Paradise and Hell
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.
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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 .
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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.
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Question:
What happens in paradise, with a couple who have
been married. I have heard that the wife will be with
her husband, but that the husband will in addition to her,
have 70 women (hoors) at his service.
This to me does not seem like a fair concept for
the women, to share their husbands in this way.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
The believer must submit to the rulings and decrees
of Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"The only saying of the faithful believers, when they
are called to Allaah (His Words, the Qur'aan) and
His Messenger, to judge between them, is that they say:
`We hear and we obey.' And such are the successful (who
will live forever in Paradise)"
[al-Noor 24:51]
If the believer is confused about anything in the
rulings of Allaah, and he does not know what it means or
what the reason behind it is, then he must say as those who
are firmly grounded in knowledge say:
"We believe in it; the whole of it (clear and unclear
Verses) are from our Lord"
[Aal `Imraan 3:7 _ interpretation of the
meaning]
It is not permissible for the believer to say that one of
the rulings of Allaah is not fair; exalted be Allaah far
above that. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) slaves"
[Fussilat 41:46]
There is no rule that is better than the rule of Allaah.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Is not Allaah the Best of judges?"
[al-Teen 95:8]
"Do they then seek the judgement of (the days
of) Ignorance? And who is better in judgement than
Allaah for a people who have firm Faith?"
[al-Maa'idah 5:50]
Secondly:
In this question there are two mistakes and a misunderstanding. The first mistake is where
the questioner says that in Paradise a man will have
seventy hoor `iyn. What is proven in the saheeh Sunnah is
that the martyr (shaheed) will have seventy-two hoor `iyn.
The least of the people of Paradise will have two wives,
and some will have more than that.
It was narrated that al-Miqdaam ibn Ma'di Yakrib
said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: "The martyr has six blessings
with Allaah: he will be forgiven from the first drop of
blood shed; he will be shown his place in Paradise; he will
be protected from the torment of the grave; he will be
safe from the greater terror; a crown of dignity will be
placed on his head, one ruby of which is better than this
world and everything in it; he will be married to
seventy-two wives from al-hoor al-`iyn; and he will intercede
for seventy of his relatives."
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1663; Ibn Maajah, 2799;
classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh
al-Tirmidhi.
And more than that has been narrated. Abu
Na'eem narrated in Sifat al-Jannah from Abu Hurayrah
(may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of
Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "A
man will go to one hundred virgins in one day _ i.e.,
in Paradise."
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah
al-Saheehah, 367.
It was narrated from Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri that
the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) said: "The lowest of the people of Paradise
in status will be a man whose face Allaah will turn
away from the Fire towards Paradise, and make a shady
tree appear before him. … Then he will enter his house
and his two wives from among al-hoor al-`iyn will enter
after him. They will say: `Praise be to Allah Who has
created you for us and us for you.' And he will say: `No one
has been given the like of that which I have been
given.'" Narrated by Muslim, 188.
Al-Haafiz said:
The apparent meaning is that the least that will be
given to each of them will be two wives.
Thirdly:
The second mistake is the questioner's saying that
al-hoor al-`iyn will serve the man. This is not correct, rather
the ones who will serve the people of Paradise will be
boys of everlasting youth. Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning):
"And round about them will (serve) boys of
everlasting youth. If you see them, you would think them
scattered pearls"
[al-Insaan 76:19]
Al-hoor al-`iyn will be wives of the men in Paradise,
in addition to their wives from among the people of
this world. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"So (it will be). And We shall marry them to Hoor
(fair females) with wide lovely eyes"
[al-Dukhaan 44:54]
"They will recline (with ease) on thrones arranged
in ranks. And We shall marry them to Hoor (fair
females) with wide lovely eyes"
[al-Toor 52:20]
Fourthly:
The misunderstanding is when the questioner says:
"This to me does not seem like a fair concept for the women,
to share their husbands in this way."
Fairness or justice is to be found in the rulings
of sharee'ah, not in what a person thinks who does not
know sharee'ah and its rulings, let alone the reasons
behind them.
