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Eschatology and Life After Death
S. SHUJAT ALI SHAH In this article: Eschatology is a compound of two Greek words: - Escot which means last and
- Logos which means discourse.
Theologically it is the doctrine of last or final things as death, judgment and destruction of the soul. (1) Eschatology is the department of theological Science concerned with the four last things i.e. death, judgment, heaven and hell. (2) Eschatology is originally a Western term referring to Jewish and Christian belief about the end of History or the world in its present state, the resurrection of dead, the last judgment and related matter.(3) Generally the topic “End of History” is accepted in theology and Religion. While some people deny this theory and argue in the everlasting universe. The idea of the end of this universe is now being accepted by the scientists as well. Attention in this respect is invited towards the views of Cambridge Physicist Stephen Hawking, The learned scientist expressed his view in a conference of Cosmologist and Particle Physicists held in November 1983 at Geneva, He said: “What we look back as the Big Bang was a time of very high but not infinite density, a state to which universe will precisely return through collapse after its present expansion phase is over.” (4) Though the dictionary meanings of eschatology are the last thing or end of History a few of the world religions are against this. They believe in the eternity of the universe. The term eschatology is thus divided into mythical eschatology and historical eschatology. Mythical eschatology emphasizes the reproduction of the origin of the world at the end of the world. The end time repeats the primordial time, out the chaos (disorder) there arises a new cosmos. Historical eschatology is not grounded in a mythical primal happening but in historically datable events that are perceived and regarded as fundamental for the program of history. Historical eschatology deals with the destruction of the universe as then creation of another system. Therefore the world religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism deal with the mythical eschatology while Christianity, Judaism and Islam represent Historical. There seems to be a little ambiguity regarding some other religions as well. After this introduction now we may discuss the eschatological views of various worlds religious from the different sources. Back to Top The people of Andaman Island were of the view that at the command of the God Puluga an earthquake will destroy the earth and the bridge of heaven, the soul and spirits of the dead will arise and be reunited. Then men will lead happy lives in power, without sickness, death and marriage. (5) Pygmies in Malacca (Malaya Peninsula) had an idea that in the beginning of the age there was absolute nothing. The Ja Puden (the highest being) blew with her mouth causing storms to rage over the earth. At the end of the age when all men shall have died, she will destroy everything with the same storm. The Australian aborigines claim the end of world, but when the moral world order legislated by the God is no longer upright. Some Africans have their belief about after death. According to them those doing good in their life time will unite with the God and the Evil doers will return to this world in disturbed condition in the shape of a dog. Red Indians Tribe of America was of the view that the soul remains forever but without any reward or punishment. However, soul moves towards a particular destination. Ancient Babylonians also accepted life after death. In their old scripts it was mentioned that the life after death is true. They consider Hell as a very dark place. Old Egyptians considered that the soul is ever lasting. After death it enters into a particular body. Later on a change occurred in their ideology. Some of them were of the view that the soul lives in stars. Concept of reward and punishment was also witnessed in some Egyptian old scripts. Confucianits are in an uncertain and hesitated situation about life after death. However some of them consider death as a door to life hereafter. According to them last life is a pleasant one. Good people will enjoy while Evil door will be stopped from further sin. Anyhow there will be no punishment. (6) Another view about Confucianism is that they believe in a naturalistic law of retribution according to which good and evil deeds will bear their own consequences. Thus there remains no question of reward for the good deed and punishment or forgiveness from the Almighty Allah. There is no question of Paradise and Hell and virtually the life after death. (7) Arians of ancient India believed in the idea of end of the universe. They were against the present Indian Awagon theory. Rig vade, the oldest religious book, is a valid evidence where nothing about Awagon is mentioned at all. Later Brahman Philosophy of Upanishad added that the soul through Bugt get Mekti (the salvation). Their the soul gets itself united with the universal soul and that is called Atma. At the stage of Atma, there remains nothing. According to these Brahman the soul after death returns again and again until it gets Atma. (8) Back to Top According to Hinduism the soul of a deceased person is transmigrated to the world in any other body either human or animal according to his deeds in his life time. Maulana Abdul Haq Haqqani in Aqaid-e-Islam, expressing Hindu mythology says that those who die without any good acts, their soul statedly migrated to other bodies according to their acts such as brave in the body of lion and