Doctrine - The paradise of Islam - A day of judgment (part 2)

This is a continuation of a multi-post article. You can read the first post here. You can also find the previous post here. This is also part of a larger series called "The Koran from a Christian perspective." You can find other posts in this series here.

On the last day, everyone will be judged for what they have done. Repeatedly, Muhammad proclaims that, in judgment, no one will be harmed for what they've done.

"And We shall set up the just balances for the Resurrection Day, so that not one soul shall be wronged anything [aught]; even if it be [a work] the weight of one grain of mustard-seed. We shall produce it [bring it forth], and sufficient are We for reckoners." (Koran 21:48)

What Muhammad means by not being harmed in judgment is that there will be no wrong deed left unpunished and no good deed left unrewarded. No one will be harmed by not receiving what they deserve, good or bad.

Though out our lives, every word and deed we've spoken and performed, are being recorded in a book, the book of our life. In that final day, we will be called to account for what was written in our books. Our lives will be reviewed and judgments and rewards dispensed accordingly. Muhammad teaches that God will give each one their book to read before Him. Those who have been evil will receive their book in their left hand, and those who were good, in their right hand.

"On that day you shall be exposed [brought before Him], not one secret [hidden deeds] of yours concealed [remain hidden]. Then as for him who is given his book in his right hand, he shall say, 'Here, take and read my book! Certainly I thought that I should encounter my reckoning.' So he shall be in a pleasing life in a lofty Garden, its clusters nigh to gather. 'Eat and drink with wholesome appetite [healthy relish] for that you did long ago, in the days gone by.' But as for him who is given his book in his left hand, he shall say, 'Would that I had not been given my book and not known my reckoning! Would it had been the end [O that death had made an end of me]! My wealth has not availed me, my authority [power] is gone from me.' 'Take him, and fetter him, and then roast [burn] him in Hell, then in a chain of seventy cubits' length insert [thrust] him!" (Koran 69:18-32)

Based on what we have written in our books by the lives we have lead will determine the ultimate eternity of our souls, either being paradise or hell. Unfortunately, Muhammad only knew of the books, he was ignorant of another book which is being kept in heaven. While our rewards are determined by our books, our eternal abode is determined by this other book. "And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:12-15) Heaven and Hell are not determined by the books our lives write, they are not the reward for lives of sin on the one hand or righteousness on the other, but they are determined by the contents of the "book of life". Those who have believed in Jesus have their names written in this book and are assured of eternal bliss with God at the end of the age. Those whose names are not recorded have their eternal dwelling, alone, in Hell. Muhammad did not know this because he did not know Jesus according to the truth nor know Him for who He really was. Furthermore, there is another record that is being kept in heaven. When Jesus rose from the dead, He showed His disciples the woulds in His hands. Why would the risen Lord not be raised perfect without scars or wounds? Isaiah prophesied, "Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands." (Isaiah 49:15-16) Jesus carries with Him the reminder of all those for whom He died. They are written in the scars in His hands. Our eternity is not determined by our deeds but by our faith in Christ and whether or not our names are written in His book.

As for the present punishment of sins, Muhammad tells of some fanciful punishments handed out by God.

"Say: 'Shall I tell you of a recompense with God, worse than that? Whomsoever God has cursed, and with whom He is wroth, and made some of them [changed into] apes and swine, and worshippers of idols." (Koran 5:65)

It is hard to tell if Muhammad is being figurative or just wrong. No where in the Jewish or Christian scriptures, do we ever hear of God changing a human into another creature. All such claims are ludicrous apart from any offered proof, of which Muhammad has none.

David Robison