
Even so (will be) the Resurrection!

surah 35:9 Fatir

 

 

5) Qur'an to be used as Allah's (SWT) Warning to humankind;

We know best what they say; And thou are not one to overawe them by force. So admonish with the Qur'an such as fear My Warning!

Qur'an 50.45

6) During Al-Qiyamah Allah (SWT) will not address those who veil His Revelations by distorting the Qur'an;

Those who conceal Allah's revelations in the Book, and purchase for them a miserable profit - They swallow into themselves naught but Fire: Allah will not address them on the Day of Resurrection, nor purify them: Grievous will be their Penalty. They are the ones who buy error in place of Guidance, and torment in place of Forgiveness. Ah! What boldness (they show) for the Fire!

Qur'an2.174-6

He will return you (on the Day of Judgment) reverted back to when you were first created. A section guided, and a section will go astray.

Qur'an 7.30

 

7) The messengers of Allah (SWT) on Earth will deliver Good News of Al-Qiyamah, and they must prevail;

Allah has decreed: "It is I and My messengers who must prevail": For Allah is One full of strength, able to enforce His Will. Thou will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, loving those who resist Allah and His Messenger, even though they were their fathers or their sons, or their brothers or their kindred. For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with a Spirit from Himself. And he will admit them to Gardens, beneath which Rivers flow, to dwell therein (forever.) Allah will be well pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the Party of Allah. Truly it is the Party of Allah that will achieve Felicity.

Qur'an 58.21

8) Believers will be bitterly divided over the Good News;

Concerning what are they disputing? Concerning the Great News about which they cannot agree. Verily, they shall soon (come to) know! Verily, verily they shall soon (come to) know!

Qur'an 78.1-5

So he gave nothing in charity, nor did he pray! - But on the contrary, he rejected Truth and turned away! Then did he stalk to his family in full conceit! Woe to thee, (O man!), yea, woe! Again, woe to thee, (O man!), yea, woe!

Qur'an 75.31-35

9) Jesus (pbuh) would be one of the Signs of the Hour;

And (Jesus) shall be a Sign (for the coming of) the Hour (of Judgment: therefore have no doubt about the (Hour), but follow ye Me: this is a Straight Way.

Qur'an 43.61

10) Qur'an to be used as proof of authenticity to humankind regarding the Message of Al-Qiyamah;

Verily in this (Qur'an) is a Message for people who would (truly) worship Allah. We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures.

Qur'an 21.106-7

11) There will be a Caller from a place quite near who will declare and commence the Resurrection;

Verily in this is a Message for any that has a heart and understanding, or who gives ear and earnestly witnesses (the Truth). . . And listen for the Day when the Caller will call out from a place quite near. The Day when they will hear a (mighty) Blast in Truth: That will be the Day of Resurrection.

Qur'an 50.37-42

12) Many humans will be unaware that Al-Qiyamah is taking place;

And on the day when the Hour riseth the guilty will vow that they did tarry, but an hour - Thus were they ever deceived. But those to whom knowledge and faith are given will say: "The truth is, ye have tarried, by Allah's decree, until the Day of Resurrection. This is the Day of Resurrection, but ye used not to know."

Qur'an 30.55-57

13) During Al-Qiyamah Allah (SWT) will not purify those who hide His Revelations by misinterpreting the Qur'an;

Those who conceal Allah's revelations in the Book, and purchase for them a miserable profit - They swallow into themselves naught but Fire: Allah will not address them on the Day of Resurrection, nor purify them: Grievous will be their Penalty. They are the ones who buy error in place of Guidance, and torment in place of Forgiveness. Ah! What boldness (they show) for the Fire!

Qur'an 2.174-6

14) Faces of those who believe that Al-Qiyamah has commenced will be nadirah (shining and radiant), while those of disbelievers basirah (dark, gloomy, sad and frowning);

Some faces, that Day, will beam (in brightness and beauty) - Looking towards their Lord; And some faces, that Day, will be sad and dismal.

Qur'an 75.22-24

DISBELIEVERS OF THE SURE SIGNS OF AL-QIYAMAH

Despite all the above the Qur'an warns that most humans will neither be aware nor believe that this Great Event is taking place even after being warned that it is not about graves opening up but of all souls born again to participate in it!:

Warn them of the Day of Pining (distress) when all matters have been judged, though they would still be unaware of it, and unbelievers.

Qur'an 19.39

On the Day that the Hour (of Reckoning) will be established, the transgressors will swear that they tarred not but an hour: thus were they used to being deluded!
But those endued with knowledge and faith will say: "Indeed ye did tarry, within Allah's Decree, to the Day of Resurrection, and this is the Day of Resurrection: but ye - ye were not aware!"

Qur'an 30.55-6

Waqala allatheena ootoo alAAilma waal-eemana laqad labithtum fee kitabi Allahi ila yawmi albaAAthi fahatha yawmu albaAAthi walakinnakum kuntum la taAAlamoona



The Message of The Qur'an

Increasing number of Muslims now express their belief, as do the believers of other traditions, that these events are imminent. Some are beginning to discern, and correctly so, that they are already upon us. The verses in the Qur'an also reflect the same expectations:

It is Allah Who has sent down the Book in Truth, and the Balance. And what will make thee realize that perhaps the Hour is close at hand?