weak in Rabbit and so on. This cycle continues till it reaches at virtuosity and become clean from all sort of pollutions (Called Atma). At this stage the soul is being attached with the sacred entities as angles and Gods. About the end of universe. Hinduism is of the view that it is in rotation. At the end of one cycle, second one starts. Sky, stars and other things come at their original places after every rotation. Once cycle completes in thirty thousand years. Another saying is three lac sixty thousand years. (9) Back to Top This creed shares the theory of Hinduism about life after death up to some extent. According to Buddhism at the time of death, soul passes in to another body place or condition, usually human being but some times in animals also. (10) Back to Top Nothing is clearly mentioned in their sacred book about life after death or otherwise. However, a minute study indicates certain witness regarding life after death and the Day of Judgment. The Holy Quran clearly shows their faith about the Day of Judgment, Hell and Heaven. First the brief study of Quranic evidence: “and they say; the fire (of punishment) will not touch us save for a certain number of days” 2:80 “say (you) if the last home near Allah be for you solely, not for others, then well long for death, if you are truthful.” 2:94 “and they say; none shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian.” 2:111 From these verses it is clear that at the time of revelation of Holy Quran the Jews were fully observing the faith of life after death and the day of judgment, also Hell and Heaven. Now let us have a look at the Old Testament, the basic sacred document of Jews. In chapter 3 verse 8 of the book Exodus it is said: “and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large unto a land flowing with milk and honey” In other place in book “Amos” chapter – 5, verse 18-20; “Woe unto you that desire the day of Lord! To what end is it for you? The day of Lord is darkens and not light.” “As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him, or went into the house and a serpent hit him”. “Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness and not light? Even very dark, and no brightness in it”. In Encyclopedia American the word “Day of Lord” has been explained as in which God would judge not only Israel but neighboring nations as well. In vers 15 chapter-5 of book “Amos” it is said: “Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate, it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph” In the book “Isaiah” chapter-2, verse 2-4 it is said: “and it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, come ye, and let us up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of hi sway and we will walk in his path; for out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nation and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not left up swords against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” In these verses there is an indication (as is also pointed out in encyclopedia American) the “God is the judge of all men and that all men will one day be united under His rule”. In chapter 36, verse 35 of the book “Ezekiel” it is said: “and they shall say, this land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden” There is mention of garden of Eden. Eden is the name of Heaven or paradise where the Adam was first living. This is proved from the verse 15 chapter 2 of book “Genesis”; “and the Lord God took the man (Adam) and put him into the garden Eden to dress it and to keep it”. The two verses prove that the concept of paradise, which is a part of the life after death and the day of judgment, was present amongst the followers of Judaism. In the book “Isaiah” chapter 24 in verse. 1, 18-23 there are few indications about the last day of judgment; 1. “Behold the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turnth it upside down and scattereth abroad the inhabitants hereof. And it shall come to pass, that he whofleeth form the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit, that cometh up out of the midest of the pit shall be taken in the snare; for the windows from on high are open, and the foundation of the earth do shaken. 19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, and the earth is moved exceedingly. 20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall and not rise again. 21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high and the King of the earth upon the earth. 22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. Gist of the contents from these verses is that the followers of the Judaism believe in the day of judgment and the life after death. About the eschatological viewpoint of Jews, it is mentioned in encyclopedia American at vol. 10, page 566. “Jewish writing from just before the time of Christ contains an eschatological viewpoint called apocalypticism. This is characterized by the doctrine of two ages. One is entirely evil. The other is entirely future age of God righteous and eternal Kingdom. Back to Top Christianity believes in God’s Kingdom and everlasting life, they consider Heaven for reward and Hell, fire and obscurity for punishment. Their belief is that there will be the day of judgment when Masih will come. In their Holly book “Mark” chapter 1, verse 15 it is mentioned; “and saying the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent ye, and believe the gospel.” In the book “Mathew” chapter-16, verses, 27-28 it is said: “for the son of man shall come in the glory of his father with his angels: and then he shall reward every man according to his work.” Verily