Allah Almighty says: {and have awe of Me.} [Al-Baqarah: 40] He also says: {Indeed, the vengeance of your Lord is severe.} [Al-Burūj: 12] And He says: {And thus is the seizure of your Lord when He seizes the cities while they are committing wrong. Indeed, His seizure is painful and severe. Indeed in that is a sign for those who fear the punishment of the Hereafter. That is a Day for which the people will be collected, and that is a Day witnessed. And We do not delay it except for a limited term. The Day it comes no soul will speak except by His permission. And among them will be the wretched and the blissful. As for those who were condemned, they will be in the Fire. For them therein is [violent] sighing and sobbing.} [Hūd: 102-106] He also says: {And Allah warns you of Himself} [Āl-‘Imrān: 28] And He says: {On the Day a man will flee from his brother, and his mother and his father, and his wife and his children. For every man, that Day, will be a matter adequate for him.} [‘Abasa: 34-37] And He says: {O mankind, fear your Lord. Indeed, the convulsion of the [final] Hour is a terrible thing. On the Day you see it every nursing mother will be distracted from what she was nursing, and every pregnant woman will abort her pregnancy, and you will see the people [appearing] intoxicated while they are not intoxicated; but the punishment of Allah is severe.} [Al-Hajj: 1-2] He also says: {But for he who has feared the position of his Lord are two gardens.} [Ar-Rahmān: 46] And He says: {And they will approach one another, inquiring of each other. They will say: “Indeed, we were previously among our people fearful [of displeasing Allah]. So Allah conferred favor upon us and protected us from the punishment of the Scorching Fire. Indeed, we used to supplicate Him before. Indeed, it is He who is the Beneficent, the Merciful.”} [At-Tūr: 25-28] The verses in this regard are many. Our purpose was to cite some of them.
1) A person should fear his Lord in a way that makes him exalt Him, by fulfilling what He commanded and avoiding what He prohibited and warned against.
2) Extreme intimidation regarding the horrors of the Day of Judgment. Whoever duly fears that day, Allah will make him safe from its horrors.
they are quite many. Here we cite some of them, and Allah is the source of all success.
396/1 - Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) – the truthful one and the receiver of the truth – related to us: “The creation of each one of you is gathered in the form of a drop of semen in the womb of his mother for forty days; then it becomes a clinging clot in a similar period; then it becomes a lump of flesh in a similar period; then Allah sends an angel who breathes life into it; and (the angel) is commanded to record four things about it: its provision, its term of life (in this world), its conduct; and whether it will be happy or miserable. By the One other than Whom there is no other god, one of you would do the deeds of the dwellers of Paradise until there is only one cubit between him and it, and destiny would come to pass, and he would do the deeds of the inmates of Hellfire, so he will enter it. And one of you would do the deeds of the inmates of Hellfire until there is only one cubit between him and it, and destiny would come to pass, and he would do the deeds of the dwellers of Paradise, so he will enter it." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
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1) We should believe in divine decree, and the pleasant and unpleasant aspects thereof as all from Allah, the Exalted.
2) A person should continue to supplicate Allah Almighty to grant him steadfastness and a good end and to fear the evil end and his recorded preordained fate.
3) The keenness on guiding people.
4) We are urged to perform good deeds and be persistent in doing so, as they are a great means for having a good end.
397/2 - He also reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Hellfire will be brought on that Day with seventy thousand bridles, and each bridle will have seventy thousand angels pulling it.” [Narrated by Muslim]
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1) It points out how massive Hellfire is, as a tremendous number of angels, whose strength is known to Allah alone, will pull it. So, how immense this Fire must be!
2) Allah Almighty frightens His servants so they would fear and worship Him. Whoever knows about the gravity of Hellfire is expected to be fearful of his Lord.
398/3 - Al-Nu‘mān ibn Bashīr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: “The least tortured one among the dwellers of the Fire on the Day of Judgment is a man who will have two live coals placed underneath his feet that will cause his brain to boil. He will think that no one is being tortured more than him, whereas he is the least tortured.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
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1) People are warned against committing sins, lest they will be among the dwellers of Hellfire who are promised severe punishment.
2) The punishment in Hellfire is of varying degrees, the least of which will be thought to be the severest.
