“Every soul will taste death. Then to Us will you be returned.”– Koran (29:57).

We all know that death is inevitable for every living creature, nothing that lives will escape death. Muslims believe that death is predetermined by God, and the exact time of a person’s death is known only to God.

Muslims believe that no soul may die except with God’s permission at a predestined time (Koran 3:145). Death is seen as the end of this earthly life but not as the eternal end, but merely the continuation of life in another realm. Akhirah is the term for life after death.

We believe this worldly life is a test, hence the reason for so many trials and temptations. This life to the Muslim is the testing grounds that will determine our destination after we die. Will we be among those who have passed the test and enter into Jannah (Heaven) our eternal abode?

“Allah has promised to the believing men and the believing women, gardens beneath which rivers flow, to reside in them for ever with goodly dwellings in gardens of perpetual abode; and best of all is Allah’s goodly pleasure; that is the grand achievement.” (Koran 9:72).

This is the description of Heaven, indeed a beautiful abode for eternity but to get there we must strive to do good deeds and obey God’s command in our living years.

While on the other hand, there is Hell, known in Islam as Jahannam. Hell is for those who haven’t been so good and who lived ignoring God’s commands. The Koran describes Hell as a place filled with abject suffering, with extreme temperatures, blazing flames and unquenchable thirst. A dastardly place indeed.

However, Allah is most merciful and most compassionate, thereby wanting each of us to be salvaged or saved from eternal Hell, He gives us many chances and opportunities to seek forgiveness and abide by the guidance He has sent through His messengers and books, the last book being the Holy Koran.

Also He gives us signs for those who seek Him and reflect. We also have a conscience to know what is right and what is wrong. God has given us the choice to freely indulge in the world around us or to abide by His laws; the choice is ours to make. In the Koran, God says: “Why should God make you suffer torment if you are thankful and believe in Him? God always rewards gratitude and He knows everything.” (4:147).

Muslims believe in the concept of Paradise (Jannah), which is where people go if they have lived a good life. Muslims also believe in Hell (Jahannam), which is where people go if they have lived a bad life or have committed “shirk”. The term shirk in Islam is used to refer to worshipping anything other than Allah. Islam teaches strict monotheism embedded in tawhid (oneness of God), that is, God is one, unique, and absolute. There is none worthy of worship but Allah.

After death and before our souls go to Jannah or Jahannam, we go to Barzakh. This is where souls wait before the Day of Judgement when we will individually be judged by Allah. It is also a place that divides the living from the dead. When we are judged, we will have to accept the consequences of how we behaved in life.

On that Day of Judgment, we will only be concerned about our own souls. Mothers will not even be concerned about their own children. This is how serious that day will be.

On that day, we will be handed our book: “And the Book (one's Record) will be placed (in the right hand for a believer in the Oneness of Allah, and in the left hand for a disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah), and you will see the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners, etc.), fearful of that which is (recorded) therein. They will say: ‘Woe to us! What sort of book is this that leaves neither a small thing nor a big thing, but has recorded it with numbers!’ And they will find all that they did, placed before them, and your Lord treats no one with injustice.” (18:49).

The only persons who will go directly into Jannah without questioning will be the martyrs. Muslims believe that those who give up their lives while defending Islam or because they have refused to deny their faith become martyrs. A martyr is someone who suffers death and persecution for their beliefs. Such people, it is believed, will go straight to Jannah such as the martyrs that have been killed and continue to be killed in Gaza.

The Koran 2:154 states: “Do not say regarding those who are slain in the path of God that they are dead; rather they are alive but you are not aware.” The Koran 3:169 states: “Do not consider as dead those who are slain in the path of God; rather they are alive and well-provided for in the presence of their Lord.” Ameen.

Bermuda, the struggle continues, keep speaking out, keep enjoining what is good and forbidding what is wrong.

As salaam alaikum (Peace be unto you)

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam