Islamic Beliefs about the Afterlife (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

Al-Qadr (predestination) and human freedom

What is al-Qadr, and why is it important?

• Muslims believe in al-Qadr or predestination

• This is the idea that Allah is omnipotent (all-powerful) and omniscient (all-knowing)

• This teaching from the Qur’an means that because Allah is omniscient, he even knows the secrets within people’s hearts

• As the creator of everything, Allah has put predetermined and unchangeable rules in place that govern the universe

  • These include the rules of science, for example, how the planets orbit the sun

• Allah, therefore, knows everything that will happen

• Although Allah has given humans free will, nothing happens unless it is the will of Allah 

• Muslims often use the phrase insha’Allah, meaning “if Allah is willing” or “if Allah allows it”, about everyday events to express this belief

• Sometimes, people’s choices are in harmony with Allah’s will, and this is part of al-Qadr, helping to bring about God’s plan for the world

  • Some Muslims disagree about the exact nature of free will in al-Qadr

What is human freedom?

• Islam means submission, so Muslims are supposed to submit to Allah’s will

• However, Muslims believe that humans have free will to choose what actions to take and what to think; this is what is meant by human freedom

• Sometimes, these choices are in harmony with God’s will and help with al-Qadr, his predetermined plan for the world, but sometimes, people use their free will to go against what they have been taught and make poor choices

What are the implications of the belief in al-Qadr for Muslims today?

• Muslims today live in the knowledge of al-Qadr

• For Sunni Muslims today, belief in al-Qadr is one of the six beliefs of Islam and is therefore something they must accept

• Al-Qadr helps Muslims make sense of the world around them

• If Allah knows everything and has control over everything that’s going to happen, it must mean that events happen for a reason

  • Therefore, Muslims may find the concept of al-Qadr comforting, especially if something bad happens, because they can trust in Allah that it’s part of Allah’s plan for their lives

• Muslims will use the phrase “insha’Allah”, meaning “if God is willing”, to express their faith in al-Qadr 

  • For example, a Muslim may say, “I will get a good grade in GCSE Religious Studies, insha’Allah” 

  • This does not mean that they do not need to work hard and revise for their exams. But it does mean that they can say that if they don’t get the grade they hoped for, it was not Allah’s will for them to achieve a good grade at that time

  • Because Muslims believe that Allah is good and merciful, they will be able to remain positive and hope that there will be a positive outcome in some way from the situation

How does the belief in al-Qadr affect a Muslim’s daily life?

• The belief in al-Qadr affects a Muslim’s daily life because they:

  • Want to be rewarded for good deeds rather than punished for sin after death, so they will try to live a good life in the way that Allah wants

  • Will try to fulfil the duties that Allah gave them

  • Will try to help others because that is what the Qur’an and the example set by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) teach

  • Will try to live in a constant state of awareness of their thoughts and actions, and make sure they are consciously living by Allah’s rules

Muslim beliefs and akhirah

What do Muslims believe about akhirah?

• Muslims believe in akhirah (life after death)

  • This is a key belief in their faith

• The belief that there is an afterlife has an impact on how a Muslim lives their life every day

• The Qur’an teaches Muslims about the nature of life after death

  • Allah has full control over life after death, and everything in this world will end one day at the time of Allah’s choosing

• Allah is aware of every thought and action

• There will be a Day of Judgement when Allah will judge people by their deeds, good and bad

• People may not see or believe that Allah will reward people with eternal life, but believers in the faith know that Allah has promised this to them

• These teachings show the Muslim belief that another life is to come

  • People will be rewarded for a good life by enjoying eternal life in al-Jannah (paradise) or punished for a bad life in Jahannam (hell)

Human freedom and the Day of Judgement

How does human freedom relate to the Day of Judgement in Islam?

• All Muslims believe that on Tawm ad-Din, the Day of Judgement, everyone (not just Muslims) will be judged by Allah on how they have lived their lives

• Muslims believe that Allah is just and will judge everyone fairly in the akhirah (afterlife)

  • He will consider the circumstances into which a person was born, so someone would not be punished for being born into a crime-filled environment — this would be taken into account when passing judgement

• People are still accountable for their actions in this life

• Those who have had faith and have done good deeds will be rewarded; those who have not will be punished

  • This might seem contradictory to the idea of al-Qadr because if God already knows and controls what will happen, it seems unfair to judge people for something he predestined them to do

  • This is why free will is important: Allah, as creator, has given people free will to choose their actions and does not interfere with this

    • He could have taken away that choice, but he didn’t 

• Therefore, Allah will judge people on their choices, not on some destiny already decided for them

  • This is taught in the Qur’an, which says:

• This shows that the fate of people’s souls rests on their own actions and choices, not some predetermined destiny

Muslim beliefs about heaven

Rewards and punishment after death in Islam

• Muslims believe that each person is responsible for their actions; these are recorded by angels known as kiraman katibin and then judged by Allah

• Those who have had faith and have done good deeds will be rewarded by Allah and will enter paradise or Jannah

What are Muslim beliefs about heaven?

• Heaven (Jannah) is the eternal reward for those who have lived a good life, obeyed Allah and followed the Qur’an and Hadith

  • It is described in the Qur’an as a paradise of peace, happiness and closeness to Allah

  • It is a place of reward where there is no suffering, pain or sadness

  • Jannah is described as a beautiful place in the Qur’an

• Descriptions of Jannah in the Qur’an include:

  • Gardens with rivers of milk and honey

  • Shade, fruit, silk garments and comfort

  • A place of reunion with loved ones

• Being able to go to Jannah depends on factors related to how one has lived their life. The people who can enter Jannah are:

  • Those who believe in Allah and follow his guidance

  • Those who have done good deeds, prayed, fasted and given charity

  • Those who have repented for their sins

• Muslims also believe that some righteous non-Muslims may be shown mercy, as Allah is just and merciful

• Belief in Jannah motivates Muslims to live a moral life and fulfil the five pillars

• It also provides comfort and hope in times of suffering

• It shows Allah’s justice and mercy because good is rewarded and evil is punished

Muslim beliefs about hell

What are Muslim beliefs about hell?

• Hell (Jahannam) is the place of punishment after death for those who reject Allah, commit serious sins without repentance or show hypocrisy

  • It is described in the Qur’an as a place of fire, pain and suffering

• Hell is also a state of separation from Allah, which is the greatest punishment

• Descriptions of Jahannam in the Qur’an include:

  • Burning fire and boiling water

  • Chains and torment

  • A place of regret and despair

• Those who end up in Jahannam have behaved a certain way in life. They include:

  • Non-believers who reject Allah and the prophets

  • Hypocrites (those who pretend to believe but do not truly submit)

  • Believers who sin greatly and do not repent

• However, some Muslims believe punishment in hell may be temporary for sinful believers, as Allah is merciful

• Hell is important for Muslims for many reasons

  • It reminds Muslims of the consequences of sin and turning away from Allah

  • It encourages repentance and obedience to the Qur’an and Hadith

  • It shows Allah’s justice because evil and injustice will not go unpunished