The Last Day and destiny

The Last Day. Muslims believe that this life has an end, and that after death will come resurrection, judgement, then Paradise or Hell. Every person will answer for their deeds before Allah, who is just and merciful.

"Whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it" (meaning of verses 99:7-8).

This belief gives life meaning: nothing we do is lost, neither hidden good nor injustice suffered. It also invites us to repent while there is still time.

Destiny (al-qadar). In the hadith of Jibril, faith also includes "believing in destiny, its good and its bad" (Muslim 8). Scholars explain that this means believing: • that Allah knows everything, even before it happens; • that everything is written with Him; • that nothing happens without His will; • that He is the Creator of all things.

Destiny and responsibility. Believing in destiny does not mean doing nothing. We have a will, we choose our actions and we are responsible for them. A man asked the Prophet ﷺ whether he should tie his camel or simply trust in Allah; he answered: "Tie it, and trust in Allah." (Tirmidhi 2517)

The fruit of this belief: do your best, then calmly accept what you cannot change.

Understanding the lesson

Explanation The Last Day gives this life its true meaning: it is a test and a passage. "It is He who created death and life to test you: which of you is best in deeds" (meaning of verse 67:2). The judgement will be perfectly just: no injustice will be forgotten, and Allah's mercy is immense.

Destiny and freedom do not contradict each other. Allah knows everything in advance, but knowing is not forcing: we do not know what is written, we truly choose, and we are judged on our choices. When companions asked, "Why act, if everything is written?", the Prophet ﷺ answered: "Act, for each person is made easy for what he was created for." (Bukhari 4949, Muslim 2647)

Belief in destiny protects from two extremes: pride when all goes well and despair when all goes badly, "so that you do not grieve over what has escaped you, nor exult over what He has given you" (meaning of verse 57:23). The Prophet ﷺ also advised, after a setback, not to say "if only I had done this…", but: "Allah has decreed it, and He does what He wills." (Muslim 2664)

Common misunderstandings: using destiny as an excuse for one's faults; no longer making efforts (working, seeking treatment, studying); judging destiny unfair when we see only a small part of it.

Lessons to draw • Do your best, then trust in Allah: "tie it, and trust in Allah" (Tirmidhi 2517). • Meet trials with patience, knowing that nothing is lost with Allah. • Repent today rather than tomorrow: life has an end. • Do good, even small: an atom's weight of good will be seen (99:7).

Key points • After death: resurrection, judgement, then Paradise or Hell. • Destiny: Allah knows, has written, wills and creates all things. • We remain free and responsible for our choices.

The main message Believing in the Last Day and in destiny brings peace: we do our best, accept what we cannot change, and know that none of the good we do is lost.