its death: “And among His signs is that you see the earth humbled; then, when We send down water upon it, it stirs and swells. Surely the One who gives it life will give life to the dead; indeed, He is powerful over all things.” (Fussilat 41:39) The One who is able to revive the earth after its death is likewise able to revive human bodies after their death, for both are restored to life once they have died.

Another proof of the Resurrection is that, if there were to be no Resurrection, the creation of people would amount to frivolity. Human beings live their lives: among them are the obedient, the devout, those who believe in Allah and His messengers; and among them are the unbeliever, the atheist, the heretic, the tyrant, the arrogant, and the sinner. All of them live and then die, without the believer ever receiving his reward or the unbeliever, the heretic, the atheist, and the oppressive tyrant ever receiving their punishment.

Can it befit Allah to leave people in such a state—without rewarding the people of faith for their faith, the people of excellence for their excellence, and the people of crime and disbelief for their crimes and disbelief? Such a notion is incompatible with the wisdom of Allah, Majestic and Exalted. For this reason He says, “To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth, so that He may repay those who do evil according to what they have done and repay those who do good with what is best.” (al-Najm 53:31) This requital can take place only on the Day of Resurrection, and likewise He, glorified be He, says