The Day of Judgment (Yawm al-Qiyamah)

Belief in the Day of Judgment is the fifth pillar of Iman and one of the most extensively described subjects in the Quran. Over a thousand verses address the Last Day, its signs, horrors, and consequences. The Day goes by many names: Yawm al-Qiyamah (Day of Resurrection), Yawm al-Hisab (Day of Reckoning), Yawm al-Din (Day of Recompense), al-Sa'ah (the Hour), and al-Haqqah (the Reality). Allah says: "O mankind, fear your Lord. Indeed, the earthquake of the Hour is a terrible thing" (Quran 22:1).

The Signs Before the Hour

The Prophet (peace be upon him) described minor signs and major signs preceding the Day of Judgment. Minor signs include: the loss of trustworthiness, the spread of ignorance, the increase of fitna (trials), competing in building tall structures, and a slave girl giving birth to her master (Sahih al-Bukhari). Major signs include the appearance of the Dajjal (the Antichrist), the descent of Isa (Jesus) son of Maryam, the emergence of Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog), three major earthquakes, the smoke (al-Dukhan), the rising of the sun from the west, and the fire that gathers people to their place of assembly (Sahih Muslim).

The Resurrection and Reckoning

When the Trumpet is blown the second time, all of creation will be resurrected from their graves and assembled on a vast plain. People will stand before Allah, each presented with their book of deeds. Those who receive their book in their right hand will rejoice: "As for he who is given his record in his right hand, he will say: Here, read my record" (Quran 69:19). Those who receive it in their left hand or behind their back will be in despair. Every deed, however small, will be accounted for: "So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it" (Quran 99:7-8).

The Mizan (Scale) and Sirat (Bridge)

Deeds will be weighed on the Mizan (Scale of Justice). The heaviness of the scale determines one's fate. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "There are two statements that are light on the tongue, heavy on the Scale, and beloved to the Most Merciful: SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi, SubhanAllahil-Azim" (Sahih al-Bukhari). The Sirat is a bridge set over Hellfire that everyone must cross. The believers will cross it at speeds proportional to their deeds, some like lightning, some like wind, some crawling. The disbelievers and certain sinners will fall into the Fire.

Intercession (Shafa'ah)

On that Day, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) will be granted the Grand Intercession (al-Shafa'ah al-Uzma), interceding with Allah to begin the Judgment after humanity has waited in unbearable conditions. He will also intercede for sinful believers to be removed from the Hellfire. Other prophets, angels, and righteous believers will also intercede by Allah's permission. However, intercession is only for those of Tawhid: "Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?" (Quran 2:255). The Day of Judgment serves as the ultimate motivator for righteousness and the ultimate deterrent from sin, reminding every soul that accountability before the Creator is certain and inescapable.