Quran and Tafsir Hadith Biography and History Dawah Books English Books

 
Index of Qur'an Hadiths/Hadeeths & Islamic Articles

Islam & Muslims

Online Resources
Quran with English Meanings
Hadiths/Hadeeths Books
Islam Q&A eBooks

Islamic Will & testament
Islamic Articles
Useful Islamic Sites
 
General Bookstore
Books & DVD
Electronics & Office
Kids & Baby
Home & Garden
 
In association with

Paradigms of Classical and Modern Arabic Verbs Review


islam & Muslims

"I've taken a look at the book, and it is very interesting. It's an excellent reference for second and third year students who are finally committing the entire verb system to memory"  (Ziad Munson, Department of Sociology, Harvard University, USA)  Pages: 282 (6"x9")

Download !       More info!

 

 



 

Islam Questions and Answers

Islam & Muslims  

Islam: Questions And Answers: Volume 2: Basic Tenets of Faith (Belief) - Part 2

by Muhammad Saed Abdul-Rahman

PAGES: 452 (6 in x 9 in)
ISBN: 1861790880

Click: HERE to Download the book  and get two other FREE books  and Get immediate access to the full volume and the FREE Bonuses
Basic Tenets of Faith (Belief) - Part 2

Paradise and Hell

36674: Ruling on cursing specific people

Question:

What is the ruling on cursing (and not just insulting) the Jews and Christians or other groups, whether living or dead? May Allaah reward you with good.


Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

The author of Lisaan al-`Arab [a famous Arabic-language dictionary _ Translator] said: La'n (curse) means being cast out far from goodness, and it was said that it means being cast away far from Allaah, and from people.

Cursing happens in two ways:

Cursing the kuffaar and sin in general terms, such as saying "May Allaah curse the Jews and Christians," or "May Allaah curse the kaafirs, evildoers and wrongdoers," or "May Allaah curse the wine-drinker and thief." This kind of curse is permissible and there is nothing wrong with it. Ibn Muflih said in al-Adaab al-Shar'iyyah, 1/203: "It is permissible to curse the kuffaar in general."

The second is where the curse is applied to a specific person, whether he is a kaafir or an evildoer, such as saying, "May Allaah curse So and so," mentioning him by name. This may fall into one of two Islam & Muslims:

1 _ Where there is a text which states that he is cursed, such as Iblees, or where there is a text which states that he died as a kaafir, such as Pharaoh, Abu Lahab and Abu Jahl. Cursing such persons is permitted.

Ibn Muflih said in al-Adaab al-Shar'iyyah, 1/214: "It is permissible to curse those concerning whom there is a text stating that they are cursed, but there is no sin involved if one does not do this."

2 _ Cursing a particular kaafir or evildoer concerning whom there is no text stating that they are cursed _ such as wine-drinkers, those who offer sacrifices to anything other than Allaah, the one who curses his parents, those who introduce innovations in religion, and so on.

"The scholars differed as to whether it is permissible to curse these people, and there are three points of view:

(i) That it is not permissible under any circumstances

(ii) That it is permissible in the case of a kaafir but not of a (Muslim) evildoer

(iii) That it is permissible in all cases."

Al-Adaab al_Shar'iyyah by Ibn Muflih, 1/303

Those who say that it is not permissible quoted a number of texts as evidence, including the following:

1 _ The report narrated by al-Bukhaari (4070) from `Abd-Allaah ibn `Umar, that he heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), when he raised his head from rukoo' in the final rak'ah of Fajr prayer and said: "O Allaah, curse So and so, and So and so, and So and so," after he had said, "Sami'a Allaahu li man hamdih, Rabbana wa laka'l-hamd." Then Allaah revealed the words (interpretation of the meaning):

"Not for you (O Muhammad, but for Allaah) is the decision; whether He turns in mercy to (pardons) them or punishes them; verily, they are the Zaalimoon (polytheists, disobedients and wrongdoers)" [Aal `Imraan 3:128]

2 _ The report narrated by al-Bukhaari (6780) from `Umar, that there was a man at the time of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) whose name was `Abd-Allaah, but his nickname was Himaar (donkey), and he used to make the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) laugh. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had had him flogged for drinking, then he was brought one day and he commanded that he be flogged, and a man who was there said, "O Allaah, curse him, how often he is brought [for this reason]!" But the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Do not curse him, for by Allaah what I a know about him is that he loves Allaah and His Messenger."

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said in Majmoo' al-Fataawa, 6/511.

It is permissible to curse all those whom Allaah and His Messenger have cursed, but as for cursing specific people, if it is known that the person died in kufr, then it is permissible to curse him. But with regard to a specific [Muslim] evildoer, we should not curse him, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade cursing `Abd-Allaah ibn Himaar who used to drink wine, even though he had cursed the wine-drinkers in general; however cursing a specific person if he is an evildoer or promoter of bid'ah is a point of dispute among the scholars.

And Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymeen said in al-Qawl al-Mufeed, 1/226.

The difference between cursing a specific person and cursing those who commit sin in general is that the former (cursing a specific person) is not allowed, and the latter (cursing the people who commit sin in general) is allowed. So if you see an innovator, you do not say, `May Allaah curse you,' rather say, `May the curse of Allaah be upon those who introduce innovations,' in general terms. The evidence for that is the fact that when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) cursed some people among the mushrikeen and followers of jaahiliyyah and said: "O Allaah, curse So and so, and So and so, and So and so," he was told not to do that when Allaah said (interpretation of the meaning):

"Not for you (O Muhammad, but for Allaah) is the decision; whether He turns in mercy to (pardons) them or punishes them; verily, they are the Zaalimoon (polytheists, disobedients and wrongdoers)"

[Aal `Imraan 3:128]

This was narrated by al-Bukhaari.

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)

Search Inside This Book At Google Book Search - (452 pages)

Click: HERE to Download the book  and get two other FREE books  and Get immediate access to the full volume and the FREE Bonuses

45804: The people of Hell will abide therein forever

Question:

Will the torment of the people of Hell in Hell be neverending, or will there come a time when it will end?.


Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

The people of Hell will remain in Hell being tormented without end. This is indicated by a great deal of evidence from the Qur'aan and Sunnah.

Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymeen was asked: Is Hell eternal or will it come to an end?

