Welcome to this week's episode of the series Let's Know Islam. Today, we continue to study and discuss the topic of Day of Resurrection, by discussing Serat Bridge.

Prior to embarking upon the main discussion, we refer to a point of importance, which is related to the topic of Serat Bridge. Based on the ayahs of Holy Quran, the unjust and evildoers are questioned on the Day of Judgement.

 In this regard, the 22^nd to 24^th ayahs of Surat al-Saffat in Holy Quran note: 'Muster the wrongdoers and their mates and what they used to worship besides Allah, and show them the way to hell! But first stop them! For they must be questioned.'

One of the phases of the Day of Judgement, is the passage of humans across Serat Bridge. Based on ayahs and Islamic narrations, Serat is a bridge over hell en route to Heaven; which everyone passes through. Meanwhile, Serat Bridge is not similar to the bridges of this world; across which people and vehicles pass. In accordance to ayahs of Holy Quran, and Islamic narrations, Serat Bridge is a route, upon passing of which mankind reaches true and eternal prosperity.

In the 71^st and 72^nd ayahs of Surat Maryam in Holy Quran, God notes: "There is none of you but will come to it (hell): a matter that is decided certainly with your Lord. Then We will deliver those who are Godwary, and leave the wrongdoers in it, fallen on their knees."

Based on this ayah; in the beginning, all humans, good or bad, initially enter hell. However, afterwards, everything changes. The devout individuals and good doers are saved and the oppressors and wrongdoers remain in hell.

According to a hadith cited from the Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny): "Concurrent with the passage of faithful over the hellfire, it goes cold; as the fire which went cold for Prophet Abraham."

This shows that the hell fire is not an ordinary worldly fire, which can be put off with water, or other fire extinguishers. In fact, hell fire can only be put off with the light of faith in God. Hence, the individuals who have carried out good deeds, swiftly put hell fire behind and after passing across the Serat Bridge, benefit from never-ending blessings of God in eternal Heaven. Undoubtedly, the speed of people in crossing Serat Bridge is in line with their level of faith, chastity, and good deeds in the material world. Hence, the speed of passage of every individual across Serat Bridge varies based on his/her beliefs, acts, and lifestyle. This means that the better and healthier the individual's deeds in the material world; the faster and easier he will cross Serat Bridge. In the meantime, some individuals remain on the Serat Bridge for a long time due to their deeds, and some cannot pass across Serat Bridge and fall into hell, for their misdeeds in the material world.

There are a number of inspection posts on Serat Bridge; within which individuals are questioned about a number of different topics of importance, such as prayers, the rights of family and relatives, the rights of people, trustworthiness, and so forth. If the individual appropriately answers these questions and God's mercy is bestowed upon the individual, that person puts behind the related inspection post, and moves toward the next inspection stop. Meanwhile, if the individual successfully puts behind all of these phases and inspection posts, he/she enters Heaven, benefitting from the never-ending blessings of God Almighty. However, if someone fails to answer these questions appropriately and correctly, the individual would not be able to cross Serat Bridge, and falls into hell.

One of the important inspection stops on Serat Bridge, is related to the divine justice. In this post, the individual is questioned about people's rights. God has pledged to stop the oppressors at this inspection post. The 14^th ayah of Surat al-Fajr in Holy Quran notes: "Indeed your Lord is in ambush."

Undoubtedly, is someone has imposed any injustice, or has violated others' rights, he would be stopped at this inspection post, and will be punished for his misdeeds and wrongdoings.

The Serat Bridge, which has been described in the Islamic narrations as sharper than sword, and narrower than a hair, is a highly calculated and precise path; which begins in the material world, and which continues until Hereafter.

Meanwhile, the righteous path, which is the path of servitude of God, is a precise and narrow path which should be covered with vigilance and awareness, so that the individual would not be derailed from righteousness. Meanwhile, on the Day of Judgement, those who successfully cross Serat Bridge, are the ones who have covered the righteous path in the material and mortal world.

Undoubtedly, establishment of a bond with the Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny), and his Infallible Household can ease passage across Serat Bridge. In fact, unless individuals follow exemplary figures in relation to faith in God, ethical principles, and deeds; passage across Serat Bridge is not possible, given that there is a bond between the deeds, behaviors, and beliefs of individuals in the mortal world, and the fate of these individuals in Hereafter.

MR/MG