The Soil · About Submission
The Hereafter
This life is short. The next one is the real life. Knowing that makes everything clearer.
This worldly life is no more than vanity and play, while the abode of the Hereafter is the real life, if they only knew.
[29:64]Many people avoid thinking about death and what comes after. They expect it to be frightening. But when we read what God tells us, we find something else. We find clarity, and a great deal of hope.
Knowing there is an end changes how we live the middle. It helps us see what really matters, and what doesn't.
So let's walk through it together, the way God describes it. What this life is for. What happens when we die. The Day we meet our Lord. And the homes that are waiting.
On This Page
Four parts, and the questions people ask after each one.
This Life Is the Test
God tells us why He made life and death: “The One who created death and life for the purpose of distinguishing those among you who would do better. He is the Almighty, the Forgiving.” [67:2]
So this life is a test. It is the part of the story where we choose.
God compares the two lives plainly: “This worldly life is no more than vanity and play, while the abode of the Hereafter is the real life, if they only knew.” [29:64] Notice which one He calls real. It is the one ahead of us.
And He reminds us of the whole journey in one verse: “Every person tastes death, then you receive your recompense on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever misses Hell, barely, and makes it to Paradise, has attained a great triumph. The life of this world is no more than an illusion.” [3:185]
Now Is the Time
The Quran tells us about a request that is refused. When death comes, a person says: “My Lord, send me back. I will then work righteousness in everything I left.” The answer comes: “Not true. This is a false claim that he makes. A barrier will separate his soul from this world until resurrection.” [23:99-100]
God also warns us: “You shall give from our provisions to you before death comes to you, then you say, ‘My Lord, if only You could delay this for a short while! I would then be charitable and join the righteous!’” [63:10] And He tells us: “GOD never delays the appointed time of death for any soul.” [63:11]
This is here to wake us up, not to scare us. Whatever good we plan to do someday, today is the day we have. And as long as we are here, the door is still open.
Questions About This Life
Is belief in the Hereafter supposed to come from fear or from hope?
Both. God gives us warnings and promises side by side, and we need them both. Sometimes they sit in the same verse. God describes Paradise, with its rivers and “forgiveness from their Lord”, and then asks whether they are better off, or “those who abide forever in the hellfire” [47:15]. Fear and hope do different jobs. Fear helps us face what we have been avoiding. Hope keeps us going once we have faced it. God tells us to worship Him “out of reverence, and out of hope” [7:56]. And when hope runs low, God tells His messenger to proclaim His call to us: “never despair of GOD's mercy.” [39:53]
How can a short life lead to an eternal result?
Because what counts is not how long we lived, but what we chose while we were here. A short life is long enough to decide whom we will worship. God tells us the purpose plainly: He “created death and life for the purpose of distinguishing those among you who would do better.” [67:2] The choice is made here. The result lasts. And look at how kind the terms are: “Whoever does a righteous work receives the reward for ten, and the one who commits a sin is requited for only one. No one suffers the slightest injustice.” [6:160] God never asks more of us than we can carry [2:286]. That is how generous His terms are.
Can someone come back after death to put things right?
No. When death comes, the request to go back is refused. A person asks: “My Lord, send me back. I will then work righteousness in everything I left.” And the answer is: “Not true. This is a false claim that he makes. A barrier will separate his soul from this world until resurrection.” [23:99-100] The translation's heading over this passage is ‘The Dead Never Come Back Until the Day of Resurrection’. So the time to put things right is now, while we are still here. God urges us to give “before death comes to you” [63:10]. That is really good news for us today. We still have time.
What Happens When We Die
God tells us that death is a lot like sleep: “GOD puts the souls to death when the end of their life comes, and also at the time of sleep.” [39:42] Every night, a small death. Every morning, a small resurrection [6:60].
But death is not the same for everyone.
For the righteous, the Quran gives beautiful news. The angels end their lives in a state of righteousness, “saying, ‘Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise (now) as a reward for your works.’” [16:32] The translation's heading over that verse is ‘They Go Straight to Paradise’.
The Quran tells us about one believer who stood up for God's messengers in his town [36:20]. And at the time of his death, God says, “he was told, ‘Enter Paradise.’” [36:26] He said: “Oh, I wish my people knew. That my Lord has forgiven me, and made me honorable.” [36:26-27]
The footnotes in this translation explain it simply. The righteous do not really die. They leave their bodies here and go to the same Paradise where Adam and Eve once lived. Appendix 17, on death, teaches the same.
For Those Who Turned Away
For those who rejected God, death is hard. God says: “How will it be for them when the angels put them to death? They will beat them on their faces and their rear ends.” [47:27]
And then comes a long wait. About Pharaoh's people, God says: “The Hell will be shown to them day and night, and on the Day of Resurrection: ‘Admit Pharaoh's people into the worst retribution.’” [40:46] The translation's heading over this verse is ‘While in the Grave: A Continuous Nightmare’.
