ISLAM AND THE LAST DAY. CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVES ON ISLAMIC ESCHATOLOGY - Tecno-Libro

On one level, it is patently obvious that eschatology is a crucial element of the religion of islam. The Qur an virtually thunders with warnings of impending cataclysm. it issues shrill warning of certain judgment. and it promises rewards as exhortation to the pious. The Hour (of the resurrection to judgment) relentlessly impresses itself on the listener. The Fire and Paradise are famous motifs of the book (particularly the Meccan suras). On the other hand, some elements of islamic teaching on the interim state of the individual between death and final judgment, or aspects of islamic expectation about the earth s last days are much less well known. When it comes to the events ushering in the Final Day, the unpredictable energy of Muslim apocalyptic may be compared to the preparation of traditional Arab coffee which is brought to a frothy boil and then allowed to settle back again prior to the next surge: that is, apocalyptic tumult periodically erupts onto the canvas of Muslim society and then recedes,