THE COURT OF JUSTICE
What an awesome event God’s court of justice will be! People’s real natures will be revealed in that world. God’s Power and Justice will be seen in all Magnanimity.
Prophet Mohammad once asked his companion, Abdullah Ibn Masood, to read him a part of the Quran. “Me, read the Quran to you when it has been revealed unto you?” Ibn Masood asked in astonishment. “Yes,” the Prophet answered, “I like to hear it read by someone else.” So Abdullah Ibn Masood started reciting chapter Al-Nisa. When he reached this verse, the Prophet asked him to stop: ‘What will they do when We bring a witness from each community and bring you as a witness against these people?’ (The Quran, 4: 41) Abdullah Ibn Masood looked at the Prophet and saw tears flowing from his eyes. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 5050)
What an awesome event the setting up of God’s court of justice will be! There will be no occasion for contumacy or denial. On the contrary, those whom people disregarded in this world will be the ones to be brought forward as God’s witnesses; for they were God’s witnesses on earth, warning humanity of the impending Day of Judgment. They were considered the most insignificant people on earth, but their testimony will decide people’s eternal fate.
Think of the state of those loquacious in the world but find themselves without words on that Day; and those who wield power and prestige, only to be divested of all traces of power on that Day. Super¬ficial veils will be rent asunder, and those who feigned false piety will be exposed for the hypocrites they were. The tables will turn on that day when many who are last in the world will be the first in the sight of God.
People are hidden behind artificial appearances in this world. Some hide themselves behind seductive words; others conceal their true natures behind material grandeur and splendour. But they will be denied these things in the life to come. Everyone will appear in his true garb. One who realizes the awe-inspiring nature of that day will suddenly be reduced to silence; worldly honour will seem to him as meaningless as worldly disgrace.
What a calamitous day that will be. If one were to gauge the severity of that day, one would cease to talk so loquaciously or be so allured by worldly things; worldly honour would seem just as meaningless as worldly disgrace. On that Day, God’s Power and Justice will be seen in all magnanimity.