I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste death, till they see the son of man coming in His kingdom. The book “Thessalonians-I, chapter 5, verses 23; “and the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” Holy book of “Mathew” in chapter-12, verse-36 it is mentioned that; “but I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment” In “Mark” chapter-9, verse, 43-44 it is said: And if thy hand offends thee, cut it off, it is better for these to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into Hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” All the above quoted verses from the New Testament are sufficient to prove the Christian faith in life after death, day of judgment Heaven and Hell of fire. Back to Top Islamic view of eschatology has been expressed in these words in encyclopedia; “The concept of the resurrection of men is rich embellishment in Islam. The Antichrist and Isa (Jesus) play important roles……………………………… After the appearance of Isa judgment will begin. The good will enter paradise the evil will fall into Hell” (11) According to Islamic sources a word AKHERA has been used to donate the life after death and the day of judgment. It is narrated in the Holly Quran; “and are certain of Hereafter” (2:4) AKHERA is one of the fundamental Islamic tenets called (Iman). It is compulsory for every Muslim to have a frim faith in these tenets. Explanation AKHERA is that there are two lives, one is of this world and other thereafter. In various verses of the Holy Quran Hayat-al-Dunia and Hayat-al-Akhera, has been mentioned. Few of these verses are as under; “have you chose the life of this world in preference to hereafter” 9:38 “Allah enlargeth livelihood for whom He will, and straiteneth (if for whom He will); and they rejoice in the life of the world, whereas the life of the eworld is but brief comfort as compared with the hereafter” 13:26 “That is because they have chosen the life of the world rather than the hereafter” The AKHERA concept which is common to almost all the revealed religions with difference in details has been explained in a very comprehensive manner in the Holy Quran. The truth of its existence is so vividly conveyed to the mind through convincing arguments that one is compelled into acceptance. According to Quran, AKHERA has two portions, one from death to the day of judgment and second from the day of judgment and is forever. Thus AKHERA for an individual starts with his death and the day of judgment will become at appointed time. Then this entire universe will come to an end. First portion is called BARZAKH and second is called QYUMAH, HASHER, YOUMAL JAZA, YOUMIN DIN etc. Back to Top Pichthal in his English translation of the Holy Quran has used the word “Barrie” for Barzakh. Barzakh is an Islamic established faith about after death. Where-by a person after death remains there till the day of judgment. After a session of questions and answers by “Munkir Nakir” the person who had done good during life time remain in peace and joy. While evil doer will suffer from a tiresome and difficult situation. They will remain there in this condition till the day of judgment. In Sura “Momenoon” it has been mentioned; “until, when death cometh unto one of them, he saith;, My Lord! Send me back, That I may do right in that which I have left behind! But nay! It is a word that he speaketh; and behind them is a barrier until the day when they are raised” 23:99-100 This verse is an evidence of barrier or Barzakh. The verse of surah Momen is about the punishment during their interim period. “So Allah warded off from him the evil which they plotted, while a dreadful doom encompassed pharaoh’s folk. The fire; they emposed to it morning and evening; and on the day when the Hour upriseth (It is said) cause pharaoh’s folk to enter the most awful doom” 40:45-46 Here the story of Mosa and pharaoh is narrated that the later was drawn in the ocean and the Mosa prophet of Allah was saved. Due to their wrong and evil acts pharaoh folk are liable to server punishment in the hereafter. Therefore during Barazakh period they are under server and harsh conditions. Barzakh is the first step where a dead body is subjected to punishment. The next step is the occurrence of judgment day. There will be the end of history or the complete destruction of the universe. This day has been called by several names such as Hasher, Qayama, Youmal-din, Youma-al-Jaza and so on. Different events of the occurrence of the day have been explained in Quran and Hadith. Quran verses: In Surrah-e-Zilzal it is said: 1 When earth is shaken with her (final) earthquake. 2 And earth yeildeth up her burdens. 3 And men saith, what aileth her? 4 The day she will relate her chronicles. 5 Because they Lord inspireth her 6 That day mankind will issue forth in scattered group to be shown their dees. 7 And who so doeth good an Atoms weight see it then. 8 And who so doeth ill an atmos weight will see it then. In surah Al-Qariah it is said: - “A day wherein mankind will be as thickly scattered moths”
- “and the mountains will become as carded wool.”
In Surah Al-Infitar: - When the heaven is cleft asorder
- When the planets are dispersed.
- When the seas are poured forth,
- And the sepulehers are oven turned,
- And sould will know what it hath sent before (it) and what left behind.
In Surah Al-Takwir: - When the sun is overthrown,
- And when the stars fall,
- And when the hills are moved.
In Surah Al-Mursalat: - Surely that which ye are promised will befall
- So when the stars are put out
- And when the sky is driven asunder;
- And when the mountains are blown away.
