Giving Proper Reward to Man Not Possible in This World
One of the questions raised about resurrection is why God does not give rewards and punishments in this world. Would it not be better if assessment was made about anyone’s deeds in this world so that there would be no need for resurrection?
An answer to this question is that the many limitations in this world do not allow for fully rewarding those who do good and punishing those who do evil.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) suffered many hardships and went through many difficulties to promote the Quran and Islamic teachings and save humanity for centuries to come from ignorance, Shirk (polytheism), and discord. Now what reward can be given to him that would be appropriate for all he did? Or think about a martyr who sacrifices his life for the sake of God. He is no longer in this world to be rewarded for his deed.
On the other hand, there are criminals who kill hundreds, even thousands. How can they be properly punished for their crimes in this world? Even if he is executed, it would be a revenge for one of his murders. So there is no doubt that the main punishment would be in another world.
There are verses in the Quran, like verse 114 of Surah Al-Baqarah about punishment for evil-doers: “…They shall meet with disgrace in this world, and they shall have great chastisement in the hereafter”.
Some other verses in this regard are as follows:
“The unbelievers will face torment in this world and their punishment in the life hereafter will be even greater. No one can save them from the wrath of God.” (Surah Ar-Raad, Verse 34)
“And thus do We recompense him who is extravagant and does not believe in the communications of his Lord, and certainly the chastisement of the hereafter is severer and more.” (Surah Taha, Verse 27)
“They turn away (from the Truth) to lead people away from the path of God. Their share in this world will be disgrace and on the Day of Judgment a burning torment.” (Surah Hajj, Verse 9)
“We sent upon them a violent wind during a few ill-fated days to make them suffer a disgraceful torment in this life. Their torment in the life to come will be even more disgraceful and they will not receive any help.” (Surah Al-Fussilat, Verse 16)
Just as the real punishment will be on the Resurrection Day, so will be the real reward for those who do good.
Here are two verses pointing to this fact:
“And Allah gave them the reward of this life, and the best reward of the Everlasting Life. Allah loves the good-doers.” (Surah Al Imran, Verse 148)
“Surely, We shall help Our Messengers and the believers both in this world and on the Day when the witnesses rise.” (Surah Ghafir, Verse 51)
