CONTENTS

 The Afterlife

 Is Resurrection a Physical Process?

 An Introduction to Cosmology

 The Light Year

 The Receding Galaxies

 The Future of the Universe

 The Future of the Universe as Described in The Qur'an
 

 The Big Bang

 The Expansion of the Universe

 The Contraction of the Universe and the Reversal of Time

 No Free Will in the Contracting Universe

 Reversal of Gravity

 Earth: "Empty" from Inside with the Sky in its Center

 The Smooth Outer Surface of the Earth
 

 Will we Regress to Nothingness with the Reversal of Time?

 The Higher Dimensions

 The Black Holes: "The Blocked Gateways" to the Higher Dimensions

 Angels Descend through the Gates in the Sky

 When will the Day of Judgment Arrive

 Waiting in the Grave for Day of Judgment to Arrive?

 Summary

THE AFTERLIFE

The belief in life after death is universal; it is reflected in the teachings of all the major religions of the world, permeating culture and time. Despite tremendous scientific and technological advancement of the twentieth century, we have no answers to many questions that have plagued the minds of people from time immemorial. What happens to us on dying? What is soul? Does it leave the body to enter the spiritual world, which is beyond human perception in some other dimension? Are the souls reincarnated entering some other body to be recycled again as in the beliefs of some eastern religions? Is the soul captured and kept somewhere until the Day of Judgment to be reunited with the body that rises from the grave? How can a body that had decayed and disappeared into dust, regain its original shape and form? We can believe what we wish; however the modern world is based on truthful pursuit of science and technology. Truth cannot be decided on wishful thinking or majority vote, if that was the case then Columbus would have surely fallen of the earth in 1492.”

We live in a world that demands proof and is not just content with belief. The belief or even the proof however, is only for the believer, and belief comes from within our hearts. The greatest of proofs will not satisfy the non-believer, while the slightest evidence can be a great source of satisfaction for the believer. In this context let us look at the story of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be on him) given in the Quran. (Chapter ii verse 260.)  Prophet Ibrahim wanted to know how God gives life to the dead. He had the faith of a man who was willing to sacrifice his own son for the sake of God, yet he wanted reassurance; which then was given to him in the form of a great miracle. Ordinary people like us are also in need of reassurance in a world where science and technology have assumed greater importance than religion. 

            There is only one version of the Quran. It is the only religious book that even the critics of Islam admit was never altered since its revelation to Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him: Pbuh) fourteen hundred years ago. Scientific advancements have provided better understanding of many Quranic verses that appeared obscure in the past. The Quran accurately describes a variety of scientific facts that were discovered in the last one hundred years. This is one of the reasons that the Quran stands far above other religious books in its authority as a truly revealed book. 

The Quran in many verses describes the future of the universe and The Day of Judgment. The verses appear to depict some great final catastrophe that will affect the whole universe. Many chapters mention the final earthquake, the opening of gates in the sky and "a time" in which mankind will see what they had done before so that they will become witnesses against their own selves.

IS RESURRECTION A PHYSICAL PROCESS?

It is God, Who sends the winds and they raise a cloud then leads it to a dead land and revives the earth after its death, Such is the Resurrection. Qur'an Chapter 35 Verse 9

The raising of clouds and the growth of plants following rain had appeared miraculous in the past. Now we understand these as due to various natural laws. In the Quran the resurrection is compared to the physical processes such as the growth of plants after rain; this suggest that revival after death is also based on some physical laws created by God.  Following are the main themes of the Day of Judgment described in the Quran:

(1) The final earthquake and the transformation of the earth into a hollow sphere.

(2) Rising from the grave.

(3) A time when our hands feet and tongue will become witnesses against us.

(4) Opening of gates in the sky.

(5) Through which every one will be removed to some other higher dimensions beyond the dying universe. 

All of the above events can be explained on the basis of reversal of time and the accompanying reversal of gravity which the physicists believe, has to happen if the time is going to reverse. Sometimes in the future the knowledge of the Day of Judgment that is given in the Quran might become widely known and accepted as the truth.

We shall show them our signs on the horizons and within themselves until it will become apparent to them, that it is the truth is your Lord not sufficient since He is witness over all things? Qur'an Chapter41 Verse 53

AN INTRODUCTION TO COSMOLOGY

To understand how the future of the universe is linked to the Day of Judgment, some knowledge of cosmology is essential. In the next few pages we will learn, how the universe began, what it is like now and what are the possibilities in the future.

