📅 YAUMU ʾL-WAʿĪD (يوم الوعيد): The Day of Threatening
Comprehensive Definition
YAUMU ʾL-WAʿĪD (يوم الوعيد), often referred to as “The Day of Threatenings” or the Day of Judgment, is a term deeply rooted in Islamic eschatology. It is the day when all beings will be resurrected for the final judgment by Allah. This day is associated with divine justice, where every soul will be held accountable for their deeds, and it is mentioned in numerous surahs of the Qurʾān, highlighting its paramount significance in the Islamic faith.
Etymology
The term YAUMU ʾL-WAʿĪD derives from Arabic:
- Yawm (يوم) means ‘day’.
- Al-Waʿīd (الوعيد) means ’threatenings’ or ‘warnings’. Together, they depict a day marked by the fulfillment of divine warnings, underscoring the gravity and solemnity of divine judgment.
Background
The concept of YAUMU ʾL-WAʿĪD is integral to Islamic theology. It is believed to be the culmination point where Allah’s justice prevails. This concept is consistently emphasized in the Qurʾān, such as in Sūrah QAF (50: 19):
”And the trumpet shall be blown!—that is the threatened day.”
The Day of Judgment serves as a reminder for Muslims to live a righteous and just life, observing the moral and ethical precepts laid down in Islam.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
YAUMU ʾL-WAʿĪD shares similarities with the concept of Judgment Day found in Christianity and Judaism but has unique characteristics within the Islamic framework:
- Christianity: Known as the Second Coming of Christ, the concept involves divine judgment, resurrection of the dead, and eternal life or punishment.
- Judaism: The belief in a final Day of Judgment is also present, with emphasis on accountability and Messiah’s coming.
While all three Abrahamic religions emphasize moral accountability and divine justice, the specifics and eschatological narratives differ, reflecting each tradition’s theological and cultural nuances.
Synonyms and Antonyms
- Synonyms: Day of Judgment, Qiyamah (قيامة), Resurrection Day, Yawm al-Dīn (يوم الدين)
- Antonyms: Temporal existence, Life before the resurrection
Related Terms
- Eschatology: The study of ‘last things’ or end times in religious traditions.
- Qiyamah (قيامة): The Resurrection Day in Islamic belief.
- Al-Hisab (الحساب): The reckoning or accounting of deeds.
- Jannah (جنة): Paradise, the reward for the righteous.
- Jahannam (جهنم): Hell, the abode of punishment for the wicked.
Exciting Facts
- The analogy of ‘the trumpet’ blowing, signaling YAUMU ʾL-WAʿĪD, resembles the call to rapture in Christian eschatology.
- YAUMU ʾL-WAʿĪD highlights the balance between Allah’s mercy and justice, emphasizing that while divine forgiveness is vast, ultimate accountability is inevitable.
Quotations from Notable Writers
Renowned Islamic scholar and theologian, Imam Al-Ghazali, highlights the importance of YAUMU ʾL-WAʿĪD:
“On the Day of Judgment, none shall bear the burden of another, and every soul shall meet the fruits of what it had sown.”
References
- Al-Ghazali, “The Revival of the Religious Sciences” (Ihya’ Ulum al-Din).
- The Qurʾān: Surah Qaf (50:19), Surah Al-Zalzalah (99:1-8).
Suggested Literature
- “The Last Day in Qurʾān" by Sayyid Abul A’la Maududi
- “Resurrection and Rationality" by Muhammad Iqbal
- “The Hereafter (Akhirah)" by Harun Yahya
Inspirational Thought 💭
“Reflect upon your actions today, for each moment holds the weight of eternity.”
