Imagine standing in front of Allah Subhanawat’Ala, being held accountable for all your actions in this dunya. Now imagine, passing the Siraat. Not knowing whether you’ll fall or pass this path which is “thinner than hair” and “sharper than a sword” fills you with uncertainty and apprehension. But you pass this phase of one of the trials on the day of judgment. Now you’re filled with happiness and joy. With Allah’s mercy you passed one of the biggest tests and are right near the gates of Jannah (Paradise). You go and wait near Jannah. You can smell the fragrance of this beautiful abode which has

“promised to the righteous…[and] is the final fate of those who have done their duty” (Ar Ra’ad 35)

Just thinking about being in the company of the righteous, those who were your beloved ones in this dunya, fills you with joy. You can’t wait to see and taste what’s in Jannah, the likes of which no human has “seen or tasted before.” But wait, there seems to be something else in store for everyone. The gates aren’t opening. There seems to be another test at a small arched bridge known as Qantarah.

Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudree reports that the Prophet (SAW) said,

When the believers cross the Hellfire, they will be stopped at a small arched bridge (Qantarah) before entering the Paradise and will be given retribution for injustices between them until they become purified…” [Al-Bukharee]

The Prophet (SAW) said that this is the greatest loser, who will have gotten so far on the Day of Judgment because of his deeds, yet will lose them right here – when people he wronged will take all his good deeds, and when his good deeds are done, he will receive all their bad deeds – and then he will be thrown back into Hell.

However, the mercy of the Most Merciful is indeed ever lasting. For some who have wronged others in this dunya, He will intercede on their behalf. There will be two who arguing for a while, one saying he was wronged and demanding the deeds of his brother, while the other saying that he needs his own deeds. Allah will then show the one who was wronged a home in Jannah – like a village of houses made of Gold and Silver and Pearls (Lu’Lu’) and the man will ask whose home it is. And Allah will say,

“it is the home of the one who can pay its price – who can do a good deed enough to deserve it.”

The man will say,

“who can do a deed so good as to deserve something like this?”

Allah will respond,

“You, if you forgive your brother.”

He will respond,

“I forgive him.”

Allah will then say,

“Take the hand of your brother, and enter both of you into Jannah.”

May Allah make us of those who give the fulfill the rights and obligations towards their Creator and His Creation. Ameen.