The next place people would encounter is the Mahshar. The Quran says that after the trumpet is sounded the second time, all mankind born from Adam (sws) till the Day of Judgement would be raised to life again. This raising to life in the language of the Quran is called hashr. We have already alluded to the fact that after the great upheaval on this Day, a new earth would come into existence. This raising to life would take place on that new earth. The details of the events and incidents which would take place once people are created again are as follows:

1. All mankind would be given life and would rise from their graves. Each person would be given a body and a soul. This very re-creation is called “the second life” by the Quran (40:11). The previous body of each person would be replaced with a new one which would be appropriate to endure God’s blessings as well as His wrath; however, each person would have the same personality at that time as he had in this world:

وَنُفِخَ فِي الصُّورِ فَإِذَا هُم مِّنَ الْأَجْدَاثِ إِلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَنسِلُونَ (51:36)

And the trumpet will be blown and suddenly they will rise up from their graves and hasten to their Lord. (36:51)

وَقَالُواْ أَئِذَا كُنَّا عِظَامًا وَرُفَاتًا أَإِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ خَلْقًا جَدِيدًا قُل كُونُواْ حِجَارَةً أَوْ حَدِيدًا أَوْ خَلْقًا مِّمَّا يَكْبُرُ فِي صُدُورِكُمْ فَسَيَقُولُونَ مَن يُعِيدُنَا قُلِ الَّذِي فَطَرَكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ فَسَيُنْغِضُونَ إِلَيْكَ رُؤُوسَهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَى هُوَ قُلْ عَسَى أَن يَكُونَ قَرِيبًا (17: 49-51)

And they say: “When we are turned to bones and bits of dust, shall we be raised to life again?” Tell them: “Whether you turn into stone or iron, or any other substance which in your opinion is even harder than these [even then you shall still be gathered to Us].” They will then ask: “Who will re-create us?” Tell them: “The One Who created you the first time.” At this, they will shake their heads before you and will ask: “When will this be?” Tell them: “It may well be near at hand.” (17:49-51)

2. In this second life, the abilities and powers of a person would greatly increase. Whilst being stationed at his own place, he would even be able to see anyone he wants to however far that person may be and would also be able to converse with him. It is mentioned in the Quran that when a person dwelling in Paradise would remember a friend of his in the previous life, he, from where he is, would easily be able to see that friend residing in the depths of Hell:

قَالَ هَلْ أَنتُم مُّطَّلِعُونَ فَاطَّلَعَ فَرَآهُ فِي سَوَاء الْجَحِيمِ قَالَ تَاللَّهِ إِنْ كِدتَّ لَتُرْدِينِ وَلَوْلَا نِعْمَةُ رَبِّي لَكُنتُ مِنَ الْمُحْضَرِينَ (37: 54-57)

He will say: “Just take a peep inside.” After saying this, as soon as he will bend down, he will see his friend in the very midst of Hell. [Then] will say: “By the Lord! You almost wrecked me! Had not the grace of God been with me, I would have surely been among those who have been brought in seized.” (37:54-57)

3. This would be a new world whose earth will be lit up with the light of God. His majesty would surround Him and angels would encircle Him. Everything would declare His praise; even criminals would reach His presence whilst declaring His praises and exaltedness:

ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَى فَإِذَا هُم قِيَامٌ يَنظُرُونَ وَأَشْرَقَتِ الْأَرْضُ بِنُورِ رَبِّهَا (39: 68-69)

Then the trumpet will be sounded again and they will suddenly rise whilst staring around them and the earth on that Day will be lit up with the light of her Lord. (39:68-69)

يَوْمَ يَدْعُوكُمْ فَتَسْتَجِيبُونَ بِحَمْدِهِ وَتَظُنُّونَ إِن لَّبِثْتُمْ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً (52:17)

On that day, He will summon you all, and you shall obey Him whilst declaring His praises and exaltedness and you will think that you had stayed just for a small period. (17:52)

وَتَرَى الْمَلَائِكَةَ حَافِّينَ مِنْ حَوْلِ الْعَرْشِ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُم بِالْحَقِّ وَقِيلَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ (75:39)

And you will see the angels encircling the Throne, giving glory to their Lord and declaring His praises and judgement will be passed with fairness between people and it will be declared: “Gratitude is for God, Lord of the Universe!” (39:75)

4. On that Day, the earth and the heavens will be in God’s grasp. For those who deny it in this world, this Day will be such that its severity will turn the young into old:

وَالْأَرْضُ جَمِيعًا قَبْضَتُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَالسَّماوَاتُ مَطْوِيَّاتٌ بِيَمِينِهِ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ (67:39)

And on the Day of Judgement, He will hold the entire earth in His grasp and the heavens will be folded up in His hand. Glory be to Him! Exalted is He above those whom they associate with Him! (39:67)

فَكَيْفَ تَتَّقُوْنَ إِنْ كَفَرْتُمْ يَوْمًا يَجْعَلُ الْوِلْدَانَ شِيبًاالسَّمَاءُ مُنْفَطِرٌ بِهِ كَانَ وَعْدُهُ مَفْعُوْلًا(73: 17-18)

