YEAR 10 · UNIT 24: ISLAM — BELIEFS AND TEACHINGS (PART 2) · LESSON 1
What You'll Learn
By the end of this lesson, you should understand Muslim beliefs about life after death, the Day of Judgement, paradise (Jannah), and hell (Jahannam), and how these beliefs shape Muslim ethical behaviour.
Recall: Islam's Core Beliefs from Last Term
Last term you explored Unit 23
5:00
Last term you learned about Tawhid, angels, and the Five Pillars. Here are 4 questions to recap.
What does Tawhid mean in Islam?
🔒Reveal answer
Answer: Tawhid is the belief in the oneness of Allah. It is the foundation of Islam—there is only one God, and nothing can be compared to Allah.
What are the Five Pillars of Islam?
🔒Reveal answer
Answer: Shahada (declaration of faith), Salah (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting in Ramadan), Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah).
Who are the four Archangels in Islam?
🔒Reveal answer
Answer: Jibril (Gabriel), Mikail (Michael), Israfil, and Azrael. Each has a special role in God's plan.
What is the Qur'an and why is it important?
🔒Reveal answer
Answer: The Qur'an is God's revelation to Muhammad through Jibril. It is the perfect, uncorrupted word of God and guides Muslim life.
Akhirah: The Belief in Life After Death
In Islam, akhirah means "the afterlife" or "the hereafter." Belief in akhirah is one of the core Islamic beliefs. Muslims believe that after death, the soul is judged and enters either paradise (Jannah) or hell (Jahannam).
The journey after death:
Barzakh: A state between death and the Day of Judgement. The soul remains conscious but separated from the body.
Day of Judgement (Yawm al-Qiyamah): All humans are resurrected. Allah judges everyone based on their deeds in life.
Jannah (Paradise): Reward for the righteous. Described with gardens, rivers, peace, and eternal happiness.
Jahannam (Hell): Punishment for those who reject Allah and do evil. Described with fire and suffering.
The Day of Judgement: Key Events
1. The Resurrection: On the Day of Judgement, all people from the beginning of time are brought back to life by Allah's power.
2. Standing Before Allah: Everyone stands naked before Allah. Wealth and status mean nothing. Only deeds matter.
3. The Scales of Justice (Mizan): The deeds of each person are weighed on heavenly scales. Good deeds on one side, bad deeds on the other. Even an atom's weight matters.
"Whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it." (Qur'an, Surah 99:7-8)
4. The Bridge (Sirat): Muslims must cross a narrow bridge over hell. The righteous pass easily. Those with sin struggle or fall.
5. The Book of Deeds: Every person's actions are written in a book. On Judgement Day, you are given your book. If given in your right hand = paradise. If given in your left hand = hell.
Jannah and Jahannam: The Qur'anic Descriptions
[
("Jannah: Paradise",
"""
Qur'anic description: "Gardens beneath which rivers flow, with eternal companions, and pure spouses. They will have whatever they desire from their Lord." (Qur'an 3:15)
Eternal gardens with fruit, rivers, and shade
Beautiful companions (huris)
Palaces and fine silk garments
No pain, hunger, thirst, or suffering
Most importantly: seeing Allah's face — the greatest reward
Levels of Paradise: Islamic scholars describe different levels. The highest level (Firdaws) is for those closest to Allah.
"""),
("Jahannam: Hell",
"""
Qur'anic description: "A place of suffering for those who reject Allah and do evil." (Qur'an 3:192)
Severe heat and fire
Scalding water
Chains and iron collars
Separation from Allah
Eternal separation from loved ones
Important note: Not everyone in hell stays forever. Muslims who committed sins but believed in Allah may eventually be forgiven and enter paradise. But those who reject Allah (kuffar) stay in hell eternally.
""")
]
How Belief in Akhirah Affects Muslim Life
Tawhid & Akhirah Connection
Belief in akhirah is inseparable from Tawhid. Because Allah is just and all-knowing, there must be a Day of Judgement where all wrongs are made right. If there were no afterlife, life would be meaningless, and evil would go unpunished.
Practical Impact on Muslim Ethics
1. Moral responsibility: Muslims know their actions are recorded and will be judged. This motivates ethical behaviour even when no one is watching.
2. Patience in hardship: Suffering in this life is temporary. A just Allah will reward patience and test faith. (Qur'an 2:155-157)
3. Generosity and charity: Zakat and Sadaqah (voluntary charity) are motivated by akhirah belief. Wealth spent on others is an investment in paradise.
4. Honesty and integrity: All deeds are recorded. Cheating, lying, and theft will be exposed on Judgement Day.
5. Turning away from sin: Knowing the punishment of hell motivates Muslims to avoid haram (forbidden) actions.
Different Islamic Schools on Akhirah
[
("Sunni View",
"""
All Sunni schools agree on the core beliefs about akhirah. The exact descriptions of paradise and hell are taken literally from Qur'anic verses. The journey through barzakh and the weighing of deeds are universal.
"""),
("Shi'a View",
"""
Shi'a Muslims agree with the core beliefs but emphasize the role of the Imams in intercession on Judgement Day. The Imams will help guide the righteous to paradise. There is also greater emphasis on repentance and forgiveness before death.
""")
]
Allah resurrects all people on Judgement DayThe Mizan (scales) weigh good and bad deedsEveryone stands naked before AllahThe Sirat (bridge) must be crossedBooks of deeds are given to each personJannah has gardens, rivers, and peaceJahannam has fire and sufferingBelief in akhirah motivates ethical living
Order of Events on Judgement Day
Features of Jannah (Paradise)
Features of Jahannam (Hell)
How Akhirah Belief Affects Daily Life
GCSE 12-Mark Question
'Belief in akhirah is the most important motivation for living a good life.' Evaluate.
Approximately 750 words. Consider Muslim perspectives and counterarguments.
Guidance
Introduce the concept of akhirah and why it might motivate ethical living
For the claim: Explain how fear of Jahannam and hope for Jannah shape Muslim behaviour. Use evidence from the Qur'an.
Against the claim: Consider whether other beliefs (Tawhid, prophetic example, community pressure) also motivate good behaviour. Are there non-religious reasons for ethics?
Muslim voices: Some Muslims prioritize Tawhid. Some prioritize family duty. Akhirah is important but not the only motivation.
Conclude: Akhirah is crucial but works alongside other beliefs and social factors.
Review: Akhirah — Life After Death
Review what you learned in this lesson
5:00
Test yourself on the key ideas.
What does akhirah mean?
🔒Reveal answer
Answer: Akhirah is the Islamic belief in the afterlife—life after death and the Day of Judgement.
What happens during Barzakh?
🔒Reveal answer
Answer: Barzakh is the state between death and the Day of Judgement where the soul remains conscious but separated from the body.
What is the Mizan?
🔒Reveal answer
Answer: The Mizan is the scales of justice on which Allah weighs each person's good and bad deeds on the Day of Judgement.
What is Jannah and what is it like?
🔒Reveal answer
Answer: Jannah is paradise—the reward for the righteous. It is described as gardens with rivers, fruit, companions, and eternal peace.
How does belief in akhirah affect Muslim behaviour?
🔒Reveal answer
Answer: It motivates ethical living because Muslims know their actions are recorded and will be judged, and fear of Jahannam and hope for Jannah shapes their choices.