Welcome to this week's episode of the series Let's Know Islam. In this episode, we continue to discuss the important topic of Day of Resurrection.

In the ancient times, whenever discussions revolved round the Day of Resurrection, some scientists imagined that upon death, revival of mankind would not be feasible. This group could not interpret and justify Day of Resurrection on the basis of their limited scientific knowledge. However, the advancement of knowledge of mankind has unfolded new scenes for scientific research on the possibility of revival of mankind. For instance, based on the principle of material and energy, despite the chemical reactions which take place within different worldly materials, changing their form and shape, none of the existing elements of materials are wiped out or destroyed.

In accordance to scientific findings, waters which are absorbed in soil; fuels that are consumed by huge industrial machines, planes, and ships; or the tree branches which are burnt in flames, are not destroyed. If we would be able to gather and combine their scattered pieces and parts with the usage of a number of tools and equipment, the same initial materials would emerge. Human body is made out of soil and ultimately it will once again turn into soil, which is its initial form. The lifeless human body, under the impact of inner and outer factors is once again turned into soil and is once again scattered, turning into a new form and shape. For instance, in the cycle of nature, a plant grows from human body which has turned into soil.  Nonetheless, the essence of it is sustained in the midst of the developments which take place. Today, scientists are making utmost efforts to gain access to sound waves produced by previous generations of mankind, while these efforts have been relatively effective and productive. All these facts lead mankind to contemplate, and believe in the Day of Resurrection.

Now, let's consider the viewpoint of Holy Quran about the revival of mankind and Day of Resurrection. Holy Quran has put emphasis on the Day of Resurrection on several occasions. For instance, the 55^th ayah of Surat Taha in Holy Quran notes: "From it (soil) did we create you, into it shall We return you, and from it shall We bring you forth another time."

This ayah, in a few small and transparent phrases, makes us focus on the omnipotence of God; and mentions the past and future of mankind in the material world and Hereafter. This ayah refers to revival of mankind on the Day of Resurrection. In the view of Holy Quran, the destruction of mankind upon death cannot be justified, because existence in the limited domain of the material world cannot be the ultimate goal of creation.

According to historical accounts, when the Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny) pointed out the Day of Resurrection and revival of mankind on the Day of Judgement; one of the polytheists named Abi bin Khalaf got hold of a rotten bone and headed toward the city in order to approach Prophet Mohammad. He angrily alleged who can revive this rotten bone? Then he pressed the bone with his hands, turning the bone into powder and scattering the powdered bone. He imagined that the Prophet would remain silent in the face of his allegations. The 78^th ayah of Surat Yasin in Holy Quran takes into consideration this encounter and notes: "He draws comparisons for Us, and forgets his own creation. He says, 'Who shall revive the bones when they have decayed?'

Holy Quran refers to this polytheist and points out that he forgets his own creation, thereby giving a firm response to this polytheist's baseless allegations. God in the 79^th ayah of Surat Yasin in Holy Quran notes: " Say, 'He will revive them who produced them the first time, and He has knowledge of all creation."

God is aware of all features of His creations and certainly revival of the dead is not a difficult task for the omnipotent and All-knowing God.

Consider a magnet. A magnet is capable of immediately gathering all particles of iron scattered across the soil. This is while a magnet is an inanimate object. God can easily gather all of the scattered particles of human body with a single instruction.

The 81^st ayah of Surat Yasin in Holy Quran notes: "Is not He who created the heavens and the earth able to create the like of them? Yes, indeed! He is the All-creator, the All-knowing."

Holy Quran urges mankind to comprehensively study the universe so that upon contemplation, he realizes God who has created this incredible and huge world is certainly also capable of reviving the dead.

The 3^rd and 4^th ayahs of Surat al-Qiyamah in Holy Quran note: "Does man suppose that We shall not put together his bone? Yes, indeed, We are able to proportion even his fingerprints."

MR/MG