The sister who is asking this question thinks that
the jealousy in her heart, and what it leads to of
depression and sorrow will remain with her in Paradise, but this
is not correct, and this is why there is this
misunderstanding in her question.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And We shall remove from their breasts any
(mutual) hatred or sense of injury (which they had, if at all, in
the life of this world); rivers flowing under them, and
they will say: `All the praises and thanks be to Allaah,
Who has guided us to this, and never could we have
found guidance, were it not that Allaah had guided us!
Indeed, the Messengers of our Lord did come with the truth.'
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]
There is nothing but joy and happiness in Paradise;
there is no room for hatred and rancour in the hearts of
the people of Paradise. Al-hoor al-`iyn are something
which Allaah has created to honour the people of Paradise
and to increase their delight. Moreover a man will be
given the strength of one hundred men for intercourse, so
the large number will not have any effect on a woman,
and her feelings towards her co-wives and her
husband's concubines will not be like her feelings in this world.
It was narrated that Zayd ibn Arqam said: The
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said to me: "A man in Paradise will be given the
strength of one hundred men in eating, drinking, desire
and intercourse." A Jewish man said: "The one who eats
and drinks will need to relieve himself." The Messenger
of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said to him, "The way in which one of them will relieve
himself will be by means of sweat which will come out
through his pores, and thus the food in his stomach will
be digested."
"Do they then seek the judgement of (the days
of) Ignorance? And who is better in judgement than
Allaah for a people who have firm Faith?"
[al-Maa'idah 5:50 _ interpretation of the
meaning]
Narrated by Ahmad, 18827; classed as saheeh by
Ibn Hibbaan, 16/443; and by Shaykh al-Albaani in
Saheeh al-Jaami', 1627.
It was narrated from Anas that the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The believer
in Paradise will be given such-and-such strength
for intercourse." It was said, "O Messenger of Allaah,
will he really be able to do that?" He said, "He will be
given the strength of a hundred (men)."
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2536; classed as saheeh by
Ibn Hibbaan, 16/413; and by Shaykh al-Albaani in
Saheeh al-Jaami', 8106.
And Allaah knows best.
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Question:
This might sound very childish but I would like to
know if someone likes something on earth very much , like
an airplane for example , can he get one in heaven ? can
he get an airport as well ?.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
This question is not childish, rather it is prescribed
for the intelligent person to ask questions, seek benefits
and look for that which will increase his longing for
Paradise and make him strive harder to reach it. Some of
the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) asked him similar questions to this.
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, are
there horses in Paradise?" He said, "If Allaah admits you
to Paradise, any time you wish to be carried on a horse
of red rubies that will fly with you wherever you want
in Paradise, you will do that." Another man asked him,
"O Messenger of Allaah, will there be camels in
Paradise?" and he did not say to him something like he said to
his companion. He said, "If Allaah admits you to
Paradise, you will have there whatever your heart desires."
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2543; this hadeeth was
classed as hasan by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh
al-Targheeb, 3/522.
With regard to the specific topic of your question,
about a person who loves flying and airplanes, there are
many saheeh ahaadeeth which speak of a similar joy.
It was proven that the souls of the martyrs are in the
crops of birds in Paradise, flying wherever they wish.
Narrated by Muslim, 2410.
It was proven that Ja'far ibn Abi Taalib (may Allaah
be pleased with him) flies in Paradise with two wings, as
an honour from Allaah and to replace his arms which
were cut off in the battle of Mu'tah.
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: "I saw Ja'far flying in Paradise with the angels."
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 3763; classed as saheeh by
al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami', 3465.
It was narrated from Ibn `Umar (may Allaah be
pleased with him) that he used to say salaam to Ibn Ja'far and
say, "Peace be upon you, O son of the one with two
wings." Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3506.
It seems that for a person to fly by himself is more
exciting for most people than flying by means of something
else. There are many verses and ahaadeeth which say
that people in Paradise will have whatever their hearts
desire and more.
