Eschatology from the Islamic perspective has a moral and ethical importance which is why the pages of the Noble Quran are replete with references to the end of the world and resurrection, the after-life, Allah's judgment of human actions, and these references appear throughout the sacred text. Hence, a real Muslim would never violate moral rules nor would he ever commit any sin or crime against Allah as well as His creatures.
Ethics has been one of the most important issues and subjects of discussion for thinkers and philosophers throughout the history. The main question in this regard is how to help and encourage people to live a life characterized by ethical standards. Some thinkers are of the view that under the pressure of an external law the police or the state, people could be forced and convinced to live peacefully and observe the moral rules. But the problem with this theory is this that wherever and whenever a person feel that there is no such an external pressure or control, he would commit crimes and violate all of the moral rules, because if a person does not believe wholeheartedly in moral values he or she certainly tends to violate the rules.
Due largely to the afore-mentioned reasons, Islam brought forth a different solution to the problem suggesting and emphasizing the eschatological approach concerning morality. Morality in Islam is so much important that the Holy prophet (S) said that He was sent only to perfect noble character. [1] The Holy Quran also commanded Muslims to live peacefully by entering absolutely into peace (Islam) and avoiding evil. [2] “And do not seek to cause mischief on earth. God does not love mischief makers”. [3] Of course, if a person commits such a crime against humanity, he will receive a severe punishment. [4]
Now a question may arise here that according to this Islamic approach Muslims must live ethically due to the fear of the resurrection day or fear of Allah’s punishment on that day, so what is the difference between the aforementioned theory and the Islamic theory whereas both are favoring some kinds of external pressure and force with respect to implementation of the moral rules. To answer this question, first of all, it should be noted that the knowledge of Allah and His love which is based on knowledge, protect believers from committing a sin. Of course, there is some sort of fear of Almighty Allah but it is fear of His majesty and magnificence that is not comparable to the fear of police, jail, prison or incarceration. According to the Islamic and Quranic teachings Allah is most merciful and compassionate and He finally will forgive all of His servants and worshipers. That is why a real believer can not commit the crime contemplating His majesty, mercy and presence.
In this world, however, there are thousands of criminals who commit the biggest sins and crimes against humanity and animals (the creatures of God) as well as the nature itself while no one can punish them or recompense the damages and losses. If there is a God who is also just, then how would He recompense and when or where? Actually as per Islamic doctrines Almighty Allah (J) created human beings as free creatures in a way that they have free will and are capable to choose the right or wrong path independently and freely. This free will is a great blessing and bounty from God to the mankind, because had man not been gifted with free will and capability, perfection would have made no sense. If God has created the best and the most perfect world, in this world, human beings must be free to have the chance of perfection otherwise the world created by God would not be the most perfect.
Assuming the fact that Almighty Allah (J) created the most perfect world, one may ask that through bestowing of free will Allah gives a chance to criminals and paves the ground for evil-doers to commit crimes whereas the victims are not reimbursed. Sometimes a courtmight give some criminals even the capital punishments, but if those criminals, for instance, massacred thousands of innocent people, in that case, a death penalty could not recompense it. Hence, it is impossible to recompense such big crimes in this world due to the limitations of this material world.
Conclusively, it can be deduced that eschatology from the Islamic perspective has a moral and ethical importance which is why the pages of the Noble Quran are replete with references to the end of the world and resurrection, the after-life, Allah's judgment of human actions, and these references appear throughout the sacred text. Hence, a real Muslim would never violate moral rules nor would he ever commit any sin or crime against Allah as well as His creatures.
Notes:
[1] قال رسول الله (ص) إنمابعثت لأتمم مكارم الأخلاق
[2] Surat al-Baqara, verse 208.
[3] Surat al-Qasas, verse 77.
[4] Surat al-Furqan, verse 68.