What is the meaning of Akhirah?
Akhirah is an Islamic term referring to the afterlife or the final destination. It is a core belief in Islam that life on earth is but a test and that we will be returning to Allah where he will decide our eternal home Jannah (paradise) or Jahanam (hellfire). This will be decided on a day known as Yawm ad-Din (day of judgement). There are various levels of Jannah and Jahannam and placement will be determined on the extent of the person’s deeds.
Akhirah in Arabic Text:
In Arabic text, Akhirah or sometimes spelt Akhira is written as,
أخيرة
Difference between akhirah versus dunya?
The dunya refers to this life on planet earth whereas the akhira refers to the life after death. There are many lectures and khutbahs which discuss the dunya and akhirah.
Often we spend a lot of energy and time chasing money, status, or luxury. It’s fun and gives a sense of purpose or fulfillment in this life. But the message in the Qur’an is quite clear and warns us against this type of behavior:
“Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you Until you visit the graveyards.”
Surah At Takathur
How To Pronounce Akhirah:
Here’s audio-clip to help with the proper pronunciation:
Used in a sentence:
One of the best way to understand how to correctly use Akhirah in a sentence is to see examples. Let’s take a look at proper usage from social media.
Example #1:
A Muslim remains focused on working for his/her Akhirah regardless of the tests occurring on earth. Build your good deeds, its what matters most!
Example #2:
Always remind yourself of Death. This might sound extreme to some of you but it isnt — Reminding yourself of death allows you to understand that this dunya and everything in it is just temporary and that there are bigger things that are waiting for us in Akhirah
Example #3:
It’s so important to believe in the Akhirah. There are so many corrupt people in this world who won’t have to answer to anyone in this life. But they will after they die. We do what we can to make the world better but also know that everyone will answer for their actions.
Example #4:
Walaahi. We must really make Duah for our people, we are so lost trying to chase this world we forget that the akhirah is our home.
Example #5:
Sorry to hear about the sad demise of your father, please accept our condolences may Allah grant him an elevated place in Akhirah.
Quran Verses Which Mention The Afterlife
There are many verses in the Quran which teach us about death and the afterlife. Here’s a select few:
“O you who have believed, fear Allah . And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow – and fear Allah . Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.”
Surah Al-Hashr
“They will say, ‘We were not of those who prayed, Nor did we used to feed the poor And we used to enter into vain discourse with those who engaged [in it], And we used to deny the Day of Recompense Until there came to us the certainty.’ ”
Surah Al Muddathir