Understanding Accountability in the Hereafter: Insights from Hadith on Life, Knowledge, and Wealth

Key Questions of Accountability on the Day of Resurrection

THE SLAVE WILL BE QUESTIONED ABOUT LIFE, YOUTH, EARNINGS, KNOWLEDGE 

Abu Barzah (May ALLĀH be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of ALLĀH (ﷺ) said, “Man’s feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about his life, how did he consume it, his knowledge, what did he do with it, his wealth, how did he earn it and how did he dispose of it, and about his body, how did he wear it out.” {At-Tirmidhi}

{Riyadhus-Saliḥeen: Book 1, Chapter 50, Hadith 507}

COMMENTARY:

This Hadith first of all highlights the importance and value of this transitory life, every breath of which is invaluable. Not a moment of it should, therefore, be wasted in the disobedience of ALLĀH because one shall also be made to account for it. 

Man shall also be answerable for his knowledge. Here, we find an inducement for acquiring religious knowledge because that alone is beneficial for him. He should make use of his knowledge for winning the pleasure of ALLĀH. If he does not do that then he must think about the justification for not doing so. He must also think how he would be facing ALLĀH on the Day of Resurrection. 

The question in respect of wealth raised in this Hadith clearly shows that one should earn wealth by legitimate means only and spend it strictly in a lawful manner. If he takes unfair means of income or squanders it, he will be sinful and required to account for the violation of the Divine injunctions. 

One should protect his body from everything that is unlawful and force himself to submit to the Divine injunctions. When he is asked to account for neglecting them, it will be difficult for him to escape the consequences of accountability. 

In short, this Hadith makes one conscious of accountability so that one keeps it all the time in view so that he will be saved from humiliation on the Day of Resurrection. How nice would it really be if one bears the accountability of the Day of Resurrection always in mind.

– Hafiz Salahudeen Yusuf