Many of us have memorized the pillars of faith since childhood. We know that belief in the Day of Judgment is the fifth pillar of faith. However, how deeply do we understand what is meant by belief in the Day of Judgment? Is it merely a conviction that the world will one day be destroyed?
It turns out, the reality of the Day of Judgement is much closer than we imagine.
In a reference to a hadith commentary book, namely Al-Fath Al-Mubin on page 161 by Sheikh Ibn Hajar Al-Haitami, there is a very detailed explanation that may differ slightly from the common understanding of most people. Let’s discuss thoroughly regarding the understanding of the Day of Judgment, its stages, to the function of faith in the Day of Judgment for our daily lives.
Defining Faith in the Day of Judgement
Simply put, the understanding of faith in the Day of Judgement is to believe wholeheartedly that life in this world is temporary and there will be eternal life after it. But, what is meant by the Day of Judgement according to scholars?
In the book Al-Fath Al-Mubin, it is explained that The Day of Judgement encompasses the phase starting from a person’s death until the end of all events that occur on the Day of Resurrection.
So, if asked to explain the understanding of the Day of Judgement, the answer isn’t solely about the blowing of the trumpet. The moment the soul separates from the body, for that individual, the Day of Judgement has begun. This is what makes the meaning of faith in the Day of Judgement so personal and urgent. We don’t wait for the great doomsday to experience this phase; our death is its first gateway.
Why is it Called “The Day of Judgement”?
Have you ever wondered, why is the Day of Judgement also called the Day of the End, when life in Paradise and Hell continues eternally after it?
The explanation is quite logical. The word “Day” (Yawm) is usually used for daytime followed by night. There is light, then there is darkness. However, the Day of Judgement is described with the word “End” because there is no night after it.
When that period arrives, the sun and moon will no longer serve as markers of time. What exists is only the eternity of light in paradise or the darkness of hell. Because no new day replaces it (there is no “tomorrow”), it is called the Day of Judgement.
The Stages of the Day of Judgement: Humanity’s Long Journey
To understand how to believe in the Day of Judgement, we need to know the map of its journey. Believing in the Day of Judgement means believing in the entire sequence of its events.
The following are the stages of the Day of Judgement and what will happen to humans after the Day of Judgement (after death) begins, as explained in the book:
- Alam Barzakh (The Intermediate Realm/Grave): This is the first station. Here, the trial of the grave questions from the angels) occurs, as well as the enjoyment or torment of the grave.
- Yaumul Ba’ats (Day of Resurrection): When the angel tasked with blowing the trumpet on the Day of Judgment, the angel Israfil, blows the second trumpet, all creatures rise from their graves.
- Yaumul Hasyr (The Gathering): Mankind is gathered in the Mahsyar Plain.
- Yaumul Hisab (Perhitungan): All deeds will be accounted for, not even the smallest one will be missed.
- Yaumul Mizan (Day of the Scale): Good and bad deeds are weighed.
- As-Shirath (The Bridge): A bridge spanning over Hell leading to Paradise.
- Heaven and Hell: The eternal place of return.
The Life and Death Cycle of Humans
One interesting point from Al-Fath Al-Mubin is the explanation about the cycle of “life and death” that we experience. Belief in the Day of Judgment is believing that we will be resurrected.
Here is a table of the human life cycle to facilitate your understanding of “The Last Resurrection”:
| Phase | Status | Explanation |
| Beginning | Non-existence (First Death) | The condition before the soul is breathed into the fetus. |
| World | First Life | Our current life in the world. |
| Term | Second Death | Physical death, transition to the realm of Barzakh. |
| Grave | Temporary Life | Revived momentarily to answer questions from the Angels Munkar & Nakir. |
| Barzakh | Third Death | The soul is rested again awaiting the Day of Judgement (according to some narrations). |
| Afterlife | Final Life | Resurrection for eternity (Al-Ba’ts Al-Akhir). |
Original Text from the Reference
To further validate the evidence for belief in the Day of Judgement and this explanation, we include the original text from the book Al-Fath Al-Mubin along with its translation:
قوله : ( واليوم الآخر ) وهو من الموت إلى آخر ما يقع يوم القيامة , وصف بذلك ; لأنه لا ليلَ بعده , ولا يقال : يومٌ إلا لما يعقبه ليلٌ ; أي : بوجوده … وفي رواية : ” والبعث الآخر ” (3), ووصفُه بالآخر إما تأكيدٌ كأمس الدابر , أو احترازٌ عن غير الآخر ; لأنه إحياءٌ بعد إماتةٍ …
Meaning:
(And to the Day of Judgement) namely the period beginning from death until the end of the events that occur on the Day of Resurrection. It is described as such because there is no night after it… In a narration: “And the Final Resurrection”. The description with the word “Final” may be an emphasis or an exception from a resurrection that is not the last. Because resurrection is bringing to life after death…
The Wisdom of Believing in the Day of Judgement
After understanding its definition, then why must we believe in the Day of Judgement? What benefit is there for our current lives?
