Resurrection is Real
Don’t follow the crowd
One of the major themes of Makkan revelation is pushing back against cultural norms of the Quraysh that contradicted Islam, such as idol-worship. We are told repeatedly in the Quran of people who denied revelation by saying, ‘We have not heard of this religion among our forefathers,’ or similar.
Allah reminds them that their forefathers were not knowledgeable, their footsteps shouldn’t just be followed blindly when the alternative is a prophet himself with revelation and proofs directly from Allah.
Engage your intellect
You need to think for yourself, not just follow the thinking of others. Allah created intellect to allow us to think for ourselves, and this is what we will be accountable for. Those with no intellect (i.e. children and people with mental disabilities) have no accountability for their actions.
In Surat al-Muminun, the disbelievers are asked several questions about evidence of Allah’s power, and acknowledge that He is the Creator, Protector and ultimate Lord. However they still continue to associate partners with him because this is what their ancestors did, even though it doesn’t make any logical sense.
Resurrection is real
Another major issue of the disbelievers is that they deny resurrection. Allah reminds them that He created them and gave them life in the first place. If He could do this, then doing the same again to bringing them back to life after they have died is easily within His power.
Some people may insist on denying the hereafter because they want to be able to get away with what they have done in this life, and do not want to think about being held accountable for their actions. Especially people who have power and like to believe that no one can stop them.
Allah confirms that they will be resurrected, whether you like it or not, and will be accountable for the biggest and smallest thing you have done on His most accurate scale.
فَمَن ثَقُلَتۡ مَوَٲزِينُهُ ۥ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ (١٠٢) وَمَنۡ خَفَّتۡ مَوَٲزِينُهُ ۥ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ فِى جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدُونَ (١٠٣)
those whose good deeds weigh heavy will be successful, but those whose balance is light will have lost their souls for ever and will stay in Hell [23:102-103]
Submission is for your own good
Allah then gives us descriptive audio-visual scenes of what will befall the people with light balances of good deeds. This is a reminder to save yourself by submitting to Him, and not being stubborn or arrogant.
People will be given many opportunities to choose their own path and change the course of their direction, but it is your choice to decide you are not interested. The proofs of Allah we are given, such as the sky, crops, animals etc. are a reminder of His Might and that He doesn’t need us in any way. Submitting to Him is for our own benefit, not His.
Humans are nothing but a speck of dust in the universe
When you zoom out of the universe, as far away as the Milky Way and other whole galaxies, you realise that we are nothing on the map of the universe, barely even a speck of dust.
And yet the Creator of this entire cosmos still cares about us and has so much mercy towards us that He introduces Himself to us and shows us the path to salvation, through the messengers and their books.
Allah has showered us with His kindness, mercy and favours. So we should be grateful to Him and ask Him to keep us on the straight path, as well as our offspring and the whole ummah. Ameen.
Delivered by Shaykh Haytham Tamim on Ramadan Night 26. Transcribed by Hana Khan.
Related post
The Day of Resurrection- A Sneak Preview
The first blast: the dismantling of the universe
The second blast: The recreation of mankind
Choice, Reflection and Accountability
By Samia Ahmed
In these verses of Surah al-Mu’minun, Allah Almighty continues addressing those who denied the message of the Prophet ﷺ. What is striking in these verses is that despite their rejection, Allah still presents them with evidence and invites them to make the right choice. The door of reflection remains open.
Allah begins by describing how even hardship did not awaken humility within them:
“And even if We had mercy on them and removed what affliction they are suffering, they would persist in their transgression, wandering blindly.” (23:75)
Normally hardship softens the heart. Difficulties often lead people back to Allah. Yet these verses show that when arrogance takes root, even trials fail to awaken reflection.
Allah says:
“And We certainly seized them with punishment, but they did not humble themselves to their Lord, nor did they supplicate.” (23:76)
One of the greatest obstacles faced during the Makkan revelation was the deep attachment of people to what they inherited from their forefathers. Their culture had become a barrier to truth. Rather than reflect upon the message itself, they dismissed it simply because it differed from what their ancestors had practiced.
Allah exposes this attitude:
“Do they not reflect upon the Word, or has there come to them something that did not come to their forefathers?” (23:68)
The message of tawhid was not new. It was the same call brought by the previous prophets. Yet they claimed that they had never heard such teachings from their forefathers.
This problem is not limited to the past. Even today, in some communities, inherited customs can become stronger than revelation. People follow practices simply because they were passed down, without pausing to reflect whether they align with the guidance of Allah.
The Qur’an repeatedly calls human beings to use their intellect. The mind is a gift from Allah, but it cannot benefit us if we refuse to think and reflect.
Allah then brings forward a series of evidences from creation itself. He asks them questions about the earth, the heavens and the control of all affairs.
“Say: To whom belongs the earth and whoever is in it, if you know?”
“They will say: To Allah.” (23:84–85)
“Say: Who is the Lord of the seven heavens and the Lord of the Mighty Throne?”
“They will say: Allah.” (23:86–87)
Each time they acknowledge that Allah is the Creator and Sustainer. Yet despite admitting this, they still deny resurrection.
Their objection is recorded clearly:
“They say: When we die and become dust and bones, will we truly be resurrected?” (23:82)
For them, the concept of being brought back to life seemed impossible. But the Qur’an repeatedly reminds us that the One who created us in the first place can certainly recreate us.
If Allah created life from nothing, how can resurrection be difficult for Him?
Shaykh Haytham reflected that perhaps the deeper reason behind their denial was not intellectual confusion but a reluctance to accept accountability. If resurrection is real, then every action matters. Nothing escapes the knowledge of Allah.
Allah confirms this reality in these verses by describing the Day when deeds will be weighed.
“Then those whose scales are heavy with good deeds, they are the successful.” (23:102)
“But those whose scales are light, they are the ones who have lost their souls, abiding in Hell.” (23:103)
This is a sobering reminder. Success is not measured by wealth, status or worldly achievements. True success lies in the weight of our deeds before Allah.
These verses also describe the regret of those who ignored the truth:
“Our Lord, remove us from it. If we were to return to wrongdoing, then indeed we would be wrongdoers.” (23:107)
But the response comes that they were given the opportunity in this life:
“Were My verses not recited to you, and you used to deny them?” (23:105)
The Qur’an shows us these scenes not to frighten us without purpose, but out of mercy. Allah allows us to see the outcome before we reach it, so that we may correct our course.
Ultimately the choice determines the destination.
Allah has brought forward countless evidences. The creation of the universe, the provision we receive every day, the balance of life around us, all point to the Creator.
And yet Allah does not need our submission.
Allah says:
“O mankind, you are those in need of Allah, while Allah is the Self-Sufficient, the Praiseworthy.” (35:15)
When we look at the vastness of the universe, our existence seems incredibly small. Compared to the galaxies and the immense creation of Allah, we are not even a speck of dust.
And yet Allah introduces Himself to us through revelation. He sends messengers to guide us. He gives us intellect so that we may recognise the truth.
This itself is a sign of His mercy.
Even after believing, however, we can still place obstacles between ourselves and growth. Laziness, procrastination, distraction and attachment to worldly comforts can prevent us from rising to higher levels of faith.
The Prophet ﷺ taught us to seek protection from these barriers:
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief, from weakness and laziness.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Faith requires reflection, sincerity and effort. Every action we take contributes to the scales that will be established on the Day of Judgment.
The Qur’an presents the evidence clearly.
The choice remains with us.
May Allah remove the obstacles from our hearts, allow us to recognise the truth with clarity, and make our scales heavy with good deeds on the Day when they are weighed.
Ameen.