Life After Death

According to Islam, the present life is very brief and transitory and life in the hereafter will be eternal. This fundamental belief is crucial to Muslims, and it markedly distinguishes their pattern of ethical behaviour in society. Muslims believe in the day of judgement - that all actions will be brought to account by God, and that His judgement will determine fate in the hereafter. The concept that human beings will be rewarded for their good actions in paradise and punished in hell for bad actions is central to the notion of life after death.

Every soul shall have a taste of death: and only on the Day of Judgement shall you be paid your full recompense…
[The Qur'an, 3:185]

Then when the trumpet is blown, there will be no more relationships between them on that Day, nor will they ask for one another. Then those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy, - they will attain salvation. But those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls, in Hell will they abide
[The Qur'an, 23:101-102]

In essence, human beings will be judged by what they did in this life - and thus their fate will either be paradise or hell.

Practice, conduct and action are as important in Islam as faith. Beliefs must lead to good action and morals in every aspect of life. Thus, worship in Islam, or Ibadah, is a much wider concept than rituals. Any act performed in obedience to Islamic teachings, such as work, washing, bathing, conversation, study and so on is a form of worship.

However, the obligatory practices known as the five pillars provide a Muslim with the formal structure of worship.