Understanding Reward and Punishment in Islam

Hasanat or Ajr is an Arabic team meaning “reward”. Hence it refers to the spiritual merit or reward that accrues from our good acts. Every minor or major good deed will be rewarded by Allah Almighty. On the other words Hudud is an Arabic word meaning borders or limits. In the Islamic laws Hudud refers to punishments fixed by Allah in return of wrong deeds. Doing evil deeds against Allah’s orders will be punished.

Story of Prophet Nuh(A.S)

To understand the principle of reward and punishment in Islam lets read a story of Prophet Nuh(A.S).

For many years, Nuh (A.S) tried to turn the people to Allah, but only a few people followed him. He was dismayed to see the arrogance and stubbornness of his people. Finally, in despair, Nuh (A.S) asked Allah for help.

Allah told Him to make a ship that took a long time to build. All the people laughed at Nuh (A.S). They said he was crazy to build the ship far away from the sea. Nuh (A.S) warned his people that Allah would punish them if they refused to obey Him.

They only mocked Him. They did not pay any attention to His warnings. When the ship was ready, Allah told Nuh (A.S) to take on board one male and one female of every kind of creature. Then He and his followers boarded the ship and they were safe.

Heavy rain began to fall. The floods covered the land. Wicked people drowned. All evil was washed away from the face of the earth. There was flood water everywhere.

After many days, when Allah gave His Command, the skies cleared up and the rain stopped. The ship came to rest on Mount (ai-Judee). Nuh (A.S) and his followers came out of the ship. They settled on the new land and filled it. After Nuh (A.S), Allah sent many messengers. They called the people back to the Straight Path.

Quranic concepts of Reward & Punishment:

Allah has shown us the Straight Path and His commands in the Holy Quran. However, Allah has given everyone the choice either to do what is right or to do what is wrong. There are so many types of reward and punishment in Islam for every single deed. Islam teaches us that there will be a day called the Day of Judgement. On that day, everyone will be judged according to his or her actions in life. All that we are doing in this world is the preparation for the Day of Judgment. Allah has promised many times rewards and punishments for His beloved people and punishment for disbelievers in Quran.

Quranic verses about Reward and Punishment:

Here are some ayats that truly focus on the rewards and punishments. Following are the ayahs in which Allah’s rewards are mentioned in return for good deeds.

And those who believe and do righteous good deeds, they are dwellers or paradise, they will dwell therein forever. Surah Al-Baqarah 2: Ayah 82

But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, We shall admit them to Gardens under which rivers flow (i.e. in Paradise) to dwell therein forever. Allah’s promise is the Truth; and whose words can be truer than those of Allah? Surah An-Nisa : Ayah 122

Here are Quranic verses on punishment in this world:

To understand what Allah has mentioned the punishment of this life and the next, we have following ayah of Suran An-Nazi’at in which Allah said:

 “By those (angels) who violently tear out (the souls of the wicked at death) and by those who gently draw out (the souls of the righteous at death).” (Surah An-Nazi’at : 1- 2)

Examples of Reward and Punishment in Islam:

There are different types of reward and punishment in Islam in return of our good or bad deeds.

The word “Forgiveness” is repeated 234 times exactly 2x more than the punishment in the Quran, which means Allah loved us more than anyone in this world. That’s why Allah has promised forgiveness and a great reward in the form of Paradise with all Muslims who have done righteous deeds. Also they spend their lives according to Allah’s will.

On the other hand, punishments in Islam for sins are:

For a handful of specific crimes, the punishment is fixed (ḥadd): death for apostasy, amputation of the hand for theft and of the hand and foot for highway robbery, death by stoning for extramarital sexual relations (zinā) when the offender is married and 100 lashes when the offender is unmarried, and 80 lashes for a person alleges zina and fails to provide four consistent Muslim witnesses, or if witnesses provide inconsistent testimonies.

Importance of Punishment in Islam

Islam is a beautiful religion and Allah has set some boundaries for us to spend our lives. If we go out of these limitations then there comes the concept of punishment. According to Islamic Shariah, the punishment is for all evil acts and protection of the right of the victim. There are so many punishments that we get in the world and some punishments start right after our death in the grave.

How many times is the word punishment in the Quran?

The word “Punishment” is repeated 117 times in the Quran. The types of punishment in the grave are for sins of the heart, the eye, the ear, the mouth, the tongue, the stomach, the private parts, the hand, the foot, and the entire body.

Rewards & Punishments are for our betterment:

This life is a preparation for the life to come. The Quran teaches us that those who submit to the Will of Allah will find Paradise. The first surah of the Quran, Surat al-Faatihah, is a prayer for guidance to the path that leads to Paradise in the life after death.

Life after death is called Akhirah. It is one of the most important beliefs of Islam. Disobedience and wickedness will be punished in the next life and obedience and goodness will be rewarded. But Allah is Merciful. He is Forgiving and likes to forgive!

He will certainly forgive those who give up the life of wickedness in this world and turn to Him. He will guide them to the Straight Path.

Final verdict:

The Quran says that Allah has appointed over each one of us two angels who record what we do in this world. The truly good will be in perfect happiness, but the evildoers will be in a blazing fire.

Allah has shown men and women the Straight Path. However, Allah has given everyone the choice either to do what is right or to do what is wrong. Islam teaches us that there will be a day called the Day of Judgement at the end of time. On that day, everyone will be judged according to his or her good and bad deeds in life.

Allah will reward those who believe in Him, do good actions, and obey His messengers. He will also punish those who do not believe in Him, do bad actions, and reject His messengers. Let’s pray for a righteous life in this world and blessings of Allah in Akhirah.