As you are raised with those you loved in this temporary world, Jibreel (a) and the angels will line up in silent rows and Hell and Heaven will be brought near to the wicked and the righteous. In that indescribably anxious Hour, two things will differentiate the true believers: their immense, actionable love for Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the five key qualities (and deeds) they embodied that Allah has promised an eternal reward for.

In the hereafter, deeds take on many forms. We’ve already seen that they guard us in the grave, but they also clothe us on the Day of Judgment—and their quality and beauty will be in exact proportion to the quality of our actions. Deeds related to sadaqah and Qur’an will have particular virtue, adorning us with crowns and with the green robes of Paradise.

When the Trumpet sounds, how will you be raised from your grave? Your actions up until the moment you die determine the very first moments of your resurrection. Were you faithful and charitable, or disobedient and greedy? The good deeds that you did in this world rise up to protect you as you navigate the tribulations that follow.

In the darkness of your freshly covered grave, as you hear the footsteps of your family walking away, nothing from this worldly life will help as your eternity begins—except one thing: your good deeds. One by one, they’ll show up in the form of beautiful people, guarding you from the punishments of the grave and bestowing you with glad tidings and the best source of companionship.