In the Islamic conception, life extends through time into eternity and through space into another realm: either a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, or a Fire vast enough to contain the many generations that inhabited the face of the earth for ages upon ages (1).
Allah Most High says: “Race toward forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden as vast as the heaven and the earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His messengers (21)” [al-Hadīd: 21].
Allah Most High also says: “On the Day We ask Hell, ‘Are you full?’ it will reply, ‘Is there any more?’ (30)” [Qāf: 30].
Belief in Allah and the Last Day, with its reward and punishment, is what truly directs human conduct along the path of goodness. No human law can make a person’s conduct as sound and upright as belief in the Last Day can.
There is therefore an immense and far-reaching difference between the conduct of one who believes in Allah and the Last Day, knows that this world is the sowing ground for the Hereafter, and knows that righteous deeds are provisions for the Hereafter—as Allah Most High says: “Take provisions, but surely the best provision is piety. And fear Me, O people of understanding (197)” [al-Baqara: 197]—and, as the noble Companion Umayr ibn al-Humām (2) said: