Resurrection after death and the assemblage of people before their Creator to be called to account on the Day of Judgement are one of the main creeds stated in the Noble Quran. As this creed was doubted and considered unlikely by the polytheists, Allah says about them: “When we are dead and reduced to dust and bones, will we really be resurrected?” (Quran 23:82) The Quran paid great attention to proving and confirming this creed, and responding to those who doubt it. It gives various proofs to confirm this creed, as it gives information about the resurrection and proves it, provides tangible evidence on the possibility of its occurrence, compares it to other matters that take place in life, and mentions different stories of situations in which the dead came to life by Allah’s will. We will discuss these points by presenting the Quranic verses stated in this regard.
First: The Quran informs us about resurrection, as Allah, the Almighty, states the creed of resurrection after death, saying: “Then on the Day of Judgement you will be resurrected.” (Quran 23: 16) Allah, the Almighty, says: “When death approaches any of them, they cry, ‘My Lord! Let me go back, so I may do good in what I left behind.’ Never! It is only a [useless] appeal they make. And there is a barrier behind them until the Day they are resurrected.” (Quran 23: 99-100) Allah, the Almighty, says: “They swear by Allah their most solemn oaths that Allah will never raise the dead to life. Yes [He will]! It is a true promise binding on Him, but most people do not know.” (Quran 16: 38) Allah, the Almighty, says: “The disbelievers claim they will not be resurrected. Say, O Prophet, ‘Yes, by my Lord, you will surely be resurrected, then you will certainly be informed of what you have done. And that is easy for Allah.’” (Quran 64: 7) Allah, the Almighty, says: “All living beings roaming the earth and winged birds soaring in the sky are communities like yourselves. We have left nothing out of the Record. Then to their Lord, they will be gathered all together.” (Quran 6: 38) Allah, the Almighty, says: “And He is the One Who has dispersed you all over the earth, and to Him you will all be gathered.” (Quran 23: 79) These verses and others indicate that Allah will give life to all the dead on the Day of Judgement, resurrect them from their graves, and gather them before Him in order to reward the good-doer and punish the evil-doer.
Second: Using Allah’s omnipotence in general as evidence: One of the attributes of Allah, the Almighty, is absolute omnipotence, as He is Able to do all things. As long as He has absolute omnipotence, this indicates that He is able to give life to the dead, but the polytheists denied and regarded this matter as unlikely. Therefore, Allah gives examples of things we see in life that are analogous to the resurrection and assemblage of bodies. Allah, the Almighty, says: “Say, [O Prophet,] “Most certainly, earlier and later generations will surely be gathered [together] for the appointed Day. Then you, O misguided deniers, will certainly eat from [the fruit of] the trees of Zaqqûm, filling up [your] bellies with it. Then on top of that, you will drink boiling water—and you will drink [it] like thirsty camels do.” This will be their accommodation on the Day of Judgement. It is We Who created you. Will you not then believe in [resurrection]? Have you considered what you ejaculate? Is it you who create [a child out of] it, or is it We Who do so? We have ordained death for [all of] you, and We cannot be prevented from transforming and recreating you in forms unknown to you. You already know how you were first created. Will you not then be mindful? Have you considered what you sow? Is it you who cause it to grow, or is it We Who do so? If We willed, We could simply reduce this [harvest] to chaff, leaving you to lament, “We have truly suffered a [great] loss. In fact, we have been deprived [of our livelihood].” Have you considered the water you drink? Is it you who bring it down from the clouds, or is it We Who do so? If We willed, We could make it salty. Will you not then give thanks? Have you considered the fire you kindle? Is it you who produce its trees, or is it We Who do so? We have made it [as] a reminder [of the Hellfire] and a provision for the travelers. So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Greatest. So I do swear by the positions of the stars—and this, if only you knew, is indeed a great oath—that this is truly a noble Quran, in a well-preserved Record, touched by none except the purified [angels].” (Quran 56: 49-79)
These verses include four tangible pieces of evidence of the possibility of resurrection as observed in the human being’s real state of affairs and life. They are as follows:
First evidence: The male productive fluid (sperm). Allah says: “Have you considered what you ejaculate?” The reason for using this matter as evidence of resurrection is that the sperm is produced by the waste of digestion and resembles drops of water scattered at the ends of body organs. When a person wants to ejaculate these drops are gathered from the body parts and are emitted from the body in the form of a liquid that is emitted into the womb, forming a new human being. Allah gathers these scattered drops and creates a human being from them, so how comes that He could not gather these parts again from dust?
