A Finite Life, an Eternal Afterlife

Why is it right to believe that the life we have, and the days and time we're given—without knowing when they will end—should determine the consequences or rewards we receive in the afterlife? Seventy, sixty, fifty, maybe twenty or thirty years: does it matter how long we're here on Earth? Is that really enough to determine whether any of us deserves to go to hell or heaven for eternity? We don't even get second chances. Is that actually right? That's the real question.

I understand that we have many chances to make up our minds, but some people don't get those chances. Even if they go to heaven, they might not reach its highest levels. They might go to the lowest ones, and that is where they will remain for eternity. They have no chance to move forward or improve their position. That sounds wrong to me.

Life is a test. I get that. But people grow up differently and experience life in different circumstances, which means nobody actually has an advantage over anyone else. I grew up in an Islamic household, and I know many friends who grew up like me. Some don't practise, while others, like me, have many doubts. That raises an important question: are we at an advantage, or are we in the same position as everyone else?

People who have heard about our religion in a negative way may have an advantage because they didn't receive the right message. That means they could potentially get through the Day of Judgment. But is that really justice? Infinity isn't something to take lightly. Anything involving eternity carries enormous weight.

In the Quran, or in the religion—I'm talking strictly about Islam here—there is no mention of a different system or a change in circumstances in the afterlife. The way we live in the afterlife remains the same for eternity. Even if God says that our current minds cannot comprehend the afterlife, that doesn't mean our perspective would change, because we would live there forever. To me, a finite number of years is not enough to determine someone's eternal life.

Why does certainty eliminate growth? Isn't certainty the whole point: for people to know that God is God and that he created us? Otherwise, why would he create us? Are we toys to be played with when he's bored?

With clarity and an understanding of the outcome, punishment could last for a little while. But then my system would be as clear as possible. There are levels of clarity, and reaching each level would lead to the corresponding level of heaven. Reaching the final level—irrefutable clarity—would mean reaching the highest level. That is the whole point: clarity and the understanding that God exists and is to be worshipped.