THE LIGHT YEAR

             The universe is so vast that the distances between stars and galaxies have to be measured in "light years." A light year is the distance travelled by light in a year, at the speed of three hundred thousand kilometres per second. The distance between the earth and the sun is only eight minutes at the speed of light. Compared to this, the nearest star from the earth other than our sun, is four light years away. The galaxy we live in, "The Milky Way," is one hundred and fifty thousand light years across. This means that traveling at the speed of light, it would take one hundred and fifty thousand years to go from one side of Milky Way to the other. The galaxies on the average are separated from each other by ten million light years. Many hundred billion such galaxies are part of the truly gigantic universe.

The creation of the heavens and the earth is definitely a greater thing than creation of mankind, however, most of mankind knows not. Qur'an Chapter 40 Verse 57

THE RECEDING GALAXIES

            The galaxies other than our "Milky Way" are moving away from us at tremendous speeds. This can be ascertained, by analysing the light given off by the galaxies, by an instrument called the spectroscope. The more distant a galaxy is the greater is its speed of recession. This motion of the galaxies is due to the expansion of the universe. The universe began about fifteen to twenty billion years ago with a tremendous explosion called "The big bang" and has been expanding ever since. The universe is not just a sphere of galaxies rushing away from each other into unending emptiness of space. It can be compared to a balloon with many dots on it, each representing a galaxy. However, the surface of this balloon, which is two dimensional, represents all three dimensions of our space, and is expanding into a higher dimension, that is beyond our imagination.

THE FUTURE OF THE UNIVERSE

It is not known if the universe will expand forever, or if one day it will begin to contract. In either case, the future of all the inhabitants of the universe could be rather bleak. If the expansion continues, after billions of years, all the energy of the sun and stars will be exhausted and every living thing will freeze to death. Eventually, only the expanding emptiness will remain. Alternatively if there is enough mass in the universe, gravity will one day stop the expansion and then contraction will begin. A contracting universe would ultimately end in a very hot and compressed state called "The Big Crunch." This would also destroy all life forms, as we know them.

            Besides the above two depressing and purposeless scenarios of the future, there is an another possibility. Some physicists feel that time may reverse when the universe begins contracting. This prospect has a striking resemblance to the Qur'anic description of the Day of Judgment.

THE FUTURE OF THE UNIVERSE AS DESCRIBED IN THE QUR'AN

            It is not known if the universe will expand forever, or if one day it will begin to contract. In either case, the future of all the inhabitants of the universe could be rather bleak. If the expansion continues, after billions of years, all the energy of the sun and stars will be exhausted and every living thing will freeze to death. Eventually, only the expanding emptiness will remain. Alternatively if there is enough mass in the universe, gravity will one day stop the expansion and then contraction will begin. A contracting universe would ultimately end in a very hot and compressed state called "The Big Crunch." This would also destroy all life forms, as we know them.

Now, let us turn our attention to the verses in the Quran that describe the beginning, the expansion and eventually the contraction of the universe. There is marked similarity between the Qur'anic revelation and recent discoveries in cosmology. The Qur'anic verses however, go far beyond modern cosmology in describing the future of the universe. The Quran gives us insight into laws of the universe that are yet to be discovered, the laws of the contracting universe.

THE BIG BANG

            The universe came into existence billions of years ago with a tremendous explosion called "The big bang." This is clearly mentioned in the Quran in the following verses:

Have not "those who disbelieve" known that heavens and earth were of one piece, We parted them and, We made every living thing of water will they not then believe? Qur'an Chapter 21 Verse 30

The discovery of "The Big Bang" and that of "The aquatic origin of life" was made by the non-Muslims, ("those who disbelieve"). When the universe began all matter and space (heavens) was at one point (one piece).  Then everything was separated in what the physicists describe as "The big bang." The evidence that the universe began in the "The big bang" is so overwhelming that it is now considered a fact and not just a theory.