This evidence is repeated in other verses of the Book of Allah, such as Surah Al-Hajj: “O people, if you should be in doubt about the Resurrection, then [consider that] indeed, We created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then from a clinging clot, and then from a lump of flesh, formed and unformed—that We may show you. And We settle in the wombs whom We will for a specified term, then We bring you out as a child, and then [We develop you] that you may reach your [time of] maturity. And among you is he who is taken in [early] death, and among you is he who is returned to the most decrepit [old] age so that he knows, after [once having] knowledge, nothing. And you see the earth barren, but when We send down upon it rain, it quivers and swells and grows [something] of every beautiful kind. That is because Allah is the True Reality and because He gives life to the dead and because He is over all things competent. And [that they may know] that the Hour is coming—no doubt about it—and that Allah will resurrect those in the graves.” (Quran 22: 5-7) In Surah Al-Qiyamah: “Had he not been a sperm from semen emitted? Then he was a clinging clot, and [Allah] created [his form] and proportioned [him]. And made of him two mates, the male and the female. Is not that [Creator] Able to give life to the dead?” (Quran 75: 37-40) In Surah At-Tariq: “So let man observe from what he was created. He was created from a fluid, ejected, emerging from between the backbone and the ribs. Indeed, He [i.e., Allah], to return him [to life], is Able.” (Quran 86: 5-8)
Second evidence: Germination of plants. Allah, the Almighty, says: “And have you seen that [seed] which you sow? Is it you who makes it grow, or are We the grower? If We willed, We could make it [dry] debris, and you would remain in wonder, [Saying], ‘Indeed, we are [now] in debt; Rather, we have been deprived.’” (Quran 56: 63-67) The evidence is manifested in the fact that if grains fall into wet soil and are surrounded by water and dust, they shall rot and spoil, according to the rational perspective, but they do not spoil. When humidity increases, the grain is split into two cotyledons from which two leaves emerge. Then, the plant grows until it becomes a complete tree. Does it not indicate full omnipotence and comprehensive wisdom? The One Who is Able to create a tree from a small seed is Able to gather all parts and organs of the body after being dispersed and fragmented.
This evidence is repeated in another verse, such as Allah’s saying: “And it is He Who sends the winds as good tidings before His mercy [i.e., rainfall] until, when they have carried heavy rainclouds, We drive them to a dead land and We send down rain therein and bring forth thereby [some] of all the fruits. Thus will We bring forth the dead; perhaps you may be reminded.” (Quran 7: 57)
Third evidence: Bringing rain down: Allah, the Almighty, says: “And have you seen the water that you drink? Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We Who bring it down?” (Quran 56: 68-69) This phenomenon can be used as evidence of resurrection; when water rises to the sky, it turns into water vapor and the wind disperses it greatly, then Allah, the Almighty, gathers and returns it to its original state and brings it down to the places He wants. The One Who is Able to assemble the water atoms and return them to their original state in which they rise to the sky is Able to gather human atoms and remains and bring the human being to life.
Fourth evidence: Obtaining fire from green trees. Allah, the Almighty, says: “And have you seen the fire that you ignite? Is it you who produced its tree, or are We the producer? We have made it a reminder and provision for the travelers.” (Quran 56: 71-73) These verses can be used as evidence of Allah’s ability to resurrect the created beings, as He is Able to do what is more difficult than reviving and resurrecting bodies, according to the mind: causing fire to ignite from green trees. Allah inspired human beings to ignite fire from green trees although their properties are contradicted. Green trees are moist and cold while the fire is dry and hot. The One Who is Able to place fire in moist bodies is Able to form and gather the bodies of the animals after they disintegrate and decay.
This evidence is mentioned again in other verses, such as the saying of Allah, the Almighty: “And he presents for Us an example and forgets his [own] creation. He says, ‘Who will give life to bones while they are disintegrated?’ Say, ‘He will give them life Who produced them the first time; and He is, of all creation, Knowing.’ [It is] He Who made for you from the green tree, fire, and then from it you ignite.” (Quran 36: 78-80)
Third: Using the fact that the One Who is Able to create all these creatures is Able to bring them to life again as evidence. This evidence is clearly established by the mind; the One Who is Able to create beings the first time is Able to bring them back to life, as the creatures were created from nothing, and they will be brought back to life from the remains of the creatures, which is easier, according to the law of mind. As for the law of Divine Omnipotence, the two cases are the same. This evidence is mentioned in other verses in the Book of Allah, such as Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says: “How can you disbelieve in Allah when you were lifeless and He brought you to life; then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you [back] to life, and then to Him you will be returned.” (Quran 2: 28) Surah Al-Isra’: “And they say, ‘When we are bones and crumbled particles, will we [truly] be resurrected as a new creation?’ Say, ‘Be you stones or iron or [any] creation of that which is great within your breasts.’ And they will say, ‘Who will restore us?’ Say, ‘He Who brought you forth the first time...’” (Quran 17: 49-51) Surah Al-`Ankabut: “Have they not considered how Allah begins creation and then repeats it? Indeed that, for Allah, is easy.” (Quran 29: 19) Surah Ar-Rum: “And it is He Who begins creation; then He repeats it, and that is [even] easier for Him. To Him belongs the highest description [i.e., attribute] in the heavens and earth. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” (Quran 30: 27) Surah Yasin: “Say, ‘He will give them life Who produced them the first time; and He is, of all creation, Knowing.’" (Quran 36: 79)
To be continued…