As we have said many times it is impossible for man to know the detailed truth about the Day of Judgment because it is a world after this world but nothing prevents us from having a brief idea about it.

From the Islamic traditions we learn that Siraat is a bridge that goes towards Paradise and it spans above Hell. Every person good or bad will have to cross it.

The pious will do so quickly and reach the unlimited bounties of God while the evil people will fall from it into Hell. Some hadiths clarify that the quick crossing of this bridge will be because of good faith, good morals and good deeds.

In a hadith Imam Sadiq is reported to have said:

“Some people will cross it like a lightning, some like fast horses, some on all hands and legs, some will walk slowly and some will fall from it.”

The question is that when you go to Paradise is it necessary to cross the bridge? (1)

There is a very fine explanation that the people will cross the Siraat over Hell for Paradise just to realize its importance. Siraat means the creation of our deeds in physical form. This is why controlling our carnal desires is compared to crossing the bridge over Hell to Paradise. The third reason is that the sinners are warned that they should not use this dreadful path (of lust). This is why the hadith from Mafzal Ibn Omar says: “I asked Imam Sadiq about Siraat and he said, “Siraat is the path for realization of God.” And added, “There are two roads, the first is for this world and the second for the hereafter. The path of this world is the infallible Imam and obeying him is a duty; he should be recognized and obeyed. This obedience is termed as crossing the Siraat and it is the path of salvation. He who does not recognize the Imam will go astray and fall into Hell. (2)

Another notable point is that some traditions tell us that cross this bridge has been termed as a very perilous task.

Imam Askari (3)has said that there are two roads of Siraat; one is in this world and one in the hereafter. Siraat Mustaqeem in this world is the true faith which is below excess and above that which is insulting (about the Imams). Siraat in the Hereafter is the bridge or the path that goes to Paradise.

There is a hadith that Imam Sadiq said: “there is bridge over Hell which is thinner than hair and sharper than a sword.”(4)

The Siraatol Mustaqeem (The true path), the truth of the succession and justice too are the same. The rest of the lines on either side are skewed and not straight. So the straight path on the Day of Judgment being like the truth path in this world is understandable and natural but despite people will be able to cross it because of their good faith and pious deeds.

It is also true that the connection with the Messenger and his progeny will make this terrifying path easy.

The Messenger is reported to have said in one hadith:

“When the bridge will be spanned over Hell on the Judgment Day then only those who will have the certificate of succession of Hazrat Ali will be able to cross it.” (5)

This same meaning is conveyed in another source through Hazrat Fatima. It is clear that the love for Hazrat Fatima and the love and the belief in the succession of Hazrat Ali and other infallible Imams are not separate. Until an attachment is reached with these persons through true faith, good morals and pious deeds none can cross this bridge. There are umpteen hadiths in this regard and can be studied in Behar-ol-Anwar by those who want to. (Please check hadith 12 to 17)

The last point is the educative angle of believing in this bridge.

This is a horrific and dangerous, a path thinner than hair and sharper than sword. One will have to pause at many stages on it. At every stage there is will a specific question; at one place it will be for daily prayers, in a second place about trust and social relations, in the third test will be question about justice similar things. No one cross this bridge without the love of the Messenger and Hazrat Ali and by going against the rules about morality and good deeds. This is a bridge which a person can cross only in the light of his true faith and good deeds. He who cannot cross this bridge will fall into Hell and he will remain deprived of the bounties of heaven.

Paying heed to these meanings and believing them can create a revolution in mankind. It will enjoin a person to think more deeply about the differentiation between the truth and falsehood. It calls him to the saints and enjoins him to emulate their behavior and deeds.

1. Aamali Suduq – Majlis 33

2. Maaniol Akhbar page 32 hadith 1

3. Behar-ol-Anwar vol.8 page 69 hadith 18

4. Mizanol Hikmah vol.5 page 348 about the word As-Siraat in the hadith of Imam Sadiq (Behar-ol-Anwar vol.8 page 68 hadith 1

5. Behar-ol-Anwar vol.8 page 68 hadith 11