THE EXPANSION OF THE UNIVERSE

The Universe has been expanding since its creation. Hubbell, an astronomer made this great discovery, in the early part of this century.  It was also predicted by Einstein's theory of "General Relativity."  The expansion of the universe is clearly mentioned in the following Qur'anic verses:

The heavens, We have built with power and, We are expanding it. Qur'an Chapter 51 Verse 47

THE CONTRACTION OF THE UNIVERSE AND THE REVERSAL OF TIME

Time is one of the most elusive mysteries of the universe. No one knows what time really is. Albert Einstein explained time by saying that time is something that we measure with the clock. Time passes slowly within objects moving at speeds close to that of light and stops altogether at the speed of light. Time also slows near massive objects like earth, sun, very dense stars called the neutron stars, and almost stops inside the super massive stars “the black holes.” Time has a direction, it always moves towards the future. We see rain falling from the sky, objects breaking up, people getting older, and people dying. We do not see a glass becoming "unbroken" or anyone returning from the dead. That could happen only if time ran backwards. Some physicists like Michael Berry, Thomas Gold, and Steven Hawking have proposed that time may reverse when the universe begins to contract. Verses in the Quran suggest that one day the universe will start contracting and this will coincide with beginning of the Day of Judgment.        

"The day" when, We shall roll up the heavens as a recorder rolls up a written scroll. As, We began the first creation We shall repeat it. Qur'an Chapter 21 Verse 104

            In the above verse, "The Day" means The Day of Judgment and the contraction of the universe, is compared to the closing of a scroll. This is when time may reverse. Reversal of time will cause man to rise from his grave and again become alive.  Every event will be replayed again as everything has been recorded in time.

This book pronounces against you with truth We have caused (all) you did to be recorded. (In time). Qur'an Chapter 45 Verse 29 

And there is nothing hidden in the heavens, or the earth, but it is a clear record (in time). Qur'an Chapter 27 Verse 75  

As the history of earth runs backwards through time, nations will return one after another. All the good and evil deeds of the individual as well as that of the nations will become completely apparent as time reversal occurs.   

And you will see each nation humbled, each nation called to its record. And it will be said to them: This day you are repaid for what you used to do. Qur'an Chapter 45 Verse 28 (time reversal)  

The playing back of time will cause people to see what they had done previously.  They will have no control over their hands, feet, mouths, and eyes. All the wrong and right things that were done before by them will be repeated again.  In this sense, the mouths, hands, and feet, will become witnesses against them in front of the angels and God, and they will not be able to deny any of their wrong doings.      

On the day when their tongues and their hands and their feet testify against them as to what they used to do. Qur'an Chapter 24 Verse 24 (time reversal)

We warn you of doom at hand. A day when a man will look on that his own hand has sent before, and the non-believers will cry: "Wish that we were dust.” Qur'an Chapter 78 Verse 40 

And, the messengers are brought into their time appointed. Qur'an Chapter 77 Verse 11
(The prophets will be returned into their time as time runs backwards)  

NO FREE WILL IN THE CONTRACTING UNIVERSE 

            Man is given a free will to choose between right and wrong in the expanding universe, that is, when all his deeds are recorded in time. In the contracting universe, there will be no free will, and no one will have power to do harm or good to others, or change anything that they have done in their previous life.     

A day when no soul has power at all over any other soul, The absolute command on that day is God's. Qur'an Chapter 82 Verse 19  

REVERSAL OF GRAVITY

When earth is shaken with her final earthquake. Qur'an Chapter 99 Verse 1 

One aspect of gravity is minute differences in time at different heights. Time passes at a slightly faster rate at the top of a mountain, as compared to the sea level. This difference in time, although imperceptible to us, is enough to make things fall to earth, and can be measured with the aid of atomic clocks. If time reverses in the contracting phase of the universe, then this time difference will also reverse. This will cause gravity to reverse so that everything will fall upwards, producing an earthquake of a magnitude never seen before. The earth along with the mountains will be suddenly lifted up from under our feet and subsequently come crashing down.

When the trumpet is blown one blast the earth with the mountains shall be lifted and crushed with one crash. Qur'an Chapter 69 Verse 13-14 

The reversal of gravity will cause the earth to literally explode and turn inside out. The mountains will fall apart. The red-hot lava will be thrown out lighting up the sky like molten copper.

