✍🏻 Abu Yahya
(Translated by Tlueaftab Team)
Every sound I had ever heard paled in comparison to this one. The melody in that voice was so enchanting that my entire being turned into an ear. My whole existence, every faculty within me, was absorbed in listening. I was waiting eagerly for more, but the conversation had paused. I realized perhaps it was my turn to speak. The first words that escaped my lips were:
“Master! This is the only truth I have ever come to know in life.”
My own ears could barely hear these words, but the One who knows the unseen and the secrets of every heart surely heard them. The reply came:
“But not everyone who knows this truth arrives here. Do you know, Abdullah, how you came this far?”
This time, in the majestic tone of my Sovereign, there was a softness, an intimacy.
“It is because the purpose of your life was to tell people about Me, to warn them of meeting Me. You made My remembrance and My work your life’s mission. This is the reward for that.”
Hearing the voice of the Lord of the heavens and the earth had become the most intense desire of my life. Yet once again, after saying this, the King of all kings fell silent. I felt He was giving me the chance to speak. Trembling, I asked:
“Can I stay here with You?”
“No one is ever far from Me, nor am I far from anyone. Every servant who lives in My remembrance lives with Me.”
From these final words, I realized the meeting was nearing its end. I pleaded:
“What command do You have for me?”
“The time for commands has passed. Now the time is coming for you to be made a ruler. For now, return. Life has not yet begun.”
As I turned to leave, I asked:
“On the Day of Judgment, You will not forget me, will You? I have heard so much about the terror of that Day and of Your displeasure.”
At that, a delightful smile filled the air. In a voice ringing with laughter came the reply:
“Forgetfulness is a disease of humans. The King of kings, your Master, your Lord, forgets nothing. My anger never overcomes My mercy. You remembered Me your whole life with hope and fear; I will also remember you with forgiveness and mercy.”
Then, after a royal pause, came the words:
“For your reassurance, I am sending Salih with you. He will remain with you in every moment of need.”
That was my very first meeting with Salih, and the reason he stayed with me. In the realm of Barzakh (the intermediate world after death), my life was without a body. My experiences there were like those of a dream—immaterial but filled with consciousness, emotions, and sensations. I could feel the blessings promised to me in Paradise. At my request, Salih would come from time to time, telling me about new realities, answering my questions. Gradually, our companionship deepened into friendship.
Then, in our last meeting, he told me:
“Life is about to begin.”
And now, together, we were swiftly crossing the Plain of Resurrection, moving toward the Throne of Allah.
As we walked, I looked around. To the horizon stretched a vast plain. The atmosphere resembled that early dawn just after the Fajr prayer but before sunrise—gentle light spread everywhere. Few people were visible, yet all were headed in the same direction. A question stirred in my heart:
“Could some of these be prophets and messengers?”
I looked at Salih. He already knew my thoughts.
“They have all already risen. We are going to meet them.”
“Will I get the chance to meet them?” I asked with childlike eagerness.
He slowed his pace and softly replied:
“From now on, you will live with them. Abdullah, have you still not understood what is happening? Trials are over. Deception is over. Now life begins. The good will live with the good, and the evil with the evil—forever.”
The truth was, I was still in shock. Until now, I had only seen glimpses of the new world in Barzakh, a spiritual world. But here, in the Resurrection, everything was physical. My body, my senses, the earth, the sky—everything was as familiar as in the world I had left.
Thoughts of my home, my family, my town, my people rushed into my mind. I stopped and grabbed Salih with both hands:
“Where are my family? My relatives? My friends? Why don’t I see them?”
Avoiding my eyes, he replied:
“Don’t ask me questions I don’t know the answers to. Today, every person is alone. No one can help another. If their deeds are good, they will surely meet you. No injustice will be done to them. But if not…”
He fell silent, leaving the sentence unfinished. My face darkened. He placed his hand on my shoulder and encouraged me:
“Trust Allah. You were a soldier in His army, so you were raised first. Others are still rising. God willing, they too will meet you in goodness. For now, keep moving forward.”
His words gave me strength, and I continued with him. We moved swiftly, like the gentle rush of wind. Soon Salih said:
“Under the shade of the Divine Throne begins the protected region. Look! Ahead is a group of angels. Behind them is the entrance gate.”
I looked and saw them. Yes, there was a gate, standing without any wall—perhaps hidden walls made it invisible, for nothing beyond the gate could be seen.
Eager, I walked faster. The angels became clearer: tall, stern, and holding whips of fire. Fear struck me. I gripped Salih’s hand tightly.
