The Concept of Jurisdiction Herein Before, Jurisdiction Herein, and Jurisdiction Hereafter: A Reflection on Time, Existence, and Divine Covenants

1. Introduction

The span of human life is often considered within the existence of birth, life and death – a path with a definitive beginning and end. However, the Quranic perspective gives this view much more depth with three interconnected dimensions: Herein Before, Herein, and Hereafter. These realms encompass the scope of entire human existence, including the spiritual origins, the earthly journey, and the eternal destiny. Not only this, but there are binding agreements [ahd and mithaq] between Allah and His creation that govern this divine journey. These tend to define the human responsibilities, moral duties and eternal consequences.

In his work on Qur’anic Covenants, Ahmer Bilal Soofi uniquely introduces this concept with a legalistic point of view, touching the boundaries of the contractual framework embedded in the Qur’an. The exploration from this aspect has not been done before, and the work pertains to have implications beyond law and theology. The concept encourages readers to interpret their divine commitment, responsibility and perception of time from a different perspective. This article extends the understanding of these three interconnected dimensions and their impact on our spiritual and ethical worldview.

2. Understanding the Three Realms of Existence

The human existence, in accordance with the Qur’anic framework, has been divided into three interconnected stages:

1. Jurisdiction Herein Before – the pre-earthly phase
2. Jurisdiction Herein – the journey on earth
3. Jurisdiction Hereafter – life after death, the eternal phase

Each phase entails that a contract exists between Allah and humanity, which is evidence of the fact that life is part of a structured divine plan.

Jurisdiction Herein Before: The Pre-Earthly Realm

Jurisdiction Herein Before, the pre-earthly phase, started before the creation of the physical realm. All souls were created and gathered before Allah, testifying to the lordship of Allah.

“And [remember] when your Lord took from the children of Adam—from their loins—their descendants and made them testify [saying], ‘Am I not your Lord?’ They said, ‘Yes, we testify.’”
(Surah Al-A’raf 7:172)

This verse represents the pre-birth covenant, known as Mithaq al-Ast, that every human soul is bound by. It suggests that:

• Our relationship with Allah was established long before our birth
• Humans were created with an inherent awareness of divine truth
• Our earthly existence is a continuation of a journey that started long before our physical existence

This covenant reveals that faith is an embedded part of our being, and not something that has been imposed on us. However, as we journey through the physical realm, we tend to forget the pre-existing agreement, converting the journey of faith into rediscovering what we already know.

Jurisdiction Herein: The Earthly Journey and Human Responsibility

Jurisdiction Herein, the earthly journey, represents our current life on earth. It is the realm whereby humans exercise free will, make choices, and honour their role of being the representatives of Allah (khalifah). It is also a test of whether we stay committed to the pre-earthly covenant or not.

“It is He who has made you successors (khalifah) upon the earth…”
(Surah Al-An’am 6:165)

This role that our Lord has bestowed upon us, carries both legal and moral obligations, which means that our earthly life is bound by a contractual responsibility.

This phase is vividly different from Jurisdiction Herein Before because:

• We embody a physical form and are conscious beings
• We engage in decision making processes, which encompass ethical and moral decisions
• We are bound by divine laws, as well as the associated rewards and consequences

3. The Role of Free Will and Covenantal Responsibility

In the realm of Jurisdiction Herein Before, we as humans were aware of the divine reality, but had no agency. Unlike that, the realm of Jurisdiction Herein grants us a choice as well as responsibility. Every human action is governed by covenants, whereby the adherence to them leads to success, and deviation from them leads to negative consequences.

This can be understood in legal and contractual terms:

Commitment – A contract is composed of commitment from both the parties. As such, Allah and humans are a party to the contract whereby Allah provides guidance, rewards and consequences and we as humans are expected to uphold righteousness.

Enforceability – A contract can be enforced. Humans are promised justice in the afterlife as a result for our earthly actions.

Conditions – A contract has specific conditions that must be met for the contract to be fulfilled. Similarly, beliefs, ethical behaviour, and worship are some of the conditions that fulfil the obligations of this contract.

As such, Jurisdiction Herein – the earthly journey, can be called the testing ground where the consequences of our actions will determine our fate in the Hereafter.

Jurisdiction Hereafter: The Eternal Destination

Jurisdiction Hereafter, the final phase, goes on beyond this physical realm. This eternal phase is the one where:

• The outcomes of our actions will be determined.
• The final judgement occurs.
• Paradise or hell will be decided as our fate in accordance with adherence of our actions.

“Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Judgment.”
(Surah Al-Imran 3:185)

The realm of Jurisdiction Hereafter is the final and eternal world, where there is justice and conclusiveness. Whatever we do in this temporary world will determine our fate in the Hereafter.

4. Interconnectedness of the Three Realms

The three realms of existence described above are deeply interconnected:

• Jurisdiction Herein Before constitutes our pre-earthly journey, establishes our spiritual identity and our covenant with Allah.
• Jurisdiction Herein is the realm where we uphold our covenant through our acts of worship, faith and ethics.
• Jurisdiction Hereafter is the final stage, determining how well we fulfilled our obligations, and whether we upheld our covenant or not.

This basic understanding grants us a different perspective:

• The life on earth, albeit temporary, is not isolated but rather part of a greater spiritual journey.
• Religion is not an external system imposed on us, but rather our pre-existing reality that we must reconnect with.
• Death is not an unknown abyss, but rather a transition into the final stage of our humanly existence.

5. Practical Implications of This Perspective

Strengthening Faith and Spiritual Awareness

The recognition of Jurisdiction Herein Before encourages us to focus on our spiritual origins – a reflection that seldom happens. As such, it can be devised that faith is not merely a religious tool, but a pre-determined reality, which we must apprehend and embrace.

Ethical Living and Social Responsibility

Jurisdiction Herein, in its continuation of Jurisdiction Herein Before, emerges as a contractual space which impels ethical living.  If we believe in the divine contract, we are bound by it. This entails:

• Every action carries its consequences.
• Honesty, integrity and justice are not mere moral values, but rather legal obligations that construe from the divine covenants.
• Faith and ethics must be upheld, and neglecting them means a breach of contract, with repercussions in the afterlife.

Preparing for the Hereafter

Believing in the Hereafter leads to accountability for our actions. It is reminiscent of our belief in the eternal reality, motivating us to live for the hereafter and not living for just short-term gains. This means that our actions will shape our destinies, with comfort in the knowledge that divine justice will prevail.

6. Conclusion

The framework of the three realms named Jurisdiction Herein Before, Jurisdiction Herein and Jurisdiction Hereafter is part of a divine narrative which prompts us to delve deeper into time, existence and faith. It emphasises on reconnecting with the pre-earthly covenant with Allah, leading a good earthly life, and preparing well for the eternal realty.

This concept is not just serving a theological purpose: it rather connects us to our higher calling, transforming our approach to life, morality, and faith with profound transformation and meaning. Not only this framework enables a holistic perspective on existence, but allows us to acknowledge our spiritual commitments arising from past, present responsibilities in our current life, and the consequences of our actions in the afterlife.

Ultimately, it is safe to say, it is not just about the existing moment. Yet the question remains: Are we fulfilling our side of the covenant?