Justice and the Day of Judgement.
The last two roots of religion answer life's biggest questions: Is God fair? What happens after death? Today you'll learn about 'Adl (Divine Justice) and Ma'ad (the Resurrection), and how they give meaning to everyday life.
'Adl: Allah is Just
Shia Muslims believe that Allah is perfectly just: He never wrongs anyone, never demands what is beyond a person's ability, and never punishes without reason.
- Free will: humans choose their actions and are responsible for them. Allah gives us ability and guidance; we choose.
- No injustice: Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity (Qur'an 2:286).
- Tests and hardship: difficulties in life are tests, opportunities to grow, purify and earn reward, not signs that Allah is unfair.
Imam Ali (a) taught that this world is a place of passing, and the hereafter is the place of staying. When life feels unfair, remember that the full picture of justice includes the hereafter.
Ma'ad: the Day of Judgement
Every person will be brought back to life and held accountable for their beliefs and actions.
Why it matters day to day
- Honesty when nobody is watching: Allah sees, and everything is recorded.
- Hope after mistakes: the door of repentance is always open while we live.
- Patience in hardship: nothing good we do is ever lost.
- Fairness to others: we will answer for how we treated people.
Which belief best describes 'Adl?
Divine Justice includes human free will and fair accountability.
Beliefs module test
How many roots of religion (Usul al-Din) are there?
Tawhid, 'Adl, Nubuwwah, Imamah, Ma'ad.
Who is the last prophet?
The Seal of the Prophets.
How many Imams are there?
Twelve, from Imam Ali (a) to Imam al-Mahdi (a). (The Fourteen Infallibles include the Prophet (s) and Sayyida Fatima (a).)
Shia Muslims follow a marja for…
Beliefs are understood through reflection; practical rulings through taqlid.
Your task (10 min)
Reflect and write: one hardship you've faced, and how seeing it as a test changes how you feel about it. Then make sincere tawbah (repentance) for any past mistake, privately, between you and Allah.
Lesson 5 complete!
You understand Divine Justice, free will, the life after death and accountability. You finished the Beliefs module! Next: taharah and wudu, step by step.
Next: Taharah and wudu step by step →