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.