Yet even this long interval passes quickly. The man God put to death for a hundred years thought he had been away “a day, or part of the day” [2:259]. The footnote there says the period of death passes like one day.
Questions About Death
What happens to the righteous when they die?
They go straight to Paradise. The translation's heading over 3:169 puts it simply: ‘The Righteous Do Not Really Die’. God describes the moment: “The angels terminate their lives in a state of righteousness, saying, ‘Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise (now) as a reward for your works.’” [16:32] And about martyrs: “Do not think that those who are killed in the cause of GOD are dead; they are alive at their Lord, enjoying His provisions.” [3:169] The footnote in this translation to 3:169 says that the righteous simply leave their worldly bodies and go directly to the same Paradise where Adam and Eve once lived. God tells us: “They do not taste death therein— beyond the first death—and He has spared them the retribution of Hell.” [44:56] So for the righteous, the moment we fear most is a welcome.
What happens between death and the Day of Resurrection?
It depends on how a person lived. The righteous are already in Paradise. The footnote to 6:60 says the unrighteous die and experience a nightmare that lasts until the Day of Resurrection. God gives us an example. About Pharaoh's people, He says: “The Hell will be shown to them day and night, and on the Day of Resurrection: ‘Admit Pharaoh's people into the worst retribution.’” [40:46] The translation's heading over that verse is ‘While in the Grave: A Continuous Nightmare’. The Quran also tells us there is no way back in between: “A barrier will separate his soul from this world until resurrection.” [23:100] However long it is, it will feel short. The footnote to 2:259 says the period of death passes like one day.
Is death really like sleep?
Yes. God tells us He takes our souls in both. He says: “GOD puts the souls to death when the end of their life comes, and also at the time of sleep. Thus, He takes some back during their sleep, while others are allowed to continue living until the end of their predetermined interim. This should provide lessons for people who reflect.” [39:42] And: “He is the One who puts you to death during the night, and knows even the smallest of your actions during the day. He resurrects you every morning, until your life span is fulfilled, then to Him is your ultimate return. He will then inform you of everything you had done.” [6:60] The translation's heading over that verse is ‘Death and Resurrection: Every Day’. So every night we practise for it, and every morning is a gift of more time.
The Day We Meet Our Lord
Some people ask how God could bring back bones that have turned to dust. God gives the answer. When someone asks, “Who can resurrect the bones after they had rotted?”, God tells His messenger to reply: “The One who initiated them in the first place will resurrect them. He is fully aware of every creation.” [36:78-79] If He made us once, He can make us again.
Then God describes the day itself: “The horn will be blown, whereupon everyone in the heavens and the earth will be struck unconscious, except those who will be spared by GOD. Then it will be blown another time, whereupon they will all rise up, looking.” [39:68]
People will come out “like swarms of butterflies” [101:4]. The translation's Appendix 11 uses that picture. A caterpillar goes into its cocoon and comes out as a butterfly. We go into the grave, and we will come out no longer bound to the earth.
And then God Himself comes: “And your Lord comes, together with the angels in row after row.” [89:22] “Then the earth will shine with the light of its Lord.” [39:69]
For the believers, this day holds no terror: “The great horror will not worry them, and the angels will receive them joyfully: ‘This is your day, that has been promised to you.’” [21:103]
Nothing Is Lost
On that day, every one of us will see our own record. God says: “Read your own record. Today, you suffice as your own reckoner.” [17:14]
Nothing is left out. The guilty will say: “Woe to us. How come this book leaves nothing, small or large, without counting it?” [18:49] And God tells us: “They will find everything they had done brought forth. Your Lord is never unjust towards anyone.” [18:49]
Every small thing counts: “Whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it. And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.” [99:7-8] The kind word no one saw is recorded. So is every hidden wrong.
That is a comfort for anyone who has been wronged. God promises: “We will establish the scales of justice on the Day of Resurrection. No soul will suffer the least injustice.” [21:47] We don't have to settle every score ourselves. God will settle it, perfectly.
Questions About the Day of Judgment
How can God bring back people whose bodies have turned to dust?
The same way He made us the first time. Bringing us back is no harder for Him than creating us. When someone asks, “Who can resurrect the bones after they had rotted?”, God tells His messenger to answer: “The One who initiated them in the first place will resurrect them. He is fully aware of every creation.” [36:78-79] God says He is able to reconstruct even the finger tip: “Does the human being think that we will not reconstruct his bones? Yes indeed; we are able to reconstruct his finger tip.” [75:3-4] We were nothing once, and He gave us life. Giving it again is easy for Him.
Will we be judged fairly?