When the sky will be like molten copper and the hills will be like flakes of wool. Qur'an Chapter 70 Verse 8 

EARTH: "EMPTY" FROM INSIDE WITH THE SKY IN ITS CENTER 

And when the earth is spread out. And casts out all that was in her and is "Empty.” Qur'an Chapter 84 Verse 3-4 

            The reversal of gravity will cause earth to expand outwards, throwing out all of its insides. The mass of the earth however, will not disperse, as reversal of time will be directing all the matter to return to its previous position in time. Thus, time and gravity will become two opposing forces in the contracting universe. A balance between these two forces will change the earth into a large sphere, empty from inside. The position of the sky will Trans-locate so that it will occupy the center of the hollowed earth.

On the day when the earth will be changed other than this earth and the heavens also and they will come forth unto God, The One The Almighty. Qur'an Chapter 14 Verse 48  

THE SMOOTH OUTER SURFACE OF THE EARTH 

The inner surface of the hollowed earth will be the exact-replica of the present day earth as time plays backwards. However, the outer surface of the earth will be made from the liquid lava that is at the present time inside the earth, thus it will become smooth without any mountains, hills, valleys or any kind of unevenness.     

They will ask about the mountains, say: My Lord will break them into scattered dust and leave it (earth) as an empty plane, so you see neither curve nor ruggedness. Qur'an Chapter 20 Verse 105-107  

The following verses describe the Day of Judgment in a comprehensive manner. The Day of Judgment will start with the final earthquake as gravity reverses.  The reversal of gravity will cause the earth to throw out all that was once inside her, thereby becoming, completely empty. The hollowed earth will have the sky towards its center. The people will begin to rise from the graves coming back alive, one after another, "in scattered groups". The history of nations will be played back with the reversal of time.  Nations as well as people will be totally powerless caught in the backward flow of time. They will helplessly re-enact and witness their own deeds of the past. This drama will continue until each one of us is removed to the beyond.      

When earth is shaken with her final earthquake. And earth yields its burdens (From within). And man says what's wrong with her. That day she will relate her History (in time) because your Lord inspires her. That day mankind will issue forth in scattered groups to be shown their deeds. Qur'an Chapter 99 Verse 1-6.

WILL WE REGRESS TO NOTHINGNESS WITH THE REVERSAL OF TIME? 

To an inquiring mind, it may occur that the reversal of time can lead to the resurrection from the grave. If this process remained unchecked then we will continue to grow younger, pass through our childhood and regress into nothingness in our mother’s wombs. This is also what time reversal theories say, again a purposeless exercise. Well not quite so! The thought of the great and final earthquake may instil fear into our hearts, but the real purpose is to make the higher dimensions accessible for escape from the collapsing universe. God has designed the universe with great precision. After the resurrection, arrangements have been made, to escape the unrelenting effect of time reversal, to beyond this universe.     

On that Day, He shall gather them together it will seem as if they have stayed (in the grave) for an hour, recognizing one another. Those who were not guided and denied the meeting with God will perish. Qur'an Chapter 10 Verse 45

THE HIGHER DIMENSIONS

Mathematically there are an infinite number of dimensions. However we only live in a three dimensional space. Every object in our daily lives has a length, width, and height. The concept that there are more than three dimensions is impossible to imagine.  However, higher dimensions do exist as intense gravity near the sun causes the space to curve in an extra higher dimension. Einstein considered this for the first time and was able to accurately calculate the orbit of the inner planet Mercury.  Einstein's theory of general relativity is based on the concept of higher dimensions. 

            We may gain some insight into the concept of higher dimensions by studying the problems faced by people in the past. There was a time when people believed that the earth is flat. They were afraid of the possibility of falling off the earth if they traveled too far. This cannot happen because the surface of the earth is curved and continuous like that of a sphere. To get off the earth we just need to move in a dimension (direction) that is perpendicular to the surface. That is straight up, from anywhere we are. We face a similar conceptual problem in understanding the higher dimensions.  We may imagine that we can leave the universe only by travelling very far, but that is also not true. Even if we traveled billions of miles, we will remain within the confines of our three dimensional space.  

We know that we cannot escape from God in the earth, nor can we escape by flight. Qur'an Chapter 72 Verse 12

The only way to go beyond the universe is by moving into a higher dimension in a direction that is perpendicular to our three dimensional space, right from where we are. In the present expanding universe this is not possible, as our space is not continuous with the higher dimensions. For that to happen, our space will have to literally be torn apart first and then be connected to the higher dimensions. Can this happen in the center of the black holes?

