1. The Necessity of Belief
“In the end We deliver Our messengers
and those who believe: Thus is it fitting on Our part that We should deliver
those who believe!” S. 10:103
“He it is Who sends blessings on you,
as do His angels, that He may bring you out from the depths of Darkness into
Light: and He is Full of Mercy to the Believers.” S. 33:43
“In the case of those who say, ‘Our
Lord is Allah’, and, further, stand straight and steadfast, the angels
descend on them (from time to time): ‘Fear ye not!’ (they suggest), ‘Nor grieve!
but receive the Glad Tidings of the Garden (of Bliss), that which ye were
promised!’” S. 41:30
“That is because Allah is the Protector
of those who believe, but those who reject Allah have no protector.” S.
47:11
“O ye of Faith! Say not (to the
Messenger) Ráìná, but say unthurna (i.e. say not words of ambiguous
import, but words of respect); and hearken (to him): To those without Faith
is a grievous punishment.” S. 2:104
“And fear the Fire, which is repaired
for those who reject Faith:” S. 3:131
1A. Things One Must Believe
“They say: ‘Become Jews or Christians
if ye would be guided (to salvation).’ Say thou: ‘Nay! (I would rather) the
Religion of Abraham the True, and he joined not gods with Allah.’ Say ye: ‘We
believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ismail,
Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that
given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one
and another of them: And we submit to Allah (in Islám).’” S. 2:135-136
“It is not righteousness that ye turn
your faces towards East or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in
Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers;
to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans,
for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of
slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and give Zakat (regular charity); to
fulfill the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain
(or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are
the people of truth, the God fearing.” S. 2:177
“The Messenger believeth in what hath
been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one (of
them) believeth in Allah, His angels, His books, and His messengers. ‘We
make no distinction (they say) between one and another of His messengers.’ And
they say: ‘We hear, and we obey: (we seek) Thy forgiveness, our Lord, and to
Thee is the end of all journeys.’” S. 2:285
“O ye who believe! Believe in Allah
and His Messenger, and the scripture which He hath sent to His
Messenger and the scripture which He sent to those before (him). Any who
denieth Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messenger, and the Day of Judgment,
hath gone far, far astray.” S. 4:136
“Be ye foremost (in seeking)
Forgiveness from your Lord, and a Garden (of Bliss), the width whereof is as
the width of heaven and earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and
His messengers: that is the Grace of Allah, which He bestows on whom He
pleases: and Allah is the Lord of Grace abounding.” S. 57:21
1B. Necessity of Believing in
Muhammad
“Those are limits set by Allah. those
who obey Allah and His Messenger will be admitted to Gardens with
rivers flowing beneath, to abide therein (for ever) and that will be the
supreme achievement. But those who disobey Allah and His Messenger and
transgress His limits will be admitted to a Fire, to abide therein: And they
shall have a humiliating punishment.” S. 4:13-14
“O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and
obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you. If ye differ
in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if ye
do believe in Allah and the Last Day: That is best, and most suitable for final
determination.” S. 4:59
“All who obey Allah and the
messenger are in the company of those on whom is the Grace of Allah,- of the
prophets (who teach), the Sincere (lovers of Truth), the martyrs, and the
Righteous (who do good): Ah! How beautiful is there fellowship!”
“He who obeys the Messenger, obeys
Allah. But if any turn away, We have not sent thee to watch over them.” S.