Qur'an 42.17

Of what do they ask one another? About the Great Event, about which they differ? Nay! they shall soon come to know Nay! Nay! they shall soon know.

Qur'an 78.1-5

In fact 1,400 years ago there was widespread resistance against Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the following verse confirms the probability of disbelieve and ability to benefit when the Resurrection actually comes upon them:

Await they aught save the Hour, that it should come upon them unawares? But some of its portents (indications and signs) have already come, and when it (actually) is on them, how can they benefit then by their reminder?

Qur'an 47.18

Another Quranic prophecy clearly confirms that after the return of the exiled Jews to the Holy Land, the Day of Judgment will commence:

And We said unto the Children of Israel after him: Dwell in the land; but when the promise of the Hereafter (wa'dul akhirati) cometh to pass We shall bring you as a crowd gathered out of various nations.

Qur'an 17.104

SO LITTLE AVAILABLE KNOWLEDGE OF AL-QIYAMAH:

But there is scant information on Al-Qiyamah (The Resurrection), the heart and soul of Islam. Abdullah Yusuf Ali's The Holy Qur'an: Text, Translation and Commentary - by far the most known, studied and respected English translation of the Qur'an - devotes only five pages (inclusive of the entire text in Arabic and its English translation) to this central theme of Islam. And other Muslim scholars have done no better, although they have produced countless thesis after thesis on far pettier topics and hadiths.
According to Professor Mahmoud M. Ayoub "theology has confused the rank and file of Muslims. It has discouraged any kind of innovative thinking. It has paralyzed the intellectuals, preoccupying them with unsolvable questions."
Of all the chapters in the Qur'an, surah 75 Al-Qiyamah (The Resurrection) must have clearly confronted them with so frightening a prophecy and promise of Divine intervention to collect, promulgate, recite and explain in detail the only Surah entirely devoted to Al-Qiyamah, that it could only be explained away by vagueness, briefness, distortion, misinformation, untruth and outright deceit. But Allah (SWT) warned humans not to move "thy tongue concerning the (Resurrection), to make haste therewith" since "it is for Us to collect it and to promulgate it." Then, after having announced it they were to follow "its recital" And last, but not the least, the Resurrection is "for Us to explain" - leaving absolutely no ambiguity as to Allah's (SWT) Intention. This is referred as the Great News or Great Event in the Qur'an and was to coincide with specific Sure Signs absolutely beyond human manipulation or duplication Thus it is obvious that the announcement and detailed narration of the Resurrection to the entire human race was Allah's (SWT) sole and explicit prerogative.
But mere mortals with puny minds and huge egos have blabbed their tongues about this Surah for the last 1400 years. They collectively erased the mercy of the blessed Resurrection (Al Qadr or the Night of Power) for all humankind, substituting it with the nightmare of a Doomsday End (Al Qariah or the Day of Noise and Clamor)!
Now the question of making such serious allegations against so established a faith arises. How is it possible that so obvious and fundamental Truths be hidden from so many by so few for so long? Perhaps it must be asked: How was the Ummah deceived into speculating about Al-Qiyamah, despite Allah's (SWT) explicit, simple and clear Warning not to do so? This Al-Qiyamah website exposes the depth of deception that the Ummah has been indoctrinated over the centuries by their ulama, imams, ayatollahs, amirs, caliphs, mu'attilah, aalims, mujtahids, mullahs and muftis on this central theme of the Holy Qur'an.
"The Holy Quran is the final and highest authority for Muslims on all matters. It is the fundamental source of the teachings of Islam. When determining whether a certain belief or practice is a part of Islam or not, the verdict of the Quran has the highest priority and must be accepted even if it goes against common practice or one's own wishes. If a Muslim differs with us regarding the meaning of a verse of the Quran, we must still respect his views if he gives arguments from the Holy Book in his support."



Thus, before we proceed, it will be fitting to introduce the sages' definition of the term truth. It has been earlier demonstrated that without such a definition men wander in a dry wilderness of hollow fancies, unfounded opinions, worthless theories and hypostatized words. This definition may sound quite simple, but it implications are most profound. It should be graven deeply on the heart. Here it is: "Truth is that which is beyond all contradiction and free from all doubt; which is indeed beyond the very possibility of both contradiction and doubt; beyond the changes and alternations of time and vicissitude; forever one and the same, unalterable and unaltering; universal and therefore independent of all human ideation."
Insha Allah, we will come back with more knowledge on Al-Qiyamah.

 LAA UQSIM BI-YAWM AL-QIYAMAH;
  WA-LAA UQSIM BI-AN-NAFSAL-LAWWAAMAH
I do call to witness the Resurrection Day;
  And I do call to witness the self-reproaching Spirit.

Note: All articles are written with a non-Muslim audience also in mind. Thus all necessary care was taken to avoid any confusion to them. Muslim terms of respectability such as SWT, PBUH, SAWS, RA, and AS were thus omitted. Consequently, words familiar to non-Muslims have been used. Apologies if any of these shortcomings offend anyone.

-Ashraf Hameed