Islamic eschatology
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Islamic eschatology is concerned with the Qiyamah (end of the world; Last Judgement) and the final judgement of humanity. Eschatology is one of the three main principles of Islam, alongside tawhid (the unity of Allah) and nubuuwa (prophecy). Like the other Abrahamic religions, Islam teaches the bodily resurrection of the dead, the fulfillment of a divine plan for creation, and the immortality of the human soul (though Jews do not necessarily view the soul as eternal); the righteous are rewarded with the pleasures of Jannah (Heaven), while the unrighteous are punished in Jahannam (Hell). A significant fraction of the Quran deals with these beliefs, with many hadith elaborating on the themes and details. Islamic apocalyptic literature describing the Armageddon is often known as fitna (a test) and malahim (or ghayba in the shi'ite tradition).
Jesus and the Dajjal
According to Islamic view Jesus (Isa, in Arabic) is not the Son of God, but was a prophet. It is believed that Jesus was not crucified; instead he was raised bodily. According to many hadith and believed by most of Muslims, he will return to Earth, which suggests that he didn't die and he is still physically alive in heaven, where he lives now. At the time appointed by Allah, Jesus will physically return to this world, and together with the Mahdi will end all wars, and usher in an era of peace. The messianic era comes after Jesus kills ad-Dajjal, the antichrist figure in Islam, and defeats his followers. But Islamic scholars like Javed Ahmed Ghamidi and Amin Ahsan Islahi question hadith regarding second coming of Jesus, as they believe, it contradicts with many verses of Qur'an.[1][2][3]
Rewards for believers
Islamic descriptions of Jannah (Heaven) are described as physical pleasures — sometimes interpreted literally, sometimes allegorically. Heaven is most often described as a cool garden with running streams. The rewards of the righteous are also described in explicitly physical terms; they include unlimited food and drink. Some interpretations also promise enormous palaces staffed with multitudes of servants, and perfect, perpetually-virgin spouses (see houri).
Muslims stress the belief that it is only the five pillars of faith that bring one to Heaven. Muslims believe that Allah knows best who will enter Heaven and that some people of the other Abrahamic faiths (regarded as "People of the book") will also eventually enter into heaven.
Punishment for nonbelievers
The Muslims who will not inherit heaven will be punished with a temporary stay in Jahannam (Hell), and will go to heaven later as long as there is "one atom of faith in their hearts," as stated by the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Some, but not all, Muslims also believe that people who do not accept Muhammad after hearing his message, will receive eternal damnation in Jahannam; just as those who did not believe in Jesus and Moses at their respective periods after hearing of their messages will also receive eternal damnation in hell.
The descriptions in the Qur'an of punishment for unbelief (Jahannam) are, like the descriptions of Jannah, very descriptive. Skin is burned off the person's body and then they are given new skin so it can be burned off again.
- As for those who reject Our Signs, We will roast them in a Fire. Every time their skins are burned off, We will replace them with new skins so that they can taste the punishment. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise. (4:56)
Boiling water is forced down people's throats and it rips their bowels apart. Fire is applied to the body as punishment.
The Islamic belief is that the afterlife involves only the spirit, or "roh". Thus, when terms describing physical distress or physical pleasure are simply analogies.
See also
External links
- Signs Before the Day of Judgement
- Signs of the Last Hour
- Islamic views on the Day of Judgement
- The 72 virgins as a reward for Islamic martyrs.
- Islam Hijacked - commentary on martyrdom and the rewards thereof
- Islamic prophecies about Jesus
- Paradise in Islam
- Blowing of the Trumpet that signals judgement
- The two resurrections
- ^ Geoffrey Parrinder, Jesus in the Quran, p.187, Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 1996, ISBN 1-85168-094-2.[1]
- ^ Javed Ahmed Ghamidi, Qur'anic Verse regarding Second Coming of Jesus.[2]
- ^ The Second Coming of Jesus, Renaissance - Monthly Islamic Journal, Vol. 14, No. 9, September, 2004.[3]