“Surely, you are going the wrong way. These look like angels of punishment!”
“Keep walking,” he replied without stopping. Reluctantly, I followed, staying two steps behind him—ready to flee if needed.
Sensing my fear, Salih explained:
“Yes, these are indeed angels of punishment. But they are not here for you. They are stationed so that if any criminal dares approach, they will lash him until he never dares again.”
When we reached them, they parted into two rows, forming a path for us. Out of courtesy, they moved their whips behind them. Still, their faces showed no smiles. Passing between them, I whispered words of praise and gratitude.
Then the gate opened on its own. Before me appeared a most delightful scene. From here began the blessed region under the Throne’s mercy. Cool breezes and enchanting fragrances embraced me. As we entered, angels stood in rows, their faces radiant, smiles more beautiful than anything I had ever seen. They greeted us with salaam and warm words of welcome. Their kindness penetrated deep into my soul.
Inside, I felt a strange transformation within myself, though at first I thought it was just the effect of the environment. One angel, who appeared to be their leader, approached me, called me by name, and congratulated me:
“Eternal success be yours!”
Then he asked gently:
“Would you like to see a mirror?”
I was puzzled. A mirror? Why now? Before I could answer, he gestured, and suddenly, a tall mirror stood before me. I looked—and was stunned. It wasn’t a mirror but a living portrait. A strikingly handsome young man in regal clothing stood before me, full of life and beauty.
I laughed softly.
“You angels are fine painters! But who is this model?”
With utmost seriousness, the angel replied:
“The Painter is Al-Musawwir, the Lord of Glory. And the model… is you.”
Then he beckoned Salih, who came near and turned my head back to the image. This time, Salih himself was standing beside the young man. My eyes darted from Salih to the figure in the portrait.
“This is me? Impossible!” I exclaimed.
Salih recited softly:
“O beloved of the universe, this is either someone like you—or it is truly you.”
I protested, “I was an old man. Even in my youth, I never looked like this!”
The angel explained:
“You have entered from the world of impossibilities into the world of possibilities, from man’s world into God’s world. Here, every person appears not as they were seen by people in the world, but as they are seen by their Lord. God shapes them by their faith, character, and deeds—not flesh and skin. This is only temporary. Your final form will be revealed when your rank in Paradise is determined. For now, go ahead—many await you.”
We walked further. The mirror’s effect filled me with confidence. Now I felt assured that my Lord had honored me forever. The hardships, deprivations, and trials of the previous world had blossomed into this glory.
I had read in the Qur’an and hadith about the Hereafter, but what the eyes see, the ears hear, and the senses feel cannot be conveyed fully by words. And now, I was living it.
Salih said, reading my thoughts:
“You still don’t realize, Abdullah. This is only the temporary stage of Resurrection. The real life begins in Paradise. Then you will see the true reward of God.”
Looking up, I found myself in a vast, lush green plain. The sun shone without heat, the sky was cloudless yet the earth was full of shade. In the middle stood a towering mountain, so high its peak seemed pinned to the heavens. Sweet fragrances filled the air, and melodious sounds surrounded us—music not reaching my ears but directly touching my soul.
I stopped, overwhelmed, eyes closed, breathing it all in.
“This mountain,” said Salih, “is A‘raf. Let us circle it. I’ll explain everything as we walk.”
As we moved, we saw inscriptions marking the places of each prophet’s community. Salih told me that all the saved souls would gather at their prophets’ stations. But he added:
“You, Abdullah, will go to the top. There, with the prophets, are those who bore witness to the truth before mankind. From there, they will observe God’s judgment over humanity.”
As we ascended, I saw magnificent fortresses without walls or doors. Inside were majestic thrones, with prophets seated upon them, surrounded by martyrs and the most loyal of their followers. Salih introduced me to them one by one.
Adam, Noah, Hud, Salih, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Shu‘ayb, Moses, Aaron, Jonah, David, Solomon, Zechariah, John, Jesus, and above all, the father of prophets, Abraham—peace be upon them all. Each embraced me, kissed my forehead, and congratulated me.
But I sensed worry in their eyes. When I asked Salih why, he explained:
“They are distressed by the fate of humanity. Outside, the punishment is severe. For centuries, people have been suffering. No one dares to pray for mercy yet, nor is it permitted. Time here passes differently. What feels like hours to you has been centuries of torment for those outside.”
I was stunned, unable to fully grasp it. But in this world of God, anything was possible. And I knew many more astonishing truths were yet to unfold before me…
✨ To be continued…
