How to Prepare for the Day of Judgment
One of the core tenants of the Islamic belief is the fact that Muslims believe in the world hereafter. One cannot be a Muslim until and unless he or she believes in the world hereafter from a true heart. Moreover, in addition to the life in the hereafter, a Muslim has to believe in the judgment day as well, the occurrence of which decides the place a person is to live dwell in the life hereafter – either heaven or hell.
Pertaining to the judgment day, a Muslim must truly believe in the day, as it is as inevitable as the occurrence of death in this mortal life. The lines below discuss the emphasis put by Islam on the imperativeness and inevitability of the Day of Judgment, in addition to giving some tips on how a Muslim should prepare for it.
In Quran, Allah Almighty says:
“Indeed, the death from which you flee – indeed, it will meet you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you about what you used to do.” (62:08)
This ayah of Quran makes it clear that death is inevitable. Moreover, the other thing that the ayah makes clear is the fact that after death we all are to go to Allah Almighty, Who has witnessed all that we had done in our lives and when we go to Him, He will lay it all open in front of us. Therefore, there is no escaping the fact that one day we all will be in front of Him and He will judge us on the bases of what we have done in our lives.
At another place, Allah Almighty says in Quran:
“……Surely we are Allah’s, and to Him shall we return.” (2:156)
This ayah again stresses on the fact that a Muslim is supposed to have a firm belief on the fact that all of us have come from Allah as He is our creator, and once we die, all of us will return to Him as He is the Lord and the Supreme.
Pertaining to the belief in the Judgment day being one of the core Islamic beliefs, Allah Almighty says in Quran:
“O you who believe! Enter whole-heartedly into Islam, and follow not the footsteps of Shaytaan for he is to you and avowed enemy.” (2:208)
Therefore, a Muslim must understand that the belief in the world hereafter is one of the core beliefs and like all the other Islamic beliefs a Muslim must believe in it with full heart and have it incorporated in heart and mind to the core.
Pertaining to judgment day, the one thing that every Muslim must have in mind is the fact that the judgment day comprises of what a Muslim has done in this world. Therefore, there wont be any injustice or anything that a person has not done in the life of this world. In Quran, Allah Almighty says:
“And whatever good ye send forth for your souls before you, ye shall find it with Allah. For Allah sees Well all that ye do.” (2:110)
In this ayah it is clear that whatever a person does, either good or bad in this life, it automatically gets sent to the world hereafter and it is that on the bases of which a person should be held accountable. Therefore, it is more than imperative that a Muslim sends as much good as possible in the world hereafter, so that he or she could receive a good reward.
As far as the ways and methods of preparing for the world hereafter in general and the Day of Judgment in particular is concerned, a Muslim must do all that is virtuous and righteous. The lines below give a few of the ways by following which a Muslim can ensure that on the Day of Judgment, he or she receives heavens as a reward.
Five Pillars – The first thing that a Muslim needs to do in order to prepare for the judgment day is to fulfill the obligations that are instructed by Allah Almighty. In this regard, a Muslim must observe five pillars of Islam and believe in them. Firstly, a Muslim must believe in the Oneness of Allah Almighty throughout life and ascribe no partners with Him. Secondly, a Muslim must make sure that the daily Salahs are offered on regular bases. Thirdly, the fasting in the month of Ramadan also needs to be observed and every Muslim must keep fast for the whole month of Ramadan. The fourth thing that needs to be observed, is giving of Zakat. The giving of Zakat ensures that a Muslim helps other Muslims out and make their lives better. Lastly, it is the pilgrimage to the home of Allah Almighty that every able Muslim must do and send good deeds to the world hereafter. To know the in depth info of these pillars, we recommend you to download Five Pillars of Islam in your mobile and start exploring each pillar.
Fulfill Sunnahs – In addition to the obligations, if a Muslim wishes to have a good day on the Judgment day, then he or she also needs to fulfill the Sunnahs of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The fulfilling of Sunnah of Prophet (PBUH) also carries great reward, hence a Muslim must try fulfilling any Sunnah he or she has available to perform.
Read Quran – There is reward against each and every word of Quran. Therefore, a Muslim must recite Quran for reward. However, one must also opt for understanding of Quran, as the real message of it is in the understanding and once a Muslim develops an understanding of it, he or she can easily apply it to the daily life and ensure staying on the path of righteousness. Moreover, if you are some Muslim who does not know how to correctly read Quran, you are advised to join the QuranReading.com to learn it online. This will also help you develop good understanding with Quran and also, in the world hereafter, Quran will witness your efforts.
Be Good to People – Although on the judgment day it will be Allah Almighty and He has every right to be praised and worshiped, however, Islam has also put great stress on the human relations as well. A Muslim ought to be good with people. We must love others, be patient and tolerant with them, forgive them, ask their forgiveness and help each other out so that on the Day of Judgment none of the people has any complaints against you.
Seek Allah’s Forgiveness – Above all, the one thing that every Muslim must do in the worldly life to have a better Day of Judgment is to seek forgiveness of Allah Almighty. If one keeps on asking forgiveness for the sins, then the sins keep on washing away, which ultimately leads to fewer sins on the judgment day, hence a better life hereafter. Moreover, besides forgiveness, a Muslim must also ask of protection of Allah Almighty against the fire of Hell as well.
Conclusion:
In short, the Day of Judgment is inevitable and every Muslim must have firm belief in rising after death and standing in the court of Allah Almighty. Therefore, in this life a Muslim must try living it on the rules and instructions of Islam so that on that very day, a Muslim is found righteous and rewarded paradise instead of being otherwise.
