What do Muslims believe happens after death?
Akhirah (life after death), the Day of Judgement, resurrection, the importance of human responsibility and accountability, and Paradise (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam).
A focused answer on the Muslim afterlife for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering Akhirah, the Day of Judgement, resurrection, Paradise (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam).
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What this dot point is asking
AQA wants you to explain Akhirah (life after death), the Day of Judgement, resurrection, human accountability, and the destinations of Paradise (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam). The key link is between belief in the afterlife and how Muslims behave now, which the exam often tests directly.
Akhirah and the Day of Judgement
Muslims believe that at death the soul is taken by the angel Izra'il and then waits in a state called Barzakh until the end of the world. On the Day of Judgement everyone is resurrected bodily and brought before Allah. Belief in Akhirah is one of the six articles of faith and follows logically from belief in a just God: if Allah is just (Adl), there must be a final reckoning where wrongs are put right and good is rewarded, since this does not always happen in earthly life.
Judgement, accountability and resurrection
Because everyone is accountable, this belief gives Muslim life a strong moral seriousness: every action counts and is seen by Allah.
Jannah and Jahannam
Jannah is described in the Qur'an as a garden of peace, rivers and shade where believers live forever in the presence of Allah, free from pain. Jahannam is a place of fire and suffering for those who reject Allah and persist in evil. Many Muslims take these descriptions partly as imagery pointing to realities beyond human experience. Allah's mercy means that sincere repentance can bring forgiveness, so Muslims do not despair but strive to live well and seek Allah's pardon.
How belief in Akhirah affects life
Because they will be judged and are accountable, Muslims try to follow the Five Pillars, obey Allah's commands, be honest, give to charity (Zakah), pray (Salah) and avoid sin. The hope of Jannah and the warning of Jahannam shape daily choices and give purpose and comfort, including hope in the face of death and injustice.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of AQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
AQA 20182 marksWhat is Akhirah?Show worked answer →
A 2-mark AO1 definition question. Akhirah is the Muslim belief in everlasting life after death. One mark for life after death, the second for everlasting or the belief that the soul continues to the Day of Judgement. It is one of the six articles of faith.
AQA 20214 marksExplain how belief in the Day of Judgement affects how Muslims live. Refer to scripture or another source of Islamic belief in your answer.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark AO1 application question. Effect one: Muslims follow the Five Pillars and obey Allah's commands because they know their deeds are recorded and will be judged. Effect two: they try to do good and avoid sin in daily life (honesty, charity, prayer), knowing the consequences are Jannah or Jahannam, "whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it" (Qur'an 99:7). Markers reward two distinct, developed effects on behaviour plus a source. Link belief to real actions.
AQA 202312 marks"Belief in Jannah and Jahannam is the best reason to live a good life." Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should refer to Islamic teaching, give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, and reach a justified conclusion. [12 marks plus 3 SPaG]Show worked answer →
The AO2 evaluation, 5 bands plus 3 SPaG. Arguments for: the reward of Jannah and the punishment of Jahannam give a powerful, clear motive to obey Allah and do good, supported by "whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it" (Qur'an 99:7). Arguments against: some argue Muslims should obey out of love for and submission to Allah, not fear of Hell or hope of reward; others say good should be done for its own sake. Use terms (Akhirah, Jannah, Jahannam, accountability). Reach a justified conclusion weighing reward and punishment against love and submission as motives.
Related dot points
- The six articles of faith in Sunni Islam and the five roots of religion (Usul ad-Din) in Shia Islam, and the place of Tawhid as the central belief.
A focused answer on the foundations of Islamic belief for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering the six articles of faith in Sunni Islam and the five roots in Shia Islam.
- The nature of Allah including Tawhid, omnipotence, beneficence, mercy, fairness and justice (Adalat in Shia Islam), and immanence and transcendence.
A focused answer on the Muslim understanding of Allah for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering Tawhid, omnipotence, beneficence, mercy, justice, immanence and transcendence.
- Risalah (prophethood), the roles of Adam, Ibrahim and Muhammad, and the holy books including the Qur'an, Tawrat, Zabur, Injil and the scrolls of Ibrahim.
A focused answer on prophethood and revelation for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering Risalah, key prophets and the holy books including the Qur'an.
- Malaikah (angels) and their roles, including Jibril and Mika'il, and al-Qadr (predestination) and human freedom and accountability.
A focused answer on angels and predestination in Islam for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering Malaikah, Jibril, Mika'il and al-Qadr.
Sources & how we know this
- AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062) specification — AQA (2016)