He replied:

What is definite is that it is eternal, and no other view is known among the salaf. Hence the scholars made this one of their tenets of faith, so that we believe that Hell is eternal and will last forever. This is a matter concerning which there is no doubt, because Allaah has mentioned the eternal nature of Hell in three places in the Qur'aan:

1 _ In Soorat al-Nisa, where He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Verily, those who disbelieve and did wrong [by concealing the truth about Prophet Muhammad and his message of true Islamic Monotheism written in the Tawraatt (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) with them]; Allaah will not forgive them, nor will He guide them to any way.

Except the way of Hell, to dwell therein forever" [al-Nisa' 4:168-169]

2 _ In Soorat al-Ahzaab, where He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Verily, Allaah has cursed the disbelievers, and has prepared for them a flaming Fire (Hell)

Wherein they will abide for ever"

[al-Ahzaab 33:64]

3 _ In Soorat al-Jinn, where He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"and whosoever disobeys Allaah and His Messenger, then verily, for him is the fire of Hell, he shall dwell therein forever"

[al-Jinn 72:23]

If Allaah had mentioned the eternal nature of Hell in one place, that would have been sufficient, so how about if He has mentioned it in three places? It is strange that a group of scholars are of the view that Hell will cease to exist, based on false arguments which go against what is indicated by the Qur'aan and Sunnah, and they misinterpreted the meanings of the Qur'aan and Sunnah and said that the words "dwell therein forever" mean for as long as it exists.

How can this be correct? If they are to dwell therein forever, that means that Hell itself must last forever, as they will be in it. If a person is to dwell in some place forever, then the place where he will be must last forever as well, because if that place will cease to exist then he cannot dwell forever. The verse is very clear, and the arguments which go against the text are to be rejected.

This difference of opinion which was narrated from a few scholars is to be rejected, because it goes against the clear text which every believer must believe in. Whoever goes against it because of some argument that he comes up with may be excused before Allaah. But whoever studies the texts of the Qur'aan and Sunnah will know that the view that Hell will last forever is the truth which cannot be ignored.

Majmoo' Fataawa Ibn `Uthaymeen, 2/55-56

It says in Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah:

There is a great deal of evidence in the Qur'aan and Sunnah to show that Hell will never cease to exist, and that the kaafireen will abide in Hell forever and will never come out of it. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"This, because you took the Revelations of Allaah (this Qur'aan) in mockery, and the life of the world deceived you. So this Day, they shall not be taken out from there (Hell), nor shall they be returned to the worldly life (so that they repent to Allaah, and beg His Pardon for their sins)"

[al-Jaathiyah 45:35]

"Surely, those who disbelieved in Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), We shall burn them in Fire. As often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for other skins that they may taste the punishment"

[al-Nisa' 4:56]

"but he whom He sends astray, for such you will find no Awliyaa' (helpers and protectors) besides Him, and We shall gather them together on the Day of Resurrection on their faces, blind, dumb and deaf; their abode will be Hell; whenever it abates, We shall increase for them the fierceness of the Fire.

That is their recompense, because they denied Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and said: "When we are bones and fragments, shall we really be raised up as a new creation?"

[al-Isra' 17:97]

"But those who disbelieved (in the Oneness of Allaah _ Islamic Monotheism) and denied Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they will be the dwellers of the Fire, to dwell therein forever. And worst indeed is that destination" [al-Taghaabun 64:10]

"and whosoever disobeys Allaah and His Messenger, then verily, for him is the fire of Hell, he shall dwell therein forever"

[al-Jinn 72:23]

"Verily, the Mujrimoon (criminals, sinners, disbelievers) will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever.

(The torment) will not be lightened for them, and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein.

We wronged them not, but they were the Zaalimoon (polytheists, wrongdoers).

And they will cry: `O Malik (Keeper of Hell)! Let your Lord make an end of us." He will say: "Verily, you shall abide forever.'

Indeed We have brought the truth (Muhammad with the Qur'aan) to you, but most of you have a hatred for the truth"

[al-Zukhruf 43:74]

"And of mankind are some who take (for worship) others besides Allaah as rivals (to Allaah). They love them as they love Allaah. But those who believe, love Allaah more (than anything else). If only, those who do wrong could see, when they will see the torment, that all power belongs to Allaah and that Allaah is Severe in punishment.

When those who were followed disown (declare themselves innocent of) those who followed (them), and they see the torment, then all their relations will be cut off from them.

And those who followed will say: `If only we had one more chance to return (to the worldly life), we would disown (declare ourselves as innocent from) them as they have disowned (declared themselves as innocent from) us.' Thus Allaah will show them their deeds as regrets for them. And they will never get out of the Fire"

[al-Baqarah 2:165-167]

"Verily, those who belie Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and treat them with arrogance, for them the gates of heaven will not be opened, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of the needle (which is impossible). Thus do We recompense the Mujrimûn (criminals, polytheists, sinners).

Theirs will be a bed of Hell (Fire), and over them coverings (of Hell-fire). Thus do We recompense the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers)"

[al-A'raaf 7:40-41]

"But those who disbelieve (in the Oneness of Allaah — Islamic Monotheism), for them will be the fire of Hell. Neither will it have a complete killing effect on them so that they die nor shall its torment be lightened for them. Thus do We requite every disbeliever!

Therein they will cry: "Our Lord! Bring us out, we shall do righteous good deeds, not (the evil deeds) that we used to do." (Allaah will reply:) "Did We not give you lives long enough, so that whosoever would receive admonition could receive it? And the warner came to you. So taste you (the evil of your deeds). For the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers) there is no helper" [Faatir 35:36]

"Truly, Hell is a place of ambush —

A dwelling place for the Taaghoon (those who transgress the boundary limits set by Allaah, like polytheists, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah, hypocrites, sinners, criminals),

They will abide therein for ages.

Nothing cool shall they taste therein, nor any drink.

Except boiling water, and dirty wound discharges —

An exact recompense (according to their evil crimes).

For verily, they used not to look for a reckoning.

But they belied Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, and that which Our Prophet brought) completely.

And all things We have recorded in a Book.

So taste you (the results of your evil actions). No increase shall We give you, except in torment"

[al-Naba' 78:21-30]

And there are other verses which all indicate that the kuffaar will abide in Hell for eternity and will never come out, and it will never cease to exist. When taken all together this view is very strong and there is no room for misinterpretation .

Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)

Search Inside This Book At Google Book Search - (452 pages)

Click: HERE to Download the book  and get two other FREE books  and Get immediate access to the full volume and the FREE Bonuses

34913: The people of Paradise will abide therein for ever

Question:

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

When the people of Paradise enter Paradise, they will abide therein forever and never leave it. Similarly the people of Hell will abide therein forever and never leave it.

It says in Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah:

With regard to Paradise, it is the abode of reward on the Day of Resurrection for those who believed and did righteous deeds. In it there are whatever delights people could desire. In it there is what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor has it ever entered the mind of man. Those who enter it will enjoy real pleasures in both a physical and a spiritual sense, and they will live there forever. It will never cease to exist and they will never leave, and their joy will never come to an end, and they will have nothing to disturb their joy. This is according to the definitive texts and the consensus of the scholars and believers. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"The description of the Paradise which the Muttaqoon (the pious) have been promised: Underneath it rivers flow, its provision is eternal and so is its shade; this is the end (final destination) of the Muttaqoon (the pious), and the end (final destination) of the disbelievers is Fire

[al-Ra'd 13:35]

"Truly, the Muttaqoon (the pious) will be amidst Gardens and watersprings (Paradise).

(It will be said to them): `Enter therein (Paradise), in peace and security.'

And We shall remove from their breasts any deep feeling of bitterness (that they may have). (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones.

No sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they (ever) be asked to leave it" [al-Hijr 15:45-47]

"This is a Reminder. And verily, for the Muttaqoon (the pious) is a good final return (Paradise), —

`Adn (Eden) Paradise (everlasting Gardens), whose doors will be opened for them.

Therein they will recline; therein they will call for fruits in abundance and drinks;

And beside them will be QaasiraatatTarf [chaste females (wives) restraining their glances (desiring none except their husbands)], (and) of equal ages.

This it is what you (AlMuttaqoon — the pious) are promised for the Day of Reckoning!

(It will be said to them)! Verily, this is Our provision which will never finish"

[Saad 38:49-54]

"Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except AlMuttaqoon (the pious).

(It will be said to the true believers of Islamic Monotheism): My worshippers! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve,

(You) who believed in Our Ayaat (proofs, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and were Muslims (i.e. who submit totally to Allaah's Will, and believe in the Oneness of Allaah — Islamic Monotheism).

Enter Paradise, you and your wives, in happiness.

Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them; (there will be) therein all that innerselves could desire, and all that eyes could delight in and you will abide therein forever.

This is the Paradise which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds which you used to do (in the life of the world).

Therein for you will be fruits in plenty, of which you will eat (as you desire)"

[al-Zukhruf 43:67-73]

And it is proven in the Sunnah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "A caller will call out _ i.e., to the people of Paradise _ `You will be healthy and never fall sick; you will live and never die; you will stay young and never grow old; you will feel joy and never feel sorrow.'" Narrated by Muslim.

It was also proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Death will be brought, in the form of a black and white ram, on the Day of Resurrection. Then the command will be given to slaughter it, then it will be said: `O people of Paradise, it is eternal and there is no death! O people of Hell, it is eternal and there is no death!'" Narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh.

Allaah has confirmed that both Paradise and Hell are eternal and will last forever, and that the believers will abide in Paradise forever and the disbelievers will abide in Hell forever, in many verses of the Qur'aan. And the proven Sunnah from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) provides many details which leave no room for any doubt that this is true, and there is no room for misinterpretation of the clear texts. Whoever doubts this fact or misinterprets the clear texts is following his own whims and desires and displacing words from their right places [cf. al-Nisa' 4:46], so he is one of the kaafirs.

Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)

Search Inside This Book At Google Book Search - (452 pages)

Click: HERE to Download the book  and get two other FREE books  and Get immediate access to the full volume and the FREE Bonuses

22836: The ratio of people of Paradise to people of Hell

Question:

In Saheeh al-Bukhaari there are two ahaadeeth (nos. 6529 and 6530 according to the numbering of Fath al-Baari). In hadeeth no. 6529 it says that the number of "those who are to be sent to Hell is ninety nine from every hundred." And in hadeeth no. 6530 it says that the number of "those who are to be sent to Hell is nine hundred and ninety nine from every thousand." I hope that you could comment and explain this. May Allaah reward you with good.


Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

The first hadeeth was narrated by al-Bukhaari (6529) from Abu Hurayrah, that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The first one to be called on the Day of Resurrection will be Adam. He will be shown his progeny and it will be said, `This is your father Adam.' He will say, `Here I am at Your service.' He will say: `Bring forth those who are to be sent to Hell from among your progeny.' He will say, `O Lord, how many should I bring forth?' He will say, `Bring forth from every hundred ninety nine.'" They said: "O Messenger of Allaah, if ninety nine are taken from every hundred of us, what will be left of us?" He said, "My ummah, among the other nations, is like a white hair on a black bull."

The second hadeeth was narrated by al-Bukhaari (3348) and Muslim (222) from Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him), that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Allaah will say, `O Adam!' and he will say, `Here I am at Your service, and all goodness is in Your hand.' He will say, `Bring forth those who are to be sent to Hell.' He will say, `Who are those who are to be sent to Hell?' He will say, `From every thousand, nine hundred and ninety nine.' At that point the young will turn grey, every pregnant female will abort, and the people will appear intoxicated although they are not. But the punishment of Allaah is severe." They said, "O Messenger of Allaah, which of us will be that one?" He said, "Be of good cheer, for there will be one man from among you and one thousand from among Ya'jooj and Ma'jooj." Then he said, "By the One in Whose hand is my soul, I hope that you will be one quarter of the people of Paradise," and they said, "Allaahu akbar!" Then he said, "I hope that you will be one third of the people of Paradise," and they said, "Allaahu akbar!" Then he said, "I hope that you will be half of the people of Paradise," and they said, "Allaahu akbar!" Then he said, "Among the people you are like a black hair on the hide of a white bull, or like a white hair on the hide of a black bull."

According to the first hadeeth, the number of those who will be saved on the Day of Resurrection is ten in a thousand. According to the second hadeeth it is one in a thousand.

The scholars have reconciled between these two ahaadeeth in several ways, such as the following:

1 _ The numbers are not to be taken literally, so stating a particular number does not mean that there may not be more than that. What is meant by the two numbers mentioned in the two hadeeth is the small number of believers and the large number of kaafirs.

2 _ The hadeeth of Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri may be understood as referring to all the progeny of Adam, so there will be one in every thousand (who goes to Paradise), and the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah may be understood as referring to everyone except Ya'jooj and Ma'jooj, so that the number is ten in every thousand. This is supported by the fact that Ya'jooj and Ma'jooj are mentioned in the hadeeth of Abu Sa'eed but not in the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah.

3 _ It may be that the division will happen twice: once involving all the nations who came before this ummah, when the number will be one in every thousand, and again for this ummah only, when the number will be ten in every thousand.

4 _ It may be that what is meant by "those who are to be sent to Hell" is the kaafirs and the sinners [from among the Muslims] who will enter it, so that from every thousand nine hundred and ninety nine kaafirs are sent, and from every hundred ninety-nine sinners are sent.

These answers were mentioned by al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Baari, 11/390.

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)

Search Inside This Book At Google Book Search - (452 pages)

Click: HERE to Download the book  and get two other FREE books  and Get immediate access to the full volume and the FREE Bonuses

22467: Purification of the sinners

Question:

I've heard that, after the judgement day the moslem, excluded the syahid and moslem who were guaranted by Allah to go to heaven, before they go to the heaven they would be cleaned. I mean, they would go to hell first then after they have been cleaned up they would go to heaven.Is it true?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

Perhaps the questioner is referring to the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"There is not one of you but will pass over it (Hell); this is with your Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished.

Then We shall save those who use to fear Allaah and were dutiful to Him. And We shall leave the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers) therein (humbled) to their knees (in Hell)"

[Maryam 19:71-72]

This is addressed to all of mankind, righteous and immoral, believers and kaafirs, stating that there is not any one among them who will not pass over Hell, a decree which Allaah has issued and of which He has warned His slaves. So it must inevitably come to pass, and there is no avoiding it.

The scholars differed as to the meaning of this passing over. Some said that it means that Hell will be brought close to all creatures, until it terrifies all of them, then Allaah will save those who fear Him.

Some said that it means that all will enter it, but it will be coolness and safety for the believers.

Some said that it means crossing the siraat which is a bridge over Hell. The people will cross it according to their deeds: some will cross it in the twinkling of an eye, some like the wind, some like swift horses; some will pass quickly, some will walk, some will crawl and some will be snatched and thrown into the Fire, all according to their level of fear of Allaah. Hence Allaah says "Then We shall save those who used to fear Allaah and were dutiful to Him" i.e., by doing what He commanded and avoiding what He forbade; "And We shall leave the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers)" i.e., those who wronged themselves by disbelieving and committing sin, "therein (humbled) to their knees (in Hell)" _ this is because of the wrongdoing and kufr, so they will deserve to abide therein forever and there will be no way out for them.

From Tafseer Ibn Sa'di, p. 811

Secondly:

It is essential for those who will be admitted to Paradise to be cleansed of all their sins before they enter it. The sinners' cleansing of their sins may happen in this world or in the Hereafter. In this world, Allaah has given His slaves ways of cleansing themselves thereof, by following their sins and evil deeds with prayers for forgiveness, sincere repentance and good deeds that erase sin. We have already discussed this matter in the answer to question no. 13693.

With regard to the purification of the sinners in the Hereafter, this will be achieved in several ways:

1 _ Prayers of the believers for the (deceased) believer, such as their offering the funeral prayer for him. It was narrated from `Aa'ishah and Anas ibn Maalik that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "There is no deceased person for whom a group of Muslims numbering one hundred offer the funeral prayer, all of them interceding for him, but their intercession for him will be accepted."

Narrated by Muslim, 947.

It was narrated that Ibn `Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: "There is no Muslim man who dies and forty men who do not associate anything in worship with Allaah stand and pray for him, but Allaah will accept their intercession for him."

Narrated by Muslim, 948.

So it is known that this du'aa' is one of the means of the deceased being forgiven.

2 _ Acts of ongoing charity that the person did during his life will benefit him after his death.

3 _ Good deeds done on behalf of the deceased, such as charity, Hajj, etc. These will benefit him, according to the texts of the saheeh Sunnah. It was proven in al-Saheehayn that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever dies owing fasts, let his heir fast on his behalf." And it was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "When a man dies all his good deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge and a righteous child who will pray for him."

Narrated by Muslim, 1638.

4 _ What happens in the grave of the trial, squeezing and terror. These are things that expiate for sins.

5 _ The intercession of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and others for sinners on the Day of Resurrection, as is narrated in mutawaatir reports in the ahaadeeth about intercession, such as the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in the saheeh hadeeth, "My intercession will be for those among my ummah who committed major sins," and "I was given the choice between admitting half of my ummah to Paradise and intercession, and I chose intercession because it is more general and greater. Do you think it will be only for the pious? No, it will be for the sinners who contaminated themselves with sins." Narrated by Ibn Maajah 4311; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah, 3480.

6 _ The terrors, difficulties and hardships of the Day of Resurrection.

7 _ The mercy and forgiveness of Allaah bestowed with no action on the part of His slaves. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: "Allaah created mercy on the day that He created it, and divided it into one hundred parts. He kept ninety-nine parts and sent one to all of His creation. If the kaafir knew of all that is with Allaah of mercy, he would never despair of Paradise, and if the believer knew of all that is with Allaah of punishment he would never feel safe from Hell."

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6469.

And the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Allaah will draw the believer close and screen him and will say, `Do you admit such and such sin, do you admit such and such sin?' and he will say, `Yes, O Lord.' Then when he has admitted his sins and thinks that he is doomed, [Allaah] will say, `I concealed them for you in the world and I forgive you for them this Day.' Then he will be given the book of his good deeds. But as for the kaafir and the hypocrite, "the witnesses will say, "These are the ones who lied against their Lord!" No doubt! the Curse of Allaah is on the Zaalimoon (polytheists, wrongdoers, oppressors)' [Hood 11:18 _ interpretation of the meaning]"

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2441.

8 _ It is proven in al-Saheehayn that when the believers have crossed al-Siraat, they will be detained on a bridge between Paradise and Hell, where they will settle their scores with one another. Then when they have been cleansed and purified, they will be given permission to enter Paradise. It was narrated that Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "When the believers have been saved from the Fire, then they will be detained on the bridge between Paradise and Hell. There they will settle the scores between them for any wrongs that they did to one another in this world, and when they have been cleansed and purified, they will be given permission to enter Paradise. By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, each of them will recognize his dwelling in Paradise better than he recognizes his dwelling in this world." Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6535.

Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

"When the believers have been saved from the Fire" means when they have been saved from falling into it after they have crossed al-siraat.

Al-Qurtubi said: These believers are the ones whom Allaah knows that settling scores will not use up all of their good deeds.

I (al-Haafiz) say: Perhaps the people of al-A'raaf are among them, according to the more correct opinion referred to above. Excluded from this are two groups of believers: those who will enter Paradise without being brought to account, and those who are doomed by their deeds.

"they will be detained on the bridge between Paradise and Hell" _ al-siraat is a bridge placed across Hell, and Paradise lies beyond that. So the people will pass across it according to their deeds. Among them will be those who are saved, who are the ones whose good deeds outweigh their bad deeds, or they are equal, or Allaah has forgiven them. Some of them will fall into Hell, and they are the ones whose bad deeds outweigh their good deeds, except for those whom Allaah forgives. Those believers in Tawheed who fall will be punished for as long as Allaah wills, then they will be brought out by intercession and other means. The ones who are saved may have some scores which others need to settle with him, but they have good deeds that equal that or outweigh it, so some of their good deeds equivalent to those scores that need to be settled, and thus is will becomes free of responsibility.

"and when they are cleansed and purified" means cleansed and freed of all responsibilities. End quote.

If the Muslim who believed in Allaah alone but committed sins is not cleansed for some reason, then he will enter Hell so that he may be purified completely therein, but he will not abide therein forever, rather he will be brought forth by the intercession of those who intercede and by the mercy of the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.

Shaykh `Abd al-`Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

With regard to the sinners, such as those who kill unlawfully, those who disobey their parents, those who consume riba, and those who drink alcohol _ if they die in those sins and they are Muslims, they and others like them will be subject to the will of Allaah, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"but He forgives whom He pleases sins other than that"

[al-Nisa' 4:116]

So if He wills He will forgive them because of the righteous deeds with which they died, which is their belief in Him alone (Tawheed) and their sincerity towards Allaah, and their being Muslims, or the intercession of those who intercede for them, as well as their Tawheed and sincerity.

Or He may punish them without forgiving them, so they are punished by being admitted to Hell and tormented therein, to a degree commensurate with their sins, then they will be brought forth, as is stated in mutawaatir ahaadeeth narrated from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), which say that he will intercede for the sinners among his ummah, and that Allaah will give him a certain number of people a number of times, so he will intercede and bring forth a group by Allaah's leave, then he will intercede again, and again and again, so he will (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) will intercede four times. And the angels and the believers will also intercede, as will al-afraat (the children who died before they reached the age of puberty). All of them will intercede and Allaah will bring forth whomever He wills from Hell through their intercession. Then there will be some of the sinners from among the believers in Tawheed and Islam left in Hell. Then the Lord will bring them forth by His grace and mercy, without intercession on anyone's part, and there will be no one left in Hell except those whom the Qur'aan rules will abide therein forever, namely the kuffaar.

From Majmoo' Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Ibn Baaz, 9/380.

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "… until when Allaah has finished passing judgement amongst His slaves, and He wants to bring forth from Hell those whom He wants of those who used to testify that there is no god except Allaah, He will command the angels to bring them forth and they will know them by the traces of the mark of sujood. Allaah will forbid the Fire to consume the mark of sujood on the sons of Adam. So they will bring them forth and they will have been burned, then water that is called the water of life will be poured on them, and they will grow like seeds growing after a flood recedes." Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6574; Muslim, 172.

It was narrated that Abu Sa'eed said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "As for the people of Hell who belong there, they will neither die nor live therein, but people who entered Hell because of their sins, they will die once, then when they have become like coals, permission will be given for intercession, so they will be brought forth group after group and scattered on the rivers of Paradise, then it will be said, `O people of Paradise be generous to them, then they will grow like seeds growing after a flood recedes."

Narrated by Muslim, 185.

We ask Allaah to bestow His mercy upon us, and to forgive us. Praise be to Allaah the Lord of the Worlds. And Allaah knows best.

References:

Fataawa Ibn Taymiyah, 7/498-501; Minhaaj al-Sunnah, 6/238; Fath al-Baari, 11/406; al-Bihaar al-Zaajirah, 242; Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)

Search Inside This Book At Google Book Search - (452 pages)

Click: HERE to Download the book  and get two other FREE books  and Get immediate access to the full volume and the FREE Bonuses

14404e: Will there be animals in Paradise?

Question:

Will there be animals in Al-Jannat?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

The animals that will be in Paradise according to the reports are of three types:

1 _ Specific animals which it is said will themselves be in Paradise, such as the dog of the people of the Cave and the she-camel of Saalih (peace be upon him). There are no saheeh reports concerning them.

2 _ Those which are mentioned in the Qur'aan and Sunnah, which Allaah has prepared for the believers in Paradise, whether they are mentioned in specific terms, such as the birds of which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And with the flesh of fowls that they desire"

[al-Waaqi'ah 56:21]

or mentioned in general terms, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And We shall provide them with fruit and meat such as they desire"

[al-Toor 52:22]

Another example is the bull which Allaah has prepared as food for the people of Paradise, as was narrated from Thawbaan the freed slave of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), who said: "I was standing by the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when one of the Jewish rabbis came and said, `Peace be upon you, O Muhammad,' and I pushed him back so hard that he nearly fell over… He (the Jew) said: `What would be their food after this?' He (the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)) said: `A bull which was fed in the different quarters of Paradise would be slaughtered for them'…"

Narrated by Muslim, 315.

3 _ Those animals which have been specifically mentioned in the saheeh Sunnah, which will be in Paradise. These include:

(a) It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Pray in the sheep pens and wipe their dust (raghaam), for they are among the animals of Paradise."

Narrated by al-Bayhaqi, 2/449; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami', 3789.

Raghaam means dust (as translated here). The word has also been narrated as ra'aam, which refers to the mucus that comes from the sheep's nose. What is meant is to wipe the dust from it, or wipe away what comes from its nose, so as to look after it and take care of it. This was the view of al-Manaawi in Fayd al-Qadeer.

(b) It was narrated that Abu Mas'ood al-Ansaari said: A man brought a bridled she-camel and said, "This is for the sake of Allaah." The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "You will have seven hundred she-camels in return on the Day of Resurrection, each of them bridled." Narrated by Muslim, 1892.

