Worldly Accounting and the Hereafter Balance
A fundamental principle in Islamic belief is that this worldly life is a field of trial, and everyone will be held accountable for their actions in the hereafter. This important story, compiled from the works of Abdülkadir Geylânî, strikingly illustrates how the good and bad deeds we perform in this world affect the balance of the afterlife. Even if a person has good deeds to offer on the Day of Judgment, when those who have suffered injustice due to their past actions come forward and demand their rights, it is possible for those good deeds to diminish or even disappear; this situation can lead the person to destruction in the hereafter.
The Importance of Rights of Others and Paths of Repentance
As emphasized in Geylânî’s works, while the relationship between Allah and a servant is characterized by sin, forgiving injustices and wrongs committed in the relationship between servants requires a more challenging process. Actions such as seizing another person’s property, spreading false rumors, or cursing will deduct from one’s reward and add sin to them until the wronged party forgives. Therefore, in Islamic morality, great importance is attached to the rights of others, and it is obligatory to take steps such as repenting, paying compensation for damages, or seeking forgiveness from the aggrieved; otherwise, we may be doomed to destruction on the Day of Judgment due to the right of the aggrieved.
The Urgency and Importance of Sincere Repentance
The work also emphasizes the importance of performing repentance in a timely manner; because delayed regret can lead a person to progress towards destruction. Just as in the advice of Lokman Hekim to his son, it is necessary to try to repent immediately rather than postponing repentance. Sincere repentance occurs not only with words but also with heartfelt remorse and a determination not to repeat the same mistake. It is expected that a sinner will compensate for the harm they have done by performing more good deeds in proportion to the magnitude of their wrongdoing and strive to be forgiven; otherwise, there is a risk of being crushed under the weight of these mistakes on the Day of Judgment.
Who Is Bankrupt on the Day of Judgment?
The answer to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)’s question to his companions, “Who among my community will be bankrupt on the Day of Judgment?” expresses the importance of spiritual purity rather than material wealth. A person who comes with acts of worship such as prayer and fasting but harms others, spreads false rumors, eats property, or sheds blood consumes the reward for their deeds and is considered bankrupt on the Day of Judgment; this shows how limited the rewards of worldly success are in the afterlife. Therefore, it is of great importance to fulfill our moral responsibilities as well as our acts of worship and to be honest with people.