This is the most famous name of the Day of Rewards and has been used 70 times in the Qura’n. Verse 47 of Surah Anbiya says, “And We shall set up balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection.”

Why has this day been called the day of standing up? The Qura’n unravels the answer to this question in verse 6 of Surah Mutaffifin that says, “The Day when mankind will stand before the Lord of the worlds”

On that day, the most elevated angel of God who is called the “Spirit” and other angels will stand in a row to implement the command of God as the Quran says in verse 51 of Surah Ghafir that says:

“On the day the witnesses will stand forth”

Verse 41 of Surah Ibrahim says, “On the day when the reckoning will be established.”

It is the normal practice of the courts that when it announces its decree all those present including the accused and the Judge stand up and then the final decree is read. This standing is done to show respect to the judgment of the court.

When a person decides to do something he stands up and shows his willingness to do it. So in this sense “Qiyam” means determination, preparedness and respect. This may be the reason that the word “Qiyamat’ has been repeated so often in the Qura’n.

The rising from the graves is also one of the proofs of giving it this name. Imam Ali bin Hussein is accredited for a Hadith that says: “

Three moments are very hard on man; the first is that moment when he sees the angel of death before him; the second is the moment when he will rise out of the grave and the third is the moment when he will stand before the mighty God.

1. Behar-ol-Anwar vol.7 page 105 Hadith 19