In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
"I did believe that I was going to be held accountable"
Believing in the Last Day is among the basics of faith. In fact, it is one of the essentials of salvation. Reading the two following verses concludes that one cannot claim the belief in God and actively pursue righteousness based on that belief without the conviction of returning to God and meeting Him on the Day of Judgment.
Minimum Requirements For Salvation [5:69] Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the converts, and the Christians; any of them who (1) believe in GOD and (2) believe in the Last Day, and (3) lead a righteous life, have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
Righteousness Defined [2:177] Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the east or the west. Righteous are those who believe in GOD, the Last Day, the angels, the scripture, and the prophets; and they give the money, cheerfully, to the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the traveling alien, the beggars, and to free the slaves; and they observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat); and they keep their word whenever they make a promise; and they steadfastly persevere in the face of persecution, hardship, and war. These are the truthful; these are the righteous.
One of the realities of the Day of Judgment is the full accountability of any undertaking in life. Every single thought, utterance, action and choice we make is witnessed and accurately recorded to be brought forth on that day. The more we worship and advance on God's path, the more we become conscious and concerned about this accountability. This kind of awareness is what we know as reverence. We progressively become very selective with actions and choices and our vision becomes more focused on what would enhance our records and spare us any shame on that day. When we are certain, this full accountability becomes sharpened and our hearts reach the maximum reverence of God Almighty.
[21:47] We will establish the scales of justice on the Day of Resurrection. No soul will suffer the least injustice. Even the equivalent of a mustard seed will be accounted for. We are the most efficient reckoners.
[64:7] Those who disbelieved claim that they will not be resurrected! Yes indeed, by my Lord, you will be resurrected, and you will be held accountable for everything you have done. This is easy for GOD to do.
[2:284] To GOD belongs everything in the heavens and the earth. Whether you declare your innermost thoughts, or keep them hidden, GOD holds you responsible for them. He forgives whomever He wills, and punishes whomever He wills. GOD is Omnipotent.
[22:32] Indeed, those who reverence the rites decreed by GOD demonstrate the righteousness of their hearts.
[64:16] Therefore, you shall reverence GOD as much as you can, and listen, and obey, and give (to charity) for your own good. Anyone who is protected from his own stinginess, these are the successful ones.
Believers Versus Disbelievers
(1) The Believers
[13:19] Is one who recognizes that your Lord's revelations to you are the truth equal to one who is blind? Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
[13:20] They are the ones who fulfill their pledge to GOD, and do not violate the covenant.
[13:21] They join what GOD has commanded to be joined, reverence their Lord, and fear the dreadful reckoning.
[21:49] The ones who reverence their Lord, even when alone in their privacy, and they worry about the Hour.
[70:22] Except for the worshipers.
[70:23] Who always observe their contact prayers (Salat).
[70:24] Part of their money is set aside.
[70:25] For the poor and the needy.
[70:26] They believe in the Day of Judgment.
[70:27] They reverence their Lord's requital.
[70:28] Their Lord's requital is not taken for granted.
[76:7] They fulfill their pledges, and reverence a day that is extremely difficult.
The following are just a few reminders God used to bring to our attention the fact that His records are very detailed and accurate, and that His recorders will not skip a single inner thought, secret, or conspiracy. We will be accounted for every recorded item and it is our responsibility to strive to straighten these records while on earth. Once we leave earth, our records are final ; we cannot edit or fix them. Those who reverence God and work hard to strengthen their belief and reverence God, secretly and publicly, are truly the righteous ones and the ultimate winners. God willing, we manage to be among those who will read their records with pride and dignity on the Judgment Day.
[69:18] On that day, you will be exposed, nothing of you can be hidden.
The Believers
[69:19] As for the one who receives his record with his right hand, he will say, "Come read my record.
[69:20] "I did believe that I was going to be held accountable."
[69:21] He has deserved a happy life.
[69:22] In an exalted Paradise.
The Disbelievers
[69:25] As for him who is given his record in his left hand, he will say, "Oh, I wish I never received my record.
[69:26] "I wish I never knew my account.
[69:27] "I wish my death was eternal.
[69:28] "My money cannot help me.
[69:29] "All my power is gone."
[78:21] Gehenna is inevitable.
[78:22] For the transgressors; it will be their abode.
[78:23] They stay in it for ages.
[78:24] They never taste in it coolness, nor a drink.
[78:25] Only an inferno, and bitter food.
[78:26] A just requital.
[78:27] They never expected to be held accountable.
[18:49] The record will be shown, and you will see the guilty fearful of its contents. They will say, "Woe to us. How come this book leaves nothing, small or large, without counting it?" They will find everything they had done brought forth. Your Lord is never unjust towards anyone.
[50:16] We created the human, and we know what he whispers to himself. We are closer to him than his jugular vein.
[50:17] Two recording (angels), at right and at left, are constantly recording.
[82:9] Indeed, you disbelieve in the religion.
[82:10] Oblivious to the fact that there are (invisible) keepers around you.
[82:11] They are honest recorders.
[82:12] They record everything you do.
[39:69] Then the earth will shine with the light of its Lord. The record will be proclaimed, and the prophets and the witnesses will be brought forth. Everyone will then be judged equitably, without the least injustice.
[23:62] We never burden any soul beyond its means, and we keep a record that utters the truth. No one will suffer injustice.
[17:13] We have recorded the fate of every human being; it is tied to his neck. On the Day of Resurrection we will hand him a record that is accessible.
[17:14] Read your own record. Today, you suffice as your own reckoner.
[17:71] The day will come when we summon every people, together with their record. As for those who are given a record of righteousness, they will read their record and will not suffer the least injustice.
[58:6] The day will come when GOD will resurrect them all, then inform them of everything they had done. GOD has recorded everything, while they have forgotten it. GOD witnesses all things.
Kneeling
[45:28] You will see every community kneeling. Every community will be called to view their record. Today, you get paid for everything you have done.
[45:29] This is our record; it utters the truth about you. We have been recording everything you did.
[21:94] As for those who work righteousness, while believing, their work will not go to waste; we are recording it.
[19:77] Have you noted the one who rejected our revelations then said, "I will be given wealth and children"?!
[19:78] Has he seen the future? Has he taken such a pledge from the Most Gracious?
[19:79] Indeed, we will record what he utters, then commit him to ever-increasing retribution.
[43:80] Do they think that we do not hear their secrets and conspiracies? Yes indeed; our messengers are with them, recording.
[41:20] Once they get there, their own hearing, eyes, and skins will bear witness to everything they had done.
[41:21] They will say to their skins, "Why did you bear witness against us?" They will reply, "GOD made us speak up; He is the One who causes everything to speak. He is the One who created you the first time, and now you have been returned to Him."
[41:22] There is no way you can hide from your own hearing, your eyes, or your skins. In fact, you thought that GOD was unaware of much of what you do.
[41:23] This kind of thinking about your Lord will cause you to fall, and then you become losers.
Praise be to God, The Knower of all secrets and declarations.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.