4:80
“Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger,
and beware (of evil): if ye do turn back, know ye that it is Our Messenger's
duty to proclaim (the message) in the clearest manner.” S. 5:92
“Fight those who believe not in Allah
nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah
and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the Religion of Truth, from among the
People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and
feel themselves subdued.” S. 9:29
“The answer of the Believers, when
summoned to Allah and His Messenger, in order that he may judge between
them, is no other than this: they say, ‘We hear and we obey’: it is such as
these that will prosper.” S. 24:51
“Say: ‘Obey Allah, and obey the
Messenger.’ But if ye turn away, he is only responsible for the duty placed
on him and ye for that placed on you. If ye obey him, ye shall be on right
guidance. The Messenger’s duty is only to preach the clear (Message).” S. 24:54
“Only those are believers, who
believe in Allah and His Messenger. When they are with him on a matter
requiring collective action, they do not depart until they have asked for
his leave; those who ask for thy leave are those who believe in Allah
and His Messenger. So when they ask for thy leave, for some business of
theirs, give leave to those of them whom thou wilt, and ask Allah for
their forgiveness: for Allah is Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful. Deem not the
summons of the Messenger among yourselves like the summons of one of you to
another: Allah doth know those of you who slip away under shelter of some
excuse: then let those beware who withstand the Messenger’s order, lest
some trial befall them, or a grievous chastisement be inflicted on them.” S.
24:62-63
“It is not fitting for a Believer,
man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger to
have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys Allah and His
Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.” S. 33:36
“Verily those who plight their
fealty to thee plight their fealty in truth to Allah; the Hand of Allah is
over their hands: then any one who violates his oath, does so to the harm of
his own soul, and any one who fulfills what he has covenanted with Allah,-
Allah will soon grant him a great Reward.” S. 48:10
“Seest thou not those who were
forbidden secret counsels yet revert to that which they were forbidden (to
do)? And they hold secret counsels among themselves for iniquity and
hostility, and disobedience to the Messenger. And when they come to
thee, they salute thee, not as Allah salutes thee, (but in crooked ways): and
they say to themselves, ‘Why does not Allah punish us for our words?’ Enough
for them is Hell: In it will they burn, and evil is that destination!” S. 58:8
(Cf. S. 58:13)
The Hadith
Narrated Abu Burda’s father:
Allah’s Apostle said, any man who has
a slave girl whom he educates properly, teaches good manners, manumits and
marries her, will get a double reward And if any man of the people of the
Scriptures believes in his own prophet and then believes in me too, he will
(also) get a double reward. And any slave who fulfills his duty to his
master and to his Lord, will (also) get a double reward.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari,
Volume 7, Book 62, Number 20)
2. The Necessity of Good Works
“To those who believe and do deeds
of righteousness hath Allah promised forgiveness and a great reward.” S.
5:9
“But those who believe and work
righteousness,- no burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can
bear,- they will be Companions of the Garden, therein to dwell (for ever).” S.
7:42
“As to those who believe and work
righteousness, verily We shall not suffer to perish the reward of any who
do a (single) righteous deed.” S. 18:30
“But after them there followed a
posterity who missed prayers and followed after lusts soon, then, will they
face Destruction,-Except those who repent and believe, and work
righteousness: for these will enter the Garden and will not be wronged in
the least,-Gardens of Eternity, those which (Allah) Most Gracious has promised
to His servants in the Unseen: for His promise must (necessarily) come to
pass.” S. 19:59-61
2A. Description of Good Works
“And be steadfast in prayer and
regular in charity: And whatever good ye send forth for your souls before
you, ye shall find it with Allah. for Allah sees Well all that ye do.”