399/4 - Samurah ibn Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Among them are those whom the fire will reach up to their ankles, others up to their knees, others up to their waists, and others up to their collarbones.” [Narrated by Muslim]
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1) It frightens people of Hellfire and issues a stern warning to those who act like the dwellers of Hellfire.
2) People will be punished in Hellfire according to their sins. So, a person should be keen to come to his Lord free from sins in order to save himself from being purified in Hellfire.
400/5 - Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “People will rise from their graves and stand before the Lord of the Worlds. Some of them will get submerged in their perspiration up to the middle of their ears.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
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1) There will be great horrors on that day to the extent that perspiration will be so profuse.
2) People’s perspiration will differ according to the difference in their deeds. Their deeds will affect their positions in the land of resurrection. Blissful are those who acted rightly in the life of this world and will be among those whom Allah will shade on the Day of Judgment.
401/6 - Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) delivered to us a sermon the like of which I have never heard. He said: “If you were to know what I know, you would laugh a little and weep much.” Thereupon, the Prophet’s Companions covered their faces and began to sob. [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
In another version: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) heard of something about his Companions, and thereupon he addressed them, saying: “Paradise and Hellfire were shown to me, and I have never seen the like of this day in good and in evil. If you were to know what I know, you would laugh little and weep much.” His Companions experienced such suffering on that day that had no equal. They covered their faces and began to sob.
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1) The prophets (peace be upon them) knew things through revelation which were not known to people. Allah Almighty would inform them of things of the unseen, as He wished, to make them more fearful of Him.
2) It is recommended to cry in fear of the punishment of Allah. Frequent laughter is a sign of heedlessness and hardheartedness. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Do not laugh a lot, for laughing a lot deadens the heart.” [Narrated by Ahmad]
3) The Companions were moved by preaching, as they had the sincerest faith among all people. So, those who follow their path will be the winners in the worldly life and in the Hereafter.
402/7 - Al-Miqdād (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: “On the Day of Judgment, the sun will be drawn near people until it becomes a 'mīl' away from them.” Sulaym ibn ‘Āmir, who narrated the Hadīth from Al-Miqdād, said: “By Allah, I do not know what he meant by 'mīl'; is it the mile of the distance measure or the stick used for applying antimony powder to the eye?” “The people then will be submerged in perspiration according to their deeds, some up to their ankles, some up to their knees, some up to their waist, and some will be bridled by perspiration,” pointing with his hand to his mouth. [Narrated by Muslim]
403/8 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The people will sweat so profusely on the Day of Judgment that their sweat will sink seventy cubits deep into the earth, and it will rise up till it reaches their mouths and ears.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
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1) It points out the horrors of the Day of Judgment and the severity of the Resurrection, so as to warn people of disobeying their Lord.
2) Encouraging people to do good deeds and warning them of evil deeds is the approach adopted by the Prophets (peace be upon them) in preaching people and teaching them.
404/9 - He also reported: We were in the Prophet’s company when he heard a bang. Thereupon, he said: “Do you know what this is?” We said: “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said: “That is a stone which was thrown into Hell seventy years ago and it has just reached its bottom, and now you’ve just heard its bang.” [Narrated by Muslim]
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1) It scares people from the depth of Hellfire and its distant bottom. When a believer learns about this, he becomes extremely fearful of Hellfire.
2) One of the methods of education for the teacher is to draw attention of the learners before giving information. For this purpose, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) informed them about this matter using the interrogative form first (to draw their attention).
405/10 - ‘Adyy ibn Hātim (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “There will be none among you but that His Lord will talk to him, without an interpreter between him and His Lord. He will look to his right and will see nothing but the deeds he had done, and he will look to his left and will see nothing but the deeds he had done, and he will look in front of him, and he will see nothing but Hellfire facing him. So, shield yourselves from Hellfire even with half a date (to give in charity).” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1) A servant will be close to his Lord so that He will show him all his deeds, something which makes one greatly apprehensive of this situation.
2) Urging people to save themselves from punishment by means of righteous words and deeds, even if little.
