Abstract
A central aspect of the belief in the afterlife is responsibility for one’s beliefs and actions in this world. The Quran inculcates this sense of responsibility by reminding people that they are being watched by their organs and that all their deeds are being recorded. Allah is all-Powerful and He can have the body parts testify against a person in a non-verbal manner because the body parts are not spiritually dead. One’s body parts exist, therefore they have the ability to witness reality and testify against the self.
Points
- Many verses of the Quran mention that one’s body parts will testify against a person on the day of judgement
- One’s body parts will testify against oneself in a non-verbal manner
- Allah is all-Powerful and has the ability to do things beyond humans’ limited imagination
- Human body parts are not spiritually dead
- Shahadah (witness) involves two things: witnessing what happened and testifying to what was witnessed
- Everything that exists has the ability to witness the reality
Full Answer
There are numerous verses of the Quran that support the claim that one’s body parts can testify against him or her through the will and power of Allah (s). In the Holy Quran, Allah (s) states “That Day, We shall seal up their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us, and their legs will bear witness to what they used to earn” (36:65). In Surah Yāsīn, Allah (s) highlights how he will cause the body parts to testify on the day of resurrection. On the Day of Judgement, the testimony given by one’s body parts will reveal the hidden sins that an individual committed during their life in the temporary world.
Sayyid Abdul Husayn Dastghaib Shirazi mentions that on the Day of Judgement, one’s body parts will testify against them in a non-verbal manner.
“The Almighty Lord of the Worlds Who made His Might manifest in this manner will make your fingers talk on the Day of Judgement. What difference is there between this part of the body and that? Do you remember that with this very finger you had pointed to such and such person to humiliate him? Or what you wrote, holding a pen by these fingers. You had misused these fingers to slap a believer. It is narrated that even the hair on one’s body will begin to speak and testify.”
Shirazi, 2014
One’s fingers and other body parts will testify against oneself and recall one’s sins on the Day of Judgement in a non-verbal manner (Shirazi, 2014). Allah has not given them a tongue to physically speak and voice coherent words; however, that doesn’t prevent them from testifying. On the Day of Judgement, each body part will recall one’s sins and bad actions in a non-verbal manner using the specific body part. No matter how much an individual tries to hide their bad deeds or deny them committing the sin, the body parts will be a witness as they recall one’s sins in front of Allah (s).
Many people question the argument of one’s body parts testifying against a person on the Day of Judgement because of its physical limitations. However, Allah (s) is all-Powerful and all-wise. He is capable of doing things that defy the laws of physics and that may not make sense to people in this temporary world but are a reality in the Hereafter. Therefore, if one accepts the power and wisdom of Allah, one must accept the possibility of one’s body parts testifying against oneself on Judgement Day.
Humans’ body parts are not spiritually dead, therefore they have the ability to testify against a person. Scholars emphasize that the object couldn’t have been dead for it to be a mouthpiece (Raja, 2018). If the object or body part was dead then it wouldn’t have the ability to testify against a person.
In Islam, scholars emphasize that Shahadah, the act of witnessing, involves two main criteria. The first criterion is to witness what happened. The second criterion is to testify in regard to what was witnessed (Raja, 2018). Similarly, throughout life, one’s body parts have witnessed a person committing numerous sins. To rightfully witness in the eyes of God, one’s body parts must testify and explain what they witnessed. Given that Allah is Adil (just), it would be against His justice if He allowed the body parts to witness the sin yet, not be able to testify for it on the Day of Judgement.
Scholars highlight that everything that exists, including non-animated objects, has a life and the ability to witness reality. In the Quran, Surah Ahqaf verse 5-6, Allah (s) highlights that, “these same idols that these people used to worship are going to reject the people that used to worship them” (45:5-6). Through the verse, Allah (s) emphasizes that oftentimes individuals view stones as lifeless. They believe that a stone does not have the ability to testify against them. However, on the Day of Judgement, the stone will be given life and the ability to witness.
The understanding of the reality that people’s body parts could testify against them should create a greater sense of humility and shame that one thinks they are alone while committing a sin. Through numerous verses and examples, Allah (s) has emphasized the fact that people’s body parts can testify against them. People should always be aware that their hands, eyes, and tongue are constantly witnessing them committing sins, and have the ability to testify against them on the Day of Judgement.
References
Raja, T. (2018, April 18). The witnessing and recording of deeds. AI Islam. Retrieved November 4, 2021, https://www.al-islam.org/message-thaqalayn/vol-17-no-3-autumn-2016/witnessing-and-recording-deeds-tawus-raja/witnessing-and
Shirazi, S. (2013, January 18). Ayat no. 63-65. Al Islam. Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://www.al-islam.org/heart-quran-commentary-sura-al-yasin-sayyid-abdul-husayn-dastghaib-shirazi/ayat-no-63-65.
Surah Al-Ahqaf – 1-35. Surah Al-Ahqaf – 1-35 | Quran.com. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://quran.com/46.
Surah Ya-Sin – 65. Surah Ya-Sin – 65 | Quran.com. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://quran.com/36/65?font=indopak.
