The Relationship Between Morality and The Afterlife in Shiism and Catholicism, With an Emphasis on The Qur'an and the Bible

Academic Abstract

This study explores the intricate relationship between the hereafter, a core doctrine in Abrahamic religions, and ethics, with a particular focus on Shia Islam and Catholic Christianity. While theological differences distinguish these religions, ethics serves as a unifying thread, with moral teachings prominently emphasized in both traditions. The research investigates how belief in the hereafter influences ethical frameworks, highlighting a mutually reinforcing relationship. In both Shia Islam and Catholicism, the hereafter—encompassing concepts such as the resurrection of the dead, judgment of actions, and reckoning—shapes morality in three key dimensions: providing meaning, motivation, and purpose. Despite doctrinal distinctions in their eschatological perspectives, both religions share commonalities in how the afterlife informs ethical behavior. The hereafter imbues moral actions with significance by framing them within an eternal context, motivates adherence to ethical principles through the prospect of divine judgment, and instills a sense of purpose by aligning human conduct with ultimate spiritual goals. Employing an analytical and comparative methodology, this article examines these shared and divergent impacts, offering insights into how eschatological beliefs reinforce ethical systems. The findings underscore the profound role of the hereafter in shaping moral consciousness, contributing to broader discussions on the interplay between religion, ethics, and eschatology in Abrahamic faiths. This study provides a nuanced understanding of how shared beliefs in the afterlife foster ethical convergence across diverse theological traditions.