Would Immediate Reward or Punishment Be Fair?

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Reward or punishment for deeds could be deemed as fair when we pay attention not just to the deed itself but also to its effects and consequences.

One of the questions asked about the Resurrection is why people do not receive reward or punishment for their deeds immediately? Wouldn’t it be more effective if any action would be followed by an immediate reward or punishment?

Reward or punishment for deeds could be deemed as fair when we pay attention not just to the deed itself but also to its effects and consequences.

The Quran says in verse 12 of Surah Yaseen: “Surely, it is We who revive the dead and write down what they have forwarded and what they have left behind; We have counted everything in a Clear Book.”

Every deed has some effects that should be taken into account when judging the deed. Imagine there is a great party going on in a big house and someone comes along and turns off the lights suddenly. This may seem nothing that important at first glance but if you consider the consequences, the judgment may change. For example as a result of the darkness and mayhem, a fire may break out in the house or someone may fall down the stairs or someone be attacked. So one should think not only about the lights having been turned off but also all of its consequences.

If a person invents a new drug that heals people or a killing device that kills people, giving him immediate reward or punishment is not fair. We should wait until the end of the world to see how many people are healed by the drug or how many are killed by that device, and then assess the deed.

This is a rational and logical view supported by the Quran and Hadiths.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said that when someone opens a good path or introduces a good deed, he will share the reward of all of those who follow that path or do that good deed without their reward being reduced and on the other hand, one who introduces a way of corruption, he will share the punishment for all of those who take that path.

The first reason proving the Resurrection is divine justice based on three premises:

1- Regarding the orders of God and teachings of prophets, people are divided into two groups: Some obey the orders and follow the teachings and others disobey and oppose the divine messengers’ teachings.

2- This world is not a proper place for rewarding all good deeds and punishing all bad deeds.

3- God is just and His justice has been proven with strong reasons. God will not leave one’s deeds without reward or punishment.

So there should be a place for reward and punishment and that is the Resurrection Day.