On the Day of Judgment
On the Day of Judgment, every person will come forth in his or her natural state. What a tough day that will be! If people were to realize this now, nothing in this world would give them true joy.
Imam Bukhari, a noted early Muslim scholar, has cited a narration attributed to Abdullah ibn Masud, according to which Prophet Muhammad told him to read a portion of the Quran. The Prophet explained to Abdullah that he liked hearing the Quran from others. Thus, Abdullah began reciting the Surah An-Nisa, a chapter of the Quran, till he reached the verse, “What will they do when We bring a witness from each community and bring you as a witness against these people?” (4:41) The Prophet told him to stop. Then, Abdullah saw tears in the Prophet’s eyes. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 4582)
How strange that time will be when God shall assemble His court! At that time, no one will be able to strut about proudly or deny God. People who were thought of by others as valueless and ignored will be brought forth as His special servants. People whom God had chosen to inform others of the impending Day of Judgment, whom others thought of as the weakest among them, will be those who shall bear witness that will determine who shall be rewarded and punished.
Imagine the condition of those people who used to speak incessantly while in the world but will then find that they have turned completely dumb! Moreover, people in the world were considered respectable and influential but will then find themselves powerless! When their reality is exposed, some people who, in this world, have donned the garb of religion will be seen to have been entirely irreligious! Much apparent goodness will be shown to be its opposite on that day!
In this world, people conceal their reality under an artificial cover. For some, seemingly charming words are a veil that hides their inner condition. For others, this role is played by material glitter and glamour. However, on the Day of Judgment, every person will come forth in his or her natural state. What a tough day that will be! If people were to realize this now, they would stop chattering. Nothing of this world will then give them true joy. They will begin to regard material respect as utterly meaningless as worldly disrespect.
