Islamic Ethics and The Day of Judgment

QUESTION: Islamic Ethics – The Day of Judgment

ANSWER:

Muslims believe in a day of final judgment when all humanity will be judged and their deeds weighed in the balance. Muslims are motivated toward ethical behavior on several fronts: to develop personal virtue and spirituality; to better the state of others; to strengthen relationships; and to anticipate the coming judgment.

Then those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy, they will attain salvation: But those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls, in Hell will they abide. (Qur’an 23:102–103)

Islamic Ethics – Eternal Motivation
Fear of an eternity in hell is the strongest motivation of all.

This world will come to an end some day, and the dead will rise to stand for their final and fair trial. Everything we do in this world, every intention we have, every move we make, every thought we entertain, and every word we say, all are counted and kept in accurate records. On the Day of Judgment they will be brought up. People with good records will be generously rewarded and warmly welcomed to the Heaven of God, and those with bad records will be punished and cast into Hell...However, the Muslim believes that there definitely will be compensation and reward for the good deeds, and punishment for the evil ones. That is the Day of justice and final settlement of all accounts.¹

Notes:

Rendered with permission from the book,Understanding the Times: The Collision of Today’s Competing Worldviews(Rev. 2^nd ed), David Noebel, Summit Press, 2006. Compliments of John Stonestreet, David Noebel, and the Christian Worldview Ministry at Summit Ministries. All rights reserved in the original.

¹ Hammuda Abdalati, Islam in Focus (Indianapolis, IN: Amana Publications, 1978), 13.