Part 47

But the obstinate rejectors denied their messengers, claiming that messengers from Allaah, the Most High, cannot be from mankind. This false claim is mentioned and refuted by Allaah, the Most High, in His Saying, "And what prevented the mushriks from your people, O Muhammad, from believing truly in Allaah, and in what you brought to them from Him, when the clear proof of the truthfulness of what you called them to came to them - except their ignorant saying, 'Has Allaah sent a man as a messenger?!' Say to them, O Muhammad, 'If there were angels walking about and residing upon the earth then We would have sent down from the heavens an angel as a messenger.'" [surah al-Israa (17):94-5] Allaah, the Most High, refutes this claim of theirs, since it has to be the case that the messengers are humans - since each messenger was sent to the people of the earth who are themselves humans. If the inhabitants of the earth were angels, then Allaah would have sent down an angel from the heavens as a messenger to them, so that he would be like them. Likewise Allaah, the Most High, quotes that those who denied the messengers said, "You are just human beings, like us in your appearance, and you are not angels. All you desire with your saying is to turn us away from the worship of that which our forefathers worshipped, so bring us clear proof of the truth of what you say. The Messengers sent to them said: It is true that we are human beings like you; but Allaah favours whomsoever He wills from His creation with prophethood and wisdom. Nor is it for us to bring any proof in accordance with your demands except by Allaah's command." [surah Ibraaheem (14):10-11] the Last Day; [130] ________________________________________________________ The Last Day (al-Yawmul-Aakhir) is the Day of Resurrection when the people will be resurrected, and brought for account, and rewarded or punished. It is called the Last Day since there is no day which comes after it, because on it the people of Paradise will take up residence in their final homes and the people of the Fire in their final abode. Eemaan in the Last Day comprises three matters: (1) Eemaan in the Resurrection (al-Ba 'th), this is the reviving of the dead when the Horn (as-Soor) is blown for the second time. Then the people will stand before the Lord of creation - barefoot, naked and uncovered, and uncircumcised. Allaah, the Most High, says, "Allaah will return the creation to a state of being naked, barefoot and uncircumcised, on the Day of Resurrection -just as Allaah created them in the beginning. That is a true and certain promise from Allaah - Allaah will certainly carry it out." [surah al-Ambiyaa (21): 104] The Resurrection is a firmly established reality proven by the Book, the Sunnah and the consensus of the Muslims. Allaah, the Most High, says, "Then after that, O mankind, you will die. Then on the Day of Resurrection you will be raised up." [surah al-Mu'minoon (23):15-16] Also the Prophet said, "The people will be raised up on the Day of Resurrection (barefoot), naked and uncircumcised" [Reported by al-Bukhaaree (Eng. transl. 4/364/no. 568) and Muslim (Eng. transl. 4/1487/no. 6846)]. There is consensus of the Muslims upon it, and it is necessitated by wisdom. It has to be the case that Allaah, the Most High, has laid down an appointed time for the creation to be requited for the duties He bound them with upon the tongues of His messengers. Allaah, the Most High, says, "Did you think that We created you without any purpose, and that you would not be brought back to us for requital." [surah al-Mu'minoon (23):115] He said to His Prophet, "He Who sent down the Qur'aan to you, O Muhammad, will certainly bring you to the place of return." [surah al-Qasas (28):85] (2) Eemaan in the accounting and retribution. The servant will be brought to account for his deeds, and rewarded or punished for them. This is proven by the Book, the Sunnah and the consensus of the Muslims. Allaah, the Most High, says, "Indeed to Allaah will be the return of the unbelievers, and it is Allaah Who will bring them to account." [surah al-Ghaashiyah (88)25-6] "Whoever meets his Lord with a good deed, shall receive ten times its like in reward; and whoever meets him with an evil deed shall not receive recompense except with its like; and they shall not be wronged." [surah alAn'aam (6): 160] "And Allaah will set up the Scales of Justice for the people on the Day of Resurrection, so no soul shall be treated unjustly in the least. Even the extent of the weight of a mustard seed We shall bring it and recompense it. And Allaah is fully sufficient as a Reckoner." [surah al-Ambiyaa' (21):47] Ibn 'Umar, radiyallaahu 'anhumaa, narrates that the Prophet said, "Allaah will bring the Believer close and shelter and screen him, and say: 'Did you commit such and such a sin?' 'Did you commit such and such a sin?