THE RESURRECTION

The Tenth Word
On the Resurrection

Note: The reason I have written the comparisons and parables in this treatise in the form of stories is both to make the truths of Islam comprehensible and to show how rational and irrefutable they are, and how they complete and support one another. The meanings behind these parables are the truths revealed at the end. They serve only as allusions pointing toward those truths. They are therefore not fictional, but rest upon actual truths.

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحٖيمِIn the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate

فَانْظُرْ اِلٰٓى اٰثَارِ رَحْمَتِ اللّٰهِ كَيْفَ يُحْيِى الْاَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا اِنَّ ذٰلِكَ لَمُحْيِى الْمَوْتٰى وَهُوَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدٖيرٌLook, then, at the signs of Allah’s mercy: how He revives the earth after its death. Surely, He is the One who will revive the dead, and He is powerful over all things. – The Quran 30:50

If you wish to hear a clear explanation of the resurrection and the Hereafter in plain and generally understandable words, then look and listen together with me to the following parable:

Once, two men set out on a journey to a land, this world, as wonderfully beautiful as paradise. In that land they saw that everyone had left the doors of their homes and shops wide open, without thinking to guard them. Money and goods were freely accessible to everyone, without anyone laying claim to them. One of the two seized and snatched whatever he could get hold of, stealing and taking by force. He acted according to his desires and committed all kinds of injustice and dissipation. None of the inhabitants of the land seemed concerned about it.

His friend said to him: “What are you doing? You will be punished, and you will drag me into your troubles as well. Everything here is state property. The whole population, including the youth and children, consists of soldiers or officials employed as civilians. That is why they leave you alone. But do not be mistaken: order here is strictly maintained. The ruler of this land has set up means of communication everywhere, and his officials are posted at every turn. Hurry and apologize!”

But the unreasonable friend said stubbornly: “No, this is not state property at all! Everything is freely accessible and belongs to no one; everyone may use it as he wishes. I see no reason to prevent myself from benefiting from it. Unless I see with my own eyes to whom these goods belong, I will not believe it.” Thus he continued with countless nonsensical arguments in a philosophical manner, and a serious discussion arose between them.

First, the unreasonable friend said: “Who is the ruler? He is nowhere to be seen!”

His friend replied: “You know that a village cannot be governed without a village head, a needle cannot be made without a craftsman, and a letter cannot be written without a writer. How then could it be possible that this so well-ordered land has no ruler?

And how could such great wealth have no owner, when every hour a wagon full of artistic and valuable goods arrives here, is unloaded, and departs again, as though coming from ghaybThe unseen; that which is hidden from human perception and knowledge.? Is it also possible that the announcements visible everywhere, the seals and stamps seen on all the goods, and the flags waving on every corner belong to no one?