Al-Nawawi said: What is meant by makhtoomah (bridled) is that it has a khitaam (bridle) on it, which is like a halter. And it was said that that it may be understood as meaning that he will have the reward of giving seven hundred she-camels, or it may be understood as it appears to be, and that he will have seven hundred she-camels in Paradise, each of them bridled, and he will be able to ride them wherever he wants, for pleasure, as was narrated concerning the horses and camels (nujab) of Paradise. This interpretation is more clear. And Allaah knows best. Sharh al-Nawawi, 13/38.

The ahaadeeth about the camels and horses to which al-Nawawi referred are as follows

(a) It was narrated from Abu Ayyoob that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The people of Paradise will visit one another on white camels as if they are rubies, and there are no animals in Paradise apart from camels and birds."

Narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Kabeer, 4/179.

Al-Haythami said: This was narrated by al-Tabaraani. Its isnaad includes Jaabir ibn Nooh who is da'eef (weak). Majma' al-Zawaa'id, 10/413. It was also classed as da'eef by al-Albaani in Da'eef al-Jaami', 1833.

(b) It was narrated from Sulaymaan ibn Buraydah from his father that a man asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), "O Messenger of Allaah, will there be horses in Paradise?" He said, "If Allaah admits you to Paradise, you will not wish that you could be carried on a horse of red rubies which will fly wherever you want in Paradise, but that will happen." And another man asked him, "O Messenger of Allaah, will there be camels in Paradise?" but he did not say something like he had said to his companion. He said, "If Allaah admits you to Paradise, you will have therein whatever your heart desires and will delight your eyes."

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2543. Classd as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 3/522.

A similar report was also narrated by Abu Ayyoob from al-Tirmidhi, 2544; and also classed as saheeh by al-Albaani, 3/423.

And it was narrated in saheeh ahaadeeth that the souls of the martyrs are in the crops of birds in Paradise which fly wherever they want.

It should be noted that the birds, horses and camels in Paradise are not the same as those in this world; they resemble them in name only. What they are really like is known only to Allaah. But we know that they are extremely beautiful, because they are one of the delights that Allaah has prepared for His close friends in Paradise. This was indicated by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in the hadeeth quoted above, in which it says that the horses of Paradise are of red rubies, and will fly with their rider wherever he wants.

We ask Allaah to bless us and admit us to Paradise by His mercy, for He is the Most Generous.

Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)

Search Inside This Book At Google Book Search - (452 pages)

Click: HERE to Download the book  and get two other FREE books  and Get immediate access to the full volume and the FREE Bonuses

31174: The meaning of abiding for eternity in Hell

Question:

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Verily, Allaah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills…"

[al-Nisa' 4:48]

"And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell to abide therein…"

[al-Nisa' 4:93]

I hope that you could explain how to reconcile these two verses.


Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Shaykh `Abd al-`Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: There is no contradiction between them _ praise be to Allaah. In the first verse Allaah is telling His slaves that any sin less than shirk (associating others in worship with Him) is subject to His will: He may forgive it by His grace, or He may punish the person who dies in sin in a way commensurate with his sin, because he transgressed the sacred limits of Allaah and did that which deserves the wrath of Allaah. But the mushrik (one who associates others with Allaah) cannot be forgiven, rather he is doomed to Hell for eternity, to abide therein forever, if he dies in shirk _ we seek refuge with Allaah from that.

With regard to the second verse, this is a warning to one who kills a person unlawfully, that he will be punished and that Allaah is angry with him for that. Hence Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell to abide therein; and the Wrath and the Curse of Allaah are upon him, and a great punishment is prepared for him"

[al-Nisa' 4:93]

What this means is that this is the punishment if Allaah punishes him, and he deserves that; if Allaah forgives him then He is All-forgiving. He may be punished with what Allaah mentions of a period of time spent in Hell, then Allaah will bring him forth from the Fire. This is a temporary abiding in Hell, which is not like the abiding of the kuffaar. For abiding is of two types, eternal abiding which never ends, which is the abiding of the kuffaar in Hell, as Allaah says concerning them (interpretation of the meaning):

"Thus Allaah will show them their deeds as regrets for them. And they will never get out of the Fire" [al-Baqarah 2:167]

And Allaah says in Soorat al-Maa'idah (interpretation of the meaning):

"They will long to get out of the Fire, but never will they get out therefrom; and theirs will be a lasting torment"

[al-Maa'idah 5:37]

With regard to sinners, such as the one who kills a person unlawfully, the one who commits adultery, the one who disobeys his parents, the one who consumes riba, the one who drinks alcohol and so on, if they die in their sin and they are Muslims, then they are subject to the will of Allaah, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills…"

[al-Nisa' 4:48]

So if He wills, He will forgive them because of the righteous deeds with which they died, such as their believing in Allaah alone (Tawheed), their sincerity towards Allaah and their being Muslims, or because of the intercession of those who intercede for them, as well as their Tawheed and sincerity.

Or He may punish them and not forgive them, so He will punish them by causing them to enter Hell and tormenting them therein, in a manner commensurate with their sin, then he will bring them forth therefrom, as is mentioned in many ahaadeeth from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), who said that he will intercede for the sinners among his ummah, and that Allaah will set a limit for that several times, so he will intercede and bring forth a number of them by Allaah's leave, then he will intercede again and again and again; he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) will intercede four times. Similarly the angels, the believers and the children who died before reaching the age of adolescence and before their parents died, will all intercede and Allaah will bring forth whomever He wills from the Fire because of their intercession. Then some sinners among those who believed in Tawheed and Islam will be left in Hell, and Allaah will bring them forth by His grace and mercy without any intercession, then there will be no one left in Hell except those whom the Qur'aan has ruled will abide therein forever, namely the kuffaar.

Thus the questioner will understand how to reconcile these two verses, and similar texts and the ahaadeeth which promise Paradise to those who die in Islam, except those whom Allaah wishes to punish for their sin. And He is the most Wise and most Just in that; He rules as He wills and does what He wants.

And there are some whom Allaah will not punish, by His grace, for many reasons, such as righteous deeds and because of the intercession of the intercessors, and above all that because of His Mercy and Grace. Majmoo' Fataawa al-Maqaalaat, 9/380. (www.islam-qa.com)

Search Inside This Book At Google Book Search - (452 pages)

Click: HERE to Download the book  and get two other FREE books  and Get immediate access to the full volume and the FREE Bonuses

10087: There will be no end to the life of the Hereafter

Question:

Will humans live in the after-life forever or for only as long as Allah wishes ? What is the Islamic belief regarding this ?