406/11 - Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Verily, I see what you do not see, and I hear what you do not hear. The sky has squeaked, and it has every right to do so, for it does not have a space of four fingers where there is no angel putting his forehead in prostration before Allah Almighty. By Allah, if you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much; you would not enjoy women in bed; and you would go out to the open plains loudly imploring Allah Almighty.” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi; and he classified it as Hasan (sound)]
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1) Among the traits of a believer is that he fears his Almighty Lord and does not despair of His mercy. A believer should have both fear and hope.
2) The dwellers of the heavens are obedient to Allah Almighty. They prostrate themselves to Him and never forget to mention His name. This is because they possess greater knowledge of their Lord and hence they are more fearful of Him.
3) People are urged to implore their Lord and submit to Him, for He is the only Refuge for them.
407/12 - Abu Barzah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Man’s feet will not move from their place on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about his life, in what did he let it perish? About his knowledge, what did he do with it? About his wealth, where did he earn it from, and how did he spend it? About his body, in what did he wear it out?” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi; he classified it as Hasan Sahīh (sound and authentic)]
1) The believer uses Allah’s favors in things pleasing to Him, and this is a form of expressing gratitude to Him for His favors.
2) People are reminded that they will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment, as they will be questioned about their lives, knowledge, wealth, and deeds.
408/13 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: {That Day, it will report its news.} [Az-Zalzalah: 4] Then, he said: “Do you know what its news is?” They said: “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said: “Its news is that it will bear witness against every male or female person, relating what they did on its surface. It will say: You did such and such on such and such day. This will be its news.” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi; and he classified it as Hasan (sound)]
1) The best method of interpretation is to interpret the Qur’an through the Prophet’s statements. So, a believer should be keen on adopting this method when it comes to the Qur’an interpretation.
2) People are urged to do good and keep away from sin. This is one of the effects of servitude to Allah based on fear of Him.
3) It underlines the ability of Allah Almighty to make anything of His creation speak. Even the earth will bear witness to what took place on its surface.
409/14 - Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “How can I be at ease when the one with the Horn has put his lips to the Horn waiting to hear the order to blow it?” This was apparently too hard for the Companions, so he said to them: “Say: Hasbunallāh wa ni‘ma al-Wakīl (Sufficient for us is Allah, and He is the best Disposer of affairs).” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi; and he classified it as Hasan (sound)]
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The one with the trumpet: The angel assigned to blow the Horn, which is Isrāfīl (may Allah exalt his mention).
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1) It was the Prophet’s guidance to give up living in comfort and luxury out of fear from the Day of Judgment.
2) People are urged to seek help from Allah Almighty alone and hasten to do good deeds.
3) It shows the Prophet’s compassion towards his Ummah and his fear that the Hour might come while they are alive, as he knew that it will come upon the most evil of people.
4) If a person is troubled by something and he says, {Sufficient for us is Allah, and He is the best Disposer of affairs}, no harm will touch him, since remembrance of Allah makes hard things easy upon people.
410/15 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The one who is afraid (of the pillage of the enemy) sets out in the early part of the night, and the one who sets out early will reach his destination. Verily, the commodity of Allah is precious. Verily, the commodity of Allah is Paradise.” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi; and he classified it as Hasan (sound)]
“Sets out in the early part of the night”: a metaphorical reference to hastening to do good deeds, and Allah knows best.
1) It urges people to be keen on doing good deeds and hastening to rid themselves of sin.
2) Paradise is a precious commodity that can only be attained at a very high price, which is good deeds and acts of piety. Only an ambitious seeker can win Paradise by the mercy of his Lord, The Exalted.
411/16 - ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The people would be assembled on the Day of Resurrection barefooted, naked, and uncircumcised.” I said: “O Messenger of Allah, will men and women be all together, looking at one another?” Thereupon, he said: “O ‘Ā’ishah, the matter would be too serious for them to care about that.”
In another version: “The matter would be too serious for them to look at one another.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
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1) People will come out of their graves in the state in which they were born, i.e. in their original state of creation.
2) It shows the horrors of the Day of Judgment. Nothing will concern anyone on that day but their deeds and reckoning.
3) Women during the Prophet’s lifetime were perfectly modest. Here is ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) feeling shocked when she heard that men and women would be gathered naked. She was concerned about them looking at one another in that state. Such was the community of the Companions; a community marked by chastity, purity, and righteousness. {Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, so from their guidance take an example.}