Amar Razali

Session One: Belief in the Last Day

Belief in the Last Day is one of the pillars of Eeman. A person is not a Believer without belief in this pillar.

"And those who believe in that which has been sent down to you (Muhammad SAS) and in [the Books] which were sent down before you and they believe with certainty in the Hereafter." [2:4]

"Those who establish As-Salah and give Az-Zakah and they believe with certainty in the Hereafter." [27:3]

Allah often combines mentioning belief in Him with belief in the Last Day.

"It is not Al-Birr (piety, righteouness) that you turn your faces towards East and (or) West (in prayers); but Al-Birr is (the quality of) the one who believes Allah, in the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, the Prophets.." [2:177]

We can also call it Belief in Al-Akhirah (The Hereafter), Al-Ba'th (The Resurrection) etc. Approximately 1/3 of the Qur'an discusses its coming and details of its events. The Qur'an and the Sunnah frequently mention the Last Day. Most of Makkah Surahs confirm its occurence.

What does Belief in the Day of Judgement entail?
1. Belief that there will be another life after this one.
2. This life is not the end, but there will be a Judgement Day, with recompense in Al-Jannah (Paradise) or An-Naar (Hellfire)
3. Scholars of 'Aqeedah include the following sub-topic under this subject:

• The End of Time (Apocalypse) and its Signs
• Death, the Soul, and Life in the Grave
• Resurrection
• The Day of Judgment
• Paradise and Hellfire

3. The term Hour (Sa'ah) is used in two ways. It is used to refer to death, as death is the end of this life for each individual. It is also used to refer to the end of time for all (Apocalypse).
4. The same applies to the term "Day of Judgment". An individual's judgment begins upon his death, whereas the judgment of all creation will occur on "The Judgment Day."

The effects of Belief in the Last Day
1. Demonstrates the completeness, greatness, and uniquness of Allah's Names and Attributes.
2. Increases the love for meeting Allah (SWT) in the hearts of the believers.
3. Establish fear of Allah (SWT).
4. Aids a Muslim in hastening towards good deeds.
5. Aids in patience and perseverance in doing good.
6. Aids in patience in abstaning from wrong.
7. Aids in patience during times of hardship.
8. Establishes asceticism (Zuhd) towards matters of this life.

The Names of the Last Day

• Yawm al-Qiyaamah
• Yawm ad-Deen
• Yawm al-Hisaab
• Yawm an-Nushoor
• As-Saakhah
• At-Taamah al-Kubra
• Yawm at-Tanaad
• Al-Qari'ah
• Al-Waqi'ah
• Al-Haaqah
• Yawm al-Fasl
• Yawm al-Jam'
• Yawm al-Khulood
• Yawm al-Wa'ed
• Yawm al-Khurooj
• Al-Aazifah
• Dar al-Qaraar
• As-Saa'ah

Session Two: The Hour and its Signs

No one knows when the Hour will come!
"They ask you about the Hour (Day of Ressurection): "When will be its appointed time?" Say: "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord (Alone). None can reveal its time but He. Heavy is its burden through the heavens and the earth. It shall not come upon you except all of a sudden." They ask you as if you have a good knowledge of it. Say: "The knowledge thereof is with Allah (Alone) but most of mankind know not." [7:187]

The Hour is near.
"The hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder." [54:1]

The Hour will fall on a Friday.
Abu Hurairah reports that the Messenger of Allah sallalahu'alayhi wasallam said: "The best day which the sun rises is Friday. [On Friday] Adam was created and on that day he entered paradise and on that day he was expelled from paradise. And the Hour will come pass on Muslim." [Muslim]

Signs are classified into Major Signs & Minor Signs. Minor signs can be classified into those that have already occured in the past and ended,  those that have begun occuring and continue, and those that have yet to occur.

To be continued, inshaAllah.
23.02.2010

p/s: I need to revise this again because I will sit for an exam on WOTU this weekend, inshaAllah.