Judgement Day: Deeds That Light the Way

by Omar Suleiman

In every moment of the day of Judgment, from the moment you rise from their grave to when you take your place in the assembly. From when you are brought forth to be held accountable by your Lord, to when you are taken to the scale for the scrolls to be weighed, from when you prepare to cross the bridge to your anticipated arrival at the gates of Paradise. There are good deeds that You have sent forth that will come to your aid. Deeds that will take you by your hand and testify on your behalf, that will settle your feet and shade you from the scorching heat. That will light your way in the darkness and guide you to the abode of eternal delight. So do not ask your Lord when the day of Judgment will be, but ask yourself what deeds have you prepared for that day.

Genres: Islam, Religion

260 pages, Hardcover

Published April 11, 2023

About the author

Imam Omar Suleiman is the Founder and President of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, and an Adjunct Professor of Islamic Studies in the Graduate Liberal Studies Program at SMU (Southern Methodist University). He is also the Resident Scholar at Valley Ranch Islamic Center and Co-Chair Emeritus of Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square.

Reviews

[Whimsicalmaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written based on Dr Omar Suleiman’s Ramadhan YouTube series, Judgement Day. I did not watch the series during Ramadhan, and I quickly went through a few episodes to see if there are any differences between the two formats. The chapters of the book are arranged exactly according to the YouTube series. From the little that I’ve watched, the contents are more or less the same, although I’d say some are elaborated a little further, and some are summarized. The good news is, all the hadiths and Quranic ayat in the series were included in the book.

Dr Omar described what will happen to us from the moment we enter the grave, until we reach Jannah (paradise). We do not know much about what it is like between our death and Judgement Day, but of course there are some information that we could gather from the hadith of Prophet Muhammad SAW.

However, there are detailed descriptions of Judgement Day, laid out chronologically. Hence we could imagine what our journey will be like when the time comes.

It is daunting to think about how we will perform on that day, what will our limbs testify about us, what will our tongue say to Allah SWT, will there be someone who will ask us for their rights that we did not fulfill in our lives? Will our deeds be enough to gain Allah’s mercy, so that we could enter Jannah?

Recently we have witnessed numerous of our brothers and sisters leave this world too early, hopefully as shaheeds, after years of oppression. It seems to our eyes that their happiness in the afterlife is guaranteed (Allah knows best), but we can’t help wondering, what about us?

Of course, we want a life of ‘afiyah, free from difficulties, from pain, from hardships, from oppression. This is human nature, so we will fight for others to gain their happiness, health and freedom too. However, not everyone has the chance or resources to do big things like being a just ruler, giving millions to charity, educating large numbers of people, taking good care of orphans, or even raising children.

From this book, it is reassuring to know that Allah SWT has given all of us our own individual ways to attain Jannah. He has given us the basics of earning His Mercy, and given us all different means to get to Jannah. The best thing about this book is that most of the deeds we need are those everyday responsibilities and virtues.

Deeds like being punctual with our five daily prayers, reciting, studying and reflecting on the Quran, giving regular charity even if it is small, sending a lot of salawat to our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW, and being just in our engagement with our families. Good deeds like feeding animals, forgiving others, covering the faults of our brothers, and even loving our friends for the sake of Allah can be the reasons for us to attain Allah’s Mercy in this life and the hereafter.

The lesson from this book is that, no matter where we are in this life, what our circumstances are, there is always something that we could do to add to our scale of good deeds. Even when we are thrown into a place that we never wanted to be, we could always ask ourselves, what are the deeds that Allah SWT wanted me to do here? What are the resources that we could use to walk another step to Jannah? Who are the people (or animals) that we can help?

I would like to close this review with this hadith:
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah SAW said, “Take up good deeds only as much as you are able, for the best deeds are those done regularly even if they are few.”
. . .
I received this book from Kube Publishing in return of a review. Thank you for this wonderful book, it is one that I will refer to time and time again, insyaaAllah.

[Jdan Pottermore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masha Allah! This book made me cry especially that last chapter. How generous and how merciful ALLAH is. It made me emotional thinking how he has been so forbearing and forgiving of my sins 😭😭😭

[سيرين · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, it’s definitely a re-read, and I recommend it to everyone. The book speaks about how the good doers will be rewarded and how the bad doers will face their consequences.

[Ismat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't comprehend how merciful and just Allah is. Every small act of kindness, even smiling is accounted for. This gave me hope that my acts of kindness are not wasted.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Equally alarming and comforting

[Riatmi Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was afraid to start this book because the "Judgement Day" on the title seems so scary. But turns out the book made me both scared and hopeful.. The hopeful part was bigger actually since every chapters the author explain the deeds that help us to prepare the inevitable day.. There were much tears while reading the books.

I wrote a long note while reading the book. Definitely recommended ♥️

[AA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing must read book as is the case with all of Omar Suleiman’s books. Definitely increases your faith and gives it that boost when you’re feeling down and weak.
The last few chapters about Paradise are very emotional to read. I can see myself reading this book a few times when I need to strengthen my faith.

May Allah ease our trials in this life and the trials of the day of judgement.
And May Allah enter us into the highest levels of Jannah amongst the beloved Prophets and the righteous.

Allahuma ameen.

[Warda · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐5 stars⭐

[Maleeha Siddiqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

God bless Omar Suleiman, truly.

[Sabrina Aokira · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.90!

[Artemis · Rating 5 out of 5]

May Allah be pleased with Omar Suleiman and his family members and bless them with goodness of this life and hereafter, Ameen

[Linda Sweiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite ones thus far by Shaykh Omar Suleiman. “So as for theirs whose scales are heavy with good deeds, they will be in a life of bliss” Al Qariah 6-7

[Neems · Rating 4 out of 5]

Educational and inspirational.

[Nasrul Muhaimin Mohd Zain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so underrated knowledge.

[Firdawse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellente dose de rappel sur le jour du Jugement et toutes ses étapes ainsi que les actions qui peuvent nous permettre de nous protéger du supplice du Jour du jugement.