Day and time of occurrence of the day is not mentioned anywhere, whereas some indications and signs are disclosed by the Prophet of Allah. Anyhow it is stated that the destruction of the universe and beginning of judgment day will start with a voice of trumpet. It is said: “And the trumpet is blown and all who are in the heaven and the earth swoon away, save Him whom Allah willeth. Then it is blown a second time, and behold them standing waiting” “And the trumpet is blown, and Lo! From the graves they hie unto their Lord” At the first blow all living will die. Every thing including sun, stars, sky, earth etc, will be destroyed with the second blow all mankind will be gathered in a particular ground. Then the accountability session will be started and reward and punishment will ordain. All these events are expressed in detail in Quran and great Hadith. Back to Top Religions of the world, except a few, do accept historical eschatology though with reservation. All of them believe in the end of history by one pretext or the other and the life after death according to their religious teachings. Islam, a perfect and realistic religion, defines this theory in detail and in a very comprehensive manner. It is pertinent to mention here that the Islamic viewpoints are supported by logic, reason and also present day science in most of its areas. Islamic views are that after death another life starts with happiness or suffering till the day of judgment. Judgment day will start when there will be complete destruction of this universe. Every one will have second life with the everlasting reward in paradise or punishment in Hell. Anyhow there may arise some questions for a prudent man as to where: - When the Atoms of the human are destroyed totally in case of his death long ago, how the same be reproduced.
- The body after death is eaten by insects or swallowed by animals or burnt in fire. Is it possible to raise it again?
- Is it possible that this arranged system of the universe will come to an end while each and every thing goes on systematically?
Quran Majeed answers the first two questions by quoting a similar question raised by disbelievers of that time; - “When we are dead and have become dust (shall we be brought back again)? That would be a far return.” 50:3
- And hath comed for us a similitude, and hath forgotten the fact of his creation, saying: who will revive these bones when they have rotted away.
Attention in this respect is invited towards the power of Allah Al-mighty and His acts by saying: “How many a portent is there in the high and the earth which they pass by with face overted” 12:105 “We shall show them our portents on the horizon, and with themselves until it will be manifest unto them.” 41:53 Replying to the particular question a common sense answer is given that the creator of the whole universe who gave man his existence form nothing is not power less to create him again after his death. In Surah Al-Ankaboot, it is said: “See they not how Allah produceth creation, then reproduceth it? Lo! For Allah that is easy”. ”Were we then worn out by the first creation? Yet they are in doubt about a new creation.” In short the Almighty Allah says that the authority creating from nothing can easily reproduce the same for the second time. After this answer now have a look at the question by another angle. Those who do not believe in life after death often raise the same question as to whether “is there any life after death?” and answer that “ No there is no life after death” because life is composition of material elements. Death dispels all these elements. The impossibility to unite these numerous scattered elements leaves no chance of the life after death. What is death? Generally it is said that the death is that where the human ceases functioning. (12) It is also defined as the “absence of life” (13-a) This cessation of functioning and absence of life require further clarification. According to Encyclopedia of Science and Technology Vol: 5, Page-54 “throughout history, the concept of death has been tied to one or possible two factors, the loss of the soul from the body or the loss of vital fluid circulation in the body.” There is another dispute among the Medical Scientists: where death occurs in a body as a whole or in parts. Whether all organs die at once or otherwise. Another issue is whether all the body cells accepts death or other wise all or some cells of the body remain alive even after death. In this respect following question is worth mentioning. “Death of certain tissues or localized area from a variety of causes may lead to death to the body as a whole” (13-b) “The mechanism controlling this loss remains unknown” Human body is composed of numerous cells. It is also an established fact that these body cells are subject to routine wear and tear. Thereby change of cells takes place of and on. Dr. Lins Paling, a noble prize holder in chemistry, says: “Ideologically human being is everlasting. His body cells automatically repair any damage. In a few years period all Atom of the Human body are changed and replaced by new one” (14-a) Here is a point that the human body, which is composed of many small cells, is related to an interchanging system. Thereby every part of the human body is being changed. The complete change in the whole body takes place in about ten year’s period.