Life after death (Akhira)

Muslims perceive life on Earth as a test, they shall receive their results in the hereafter. They also believe that when a person dies, life does not end, but it is an entry into spiritual life. After the body is left behind in the grave, the soul is in a state of 'Barzakh'. This is the waiting period from the time of death until the day the person shall be raised again on the day of judgment. The word 'Barzakh' means partition or barrier and this cannot be crossed by anyone to warn or tell others on Earth about what's to come. The soul awaits judgment for its deeds (good or bad), for which it is assigned a place in Jannah (paradise) or Jahannam (hell).

Jannah (paradise)

Jannah or paradise was created before Adam (See story of Adam and Eve). This is a place of tranquility and peace. There are many stages or levels of 'Jannah' which the believers will inhabit according to their good deeds, and the highest level, close to the throne of Allah, is known as "Firdaws". Jannah consists of many gardens underneath which rivers flow, there are fruits of every kind, like and unalike, and diverse drinks. Here, the believers are served and live secure without feeling fear or grief. The greeting of paradise will be "peace", and therefore this is also the greeting Muslims use amongst each other: "Peace be with you".

Jahannam(Hell)

Hell or Jahannam was created before Adam (See story of Adam). There are many stages or levels of hell according to the different types of evil deeds committed by disbelievers. The Qur'an describes hell to be a place for burning and purging sins. The fire is so hot that it burns stone, very much like volcanic magma, but peoples skins will be replaced again and again to make them feel the punishment. In the depths of hell, a tree called Zaqqum grows which has fruit resembling the heads of devils, this is a very thorny and bitter fruit that will get stuck in the throats of the inhabitants of hell.

The deeds of people are recorded in books which they will be given on judgment day. The righteous people will be given their book in the right hand and be pleased about it, the wrong-doers will be given their book from behind their back and will be ashamed about its contents.

Basic Rituals for death

At the time of death, when the angel Izraeel takes the soul from the dying, Muslims gather round the dying/dead person and recite the Shahadah (declaration of faith) and other verses from the Qur'an. The Qur'an explains that at the time of death Allah is closer to the dying than the people who come to pay their respects, it is mentioned that he is closer than the jugular vein. After the death, the dead body is bathed with perfumed waters and wrapped in two white sheets of un-sewn cloths, special prayers are prayed for the deceased. The body is laid into the grave facing the direction of the Qiblah (prayer direction towards the Ka'ba in Makkah) in a Muslim graveyard.