Afterlife

Now we know that everybody has to die,

and that their bodies return to the earth

until they are remade at the end of time

on Yaum-id-Deen, the Day of Judgement,

but what happens to us,

what do we feel

between dying and Judgement Day?

Well, between the two

we go to a place known as the Barzakh.

And the Barzakh is a barrier

between life and the Yaum-id-Deen,

a barrier like that found

where the sweet waters of rivers and lakes

meet the salt waters of the sea.

A barrier between the two,

yet a place of change from one state to another.

And it is said that the Barzakh is like a kind of dream,

and like a dream it can be pleasant or a nightmare.

And what you feel in your dream depends on

what you did in your life before you died.

And it is said that we will be questioned about our lives,

and it will feel like our bodies are being squeezed.

And it is said that

for some the squeezing will be so hard

that it will feel like their ribs are being broken,

but for some it will feel like the joyful embrace

of someone they dearly love.

And like a dream

it will feel as though it lasts somewhere between

a short while and a moment

before we wake in new bodies

and are gathered before Allah and Judged.

And we don't wake up like rotting shuffling zombies,

but with the bodies we would long for,

perfectly formed and full of life and strength.

And those who have earned the Garden

will be dressed in silks

and bedecked with gold,

and surrounded by their loved ones.

And around them will be gardens, green with vegetation,

watered by rivers and underground streams,

gardens with bushes and trees bowing down with delicious fruits.

And they will rest on cushioned couches

and be served delicious drinks in crystal goblets

by beautiful young men and women,

and all their bodily pleasures will be fulfilled.

And they will be happy and contented,

enjoying the bliss of Allah's Mercy.

But for those who have earned Jahannum

it is a very different story.

No green gardens for them,

as they will be surrounded by searing heat and burning flames,

burning their skin and setting fire to their hair.

And for food they have the fruit of the Tree of Zakkoum,

which boils up in their bellies with the heat of molten copper.

And to quench their thirst

they have nothing but disgusting pus and boiling water.

But still they will not turn to God in repentance,

but look to blame those around them

for the way they were in life,

arguing with each other,

and all surrounded by rage

and with torment on every side.

But no-one receives

what they do not deserve,

and Allah's Mercy is there for all

but it can only be received if it is asked for.

For not believing in God's Mercy

means you prevent yourself from knowing it.

God's Mercy can only be felt

when you believe in the All-Merciful.