Reflections on Life and Death

On the Day of Judgment people, who will be told that this enormous destruction and devastation will not harm them at all, and that they will receive God’s reward.

On the Day of Judgment Imam Bukhari, a noted early Muslim scholar, has cited a narration attributed to Abdullah ibn Masud, according to which the Prophet Muhammad told him to read out a portion of the Quran to him. The Prophet explained to Abdullah that he liked hearing the Quran from others. And so, Abdullah began reciting the Surah An-Nisa, a chapter of the Quran, till he reached the verse, “How will it be, then, when We bring from every people a witness and bring you as a witness against these?” (4:41) The Prophet told him to stop. Then, Abdullah saw tears in the Prophet’s eyes. How strange that time will be when God shall assemble His court! At that time, no one will be able to proudly strut about or deny God. People who were thought of by others as valueless and so were ignored by them will be brought forth as His special servants. People whom God had chosen to inform others of the impending Day of Judgment, people whom others thought of as the weakest among them, will be those who shall bear witness that will determine who shall be rewarded and who shall be punished.