THE BLACK HOLES: “THE BLOCKED GATEWAYS" TO THE HIGHER DIMENSIONS

And heaven is opened and becomes as gates. Qur'an Chapter 78 Verse 19

            The opening of gates in the sky is a concept similar to that of black holes. Such openings can be the gateways to beyond the universe through the higher dimensions.  Massive stars, which collapse inward under their own weight, can form black holes.  Gravity in such objects is so strong that even light cannot escape and they become invisible. Hence, the name black holes.  Some physicists believe that space-time may be ripped apart in the black holes, producing gateways to beyond this universe. The curvature producing mass of the black hole however also blocks the opening, thus preventing anything from escaping to the higher dimensions.

The heavens will split asunder, for that day, it will be frail. Qur'an Chapter 69 Verse 16     

Mankind will see many strange things in the contracting universe that may cause confusion, (When sight is confounded.) One of these is the rising of sun from the west, mentioned in an authentic hadith. This phenomenon due to the reversal of time will be visible briefly as the Day of Judgment begins followed by the final earthquake. The earth will change into a hollow structure, from within which both the sun and the moon will not be visible. (The moon is eclipsed.) The gateways to beyond the universe will form in the center-sky, and may appear as a bright light constantly shining from straight above. This may cause us to wonder weather the sun and the moon have become one: (The sun and moon are united). This dilemma is probably mentioned in the following verses. 

When sight is confounded, And the moon is eclipsed (hidden from view), And sun and moon are united. (appear as one light). Qur'an Chapter 75 Verse 7-9

The stars will stop shining as the light moves back with reversal of time. They will also be hidden from view from within the hollowed earth.

When the stars are put out. Qur'an Chapter 78 Verse 8

ANGELS DESCEND THROUGH THE GATES IN THE SKY 

A day when the heavens and the clouds will be rent asunder and the angels will be sent down "A grand descent. Qur'an Chapter 25 Verse 25

The reversed gravity in the contracting universe will open gates in the center-sky of the earth. A spectacular site will be thousands of angels descending down to accomplish the task assigned to them on the Day of Judgment.    

Think of the day when, We remove the hills, and you see the earth emerging and We gather them together, as to leave not one of them behind. Qur'an Chapter 18 Verse 47

The collapsing universe will ultimately be destroyed in a fireball which physicists call the "Big Crunch." Everyone will be gathered much before that time comes and no one will be left behind. The angels of “The grand descent” may accomplish the gathering and removal of humans to “The beyond”. Anyone remaining behind could regress to nothingness, as time will be running backwards. 

That you shall "ride" on from plane to plane. Qur'an Chapter 84 Verse 19 

In our final journey through the gates that will open in the center sky, we may cross many planes or dimensions. The word “ride” is used in the Quran, as if this journey will be accomplished by riding on "something."

WHEN WILL THE DAY OF JUDGMENT ARRIVE 

Men ask you of the Hour.  Say the knowledge of it is with God only. What can convey to you that may be the Hour is near. Qur'an Chapter 33 Verse 63

They bid you to hasten on the doom. And if a term had not been appointed, the doom would have definitely come on them. And it will come upon them suddenly when they perceive not. Qur'an Chapter 29 Verse 53

Superficially, it seems that if we knew the rate at which the expansion of the universe is slowing, then we should be able to predict when the Day of Judgment will begin. However, if time is related to the expansion of space, we cannot observe the slowing of the expansion. This would be like attempting to measure the speed of a car with a clock that is connected to its wheels, so that the speed of time would depend on the speed of the car. If the car slowed-down the time will also slowdown and speed of the car would always appear the same. Similarly as the expansion of the universe slows time and motion will also slowdown, the rate of expansion, will appear the same.

The threatened hour is near. None beside God can disclose it. Are you surprised then at this statement? Qur'an Chapter 53 Verse 57-59

            Even the most advanced civilization in the universe would always observe that the universe is expanding at the same steady rate with which it started.  Paradoxically the far-reaches of space may even seem to expand faster when measurements are made with our local slowing time. The nature of time is such that slowing of time also cannot be perceived. This of course means that the beginning of the Day of Judgment cannot be predicted and may come at any time. Only God, who is independent of time, knows of the real timing of the Day of Judgment.  