The wisdom of believing in the Day of Judgement is as a self-restraint. Without this conviction, humans will live as they please without fearing the consequences. Here are the details:
1. Increasing the Sense of Responsibility
The awareness that there is a court in the afterlife makes us cautious. Belief in the Day of Judgment has instilled a sense of responsibility for all our actions, words, deeds, and decisions. We realize there is no CCTV more sophisticated than the supervision of Allah.
2. Motivation for Righteous Deeds
The positive impact of believing in the Day of Judgement is the enthusiasm to save good deeds. A person who believes they will reap a bountiful harvest tomorrow will certainly work hard today to plant seeds. Similarly, a believer will diligently worship because they are certain that the reward is real.
3. Comfort for the Heart When Afflicted by Calamity
One of the functions of faith in the Day of Judgment is as a source of solace. This world is not just. Many evil people live in luxury, while good people suffer. With the existence of the Day of Judgment, we are certain that true justice will be established. Our patience in this world will be fully rewarded there.
Names of the Day of Judgement That Need to Be Known
Besides the term “Day of Judgement”, the Qur’an uses many other names for the Day of Judgement to describe the awesomeness of that event. Some popular names for the Day of Judgement include:
- Yaumul Qiyamah: Day of Resurrection (The Day of the resurrection of mankind).
- Yaumul Ba’ats: Day of Resurrection.
- Yaumul Mahsyar: Day of Assembly.
- Yaumul Hisab: Day of Reckoning.
- Yaumul Jaza’: Day of Recompense.
- Yaumul Haq: The Day of Truth (Certainty).
- Al-Qari’ah: The Day that will Shake.
Conclusion: The Importance of Belief in the Day of Judgement
Therefore, belief in the Day of Judgement is the fifth pillar of faith, and it is extremely crucial. It is not merely a bedtime story, but a future reality that we will certainly face.
Believing in the Day of Judgement is a pillar of faith that scholars repeatedly remind us of, so we are not heedless. Evidence regarding the Day of Judgement is scattered throughout the Qur’an to remind us to prepare. Remember the definition from Sheikh Ibn Hajar earlier: Your resurrection begins with your death.
Are we prepared with the provisions to face our own version of the “Day of Judgement”?
FAQ: Questions About Belief in the Day of Judgement
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding this topic:
1. Belief in the Day of Judgement is the which pillar of faith?
Belief in the Day of Judgement is the 5th (fifth) pillar of faith. Its order follows belief in Allah, Angels, the Book, and the Messenger.
2. Who is the angel tasked with blowing the trumpet on the Day of Judgement?
The angel tasked with blowing the trumpet is the Angel Israfil. The first blow will cause the death of all creatures, and the second blow will resurrect them (Ba’ats).
3. How to believe in the Day of Judgement in everyday life?
The way to do this is to always remember death, increase righteous deeds, avoid sin out of fear of the reckoning, and believe in the reward of Paradise and Hell.
4. What does believing in the Day of Judgement encompass regarding the afterlife?
Yes, because the Day of Judgement begins with death, believing in the torment and bliss of the grave is intrinsically linked to faith in the Day of Judgement.
5. Explain the understanding of belief in the Day of Judgment in terms!
In technical terms, believing in the Day of Judgment is affirming with certainty the occurrence of the Day of Resurrection, the resurrection of humans from their graves, the reckoning of deeds, and the reward of Paradise or Hell.
Reference
Ibn Ḥajar al-Haytamī, Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad. al-Fatḥ al-Mubīn bi-Sharḥ al-Arbaʿīn. Edited by Aḥmad Jāsim Muḥammad al-Muḥammad, Quṣayy Muḥammad Nūrūs al-Ḥallāq, and Abū Ḥamzah Anwar ibn Abī Bakr al-Shaykhī al-Dāghistānī. 1st ed. Jeddah: Dār al-Minhāj, 2008.