As it says in the verse (interpretation of the meaning):
"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"
[al-Zukhruf 43:71]
Al-Sa'di said in his commentary on this verse:
"… all that inner-selves could
desire…" _ this phrase is comprehensive and includes every kind of blessing,
joy, delight and pleasure, in the most perfect and best sense.
And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"`Adn (Eden) Paradise (Gardens of Eternity) which
they will enter, under which rivers flow, they will have
therein all that they wish. Thus Allaah rewards the
Muttaqoon (the pious)"
[al-Nahl 16:31]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: "Allaah says: `I have prepared for My
righteous slaves that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard and
it has never crossed the mind of man.' Recite if you
wish: `No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy
as a reward for what they used to do' [al-Sajdah 32:17
_ interpretation of the meaning]."
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3072; Muslim, 2824
A person should be certain of the absolute perfection
of Paradise and of its people's happiness.
With regard to being certain that there will be
airplanes and airports and other things for which no proof is
narrated in the texts, this is the matter of knowledge of the
Unseen, which needs evidence.
We say as the Messenger (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: "If Allaah admits you to Paradise
you will have therein whatever your heart desires and
whatever will delight you."
We ask Allaah to help us and you to do that which
will lead us to everlasting delight in Paradise.
And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)
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Question:
Why are there more women in hell than men?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
It was narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) that women will form the
majority of the people of Hell. It was narrated from `Imraan
ibn Husayn that the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: "I looked into Paradise and I saw
that the majority of its people were the poor. And I
looked into Hell and I saw that the majority of its people
are women." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3241; Muslim, 2737)
With regard to the reason for that, the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about it
and he explained the reason.
It was narrated that `Abd-Allaah ibn `Abbaas said:
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) said: "I was shown Hell and I have never
seen anything more terrifying than it. And I saw that
the majority of its people are women." They said, "Why,
O Messenger of Allaah?" He said, "Because of
their ingratitude (kufr)." It was said, "Are they ungrateful
to Allaah?" He said, "They are ungrateful to
their companions (husbands) and ungrateful for good
treatment. If you are kind to one of them for a lifetime then she
sees one (undesirable) thing in you, she will say, `I have
never had anything good from you.'" (Narrated by
al-Bukhaari, 1052)
It was narrated that Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri said:
"The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) went out to the Musalla on the day of
Eid al-Adha or Eid al-Fitr. He passed by the women and
said, `O women! Give charity, for I have seen that you
form the majority of the people of Hell.' They asked, `Why
is that, O Messenger of Allaah?' He replied, `You
curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. I
have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence
and religious commitment than you. A cautious sensible
man could be led astray by some of you.' The women
asked, `O Messenger of Allaah, what is deficient in
our intelligence and religious commitment?' He said, `Is
not the testimony of two women equal to the testimony
of one man?' They said, `Yes.' He said, `This is the
deficiency in her intelligence. Is it not true that a woman can
neither pray nor fast during her menses?' The women said,
`Yes.' He said, `This is the deficiency in her
religious commitment.'"
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 304)
It was narrated that Jaabir ibn `Abd-Allaah said:
"I attended Eid prayers with the Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). He started with
the prayer before the khutbah, with no adhaan or
iqaamah. Then he stood up, leaning on Bilaal, speaking of fear
of Allaah (taqwa) and urging us to obey Him. He
preached to the people and reminded them. Then he went over
to the women and preached to them and reminded
them. Then he said, `Give in charity, for you are the majority
of the fuel of Hell. A woman with dark cheeks stood up
in the midst of the women and said, `Why is that,
O Messenger of Allaah?' He said, `Because you
complain too much and are ungrateful to your husbands.' Then
they started to give their jewellery in charity, throwing
their earrings and rings into Bilaal's cloak."
(Narrated by Muslim, 885)
Our believing sisters who learn of this hadeeth
should behave like those Sahaabiyaat who, when they learned
of this, did good deeds which would be the means,
by Allaah's leave, of keeping them far away from
being included in that majority of the inhabitants of Hell.