Answer:

Praise be to Allaah. Allaah has decreed that this world will come to an end, and He has decreed that its people will die. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish.

And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honour will remain forever"

[al-Rahmaan 55:26-27]

"Everyone shall taste death. Then unto Us you shall be returned"

[al-`Ankaboot 29:57]

Then Allaah will resurrect His slaves and give them eternal life to which there will be no end. He will bring them to account for their deeds, and He will reward those who did good deeds and punish those who did evil deeds. Mankind will be divided into two groups, one in Paradise and one in Hell. The people of Paradise will abide therein forever, and the kaafir people of Hell will abide therein forever also.

There are many verses and ahaadeeth which clearly state that, for example:

1 _ Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"But those who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah — Islamic Monotheism) and do deeds of righteousness, We shall admit them to Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), abiding therein forever. Therein they shall have Azwaajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives), and We shall admit them to shades wide and ever deepening (Paradise)"

[al-Nisa' 4:57]

Al-Tabari said:

"abiding therein forever" means, they will stay there forever, and it will never end or cease; they will remain there forever. Tafseer al-Tabari, 5/144

2 _ Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Allaah will say: This is a Day on which the truthful will profit from their truth: theirs are Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise) — they shall abide therein forever. Allaah is pleased with them and they with Him. That is the great success (Paradise)"

[al-Maa'idah 5:119]

3 _ Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Verily, those who disbelieve and did wrong; Allaah will not forgive them, nor will He guide them to any way.

Except the way of Hell, to dwell therein forever; and this is ever easy for Allaah"

[al-Nisa' 4:169]

4 _ Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Verily, Allaah has cursed the disbelievers, and has prepared for them a flaming Fire (Hell).

Wherein they will abide for ever, and they will find neither a Wali (a protector) nor a helper"

[al-Ahzaab 33:64-65]

5 _ Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"(Mine is) but conveyance (of the truth) from Allaah and His Messages (of Islamic Monotheism), and whosoever disobeys Allaah and His Messenger, then verily, for him is the fire of Hell, he shall dwell therein forever"

[al-Jinn 72:23]

Ibn Katheer said:

"he shall dwell therein forever" means, he will stay there and remain there, he will have no way out of it and that will never cease for him.

Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 3/520

6 _ Allaah tells us that the kuffaar will not die in Hell and they will never have a good life. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Verily, whoever comes to his Lord as a Mujrim (criminal, polytheist, sinner, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allaah and His Messengers), then surely, for him is Hell, wherein he will neither die nor live"

[Ta-Ha 20:74]

"There he will neither die (to be in rest) nor live (a good living)"

[al-A'laa 87:13]

al-Qurtubi said:

"There he will neither die (to be in rest) nor live (a good living)" means, he will never die so as to find a respite from the torment, and he will not live a life that will be any good.

Tafseer al-Tabari, 20/21

7 _ It was narrated that Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Death will be brought forth in the form of a black and white speckled ram, and a caller will cry out, `O people of Paradise!' They will crane their necks and look, and he will say, `Do you recognize this?' They will say, `Yes, it is death,' and all of them will have seen it. Then he will cry out, `O people of Hell!' They will crane their necks and look, and he will say, `Do you recognize this?' They will say, `Yes, it is death,' and all of them will have seen it. Then the ram will be slaughtered, and he (the caller) will say, `O people of Paradise, it is eternal and there will be no death; O people of Hell, it is eternal and there will be no death.'" Then he recited (interpretation of the meaning): "And warn them (O Muhammad) of the Day of grief and regrets, when the case has been decided, while (now) they are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not" [Maryam 19:39]

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4453; Muslim, 2849

According to the version narrated from Ibn `Umar in Muslim (2850): "And the joy of the people of Paradise will be increased, and the grief of the people of Hell will be increased."

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

This ram and the action of laying it down and slaughtering it whilst the two groups are looking on is something real; it is not something illusionary or symbolic, as some people made the serious mistake of suggesting. They said that it is a description, but a description cannot take a physical shape, let alone be slaughtered.

That view is not correct, for Allaah will cause death to appear in the form of a ram which will be slaughtered, just as He will cause deeds to appear in visible forms by which people will be rewarded or punished. Allaah can cause descriptions to appear in physical forms the substance of which is the description, and He can create characteristics from physical beings, and He can create descriptions from descriptions and physical beings from physical beings. All four Islam & Muslims are possible for Allaah, and there is no contradiction in any of that. It is not something impossible, and there is no need for far-fetched interpretations such as saying that it refers to the slaughter of the Angel of Death. All of that is a misinterpretation of the words of Allaah and His Messenger and a false understanding that is not dictated by reason or the reports, which is caused by lack of understanding of what the Messenger said.

Haadi al-Arwaah, p. 283, 284

8 _ It was narrated from Ibn `Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The people of Paradise will enter Paradise and the people of Hell will enter Hell, then a caller will stand between them and will say, "O people of Hell, there is no death; O people of Paradise, there is no death. It is eternal."

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6178; Muslim, 2850)

9 _ It was narrated from Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri and Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "A caller will cry out (i.e., to the people of Paradise): `You will be healthy and will never fall sick; you will live and will never die; you will remain young and will never grow old; you will feel ease and will never be miserable.' This is what Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): `And it will be cried out to them: "This is the Paradise which you have inherited for what you used to do"' [al-A'raaf 7:43].

Narrated by Muslim, 2827

So hasten to do righteous deeds in this world, for it is only a short time before you will move to the realm of eternity, either to Paradise whose delights will never end or to Hell whose heat is eternal… so hasten and beware of procrastinating, for most of the pain of the people of Hell will be because of procrastination.

May Allaah make us and you among the people of Paradise. Ameen. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)

Search Inside This Book At Google Book Search - (452 pages)

Click: HERE to Download the book  and get two other FREE books  and Get immediate access to the full volume and the FREE Bonuses

21365: The meaning of the verse, "They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord wills" [Hood 11:107]

Question:

I would like an explanation of the meaning of this passage, and the most correct interpretation of it. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"As for those who are wretched, they will be in the Fire, sighing in a high and low tone.

They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord wills. Verily, your Lord is the Doer of whatsoever He intends (or wills).
And those who are blessed, they will be in Paradise, abiding therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord wills: a gift without an end."