(14-b) Therefore we can say that if death is the name of the death of cells, then it occurs in about ten years period and thus new life starts from there. By accepting this theory it happens that a 60 years old person experiences his death five times in his life. Now what’s the difference between his actual death occurred at the age of 60 years and other deaths due to complete change of dead cells. This problem can be solved by accepting that the death is only loss of soul from body. According to Islamic teachings, when a person dies his soul goes to ILLEYEN or SYYGEN according to his deeds in the previous life. An other question then arises as to how the life after death is possible when the souls is away from the body. Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi in his book Ahkama Islam Aqal Ki Nazar Main published by Dara-ul-ishaat, Karachi has answered the problem, he says, at page.256; “Human being consists of body and soul. During this life body plays dominant role while in Barzakh soul will become dominant. In hereafter body and soul will be in equal position” After death body seems to have been dispelled and scattered in dust. These parts remain then and the Allah Almighty who has created for the first time can unite these parts and re-create the same body. This is also evident for the verse; “He will revive them who produce them at the first”. 36:78 Chemistry of a body cells is much helpful to deal with this subject. Facts about the contingent parts of the nuclei such as “Deoxyribo nucleic Acid”. (DNA) has made it easy to understand. As this part of cell ever living with full capability of development of the same body is a good evidence for what the Quran says; Second question is about the possibility of end of the universe and stop of this regular system. Quran Majeed has very emphatically expressed the destruction of this universe. Science also favours the Quranic idea. “This universe will precisely return through collapse after its present expansion phase is over” These are the views of a Cambridge physicist Stephen Hawking summed up in Geneva in a conference of cosmologists and particle physicist held in November 1983. The Holy Quran expressed; “We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them same with truth and for a term appointed” 46:3 Greeks had advanced the hypothesis of eternity of universe, saying that it had always existed ………… This view has been rejected by an equally large number of scientists. Based upon their observations of the formation of Galaxies, expansion of the universe, decay of matter and study of the behaviour of the elementary particles they believe in a finite universe both in terms of space and time. (15) About the expansion of universe scientific views expressed in “Evolution of Universe” (Cambridge) Astronomy the evolving universe” “Present universe is expanding but its rate of expansion is steadily falling as gravity restrains the dispersal of the galaxies. So one day it will come to a halt”. (16) Since it is almost impossible to assess the overall density of universe therefore it is virtually impossible to predict the timing of the reversal also” (17) “When the universe has shrunk to an hundredth of its present size, the compression effect will have elevated the temperature to the boiling pint of water, and the earth (if it has survived the sun’s death) will become uninhabitable. An observer would no longer be able to distinguish individual galaxies, for these would, by now have began to merge with each other as the intergalactic space close up. Further shrinkage will rise the temperature to the point where the sky will begin to glow like a furnace”. (18) In his research paper published in Astronomy Vol: 145, No.5 May 1987, USA on topic “To the Big Bang and Beyond” Sten Odenwold said; “The big crunch is like the Big Bang in reverse” (19) S. Bashir-ud-din Mehmood express that; Many physicists believe that the “Big Crunch represents the end of the physical universe just as they believe the universe i.e. all space time and matter, came into existence in a Big Bang so they believe it goes out of existence in a Big Crunch. This is total annihilation. (20) The above quoted views of various scientists fully support the viewpoint expressed in the Holy Quran (as a scientific one). Thus the Islamic eschatology is that at the end of this universe and destruction of all, there will be the creation of a new system, and life after death. Back to Top REFERENCES - New Webster’s Dictionary
- Oxford English Dictionary
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, vol:6, p.958
- Mechanics of the Doomsday and Life after Death by Bashiruddin Mehmood (New Dehli), p.2
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, vol.6, p.960
- Shahkar Islamic Encyclopaedia
- Religion the science of life by Syed Anwar Ali (Karachi), p.148
- Shahkar’s Islamic Encyclopaedia
- Daratul Ma’arif Islam, vol.4, Topic Tanasukh
- Religion: the Science of Life, p.92
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, vol.6, p.96
- Encyclopaedia of Science and Technology, vol.5, p.51
- a. Encyclopaedia Britannica, vol.5, p.521
- b. Ibid.
- a. Mazhab aur Jadeed Challenge by M. Wahiduddin Khan (Lahore) pp.90-91
- b. ibid, p.26
- Mechanics of the Doomsday and life after death, p.1
- Ibid, p.23
- Ibid.
- Ibid
- Ibid, p.24
- Ibid.
Lecturer, Govt. Postgraduate College, Mansehra. Back to Top Back to Table of Contents
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