It is well-known that Allah has ninety-nine beautiful names and that His last Messenger has ninety-names too. It is also well-known that the Qur’ān has several names too. According to one count, the holy Book has fifty-five names. What is not so well-known is that the Day of Judgment (Yowmud Deen) is named in different ways in the holy Qur’an. This essay seeks to highlight those names.
In the episode of Adam, the Qur’ān records two names for this momentous and eventful Day. Allah says to Satan, “My curse shall remain upon you till Yowmid Deen.” Satan prefers to describe the Day only as Yowmi Yubathoon. (7:14) “My Lord, then grant me respite till the Day they are raised up.” (39:78,79; 15:35,36) Prophet Abraham (unto him be peace) prays, “Disgrace me not on the Day when people will be raised to life.” (26:87)
One reason which leads people astray and to hell is their denial of the Day of Judgment. The people of Hell will explain to the People of the Right Hand why they have landed in Hell. Among the reasons they enumerate is this reason: We gave the lie to the Day of Judgment. (74:46)
In Surah Fatiha, Allah wants Muslims to remember Him as the Owner of the Day of Recompense. The Qur’ān explains, “What do you know about the Day of Recompense? Again, what do you know about the Day of Recompense? It is the Day when no one shall have the power to do anything for another, and all command shall be Allah’s.” (82:17-19)
Another epithet for this Day is Yowmul Fasl. A similar question is asked. “What do you know about Yowmul Fasl – (the Day of Sorting Out/ of Final Decision/ of Judgment.)? Woe on that Day to those that give the lie to the Truth.” (77:14,15) “That will be a Day of Sorting Out! We shall gather you together and those before (you).” (77:38) “The day of Final Decision is the appointed time for all; the Day when a friend shall be of no avail to his friend nor shall they be helped, except those to whom Allah shows mercy.” (44:40-42)
Another popular name for the Day is Yowmul Qiyamah. “And then on the Day of Resurrection you shall certainly be raised up.” (23:16) “Who is better – he that is cast into the Fire or he that comes safe through on the Day of Judgment?” (41:40)
The greatness of the Day is clearly emphasised when it is described as Yowmun Azeem, Yowmun Kabeer, and Yowum Muheet. “Do they not realise that they will be raised to life on a great Day, a Day when mankind will stand before the Lord of the Universe?” (83:5,6) “The Penalty of a Great Day” (11:3) “The Penalty of a Day that will compass (you) all round.” (11:84)
The dominant feeling that the Day arouses is fear. “Surely do I fear, if I disobey my Lord, the chastisement of a great Day.” (6:15) “I fear for you the chastisement of an Awesome Day.” (11:3; 46:21) Prophet Shuaib (unto him be peace) said to his people, “I fear for you the chastisement of an encompassing Day in the future.” (11:84)
The reasons for this fear are as follows: It will be Yowmun Asir – A Hard Day. (54:8) It will be Yowmun Aseer – A Day of Distress. (74:9) It will be Yowmun Thaqeela – A Burdensome Day. (76:27) It will be Yowmun Aqeem – A Day of Unmitigated Disaster. (22:55)
In chapter 38, Verses 16, 26, and 53, this Day is repeatedly described as Yowmul Hisab, the Day of Account. To forget this Day of Account is to wander astray from Allah’s Path. Prophet Moses (unto him be peace) describes this Day as the Day of Account in 40:27. “I have indeed called upon my Lord and your Lord (for protection) from every arrogant one who believes not in the Day of Account.” Just as it is the self-imposed duty of God to guide mankind (92:12), to call people to account is another duty of His. “It will be for Us to call them to account.” (88:26)
A similar idea is found in 13:40. It will be a Day of Mighty Seizing – Yowma Nabtishul Batshatal Kubra. “The Day We shall seize you with a mighty onslaught.” (44:16) “Truly strong is the grip and power of your Lord.” (85:12) The horror of the Day will be such as to turn the children’s hair white – Yowma yaj’alul wildana sheeba. (73:17) It will be a Day when man’s deepest secrets shall be put to the test – Yowma tublas saraayir. Refer to the Bible, St. Luke, 8:17; Romans, 2:16.
