Quran Garden

Let me ask you a personal question: Do you think you are from the people of this world (Dunia) or the people of the hereafter (الآخرة)? What is the motivation behind your daily actions? In today's Tafsir of Ayah 4 of Surah Al-Fatiha, we will provide you with the tools to answer this question. Let's begin.

 

Session 16

 

Chapter 1

 

Verse 4

 

a continuation

 

مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ

 

The Owner of the Day of Recompense. (Chapter 1: Verse 4)

 

Once, a person came to a righteous man and asked, "I would like to know whether I am amongst the people of this world or the people of the hereafter." The righteous man replied, "God is Most Merciful; thus, He did not place people's fate and judgment in the hands of their kin. He placed the scale in each person's own hand. Your scale is in your hand, and you are best aware in which direction it is tipping. You may fool others with appearances, but you cannot cheat yourself. So, look inwards and you will know whether you are from amongst the people of this world or the people of the hereafter." The man asked, "How can I do that?" The righteous man replied with a question, "Whose presence gives you more pleasure, the person who comes to give you money or the person who comes asking you for charity?" The man remained silent. The righteous man continued, "If you are happy when someone gives you money, then you are from amongst the people of this world, and if you are pleased when someone comes asking for charity, then you are from amongst the people of the hereafter. For man rejoices over whoever gives him what he likes. The person who gives you wealth is, in fact, giving you this world, and the person who takes charity from you is giving you the hereafter. If you want to be amongst the people of the hereafter, then celebrate and seek those who invite you to charity and good work more than those who give you wealth."

 

The concept of "Owner of the Day of Resurrection" is an essential and monumental pillar of faith that cannot be overlooked. It means that the beginning and the end are in the hands of Allah, and that all will meet Him and be held accountable for their actions. Thus, you must prepare for that Day by keeping God in mind in all your actions. In contrast, the disbeliever goes about his or her daily life carelessly, without considering the final outcome, as mentioned in the following verse:

 

As for those who disbelieve, their deeds are like a mirage in the desert which the thirsty takes for water till he reaches it to find that there was nothing, and finds God with him who settles his account, for God is swift at the reckoning. (24:39)

 

Some people spend their entire life doing whatever they wanted. Why? As long as there is no accountability, why would they care? Who would they fear? And for whom should they restrict their desires? Religion is accountability! Similarly, if there were not a Day on which we will be taken to account, then why do we pray, fast, stand for the truth, or give charity?

 

Allah is the Creator of the Day of Resurrection, and He alone has the knowledge of its events, of Paradise, Hellfire, and all creation that will be taken into account that Day. God wants you to feel assured that, if you were ever wronged in life, a Day will come in which there will be no injustice. Even in this world, if it were not for God's rules of justice, people would endlessly oppress and transgress over each other. But when God's hand strikes a tyrant, it makes them an example for others. And whoever happens to escape the torment of this world -despite his or her sin- will meet God in the hereafter so that He will take them to account. Once you have this certainty in your heart, any feelings of grief, bitterness, or resentment that you may have because of the injustice around you are lessened.

 

In fact, the entire universe in all its movement is built on the basis of that Day. When God addresses the believers in the Quran, He refers to it as "the great success," because the true greatness of the hereafter is that it grants you an everlasting pleasure in Paradise. This Day inspires us to endure hardships, persevere in God's path, and share our wealth with those in need, seeking true success. God also referred to it as "the Day of Recompense" because it is the time when every person will be held accountable for their faith. Did they act upon it or waste their life?

 

The hereafter truly reflects God's perfect justice. Some criminals might escape the justice system and punishment in this world, but can they evade God's judgment? Of course not. You can circumvent man-made laws, only to face God's punishment in the hereafter. Thus, never assume that it is good for you to get away with sin without consequences in life; instead, it is to your detriment, as you may have escaped from a limited punishment to an eternal one. Our deepest gratitude is due to Allah, for He alone will judge us that Day, the Most Just, Most Forgiving, and Most Generous.

 

Join us for the next session as we tell you the story of عُمَر بْن ?لْخَطَّاب and the strange traveler. If you value the Islamic knowledge you gain here, please take a moment to subscribe to our channel and share QuranGarden with your family and friends.