Rays of Wisdom for the Modern World
His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) is a beaming beacon of Divine guidance and support. His Holiness (aba) represents the highest level of a connection with God in today’s world and thus he is the spiritual leader for tens of millions across the world, and champions the message of fulfilling the rights owed to God, and fulfilling the duties we each owe to our fellow human beings. Over the course of his Friday Sermons, addresses on various occasions, meetings with different organizations and children’s classes, His Holiness (aba) imparts invaluable knowledge and insight on a remarkably vast array of topics.
The Review of Religions is honoured to present some of these ‘Rays of Wisdom’ from His Holiness (aba) taken from various sources, for the benefit of its readers.
Are Those Who Have Passed Away Still Awaiting Judgement?
The Holy Qur’an talks about a Day of Judgement where all people will be gathered and questioned before God about the lives they lived on earth, in order to determine whether they will enter paradise or be subject to the torment of hell as punishment. It is also understood that there is a stage between this life and the next, known as Barzakh or the purgatory state, where souls await judgement. But if there is going to be one Day of Judgement, are all those who have already passed away still waiting? Once, someone asked His Holiness (aba) whether those who have passed away are still in the purgatory state awaiting judgement or if they have moved on to their ultimate abode.
His Holiness (aba) replied:
‘When the companions would pass away, the Holy Prophet (sa) would say that he could see them walking in paradise. Allah the Almighty did not say that the companions would be exempt from going through the purgatory stage. Even in this era, we find many elders who see their relatives [in visions] happily wandering about in paradise. The Promised Messiah (as) has mentioned this philosophy in The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam under the third or fourth question, which you should read.
As for the purgatory stage; when a soul leaves the body, it takes on a new form. One who is meant to go to heaven will enter paradise, and one who is hell-bound will enter hell. Indeed, there will be a Day of Judgement when everyone will be gathered when, according to their ranks, Allah the Almighty will further reward them and will decide what to do further with those deserving of punishment. It is possible that one who is subject to punishment will be taken out from where they are, and God says that they have endured enough punishment so now they can enter paradise. For those who did good deeds and were in heaven, it is possible that God places them in different categories [of spiritual status]. Those who were advanced in their sinful ways could be given an even more severe punishment in hell.
Thus, the purgatory state is not like being on a waiting list at the hospital where patients are waiting for six hours for the doctor to come and see them when they’ll find out whether there is any remedy for them or not. They sit waiting for the results to see if they have passed or not; however, it will not be like this. Otherwise what would be the point of doing virtuous deeds if one was to simply be waiting for 2,000 years? You should read this aspect in The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam…you will understand this concept.’[1]
ENDNOTES
1. This Week with Huzoor – 6th March 2020.
