Welcome to this week's episode of the series Let's Know Islam. Today, we continue our discussion about the People of the Right Hand and People of the Left Hand in the Day of Resurrection.

Last week, we referred to People of the Right Hand and People of the Left Hand. The People of the Right Hand are those who due to their merited positive deeds are handed over their record of conduct to their right hand. This group of people have made utmost efforts in this world to liberate slaves; to meet the needs of the poor and needy and orphans especially throughout hardships, and have made every effort to feed these vulnerable individuals.

However, opposite to these righteous individuals, are the wrongdoers, who deny righteousness; are disbelievers, and are punished on the Day of Judgement for the crimes and sins that they have committed in this world. The record of conduct of these sinners are handed over to their left hand.

The 19^th and 20^th ayahs of Surat al-Balad in Holy Quran note: "But those who defy Our signs, are the People of the Left Hand. Imposed upon them will be a closed fire."

In the 41^st to 44^th ayahs of Surat al-Waqi'ah in Holy Quran, God points out: "And the People of the Left Hand – what are the People of the Left Hand? Amid infernal miasma and boiling water and the shadow of a dense black smoke, neither cool nor beneficial."

Furthermore, the reasons behind the ominous and fearful fate of the People of the Left Hand have been stated in the 45^th to 48^th ayahs of Surat al-Waqi'ah, which pinpoint: Indeed, they had been affluent before this, and they used to persist in the great sin. And they used to say, 'What! When we are dead and become dust and bones, shall we be resurrected? And our forefathers too?'

This group of disbelievers had become complacent because of the blessings that had been bestowed upon them in the material world. As we observe today, the source of corruption in the majority of human communities are the complacent well-off stratum. These complacent and selfish individuals also mislead others.

In fact, the root cause of all bloodsheds, wars, and derailments of communities from the righteous path are the wealthy, influential, and powerful individuals. Although the entire blessings that have been bestowed upon mankind are means for his growth and development, if these blessings would lead to his complacency, he would be derailed from the right path.

The denial of the Day of Resurrection is the root cause of many sins committed by mankind, and is one of the characteristic traits of the People of the Left Hand. They have been derailed from the right path.

This takes place, while they observe some of the scenes of Day of Resurrection in this world with their own eyes, witnessing how many of the living creatures such as different plant species die and are once again revived later on. Obviously, given that God Almighty has created this living creatures for the first time, it's very easy for Him to revive them. Nonetheless, People of the Left Hand continue to deny the Day of Resurrection.

Ayahs of Holy Quran have enumerated some of the characteristic traits of the People of the Left Hand, who despite of benefitting from ample blessings, are selfish individuals, insisting on commitment of injustices and sins, in addition to rebellion. They deny the Day of Judgement, and do not feed the poor and the needy, while continuously mingling with other wrongdoers.

In the meantime, one of the important topics of discussion in regard to the Day of Resurrection is whether human resurrection is physical or spiritual in nature? Some argue that resurrection of humans only maintains a spiritual aspect.

However, in contrast to this group; and based on the studies which have been carried out by thinkers, it has been pointed out that human resurrection on the Day of Judgement is physical and spiritual, both. Many of the leading Shia figures and scientists, upon reference to ayahs of Holy Quran and Islamic narrations, have proven that human resurrection is both physical and spiritual.

MR/MG