requited is brought before the mind of the Muslim continually. This constant repetition of the idea of a requital of deeds, undoubtedly impresses on the mind the reality of a future life, when every deed shall find its full reward. The reason for attaching so much importance to a life after death is clear. The greater the faith in the good or bad consequences of a deed, the greater is the incentive which urges a man to or withholds him from that deed. Therefore this belief is both the greatest impetus towards good and noble, and the greatest restraint upon evil or irresponsible deeds. But more than this, such a belief purifies the motives with which a deed is done. It makes a man work with the most selfless of motives, for he seeks no reward for what he does; his work is for higher and nobler ends relating to the life beyond the grave.

Connection between the two lives

The Holy Qur’ān not only speaks of a life after death which opens out for man a new world of advancement, before which the progress of this life sinks into insignificance; it also shows that the basis of that life is laid in this our life on earth. The Hereafter is not a mystery beyond the grave; it begins in this life. For the good, the heavenly life, and for the wicked, a life in hell, begin even here, though the limitations of this life do not allow most people to realize this. “Thou wast indeed heedless of this, but now We have removed from thee thy veil, so thy sight is sharp this day” (50:22). This shows that the spiritual life which is hidden from the human eye by reason of material limitations, will become manifest in the Resurrection; because human perception will then be clearer, the veil of material limitations having been removed. The Holy Qur’ān speaks of two paradises for the righteous and two chastisements for the wicked, as also of a heavenly and hellish life each beginning here: “And for him who fears to stand before his Lord are two Gardens” (55:46). “O soul that art at rest! Return to thy Lord well pleased, well pleasing. So enter among My servants and enter My Garden” (89:27-30). “Nay, would that you knew with a certain knowledge, you will certainly see Hell” (102:5, 6). “It is the fire kindled by Allāh which rises over the hearts” (104:6, 7). “And whoever is blind in this life, shall also be blind in the Hereafter” (17:72). “Such is the chastisement, and certainly