So if you deny, how then will you save yourself from the Day which shall make the children grey-haired. The heavens are ripping apart with its burden and the promise of God [undoubtedly] is certain to be fulfilled. (73:17-18)

The deeds done by people will be evident from their very faces. Everyone will be only thinking of his own self and will have no concern for others. A brother will not respond to the wailings of his own brother and sons will be heedless to the cries of their parents; men will forget their wives and children:

فَإِذَا جَاءَتْ الصَّاخَّةُيَوْمَ يَفِرُّ الْمَرْءُ مِنْ أَخِيهِوَأُمِّهِ وَأَبِيهِوَصَاحِبَتِهِ وَبَنِيهِلِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مِنْهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ شَأْنٌ يُغْنِيهِوُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ مُسْفِرَةٌضَاحِكَةٌ مُسْتَبْشِرَةٌوَوُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَلَيْهَا غَبَرَةٌتَرْهَقُهَا قَتَرَةٌأُوْلَئِكَ هُمْ الْكَفَرَةُ الْفَجَرَةُ(80: 33-42)

So when the deafening blast comes [ask them: where will they go]. On that Day, man will flee from his brother and from his mother and his father, his wife and his children. Everyone will be concerned with his own self. Many a face on that day will be bright, smiling and rejoicing, and many a face on that day will be gloomy, veiled in darkness. They will be of these very disbelievers, these wrongdoers. (80:33-42)

The wrongdoers on that day will be dragged by their forelocks. They will follow the very leaders there who they used to follow in the previous world. These wrongdoers will be recognized from their faces and will be brought from their graves in such a manner that one angel will be pushing from behind and an another will be marching along him to bear evidence against him. They will be asked to prostrate in order to humiliate them but they will not be able to do so:

يُعْرَفُ الْمُجْرِمُونَ بِسِيمَاهُمْ فَيُؤْخَذُ بِالنَّوَاصِي وَالْأَقْدَامِ فَبِأَيِّ آلَاء رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ (55: 41-42)

The wrongdoers will be recognized through their looks; then they shall be seized by their forelocks and their feet [and thrown into Hell]. At that time, which of your Lord’s majesties would you deny? (55:41-42)

فَاتَّبَعُواْ أَمْرَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَا أَمْرُ فِرْعَوْنَ بِرَشِيدٍ يَقْدُمُ قَوْمَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَأَوْرَدَهُمُ النَّارَ وَبِئْسَ الْوِرْدُ الْمَوْرُودُ (11: 97-98)

But they followed what the Pharaoh said to them even though what he said to them was not right. On the Day of Judgement, He shall stand in front of his people and shall lead them into the Fire. What an evil place to reach where they have reached. (11:97-98)

وَنُفِخَ فِي الصُّورِ ذَلِكَ يَوْمُ الْوَعِيدِ وَجَاءتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّعَهَا سَائِقٌ وَشَهِيدٌ (50: 20-21)

And the trumpet shall be sounded. That day is the one in which Our threats will manifest and every soul shall come such that there will be one who drives it on and another to bear evidence. (50:20-21)

يَوْمَ يُكْشَفُ عَنْ سَاقٍ وَيُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى السُّجُودِ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ خَاشِعَةً أَبْصَارُهُمْ تَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّةٌ وَقَدْ كَانُوا يُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى السُّجُودِ وَهُمْ سَالِمُونَ(68: 42-43)

They must remember the day when a great tumult will take place and they will be called to prostrate and they will not be able to do so. Downcast shall be their looks; ignominy shall cover them. [These wrongdoers! their backs have now become stiff whilst] they also used to be called to bow in adoration when they were capable of it. (68: 42-43)

5. Mankind on that day will be divided into three groups. The foremost in faith, the righteous and the wrongdoers. The second of these two groups will be given their record in their right hand, whilst the hands of the third of these groups will be tied and they will be given their record from behind in their left hand:

وَكُنتُمْ أَزْوَاجًا ثَلَاثَةً فَأَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ وَأَصْحَابُ الْمَشْأَمَةِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الْمَشْأَمَةِ وَالسَّابِقُونَ السَّابِقُونَ أُوْلَئِكَ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ (56: 7-11)

And on that Day, you will be divided into three groups: the companions of the right hand so what to speak of the [good fortune] of the companions of the right hand and the companions of the left hand so what to speak of the [misfortune] of the companions of the left hand and the foremost are after all the foremost. They indeed are the near ones. (56:7-11)

وَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِيَ كِتَابَهُ وَرَاءَ ظَهْرِهفَسَوْفَ يَدْعُو ثُبُورًاوَيَصْلَى سَعِيرًا(84: 10-12)

And he whose record is handed out to him from behind his back [into his tied up hands] will call for death and shall enter the blazing fire of Hell. (84:10-12)

6. The reality behind the differences between people shall be disclosed. When they will be brought forth for accountability, each and every deed of theirs will be justly presented before them and with the weight it carries. At that time, neither will friendships avail people nor any sale or purchase, ransom or intercession will be of any use to anyone. No one will be wronged. Every thing will stand clear in the utmost manner:

إِلَى الله مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ (48:5)

