“_The striking. What is the striking? and what shall make thee to
understand how terrible the striking will be? On that day men shall be
like moths scattered abroad, and the mountains shall be like carded
wool of various colours driven by the wind; moreover, he whose balance
shall be heavy with good works shall lead a pleasing life; but as to
him whose balance shall be light his dwelling shall be the pit of
hell. What shall make thee to understand how frightful the pit of hell
is? It is a burning fire._”
[Sidenote: Judgment]
Much has been said and written about the Muslim Paradise, and there
are indeed no parts of the Quran so weak as those which dwell upon
the sweets of the future life of the Faithful. Serious Mussulmans,
when on rare occasions I have heard them refer to this subject, have
invariably explained these passages as symbolical. However that may be,
the passages in the Quran which teach of the day of resurrection and of
judgment are frequent and solemn. No doubt the judgment of God is used
as a threat against unbelievers, but it is also continually addressed
to the Faithful as a motive; and these teachings have, as I believe,
far greater influence upon the life of the religious Muslim than all
the promised joys of Paradise.
“_What thinkest thou of him who denieth the future judgment as a
falsehood? It is he who pusheth away the orphan, and stirreth not
up others to feed the poor. Woe be unto those who pray and who
are negligent at their prayer; who play the hypocrites, and deny
necessaries to the needy._”
This was the message of the Arabian Apostle.