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When going on a journey, it is often hard to decide what to take with you. Firstly, one has to remember that the weather is unique in Bermuda and most times a complete wardrobe change is not necessary.

We may wear our boots in the morning, but by noon, we are ready to don our Bermuda shorts. Yes, so one must take appropriate clothing bearing in mind our destination. We normally, and rightfully so, pay careful attention to packing the right clothing and things that will make our vacation or visit a pleasant and enjoyable one.

How is it then that we take nothing with us on the journey? What is it we need for our final destination? Think about it.

The other day I attended a funeral of a very well to do person. This person had all the material creature comforts and more, a big beautiful, lavish home, a very expensive and chrome-wheeled car and all the trimmings that go with a successful life.

But in my observation, as the funeral car pulled up just outside St. John's Cemetery gate, there behind it, was the deceased one's own car. It stopped outside of the cemetery and could not go any further, it the material thing, had come to the end of its journey with its owner. I thought to myself "that's it, this is as far as my deceased friend's worldly goods could go." It made me wonder, just what is it we take with us on that final journey? Don't you wonder, too?

In Islam, we believe that it is only our deeds that we take with us to the hereafter. Deeds are very important, as we all know, especially when purchasing a house; we all want those very significant and valuable deeds. Likewise, the good deeds that we accumulate whilst here on earth is our only ticket to the Jennah (Paradise). Indeed, deeds are important, as we will soon see.

We should follow the Quran and Sunnah and refrain from Bid'ah, hypocrisy, show-off and any un-Islamic deed that will displease Allah. We should be God-conscious and God-fearing at all times.

We must remember that Allah has appointed two angels for each and every one of us. One angel sits on the right and one on the left (to record all our deeds) (50:17). The following authentic hadith tells us the recording of both the good and bad deeds:

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said, "Allah ordered (the appointed angels over you) that the good and the bad deeds be written. He then showed (the way) how (to write). If somebody intends to do a good deed and he does not do it, then Allah will write for him a full good deed (in his account with Him). If he intends to do a good deed and actually did it, then Allah will write for him (in his account) with Him (its reward equal) from ten to seven hundred times to many more times.If somebody intended to do a bad deed and he does not do it, then Allah will write a full good deed (in his account) with Him; and if he intended to do it (a bad deed) and actually did it, then Allah will write one bad deed (in his account)." (Bukhari 8/498 and 9/592)

On the Day of Judgment everything will be accounted. Anyone who has done an atom's weight of good and an atom's weight of evil shall see it (99:6-8). Allah will take account everything on the scales of justice so that not a soul will be dealt with unjustly in the least (21:47).

Allah will reward all of us who follow the Qur'an and Sunnah and do good deeds solely for His Pleasure. So be sure to stack your good deeds, for they only will accompany you to the Hereafter where Allah will reward you and know for a fact, that the Hereafter is an absolute surety.

Footnote: We will be doing a series of Islamic and Christian comparisons for your information, hoping that all will gain a better understanding of what it is we believe.

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