WAITING IN THE GRAVE FOR DAY OF JUDGMENT TO ARRIVE? 

            In the Quran, the soul is compared to consciousness and death is compared to sleep. Once death overcomes us there is no perception of the passage of time and the next thing we see will be the Day of Judgment.  

And on The Day when the Hour arrives the guilty will swear that they remained (dead) but for an hour, thus they were ever deceived but to those to whom knowledge and faith are given will say: ”The truth is that you have remained (dead) until the Day of Resurrection by God's decree. This is the Day of Resurrection, but you used not to know.” Qur'an Chapter 30 Verse 55-56

            On The Day of Judgment, the reality of afterlife and the true religion Islam will become clear to everyone. Those who had indulged in evil deeds and followed false beliefs will wish that they had never existed; but they will have to face the final justice.  May God have mercy on all of us.

To God belongs the Sovereignty of heavens and the earth on the Day when the Hour rises, who follow falsehood will be lost. Qur'an Chapter 45 Verse 27  

SUMMARY

            With the tremendous scientific advancements of the twentieth century, we have placed our trust in science and technology to solve all our problems.  Dazzled by the ability of technology to produce quick results, our faith in God has become weak.  Our actions are for worldly goals, although a stronger belief in God and fear of accountability in the afterlife could make us better people. We can see the consequences of lacking these in the moral decay that is afflicting many societies all over the world. 

            God has sent guidance to human beings according to the conditions existing at that moment in history. When the Pharaohs ruled, magic was a very popular pastime. Then Moses (Peace be on him: Pbuh) came with miracles from God and defeated the magicians of the Pharaoh's court. The people at the time of Jesus (Pbuh) were similarly deep into miracles, and we can see that the life of Jesus (Pbuh) is full of miracles.  When Mohammad (Pbuh) came, the Arabic language and poetry was at the height of its development. The Quran with its clear message was revealed in the most eloquent poetry with a style unique and unmatched. 

            Many verses in the Quran describe the Day of Judgment. We live in a universe that has been expanding since its creation billions of years ago. Both the birth of the universe with the "Big Bang" and its expansion are described in the Qur'an. Scientists do not know if the expansion will continue forever, or if one day the universe will begin to contract. However, the Qur'anic verses suggest that the universe will not expand forever and that the Day of Judgment will begin with the contraction of the universe. It appears that time and gravity will reverse when the universe begins to contract. Reversal of time will bring about the resurrection from the grave. In this time reversed world we will come across all the good and evil that we did in our lives. Reversal of gravity will be the cause of the final earthquake, mentioned in the Quran. This will change the earth so that it will be turned inside out and be transformed into a giant hollow sphere with the sky towards its center. The reversed gravity focused towards the "earth's center-sky" will have a runaway effect on space. The space in the center-sky will be literally torn apart to produce openings or gates to the higher dimensions that are beyond our universe.  Through these openings, we will be removed from the collapsing universe. 

             Everyone will be taken away to escape the unrelenting effect of time reversal that could regress us to nothingness in our mother's wombs. In some higher dimension or plane mankind will be brought together from all times and places in history, to face the judgment for their deeds and hell or heaven.

            From the Quran, it appears that the timing of the Day of Judgment will never be known and it may come at any time. We should be aware that The Day of Judgment is very near to every one of us as there is no perception of passage of time after death.

The agony of death comes in truth; this is what you wished to avoid, And the trumpet is blown; this is the threatened Day. Qur'an Chapter 50 Verse 19-20

As we go through our daily life we should keep in mind that everything big and small that we do is being recorded in time. If we do not take steps to protect ourselves from evil, in addition to the threat of severe punishment, we stand the chance of great embarrassment on the Day of Judgment. The reversal of time will expose all our secrets.

I hope this article will serve as a source of warning as well as encouragement to the believers. They will realize that, The Day of Judgment is a religious, scientific and mathematical truth, which every one will have to face; and our deeds in this world will determine our fate in the eternal life.  There is no doubt however, that the real knowledge of the Day of Judgment is with God only. 

The non-Muslims hopefully, will appreciate that the religion of Islam is more than just another belief and they will be stimulated to further investigate the world of Islam.

Dr. Mohammad Humayoun Khan

Illinois, USA

Email: noor99@aol.com