[Hood 11:106-108] May it be understood from this that whoever enters Paradise may be expelled from it if Allaah wills? Have these verses been abrogated by anything in the Qur'aan, since they appear in a Makkan soorah?.


Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

These verses have not been abrogated, rather they are clear. The scholars differed as to the meaning of the phrase "except as your Lord wills", but they are agreed that the delight of the people of Paradise will be everlasting and eternal; it will never cease or come to an end, and they will never be expelled from it. Hence after that Allaah says, "a gift without an end", to refute what some people may imagine, that some may be expelled from Paradise. For they will abide therein forever and this gift is without an end, i.e., it will never cease. In other verses this meaning is explained further. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Truly, the Muttaqoon (the pious) will be amidst Gardens and watersprings (Paradise).

(It will be said to them): `Enter therein (Paradise), in peace and security'" [al-Hijr 15:46]

Allaah states that they will be secure _ safe from death, safe from expulsion, safe from sickness, grief and all kinds of hardship. Then Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And We shall remove from their hearts any deep feeling of bitterness (that they may have). (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones.

No sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they (ever) be asked to leave it" [al-Hijr 15:47-48]

So Allaah states that they will abide therein forever and will never be expelled from it.

And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Verily, the Muttaqoon (the pious), will be in place of Security (Paradise)

Among Gardens and Springs,

Dressed in fine silk and (also) in thick silk, facing each other,

So (it will be). And We shall marry them to Hoor (fair females) with wide lovely eyes.

They will call therein for every kind of fruit in peace and security;

They will never taste death therein except the first death (of this world), and He will save them from the torment of the blazing Fire,

As a bounty from your Lord! That will be the supreme success!"

[al-Dukhaan 44:51-57]

So Allaah tells us that the people of Paradise will be in a place of security where they will never be exposed to fear and where the blessing will never be taken away from them. They will also be safe, and they will not face the danger of death, sickness, expulsion, grief or any other hardship, and they will never die. What this means is that the people of Paradise will abide therein forever, for eternity.

Some of the scholars said that the phrase "except as your Lord wills" refers to the extent of their stay in the grave, for the believer will be in one of its gardens and delights. But that is not Paradise itself, rather it is a part of Paradise, for a door will be opened from Paradise for the believer in his grave, and some of its fragrance, goodness and blessings will reach him. Then after that he will be transferred to Paradise which is high above the heavens.

Some of the scholars said that what is meant by the words "except as your Lord wills" is the length of their standing in the place of resurrection, for the Reckoning and the reward or punishment, after they have been brought forth from their graves; then after that they will go to Paradise. And some of the scholars said that the meaning includes both things, the time that they spend in their graves and the time that they spend in the place of standing (on the Day of Judgement), and their passage across the Siraat. During all of these times they are not in Paradise, but they will move from these places to Paradise.

The phrase "except as your Lord wills" means, except for the time spent in the grave, and except for the time when they stand on the Day of Judgement, and except for the time spent crossing al-Siraat, because at those times they will not be in Paradise, but they will be moving towards it. Hence we know that the matter is clear and there is nothing unclear or doubtful in it, praise be to Allaah.

The people of Paradise will be blessed therein and will abide therein forever. There will be no death, no sickness, no expulsion, no hardship, no grief, no menstruation, no nifaas (post-partum bleeding), no kind of hurt forever, rather they will be in everlasting delight and goodness.

Similarly, the people of Hell will abide in it forever; they will not exit it and it will not be destroyed. Rather it will abide and they will abide therein. It was said that the phrase "except as your Lord wills" refers to the time they will spend in their graves, or the time they will spend standing on the Day of Resurrection, as mentioned above concerning the people of Paradise. After that they will be driven to Hell, where they will abide for eternity. We ask Allaah to keep us safe from that. Allaah says in Soorat al-Baqarah (interpretation of the meaning):

"Thus Allaah will show them their deeds as regrets for them. And they will never get out of the Fire"

[al-Baqarah 2:167]

And Allaah says concerning the kaafirs in Soorat al-Maa'idah (interpretation of the meaning):

"They will long to get out of the Fire, but never will they get out therefrom; and theirs will be a lasting torment"

[al-Maa'idah 5:37]

Some of the salaf said that the Fire would come to an end after thousands of years and many ages have passed, and that they would die or be brought forth from it. But this view does not count for anything according to the majority of Ahl al-Sunnah wa'l-Jamaa'ah, rather it is false and is refuted by a great deal of evidence from the Qur'aan and Sunnah, as stated above. The view of Ahl al-Sunnah wa'l-Jamaa'ah is that Hell will abide for eternity and that its people will never come forth from it, and that it will never be destroyed, rather it will remain forever, according to the apparent meaning of the Qur'aan and of the Sunnah as proven from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The evidence for that, apart from what has been mentioned above, is that Allaah says concerning the Fire (interpretation of the meaning):

"whenever it abates, We shall increase for them the fierceness of the Fire"

[al-Isra' 17:97]

And Allaah says in Soorat al-Naba', addressing the people of Hell (interpretation of the meaning):

"So taste you (the results of your evil actions). No increase shall We give you, except in torment"

[al-Naba' 78:30]

We ask Allaah to keep us safe and sound from that and becoming among its people.

See Majmoo' Fataawa al-Maqaalaat al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, vol. 4, p. 361

Other verses which clearly indicate that the people of Hell will abide therein forever include the following (interpretation of the meanings):

1 _ "Verily, those who disbelieve and did wrong; Allaah will not forgive them, nor will He guide them to any way — (Tafsir Al-Qurtubî).

Except the way of Hell, to dwell therein forever; and this is ever easy for Allaah"

[al-Nisa' 4:168-169]

2 _ "(Mine is) but conveyance (of the truth) from Allaah and His Messages (of Islamic Monotheism), and whosoever disobeys Allaah and His Messenger, then verily, for him is the fire of Hell, he shall dwell therein forever"

[al-Jinn 72:23]

3 _ "Verily, Allaah has cursed the disbelievers, and has prepared for them a flaming Fire (Hell).

Wherein they will abide for ever, and they will find neither a Wali (a protector) nor a helper"

[Al-Ahzaab 33:64-65] And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)

Search Inside This Book At Google Book Search - (452 pages)

Click: HERE to Download the book  and get two other FREE books  and Get immediate access to the full volume and the FREE Bonuses