So our advice to the sisters is to strive to adhere to
the rituals and obligatory duties of Islam, especially
prayer, and to keep away from that which Allaah has
forbidden, especially shirk in its many forms which are
widespread among women, such as seeking one's needs from
someone other than Allaah, going to practitioners of witchcraft
and fortune-tellers, etc.
We ask Allaah to keep us and all our brothers and
sisters far away from the Fire and the words and deeds that
bring one close to it. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)
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Question:
Allaah threatens the kaafirs and atheists with Hell,
"they will abide therein for ages" [al-Naba' 78:23]. Will
their torment in the Fire continue forever, and if so,
doesn't that contradict Allaah's justice and mercy? Or will
their punishment last for ages the length of which is known
to Allaah, and if so, what will their fate be after that, is
there any reference to that in the Qur'aan or Sunnah?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
What Ahl al-Sunnah wa'l-Jamaa'ah believe is that
Hell will never cease to exist or be extinguished, and no
one will be brought forth from it except the sinners
among the people of Tawheed. As for the kuffaar and
atheists, they will abide therein forever.
Imaam Ibn Hazm said in his book Maraatib
al-Ijmaa': "Hell is real; it is an abode of torment that will
never cease to exist, and its people will never cease to
exist, they will remain there without end."
And he said in his book al-Fasl fi'l-Milal
wa'l-Ahwa' wa'l-Nihal: "All the sects of the ummah are agreed
that Paradise and its delights will never cease to exist,
and that Hell and its torments will never cease to exist,
except for al-Jahm ibn Safwaan, Abu'l-Hudhayl al-`Allaaf
and some of the Raafidis. As for Jahm, he said that
Paradise and Hell will cease to exist, as will their people.
Abu'l-Hudhayl said that Paradise and Hell will not cease to
exist, and neither will their people, but their movements
will cease and they will remain immobile, never moving,
and their people will be alive, being blessed or
tormented. And that group of Raafidis said that the people of
Paradise will come out of Paradise, and the people of Hell
will come out of Hell, to wherever Allaah wants to take
them." (al-Fasl 4/154, Dar al-Jeel edition)
Al-Tahhaawi said in his `Aqeedah: "Paradise and
Hell are two created entities that will never cease to exist
or come to an end."
There is a great deal of evidence in the Qur'aan
and Sunnah to confirm this belief. For example, Allaah
says (interpretation of the meanings):
"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]
"(The torment) will not be lightened for them, and
they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets,
sorrows and in despair therein"
[al-Zukhruf 43:75]
"Their reward with their Lord is `Adn (Eden)
Paradise (Gardens of Eternity), underneath which rivers flow.
They will abide therein forever"
[al-Bayyinah 98:8]
"No sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they
(ever) be asked to leave it [Paradise]"
[al-Hijr 15:48]
"And they will never get out of the Fire"
[al-Baqarah 2:167]
"and they will not enter Paradise until the camel
goes through the eye of the needle" [al-A'raaf 7:40]
"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!"
[Faatir 35:36]
In the Sunnah, the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: "Death will come on the Day
of Resurrection like a black and white ram, and it will
stand between Paradise and Hell. It will be said, `O people
of Paradise, do you recognize this?' They will crane
their necks and look, and will say, `Yes, it is death.'
It will be said, `O people of Hell, do you recognize
this?' They will crane their necks and look, and will say,
`Yes, it is death.' Then the command will be issued and it
will be slaughtered. 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.'" Then the Messenger
of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
recited the verse (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 Muslim, 5087, from the hadeeth of
Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri)
This clear saheeh text leaves no room for doubt
concerning this matter, which is that the people of Hell will
abide therein forever, and will not die or come out, just as
the people of Paradise will abide therein forever.
The commentator of al-Tahhaawiyyah said:
"Many reports of the Sunnah indicate that those who said
Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah will be brought forth from Hell.
