The Eschatological Engine: How Belief in the Day of Judgement Transformed Human Behaviour
The transformation of 7th-century Arabia was more than a political or social change. At its psychological core was a profound shift from temporal self-interest to eternal accountability. This paper argues that Eeman bil-Aakhirah—the belief in the Day of Judgement—was a principal operational force behind that transformation. By making every individual conscious of an ultimate account before God, it weakened tribal ego, gave moral weight to even the smallest action, and fostered an unusual degree of internal self-governance. The paper further examines the contemporary Muslim condition, particularly Pakistan, where religious ritual may remain visible while the practical consciousness of Hisaab, justice and Amanah has weakened.