To God shall you all return and then He shall inform you about that in which you were differing. (5:48)

وَنَضَعُ الْمَوَازِينَ الْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْئًا وَإِن كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ أَتَيْنَا بِهَا وَكَفَى بِنَا حَاسِبِينَ (47:21)

And on the Day of Judgement, We shall set up the scales of justice so that no man shall in the least be wronged. And if a person has done a deed as small as a grain of a mustard seed We shall bring it forward and sufficient are We for taking account. (21:47)

وَاتَّقُوا يَوْمًا لَا تَجْزِي نَفْسٌ عَنْ نَفْسٍ شَيْئًا وَلَا يُقْبَلُ مِنْهَا شَفَاعَةٌ وَلَا يُؤْخَذُ مِنْهَا عَدْلٌ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ(2: 48)

And guard yourselves against the day when no soul shall be of use to another in anyway and no intercession shall be accepted and no compensation be taken from it nor will people be helped. (2:48)

7. Witnesses shall be presented so that the wrong-doers are left with no excuse to deny their sins. Prophets of God shall also be presented as witnesses. Even the tongues, hands, feet, ears, eyes and skins of people will bear witness. After this, judgement shall be passed:

وَأَشْرَقَتِ الْأَرْضُ بِنُورِ رَبِّهَا وَوُضِعَ الْكِتَابُ وَجِيءَ بِالنَّبِيِّينَ وَالشُّهَدَاء وَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُم بِالْحَقِّ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ (39: 69)

And the earth shall be lit up with the light of her Lord, and the register of accounts shall be laid open and all the prophets shall be called and those also who were given the responsibility of bearing witness, and people shall be judged with fairness such that none shall be wronged. (39:69)

يَوْمَ تَشْهَدُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَلْسِنَتُهُمْ وَأَيْدِيهِمْ وَأَرْجُلُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ (24:24)

On the day when their own tongues, hands, and feet will bear witness to their deeds. (24:24)

حَتَّى إِذَا مَا جَاؤُوهَا شَهِدَ عَلَيْهِمْ سَمْعُهُمْ وَأَبْصَارُهُمْ وَجُلُودُهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ وَقَالُوا لِجُلُودِهِمْ لِمَ شَهِدتُّمْ عَلَيْنَا قَالُوا أَنطَقَنَا اللَّهُ الَّذِي أَنطَقَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ وَهُوَ خَلَقَكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ (41: 20-21)

Until when they come near it, their ears, their eyes, and their very skins will bear witness to what they had been doing in the previous world. “Why did you bear witness against us?” they will ask their skins, and their skins will reply: “God, who gives speech to all things, has given us speech.” And it was He who created you the first time and now to Him are you being returned. (41:20-21)

8. It is on this occasion that the deities whom the polytheists worshipped shall regard them as liars, leaders shall disown their followers and the eternal enemy of man – Satan – shall also renounce his followers and regard them as sinners:

وَإِذَا رَأى الَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُواْ شُرَكَاءهُمْ قَالُواْ رَبَّنَا هَـؤُلاء شُرَكَآؤُنَا الَّذِينَ كُنَّا نَدْعُوْ مِن دُونِكَ فَألْقَوْا إِلَيْهِمُ الْقَوْلَ إِنَّكُمْ لَكَاذِبُونَ (86:16)

And when they who indulged in polytheism [in this world] will see their deities, they will say: “Lord! These are the deities whom we called up whilst leaving you.” At this, they [– the deities –] will retort: “You surely are liars!” (16:86)

إِذْ تَبَرَّأَ الَّذِينَ اتُّبِعُواْ مِنَ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُواْ وَرَأَوُاْ الْعَذَابَ وَتَقَطَّعَتْ بِهِمُ الأَسْبَابُ (2: 166)

At that time when those who were followed will disown their followers and will face punishment and the ties which now unite them will suddenly break asunder. (2:166)

وَقَالَ الشَّيْطَانُ لَمَّا قُضِيَ الأَمْرُ إِنَّ اللّهَ وَعَدَكُمْ وَعْدَ الْحَقِّ وَوَعَدتُّكُمْ فَأَخْلَفْتُكُمْ وَمَا كَانَ لِيَ عَلَيْكُم مِّن سُلْطَانٍ إِلاَّ أَن دَعَوْتُكُمْ فَاسْتَجَبْتُمْ لِي فَلاَ تَلُومُونِي وَلُومُواْ أَنفُسَكُم مَّا أَنَاْ بِمُصْرِخِكُمْ وَمَا أَنتُمْ بِمُصْرِخِيَّ إِنِّي كَفَرْتُ بِمَآ أَشْرَكْتُمُونِ مِن قَبْلُ إِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ (22:14)

And after the judgement has been passed, Satan will say to them: “Indeed, true was the promise which God made with you and I never fulfilled the promises I made with you. And I had no power over you. I only called you and you responded to my call. Do not now blame me, but blame yourselves. Here I cannot address your grievances nor can you address mine. I have already denied your making me a partner [with God]. Indeed, it is for such wrong-doers that there is a grievous penalty.” (14:22)

(Javed Ahmed Ghamidi)

(Translated by Dr. Shehzad Saleem)