Belief in the Last Day and Resurrection (3/4)
Sheikh Muhammad ibn Salih Al-Uthaymeen
Proving the possibility of life after death by al-Hiss (physical senses):
To illustrate to us this possibility, Allah has given us stories of past events when people saw with their own eyes (and physical senses) how He raised the dead to life. There are five examples given in the second chapter of the Qur’an, in Surah al-Baqarah:
1. The story of the people of Musaa when they said to him, “We will not believe in you unless we see Allah openly without a barrier”, and thus they were seized by death. Thereafter Allah resurrected them and said to admonish them and all the Children of Israel with this story,
“And (remember) when you said, “O Musaa! We shall never believe in you till we see Allah plainly.” But you were seized with a thunderbolt (and lightening) while you were looking. Then We raised you up after your death so that you might be grateful.” [Surah al-Baqarah (2):55-56]
2. The story of the murdered man among the Children of Israel, when they argued about determining who the mur-derer was. Allah ordered them to sacrifice a cow and strike the corpse with a part of it so that he can come to life to tell them about the killer. Allah the Most Exalted said about this case:
“And (remember) when you killed a man and fell into dispute among yourselves as to the crime. So Allah brought forth that which you were hiding. So We said, “Strike him (the dead man) with a piece of it (the cow).” Thus Allah brings the dead to life and shows you His signs so that you may understand.” [Surah al-Baqarah (2):72-73]
3. The story of the group that ran away from their homes fearing death even though they were thousands and could have stood up to their enemies. Allah struck them dead in their tracks and then brought them back to life. Relating this story Allah Most Exalted said in the Qur’an:
“Did you (O Muhammad) not think of those who went forth from their homes in thousands, fearing death? Allah said to them: “Die!” And then He restored them to life. Truly, Allah is full of Bounty to mankind, but most men thank not.” [Surah al-Baqarah (2):243]
4. The story of the man who passed by a dead and deserted village, and wondered how Allah would be able to resurrect them. Allah struck him dead for a hundred years and then raised him up again. Relating this story, Allah Most Exalted said:
“Or like the one who passed by a town all in utter ruins. He said, “Oh! How will Allah ever bring it to life after its death?” So Allah caused him to die for a hundred years, then raised him up. He said, “How long did you remain (dead)?” He [the man] replied, “Perhaps I remained (dead) a day or a part of a day.” He said, “Nay, you have remained for a hundred years; look at your food and your drink, they show no change; and look at your donkey! And thus We have made of you a Sign for the people. And look at the bones, how We bring them together and clothe them with flesh.” When this was clearly shown to him, he said, “I Know (now) that Allah is Able to do all things.” [Surah al-Baqarah (2):259]
5. The story of Ibraheem (Peace be upon him) who asked Allah to show him how He resurrects the dead. Allah ordered him to slaughter four birds, cut them in pieces and spread these pieces to various mountains. Then He told him to call these dead birds, and when he did, they came back to him flying. On this Allah the Most Exalted said:
“And (remember) when Ibraheem said, “My Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead.” Allah said, “Do you not believe?” Ibraheem said, “Yes, but to be stronger in faith.” He said, “Take four birds, then cause them to incline towards you (to slaughter them and cut them into pieces), and then put a portion of them on every hill and call them, they will come to you in haste. And know that Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” [Surah al-Baqarah (2):260]
These five historically authentic examples, which were physically experienced, prove that the dead can rise back to life by the Will of Allah. The fact that ‘Eesaa raised the dead from their graves by the Will of Allah has already been mentioned above.
Proving the possibility of life after death al-‘Aql (reason and analysis):
Two rational arguments can be presented here:
The first argument is that Allah is the Original Creator of all the creation, and thus, He who is capable of the first creation is also capable of re-creation, which is even simpler. Allah the Most Exalted said:
“And it is He, Who originates the creation, then He will repeat it (after it has been perished), and this is easier for Him.”[Surah ar-Room (30):27]
And Allah the Most Exalted said:
“As We brought (into existence) the first creation, We shall repeat it, (it is) a promise binding upon Us. Truly, We shall do it.” [Surah al-Anbiyaa’ (21):104]
And Allah the Most Exalted said to those who deny that Allah can restore decayed bones:
“Say (O Muhammad), “He will give life to them Who created them for the first time! And He is the All-Knower of every creation.” [Surah Yaa-Seen (36):79]
The second argument is that we observe the earth lifeless and barren from lack of rain. Allah sends the rains and then we observe the soil coming back to life and various kinds of plants spring forth green and flourish. So the One Who brings life back to the dead earth and makes the plants flourish is able also to raise the dead animals back to life. Allah, the Most Exalted, said:
“And among His Signs you see the earth barren, but when We send down water (rain) to it, it is stirred to life and growth (of vegetation). Verily, He Who gives it life, surely is able to give life to the dead. Indeed! He is able to do all things.” [Surah Fussilat (41):39]
And He the Most Exalted said:
“And We send down blessed water (rain) from the sky then We produce therewith gardens and grains of all harvests that are reaped; and tall date palms, with ranged clusters; provisions for (Allah’s) slaves. And We give life therewith to dead land. Thus will be the Resurrection (of the dead).” [Surah Qaaf (50):9-11]
Some misguided people say that the punishment or bliss in the grave is not possible since it is against the reality we see when we open the graves and find the decomposed corpses. They say that we do not find that the grave has expanded its size or grown narrow, as some hadeeth mention.
This claim of theirs is invalid by proofs of ash-Sharee’ah (revelation and scripture), al-Hiss (physical senses), and al-‘Aql (reason and analysis).
(Continued)