then We revived you after your death.” 1 He likewise cited the episode of “those who left their homes in their thousands, fearing death; so Allah said to them, ‘Die!’ Then He brought them back to life” 2; and the words of Abraham, who said, “My Lord, show me how You give life to the dead …” 3. He also informed us that the Messiah used to raise the dead by Allah’s permission and that the People of the Cave were restored to life after three hundred and nine years.

At other times the Qur’an argues for the Resurrection by pointing to the first creation, for returning something is easier than originating it. Thus He says, “If you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then We created you from dust …” 4; and, “Say: He who produced them the first time will give them life again” 5; and, “He is the One who originates creation, then brings it back, and that is even easier for Him.” 6

Elsewhere He reasons by the creation of the heavens and the earth, for bringing them into being is far greater than restoring humankind: “Have they not considered that Allah, who created the heavens and the earth and was not wearied by their creation, is able to give life to the dead?” 7

At still other points the proof rests on Allah’s transcendence above frivolity: “Did you think that We created you in vain, and that to Us you would not be returned …” 8; and, “Does man imagine that he will be left without accountability?”—until His statement: “Is not He, then, able to give life to the dead?” 9 In this world some people excel in righteousness while others commit evil, and many die without ever receiving the due recompense for their deeds. There must therefore be another abode in which justice is established among humanity and every soul is granted what it has earned.

Belief in the Last Day is one of the pillars of faith, as the Qur’an affirms in numerous verses: sometimes it mentions belief in it together with the six pillars of faith, namely belief