Akhirah (The Hereafter)

Akhirah (Arabic: آخرة) means "the hereafter" or "the next life" and refers to the eternal life after death, which is one of the fundamental articles of faith in Islam. Belief in the akhirah (Ma'ad — resurrection and judgment) is the fifth usul al-din (article of faith) in Shia Islam.

The Quran emphasizes the akhirah repeatedly: "Every soul shall taste death. You shall indeed receive your full reward on the Day of Resurrection" (Surah Aal-Imran 3:185). And: "O you who believe! Fear Allah, and let every soul consider what it has sent forth for tomorrow" (Surah Al-Hashr 59:18).

Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said: "This world and the akhirah are like east and west — when you approach one, you move away from the other" (Nahj al-Balagha). And: "Pray as if it is your last prayer — for you do not know if you will reach the next." This statement directly connects prayer with awareness of the akhirah.

In Shia theology, the akhirah encompasses several stages: Barzakh (the intermediate state in the grave), Qiyamah (the Day of Resurrection), Hisab (the reckoning), Mizan (the scale), Sirat (the bridge), and the final judgment — either Jannah (Paradise) or Jahannam (Hellfire). The Prophet said: "The first thing a person will be held accountable for on the Day of Judgment is prayer" (narrated in Al-Kafi and Sunni collections). This shows that prayer is the most important act for one's eternal destiny. Awareness of the akhirah should accompany every prayer and give it depth, seriousness, and sincerity.