Yes, perfectly fairly. God promises that no one will suffer even the smallest injustice. He says: “We will establish the scales of justice on the Day of Resurrection. No soul will suffer the least injustice. Even the equivalent of a mustard seed will be accounted for. We are the most efficient reckoners.” [21:47] And He tells us that on that day, “Everyone will then be judged equitably, without the least injustice.” [39:69] Better still, His justice is full of mercy. A good deed is rewarded ten times, and a sin is counted only once [6:160]. Nothing good we do is ever lost [99:7].
What about people who never heard the message?
God tells us He never punishes without first sending a messenger. And He tells us that all the descendants of Adam bore witness that He is their Lord. He says: “Whoever is guided, is guided for his own good, and whoever goes astray does so to his own detriment. No sinner will bear the sins of anyone else. We never punish without first sending a messenger.” [17:15] God tells us He summoned all the descendants of Adam and had them bear witness: “Am I not your Lord?” They all said, “Yes. We bear witness.” [7:172] The same verse goes on: “Thus, you cannot say on the Day of Resurrection, ‘We were not aware of this.’” [7:172] The footnote in this translation says that every human being is born with an instinctive knowledge about God. So we leave each person's case with God, who “is never unjust towards anyone” [18:49]. For us, the question is a different one. We have heard the message. So what matters now is what we do with it.
Heaven, Hell and Home
God describes Paradise in words we can understand: “The allegory of Heaven, which is promised for the righteous, is flowing streams, inexhaustible provisions, and cool shade.” [13:35]
God uses the word allegory. The translation's Appendix 5 explains that the descriptions of Heaven and Hell are allegorical, because the real thing is far beyond what we can imagine. It gives the example of trying to describe the taste of chocolate to someone who has never tasted it.
God tells us how much is waiting: “You have no idea how much joy and happiness are waiting for you as a reward for your (righteous) works.” [32:17]
Paradise is a place of peace. God removes all jealousy from the hearts of its people [15:47]. “They never hear any nonsense therein, nor sinful utterances. Only the utterance: ‘Peace, peace.’” [56:25-26] And God's approval is greater than all of it [9:72].
Four Places, and Our Own Choice
The footnote in this translation to 7:46 says that at first there will be four places: the High Heaven, the Lower Heaven, the Purgatory, and Hell. The Purgatory will then be joined to the Lower Heaven.
The Quran describes gardens at two levels. First: “For those who reverence the majesty of their Lord, two gardens (one for the jinns and one for the humans).” [55:46] Then: “Below them are two gardens (one for the jinns and one for the humans).” [55:62] Appendix 5 reads Sura 55 this way: two High Heavens and two Lower Heavens, in each pair one for the humans and one for the jinns. It says even the Lower Heaven is an incredibly fantastic prize, and quotes God: whoever barely misses Hell and makes it to Paradise “has attained a great triumph” [3:185].
The people of the Purgatory will pray, “Our Lord, do not put us with these wicked people.” [7:47] And they will be told: “Enter Paradise; you have nothing to fear, nor will you grieve.” [7:49]
Appendix 11 teaches that on that day, people are sorted by how much they grew their souls. Those who grew strong can stay close to God. Those who failed to grow their souls will run away from Him, into Hell. Appendix 11 says it plainly: ‘God does not put a single being in Hell; they go to it on their own volition.’ That is why this life matters so much. Every prayer, every kindness, every time we turn to God alone, grows the soul a little more.
Questions About Heaven and Hell
Are Heaven and Hell real, or just symbols?
They are real, but the Quran describes them in allegory, because the real thing is beyond anything we can picture. God uses the word Himself: “The allegory of Heaven, which is promised for the righteous, is flowing streams, inexhaustible provisions, and cool shade.” [13:35] And about the fruits of Paradise: “Thus, they are given allegorical descriptions.” [2:25] The translation's Appendix 5 explains that what Heaven and Hell are really like is far beyond our comprehension. It says Heaven already exists, since Adam and Eve lived in it, and that Hell will be created on the Day of Judgment. So we don't know every detail. But God tells us enough: “You have no idea how much joy and happiness are waiting for you as a reward for your (righteous) works.” [32:17]
Will we be with our families in Paradise?
Yes, God promises that believers will be joined by their righteous family. He says: “They enter the gardens of Eden, together with the righteous among their parents, their spouses, and their children. The angels will enter to them from every door.” [13:23] And about children who followed their parents in belief: “we will have their children join them. We never fail to reward them for any work. Every person is paid for what he did.” [52:21] The promise is for the righteous among our family. Each person still answers for their own works. But what a joy it is to know that the righteous among the people we love can be with us there. And God says: “Enter Paradise, together with your spouses, and rejoice.” [43:70]
I have done things I am ashamed of. Is it too late for me?