Because of these reasons, Prophets express fear of this Day. Satan expresses fear of Allah too, “I fear Allah, for Allah is strict in punishment.” (8:48) Prophets fear and submit; Satan fears and rebels. Allama Yusuf Ali says, “Satan’s ‘fear’ of Allah is terror combined with hatred.” (Note 1217) Maulana Abdul Majid Daryabadi remarks, “Fear of God does not necessarily imply fear of the Hereafter.” (His Commentary on Chapter 8, Note 76)
There are certain things associated with this Day. One of them is the Trumpet. “When the Trumpet shall be sounded that will surely be a hard Day, not an easy Day for the unbelievers.” (74:8-10) “And then the Trumpet was blown. This is the Day of the promised chastisement – Yowmul Wa’eed.” (50:20) “The Day when they shall hear the Blast in Truth. That will be the Day (for the dead) to come forth – Yowmul Khurooj. (50:42) “Then the Trumpet shall be blown and lo! they will come out of their graves.” (36:51) “His will be the dominion the Day the Trumpet will be blown – Yowma Yunfakhu fis Soor.” (6:73) “The Day that the Trumpet shall be sounded and all of you shall come forth in crowds.” (78:18) The Bible also refers to the trumpet. “In that day that the great trumpet shall be blown.” (Isaiah, 27:13)
Another important factor associated with this Day is the installation of the scales of justice. “We shall set up just scales on the Day of Resurrection so that none shall be wronged in the least. (We shall bring forth the acts of everyone), even if it be the weight of mustard seed. We shall suffice as Reckoners.” (21:47) “Then shall anyone who has done an atom’s weight of good shall see it! And anyone who has done an atom’s weight of evil shall see it!” (99:7,8)
There is still another factor associated with this Day. “Verily the Day of Sorting Out (Yowmul Fasl) is a thing appointed.” (78:17) “That Day will be the Sure Reality – Yowmul Haq) (78:39)That Day will be noted for bearing testimony. “Surely We shall help Our Messengers and the believers in the life of this world and on the Day when witnesses will rise to testify – Yowma Yaqoomul Ash.had.” (40:51) “That will be a Day when whatever happens shall be witnessed by all – Yowmum Mash.hood” (11:103) “The appointed time – Yowma Ujjilat – to bring the Messengers together arrives.” (77:11) “One Day will Allah gather the Messengers together – Yowma Yajm’a Allahur Rusul.” (6:109) “And there will come forth every soul; with each will be an (angel) to drive and an (angel) to bear witness.” (50:21)
A believer in the Pharaoh’s court declares, “I fear that you will encounter a day when there will be much wailing and you will cry out to one another for help – Yowmut Tanaad.” (40:32) It is possible that the reference to tanaad in this verse may have some bearing upon the challenging proclamation that Allah will make. (Allah knows better.) “On that Day He will call out to them: Where are those associates (you set up) for Me? They will answer: We do assure you not one of us can bear witness.” (41:47) The crowning glory of the Prophet (May Allah bless and greet him) and of his followers will come on that Day. “We appointed you to be the community of the Middle Way so that you might be witnesses to all mankind and the Messenger might be a witness to you.” (2:143)
That day will be noted not only for the gathering of the Prophets but also for the gathering of all people without any exception. “Warn them (Makkans) of the Day of Gathering – Yowmul Jam’i – of which there is no doubt.” (42:7) “Warn them of the Day of Mutual Meeting – Yowmut Talaaq.)” (40:15) “All of them shall (one Day) be gathered before Us.” (36:32) “That will be a Day when all people shall be mustered together – Yowmul Majmu’.” (11:103) “He will gather you together for the Day of Judgment, there is no doubt whatever.” (6:12) “When He will assemble you on the Day of Gathering –Youmil Jam’ – That shall be the Day to determine mutual gains and losses – Yowmut Taghaabun.” (64:9) Muslims remember this Day in the form of a prayer: Our Lord! One Day You will surely gather all mankind together, a Day (about the coming of which) there is no doubt.” (3:9)
That Day is described in both the Bible and the Qur’ān as the Day (Yowm) as well as the Hour (Sa’ah). Jesus Christ says, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the son, but only the Father.” (St. Matthew, 24:36) In the Qur’ān, 22:55, both terms are used. “Allah’s is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and on the Day when the Hour (of Resurrection) shall come to pass, the followers of falsehood shall be in utter loss.” (45:27) “On that Day when the Hour will come to pass, people will be split into groups – Yowma Taqoomus Sa’ah.” (30:14)
What one has to remember about this Day is clearly spelt out in the Qur’ān. “Warn them of the Day that is (ever) drawing near – Yowmul Aazifah – when the hearts will (come) right up to the throats to choke them; no intimate friend nor intercessor will the wrong-doers have, who could be listened to.” (40:18) “Allah will judge with justice, whereas those whom they call upon beside Him cannot judge at all.” (40:20) “Today no one shall suffer the least injustice and you shall not be recompensed except according to your deeds.’ (36:54)
Muslims are aware that the day will be a Day of Eternal Life – Yowmul Khulood. (50:34) The Day functions as the ultimate turning- point for good and all. The Qur’ānic multinominalism (many names) for this Day is a literary device to drive home its infinite and overarching significance. Muslims are expected to strain every nerve to get qualified to become the addressees for the following incomparably beautiful welcome: Enter Paradise. You have no cause to fear, nor shall you grieve. (7:49) Enter this Paradise in peace and security. (50:34) Enter thou among my bondmen! Enter thou My Garden! (89:29, 30)