islam afterlife and predestination Flashcards
(15 cards)
what is barzakh
a place of waiting after death until the judgement day
what is niyyah
the honest intention to worship god
what is mahdi
the long-awaited savoir who will save the earth
what is Janna
paradise: beautiful gardens, delicious food, gently flowing rivers, lovely serving maidens and reclining couches
what is Jahannam
hell: a place of terror where the dammed will face boiling water, fire, black smoke, physical torment, sufferings as they are sperated form god with no hope of return
what are the requirements for Janna
- those who have lived moral and faithful lives
- those who have been persecuted for their faith in god
- those who have fought for god
- reward for living a good life
- “Gardens of Paradise” Qur’an 31:8
- “in Paradise I prepare for the righteous believers what no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and what the deepest mind could never imagine” Hadith
what are the requirements for Jahannam
- those who are wicked and deny god, god has damned them
- “those who disbelieved will have cut out of them garments of fire. Poured upon their heads will be scalding water” Qur’an 22:19
what are muslim beliefs about the Akhirah
- this is the most important aspect and life on earth is a test in preparation for the afterlife
- humans given free will and they will be judged to determine whether they will go to paradise or hell
- the person’s good and bad actions are recorded by angels Raqib and Atid
- when they die they are taken to the state of Barzakh by angel Azrail until the final trumpet is heard
- Allah sends two angels (munkar and Nakir) to question the waiting souls. They ask “Who is your lord? Who is your prophet? What is your religion?” if the questions are answered correctly then the soul will sleep in Barzakh and if not they will be tormented the angels (known as punishment of the grave)
- During the end days there will be signs such as a man called Mahdi. His return will coincide with the return of isa and there will be a false prophet who will attempt to deceive the people. There will be earthquakes, drunkenness, rejection of Islam, naked ness, fornication, killing and obscenity
- on judgement day the souls will be weighed up in the books of good and bad deeds
- if the soul is good then the book will be received in the right hand and if bad it will be in the left
- after judgement people will cross over the very narrow bridge of As-Sirat. Those blessed by God will cross over to Janna and those wicked will fall into hell
does hell last forever
yes, most Muslims agree as the Qur’an says that those sent to hell will remain there forever “But whoever return to [dealing in interest or usury] - those are the companions of fire; they will abode eternally therein” Qur’an 2:275
no, some Muslims believe that hell is a temporary state and they are sent there to repent and be pardoned form their sin “So whoever has received an admonition form his lord and desists may have what is past, and his affair rests with god” Qur’an 2:275
can a god of mercy condemn people to hell
yes, god is fair, he gives individuals many opportunities to repent and only those truly wicked will god to hell “So I have warned you of a fire which is blazing. None will burn therein, except the most retched one. Who had denied and turned away” Qur’an 92:14- 16
no, some believe that is God has mercy then he cannot sent people to hell as he must be forgiving
can Muslims only follow Shari’ah rules because they are rightened of God’s judgement
yes, Muslims only follow God’s holy rules as they are scared of eternal punishment
no, faithful believers happily live according to the Qur’an and example set by Muhammad
is suffering a test for the next life
yes, if they pass they are shown that they are worthy in paradise
no, a person who is not religious would argue that there is no proof of an afterlife, it is not fait to view the life as a test as some were born better off than others and God predetermines everyone’s fate
what are Muslim beliefs about predestination
- God is responsible for all things and has a divine plan set out for all, everything that happens is part of Allah’s wider plan
- the whole creation is under his control
- Allah is all knowing and is perfect and he knows the secretes of our hearts “He knows what is within the heavens and the earth and knows what you conceal and what you declare. And God is knowing of that within the breast” Qur’an 64:4
“God knows the inmost secret of our hearts; lead us out of the darkness and into the light” a prayer of Muhammad - Insha’Allah is recognition that they are in submission to Allah and all things are beyond human control and in his hands, they will only succeed in their plans if Allah is willing to make it happen “And never say of anything ‘Indeed, i will do that tomorrow’ except [when adding] ‘if God wills’ “ Qur’an 18:23-24
- Pain and suffering are caused by god, viewed as opportunities for growth in humans
what do muslims believe about freewill
- humans have freewill and Allah will hold them accountable on the day of Judgement for their actions
- Allah wants humans to follow the ‘straight path’ but it is up to every person to make the decision to follow it
- it is central to the religion that humans understand how to turn away form evil
- “he will let them taste part of what they have done that perhaps they will return to righteousness.” Qur’an 30:41
what are differnt beliefs about predestination and freewill
- Sunnis put more emphasis on the belief that everything is caused by god; humans have free will but nothing will happen without the will of god
- Shi’as allow more room for humans to use their freewill, some reject the idea of predestination all together as god cannot be responsible for evil, humans must have freewill to be free from God’s authority
