Hundred Questions - Resurrection (qiyamat)
Resurrection (qiyamat)
Q19 Please throw some light on the 'Day of Resurrection'. Is there a particular day fixed for qiyamat?
A19 It should be known that in the Qur'an and Islam the "knowledge of Resurrection (`ilmu'l-qiyamat)" is the most secret science. In Isma`ilism also, the Resurrector of Resurrection (qa'imu'l-qiyamat) and Resurrection (qiyamat) are among the secrets of spirituality. And in their being so there is great expediency and wisdom of God. It is for this reason that the religious events and conditions before Adam (May peace be through him), who was the vicegerent of the then qa'im, are hidden in the Qur'an. Had the qa'imu'l-qiyamat and qiyamat of the previous cycle been mentioned, the secrets of the future qa'im and his qiyamat would have been divulged and would have not remained secrets. God, therefore, did not bring the events of Adam (May peace be through him) and prior to Adam (May peace be through him), before human beings, or He mentioned them in such a way that only the wise people would understand and they may remain a secret from the common people.
This means that the knowledge of qiyamat is among the ta'wils, and the practical ta'wil of qiyamat is that a true mu'min may observe the event of qiyamat within himself through the purification of his soul and spiritual progress. However, even if a fortunate person achieves this purpose, still there is the fear of whether he is able to explain to others or not.
In any case qiyamat continues forever internally and spiritually. And in this sense the Qur'an has said to the people of all times that the qiyamat is very close, both with respect to spirituality as well as death. Thus if we accept "man mata faqad qamat qiyamatuh" (whoever dies, his qiyamat takes place) as a principle, it would lead to the conclusion that whoever dies with respect to his carnal soul before his physical death and purifies his heart/soul, his resurrection also takes place. Also when the people of a country or of the entire world are overwhelmed by a great fear their spiritual qiyamat takes place as well, and they will confront the scene of qiyamat. This explanation shows that qiyamat is ever continuous as well as having specific times. For details see my book Mizanu'l-haqa'iq (Eng: Balance of Realities).
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