As a follower of the Islamic faith, I have found that many scholars, in their preliminary studies of religion, fail to understand the conceptions of Islam and the similarities to both Judaism and Christianity. Through little effort, one begins to notice that Islam has both Jewish and Christian influences, and the topic of the afterlife is a perfect example to illustrate this point. The majority of non-Muslims, primarily the in West, have a basic understanding of the juxtaposing realms of heaven and hell. Personal belief may range from little to no emphasis on hell (as many Jews believe) to a strong emphasis (as is the Christian belief). Although the Islamic vision of the hereafter differs greatly from Western culture, the three religions of Ibrahim (Abraham) share similar qualities. Because the roots that worked to shape their derivation, many essential qualities are reoccurring from throughout religion.

Islam is defined...