When?
The Ahlul - sunnah wal - Jamaaah affirm that after the resurrection, when everyone is on the plain of Judgement, certain events will take place. These events will (in almost all instances) be to honour the righteous and to debase the evil, wicked and disobedient people. One of them is the gift of seeing Allaah, the Most Exalted as it befits His majesty.
For whom?
This favour shall be for the Muslims alone. That is; all those who submitted to the teachings of their Prophets and Messengers during their time right from the era of our father Aadaam (AS) to the seal of the Prophets Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him). I Jareer bin Abdullaah (RA) narrated that "We were in the company of the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) on a fourteenth night (of the lunar month), and he looked at the (full) moon and said:
"You will see your Lord as you see this moon, and you will have no trouble in looking at Him. So, whoever is able should not miss the offering of prayers before sunrise (Fajr prayer) and before sunset (Asr prayer)." Then I the Prophet recited: "And celebrate the praises of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before (its) setting." (50:39) (Bukhaaree)
Two contrasting faces
The faces of the believers that day will be bright gazing at their Lord while the faces of the non- Muslims will be dark and gloomy. Allaah says:
"Some faces that Day shall be shining and radiant. Looking at their Lord (Allaah); and some faces, that Day, will be dark, gloomy, frowning, and sad. Thinking that some calamity was about to fall on them." (75:22-25)
It would be twice. The believers would have the joy of gazing at their Lord - the King of all creation - twice.
First when they are on the field of Judgement.
Abu Hurayrah (RA) related O that the people said: "O Messenger of Allaah! Shall we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection?" He replied: "Do you have any doubt in seeing the full moon on a clear (not cloudy) night?" They replied, "No, O Messenger of Allaah!" He said: "Do you have any doubt in seeing the sun when there are no clouds?" They replied in the negative. He said: "You will see Allaah (your Lord) in the same way On the Day of Resurrection, people will be gathered and He will order the people to follow what they used to worship. So some of them will follow the sun, some will follow the moon, and some will follow other deities; and only this nation (Muslims) will be left with its hypocrites. Allaah will come to them and say, I am Your Lord. They will say, We shall stay in this place till our Lord comes to us and when our Lord will come, we will recognize Him. Then Allaah will come to them again and say, I am your Lord. They will say, You are our Lord. Allaah will call them, and As-Sirat (a bridge) will be laid across Hell and I (Muhammad) shall be the first amongst the Messengers to cross it with my followers. Nobody except the Messengers will then be able to speak and they will be saying then. O Allaah! Save us. O Allaah Save us ... "(Bukhaaree)
Secondly, they would see Him when they have being admitted to Paradise. This, because on the Day of Judgement, Allaah will say to the believers:
"Enter you into Paradise in peace and security; this is a Day of eternal life!" There they will have all that they desire, and We have more. (for them, i.e. a glance at the All-Mighty, All-Majestic. "(50: 34-35)
It will be mixed fortune. While the Muslims are in the bliss and enjoyment of the hereafter, the non - Muslims will be screened from seeing the face of their lord the Most Exalted. Indeed, they will taste the consequences of their evil actions while in the world and would be made to walk on their faces into the Fire. Allaah says:
"Surely, they (evil-doers) will be veiled from seeing their Lord that Day. Then, verily they will indeed enter and taste the burning flame of Hell. Then, it will be said to them: "This is what you used to deny!" (83:15-17)
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited