Akhirah (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))
Revision Note
Written by: Glenn Millington
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Life After Death
Life After Death (Akhirah)
All Muslims believe in Akhirah – it is part of both the six Articles of Faith and the five Roots of Usul ad Din
Muslims believe that Allah knows and determines when people die
Death is not the end of life
Muslims accept that there is an afterlife, which is made possible by the power and grace of Allah
Where a person will go is determined by the choices they make on earth, thus this life is seen as a preparation for the next life
Our mortal lives are a test and we will be judged according to how we have lived
As humans, we have been given free will, so we are able to make choices about what to believe and how to treat others
Muslims believe that humans are accountable for their actions. After death, in the grave, they will be asked about their faith by angels
The two judging angels, Munkar and Nakir, will question each person, testing their faith
Akhirah is a significant theme in the Qur’an with about a quarter of it dedicated to this topic
‘O soul that are at rest! Return to your Lord, well-pleased (with him), well-pleasing (Him), So enter among My servants, And enter into My garden’ (Quran, 89: 27-30)
Life after death and the verses of the Qur'an
Day of Judgement
The Angel Israfil will blow a trumpet to announce the Day of Judgement
Muslims believe that, for those who die before that day, the angel of death, Azrail, will come to take their souls to await the day
They will be kept in a state of barzakh (waiting) until the sound of the final trumpet is heard
There are many signs which will mark the end of the world for Muslims but the most important will be the appearance of the Mahdi and the second coming of Isa (Jesus)
Other signs include: abundance of earthquakes, the spreading of killing, rejection of Islam, increase in dishonesty, drunkenness, obscenity, nakedness and fornication
On the Day of Judgement, the dead will be raised from their graves and all people will stand before God to be sentenced according to the way they have lived their lives
A book which represents everything an individual has done, is presented to each of them. If the person’s good deeds outweigh the bad, then they will receive the book in their right hand and pass into heaven. If it is placed into their left hand, they will be among the damned
Worked Example
Explain two Muslim teachings about the afterlife
[5 marks]
Answer:
Muslim teaching states that all humans will be judged on the Day of Judgement based upon their deeds in this life. This means that all Muslims try to lead a good life to be rewarded in heaven
Muslim teaching states that all unbelievers or those who have committed more bad acts than good will be sent to hell. To avoid this Muslims live their life according to the Qur’an and by practising the five pillars
Human Responsibility & Accountability
Human Responsibility and Accountability
Although many Muslims believe in Al- Qadr (predestination) they also believe that humans have the ability to make choices on how to live their lives
The Qur’an gives many warnings about the Day of Judgement and Muslims are encouraged to question themselves: Am I ready to face death? What have I done to prepare for that day?
Therefore, all humans are responsible for their own actions and are accountable for any wrongdoings they have committed
On the Day of Judgement, the Book of Deeds will be read, in which ‘every small and great thing is recorded’ (Qur’an 54:52)
Following the judgement all humans are eternally rewarded or punished depending on their actions
Muslims believe that Akhira:
Shows that God is just (fair) and will make up for any hardships on earth with reward in paradise
Shows that people who have done bad things will not get away with them
Gives hope for the future and makes it easier to deal with the difficult times in life
It makes Muslims try hard to follow God’s rules, for example by practising the five pillars and by avoiding harming other people
Life after death makes sense of our short existence on earth and why we are here at all
Resurrection in Islam
Resurrection in Islam
On the Day of Judgement, the world will be transformed into a new world (akhirah) and everyone who has ever lived will be resurrected (brought back to life) and will be judged
Muslims believe that before someone goes to heaven or hell their soul will go to Barzakh while their body will decompose in the grave
In the grave the soul will be tested by the two angels Munkar and Nakir who will ask: Who is your Lord? What is your religion? Who is your prophet?
Depending on the responses, the soul’s time will either be pleasant or unpleasant, giving an indication of what the next life will be like
This will continue until Allah ends the world and unites souls with resurrected bodies on the Day of Resurrection
The Qur’an indicates that the resurrection will be both in body and soul. It is not necessarily the same physical existence but it is both physical and spiritual
On the Day of Judgement Allah will decide where the resurrected person goes
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Be careful not to confuse the term ‘resurrection’ with ‘reincarnation’
Resurrection is the belief that the body will be brought back to life. This is a common belief within Judaism, Christianity and Islam
Reincarnation is the belief that when you die your soul leaves your body and joins that of another living creature. This is a common belief within Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism
Heaven and Hell in Islam
Heaven and Hell
Muslims believe that people go to heaven or hell for eternity after the Day of Judgement
After judgement, faithful and righteous Muslims will pass over the very narrow bridge of As-Sirat before going to heaven
The wicked, those whom God has damned, will fail to pass over the As-Sirat In trying to cross they will fall into hell
Faithful and righteous Muslims will go to heaven. Non-Muslims and unrighteous Muslims will go to hell
God weighs our deeds God judges each person’s actions, but intentions (niyyah) are also taken into consideration
Muslims have different interpretations of what heaven and hell are like but the Qur’an has many descriptions of both places
Heaven (Jannah) | Hell (Samwat) |
|---|---|
Also known as Paradise (Jannah) Said to have seven levels, monitored by 19 angels (or in Shi’a Islam, millions of angels) Martyrs, prophets and the most pious will go the highest level of heaven Heaven described in the Qur’an as a garden of bliss, with rivers flowing with non-intoxicating wine, milk or honey ‘On couches of well-woven cloth they will sit…there will be any fruit they choose; the meat of any bird they like… a reward for what they used to do’ (Qur’an 56:15-24) A timeless place where everyone’s desires will be realised | Like heaven, hell has seven levels and each level is said to be more horrendous than the one before People will be send to the level that best matches their crime All levels will be pitch black and filled with scorching winds, screams of the damned and black smoke from the blazing fires Some of the torments will involve stinging snakes and scorpions Hell is under the leadership of Malik Hell is described in the Qur’an as a place of fire and pain ‘They will dwell amid scorching wind and scalding water in the shadow of black smoke, neither cool nor refreshing’ (Qur’an 22:19-22) |
Worked Example
Give two Muslim beliefs about heaven
[2 marks]
Answer:
Muslims believe that heaven is a place where Muslims go as a reward for living a good life
Muslims believe that heaven is a place of peace and happiness where everyone will receive whatever they desire
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Questions relating to Islam and the afterlife could centre on one of the key concepts related to this topic for example, heaven (paradise), hell, Judgement Day or they might relate to how a belief in the afterlife impacts the way in which a Muslim lives their lives.
You may also be expected to evaluate whether ‘life’ is more important than ‘life after death’
Arguments in support may include
This life will determine what happens in the next as Muslims will be judged on their actions
This life is all that they have control over
This is the only real life where people can unite to make the world a better place by helping others and removing injustice
This life is more important because Muslims should not be focusing on the afterlife as a reward but should do good for the sake of it
Arguments against may include
The afterlife is more important as it is eternal. ‘And the Hereafter is better for you than the first life.’ (93:4)
The prophet Muhammad (pbuh) emphasised the importance of the afterlife over this life in numerous hadiths
This life is a test and so the reward is the afterlife, making it more important
The afterlife and reaching paradise is the ultimate goal for many Muslims making it more important
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