The Resurrection

It seems you have been somewhat influenced by Western learning, so that you no longer understand the Islamic writings. Moreover, you refuse to consult someone who does understand them. Come, let me read to you the supreme decree of the ruler.”

The unreasonable friend then said: “Suppose there is a ruler. What loss could my tiny use of his wealth cause him? Would he become poorer because of it? Besides, there is nothing here that looks like a prison; there is no punishment to be seen.”

His friend replied: “This land you see is a place of trial. It is also an exhibition hall where the unique works of art of the sultan are displayed. In addition, it is a perishable and temporary residence. Do you not see that new people arrive every day while others depart and disappear? The land is constantly being filled and emptied. After a certain time, this land will be destroyed and its inhabitants will be transferred to another, eternal land. There, everyone will either receive reward or undergo punishment according to his deeds.”

The unreasonable friend remained stubborn and said: “I do not believe that. How is it possible that this land will be destroyed and all its people transferred to another land?”

His trustworthy friend replied: “Since you are so stubborn and self-willed, I shall show you, from among countless proofs, in only twelve aspects, that there is a supreme court, a place of reward and gifts, and a place of punishment and imprisonment. Just as this land is partly emptied every day, a day will come when it will be emptied entirely and destroyed.

The First Aspect

Is it at all possible that in a dominion, especially such a magnificent one, there should be no reward for those who obey and no punishment for those who rebel? Since such justice is scarcely seen here, there must be a court of ultimate justice somewhere else.

The Second Aspect

Look at how everything proceeds in this land! See how everyone, from the poorest and weakest to the richest and strongest, is provided with valuable and excellent sustenance, and how the lonely sick are cared for in the finest way. Everywhere there are most delicious foods, precious dishes, beautiful embroideries, adorned garments, and magnificent feasts. Look how everyone—except unreasonable people like you—performs his duties with utmost care, without overstepping his limits in the slightest. Even the foremost persons carry out their duties humbly, in full reverence and great obedience. This indicates that the ruler of this dominion possesses immense generosity, all-encompassing mercy, exalted honor, and awe-inspiring dignity.

Yet although generosity requires the granting of favors, mercy requires compassion, honor requires dignity, and dignity requires the disciplining and punishment of the disobedient, in this land scarcely one thousandth of what corresponds to his mercy and dignity is carried out. We see wrongdoers and oppressors leave this land unpunished and without consequence, while the innocent and oppressed leave it in deep misery without seeing justice. This means that their reckoning is being left entirely to a court of ultimate judgment.