The ahaadeeth about intercession clearly indicate that
the sinners among the people of Tawheed will be
brought forth from Hell and that this applies only to them; if
the kuffaar were to be brought forth from it, they would
be like the believers, and that contradicts the
exclusiveness indicated in the hadeeth."
(Sharh al-Tahhaawiyyah, p. 430, al-Maktab
al-Islami edition).
With regard to the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):
"They will abide therein for ages [ahqaab].
Nothing cool shall they taste therein, nor any drink.
Except boiling water, and dirty wound discharges"
[al-Naba' 78:23-25]
what is meant, as al-Qurtubi (may Allaah have mercy
on him) said, is "They will stay in the Fire for as long
as those ages last, and these ages will never cease.
Every time one age ceases, another will come. Huqub means
a lifetime or an age, and (the plural) ahqaab means
ages. Hiqbah means a year, the plural of which is hiqab.
Huqb means eighty years, or it was said that it means more
than that, as we shall see, and the plural is ahqaab. The
meaning in this verse is that they will abide therein for the ages
of the Hereafter, to which there is no end. The verse
does not specifically mention the Hereafter (by saying "the
ages of the Hereafter") because it is clear that the context
here is speaking of the Hereafter. It is like saying the days
of the Hereafter, days after days, without end. If it
was referring to time it would have mentioned a specific
length of time, such as five ages or ten ages, etc. The
word ahqaab/huqub is used because that was the longest
period of time according to the Arabs, so they would
understand that. It is a metaphor for eternity, i.e., that they
would abide therein forever. And it was said that ages
(ahqaab) were mentioned rather than days because ahqaab is
more indicative of eternity. These meaning are very similar.
This eternal abiding is for the mushrikeen. The verse
may also be interpreted as referring to the sinners who will
be brought forth from Hell after these ages have passed.
And it was said that ahqaab refers to the time when
they will drink the hameem (boiling water) and ghasaaq
(dirty wound discharges). When that comes to an end they
will have another kind of punishment. Hence Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
`They will abide therein for ages [ahqaab].
Nothing cool shall they taste therein, nor any drink.
Except boiling water, and dirty wound discharges'
[al-Naba' 78:23-25]."
(From Tafseer al-Qurtubi)
With regard to the aayah:
"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)."
[Hood 11:106-107 _ interpretation of the
meaning]
Al-Qurtubi (may Allaah have mercy on him)
mentioned in his Tafseer eleven scholarly opinions, all of
which indicate that the kuffaar will abide forever in Hell.
One of these opinions states that the exception applies only
to the sinners among the believers, who will be brought
forth from Hell after some time. On this basis, the phrase
`As for those who are wretched' is general and applies to
both kaafirs and sinners, and the exception refers to the
word `khaalideena [translated here as dwell therein for all
the time]'. In al-Saheeh it is narrated that Anas ibn
Maalik said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) said: "Some people will enter
Hell, then when they are like ashes, they will be brought
forth from it and admitted to Paradise, and it will be said,
`These are the Jahannamiyyeen (the hellish ones).'"
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6896).
Another view is that illa (except) here [ in the
phrase translated as They will dwell therein for all the time
that the heavens and the earth endure, except as your
Lord wills] means siwa (apart from), as in the phrase
ma ma'i rajulun illa Zayd (there is no man with me apart
from Zayd). So the meaning here is: so long as the
heavens and the earth endure, apart from (or in addition to)
the eternity which Allaah wills they should abide therein.
We have refrained from quoting all the opinions here
for the sake of brevity, but the reader may benefit
from referring to them.
Hence we may note that the teaching of the Qur'aan
and Sunnah, and scholarly consensus (ijmaa'), that Hell
and its people will remain forever, is not contradicted by
any clear saheeh text of the Book of Allaah or the Sunnah
of His Messenger, or by any report from the Sahaabah
and Taabi'een.
So this is the answer to your question, "Or will
their punishment last for ages the length of which is known
to Allaah, and if so, what will their fate be after that, is
there any reference to that in the Qur'aan or Sunnah?"
We may add here that in the texts that we have
quoted and in others that we have not mentioned, there is
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