No. As long as we are alive, it is not too late. God's door is open. God tells His messenger to proclaim His call: “O My servants who exceeded the limits, never despair of GOD's mercy. For GOD forgives all sins. He is the Forgiver, Most Merciful.” [39:53] And the very next verse tells us what to do: “You shall obey your Lord, and submit to Him totally, before the retribution overtakes you, then you cannot be helped.” [39:54] For those who repent, believe and lead a righteous life, God does something wonderful: “GOD transforms their sins into credits.” [25:70] The very things we regret can become good in our record. It becomes too late when death comes. Repentance is not accepted from those who keep sinning until death comes, then say, “Now I repent.” [4:18] We are not there. We are here, and we can start today.
The Journey, Step by Step
Our whole journey, from this life to our final home, as the Quran and the translation's footnotes describe it.
This life
The test, and the only stage where we can still choose. God “created death and life” to distinguish those who would do better [67:2].
Death
For the righteous, the angels say, “Enter Paradise (now)” [16:32]. For those who rejected God, a hard death [47:27], and then, as the footnote to 6:60 says, a nightmare that lasts until the Day of Resurrection.
The interval
The righteous are already in Paradise. For those who die, the footnote to 2:259 says the period of death passes like one day.
Resurrection
The horn is blown twice, and everyone rises [39:68], coming out “like swarms of butterflies” [101:4].
The judgment
God comes with the angels [89:22], and the earth shines with His light. Everyone is judged without the least injustice [39:69].
Our final home
The High Heaven, the Lower Heaven, or Hell. The Purgatory is joined to the Lower Heaven (footnote to 7:46). Whoever makes it to Paradise “has attained a great triumph” [3:185].
Living with the End in Mind
Believing in the Hereafter should change an ordinary week. Here are eight ways it can.
How we spend a day
Every hour is part of a total we don't know. So we spend it on what lasts, calmly and without panic.
How we treat people
Everyone we meet will stand before God too. It is hard to be unkind to someone once we picture standing beside them on that day.
What we chase
A good question to ask: will this come with me? A lot of what we chase does not.
How we handle being wronged
Not every wrong is settled here. But God will settle every one of them [21:47]. That lets us put down the heavy job of getting even.
How we use money
Money stays behind when we go. But “Any good you send forth on behalf of your souls, you will find it at GOD.” [2:110]
Read moreHow we face loss
When a righteous person's life ends, the angels welcome them into Paradise [16:32]. The goodbye is real, but it is not the end.
How we repent
Quickly, and without despair. Quickly, because our time is limited. Without despair, because the door is still open [39:53].
How we plan
We still make plans. We just hold them loosely, and remember that “no one knows in which land he or she will die” [31:34].
The End-in-Mind Check
Go through these once a year. Many people choose the same date each time. You can print the list from the Growth Journal downloads.
- If today were my last day, what would I most want to put right?
- Who do I need to talk to, and what has stopped me so far?
- What am I owed that I am ready to let go of?
- What do I owe that is still unpaid: money, an apology, my time?
- What do I spend the most hours on, and will any of it come with me?
- Have I turned to God alone this year, in my prayers and in my hopes?
- What is one thing I could start this week that would still matter in a hundred years?
What the Quran Says
The key verses on this page, together in one place.
The One who created death and life for the purpose of distinguishing those among you who would do better. He is the Almighty, the Forgiving.[67:2]
Why life and death were made.
This worldly life is no more than vanity and play, while the abode of the Hereafter is the real life, if they only knew.[29:64]
Which life is the real one.
When death comes to one of them, he says, “My Lord, send me back. I will then work righteousness in everything I left.” Not true. This is a false claim that he makes. A barrier will separate his soul from this world until resurrection.[23:99-100]
A request that is refused.
The angels terminate their lives in a state of righteousness, saying, “Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise (now) as a reward for your works.”[16:32]
How the righteous leave this world.
The horn will be blown, whereupon everyone in the heavens and the earth will be struck unconscious, except those who will be spared by GOD. Then it will be blown another time, whereupon they will all rise up, looking.[39:68]
The resurrection.
We will establish the scales of justice on the Day of Resurrection. No soul will suffer the least injustice. Even the equivalent of a mustard seed will be accounted for. We are the most efficient reckoners.[21:47]
Perfect justice, down to a mustard seed.
Whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it. And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.[99:7-8]
Nothing is too small to count.
You have no idea how much joy and happiness are waiting for you as a reward for your (righteous) works.[32:17]
More joy than we can imagine.
Proclaim: “O My servants who exceeded the limits, never despair of GOD's mercy. For GOD forgives all sins. He is the Forgiver, Most Merciful.”[39:53]
And while we are here, the door is open.
Growth Prompt
Write two lists. On the first, the things you would change if you knew your time was short. On the second, the reasons you haven't changed them yet. Then read the second list slowly, and ask which of those reasons would still sound good on the Day we meet our Lord.
If I knew my time was short, what would I change today, and what is really stopping me from changing it now?
Keep growing
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