S. 2:110
“And complete the Hajj or Umrah in
the service of Allah. But if ye are prevented (from completing it), send an
offering for sacrifice, such as ye may find, and do not shave your heads until
the offering reaches the place of sacrifice. And if any of you is ill, or has
an ailment in his scalp, (necessitating shaving), (he should) in compensation
either fast, or feed the poor, or offer sacrifice; and when ye are in peaceful
conditions (again), if any one wishes to continue the Umrah on to the Hajj, He
must make an offering, such as he can afford, but if he cannot afford it, He
should fast three days during the Hajj and seven days on his return, Making
ten days in all. This is for those whose household is not in (the precincts
of) the Sacred Mosque. And fear Allah, and know that Allah is strict in
punishment. For Hajj are the months well known. If any one undertakes that
duty therein, let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the
Hajj. And whatever good ye do, (be sure) Allah knoweth it. And take a
provision (with you) for the journey, but the best of provisions is right
conduct. So fear Me, O ye that are wise. It is no crime in you if ye seek of
the bounty of your Lord (during pilgrimage). Then when ye pour down from
(Mount) Arafat, celebrate the praises of Allah at the Sacred Monument, and
celebrate His praises as He has directed you, even though, before this, ye
went astray. Then return from the place whence it is usual for the multitude
so to do, and ask for Allah's forgiveness. For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful. So when ye have accomplished your holy rites, celebrate the praises
of Allah, as ye used to celebrate the praises of your fathers,- yea, with far
more heart and soul. There are men who say: "Our Lord! Give us (Thy bounties)
in this world!" but they will have no portion in the Hereafter.” S. 2:196-200
“Those who believe, and do deeds
of righteousness, and establish regular prayers and regular
charity, will have their reward with their Lord: On them shall be no fear,
nor shall they grieve.” S. 2:277
“Those who leave their homes in
the Cause of Allah, and are then slain or die,- on them will Allah bestow
verily a goodly Provision. Truly Allah is He Who bestows the best provision.
Verily He will admit them to a place with which they shall be well pleased:
for Allah is All-Knowing, Most Forbearing.” S. 22:58-59
“Allah has promised, to those among
you who believe and work righteous deeds, that He will, of a surety, grant
them in the land, inheritance (of power), as He granted it to those before
them; that He will establish in authority their religion - the one which He
has chosen for them; and that He will change (their state), after the fear in
which they (lived), to one of security and peace: ‘They will worship Me
(alone) and not associate aught with Me.’ If any do reject Faith after this,
they are rebellious and wicked. So establish regular prayer and give Zakat;
and obey the Messenger. that ye may receive mercy. Never think thou that the
Unbelievers can escape in the earth: their abode is the Fire,- and it is
indeed an evil refuge! O ye who believe! Let those whom your right hands
possess, and the (children) among you who have not come of age ask your
permission (before they come to your presence), on three occasions: before
morning prayer; the while ye doff your clothes for the noonday heat; and after
the late- night prayer: these are your three times of undress: outside those
times it is not wrong for you or for them to move about attending to each
other. Thus does Allah make clear the Signs to you: for Allah is full of
knowledge and wisdom. But when the children among you come of age, let them
(also) ask for permission, as do those senior to them (in age). Thus does
Allah make clear His Signs to you: for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.”
S. 24:55-59
“For Muslim men and women,- for
believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for
men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who
humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men
and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity,
and for men and women who engage much in Allah’s remembrance,- for them
has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward.” S. 33:35
3. Life is a Test to Determine Who
is worthy of Paradise
“If a wound hath touched you, be sure
a similar wound hath touched the others. Such days (of varying fortunes) We
give to men and men by turns: that Allah may know those that believe,
and that He may take to Himself from your ranks martyr-witnesses (to truth).
And Allah loveth not those that do wrong. Allah’s object also is to purge
those that are true in Faith and to deprive of blessing those that resist
Faith. Did ye think that ye would enter Heaven without Allah testing those
of you who fought hard (In His Cause) and remained steadfast? S. 3:140-142
4. Allah’s Mercy and Forgiveness
Each Sura with one exception (Surah 9)
begins with the declaration that Allah is Merciful. Other verses regarding
Allah’s mercy include:
“Say: ‘To whom belongeth all that is
in the heavens and on earth?’ Say: ‘To Allah.’ He hath inscribed for
Himself (the rule of) Mercy. That He will gather you together for the Day
of Judgment, there is no doubt whatever. It is they who have lost their own
souls, that will not believe.” S. 6:12
“When those come to thee who believe
in Our Signs, say: ‘Peace be on you: Your Lord hath inscribed for Himself
(the rule of) Mercy: verily, if any of you did evil in ignorance, and
thereafter repented, and amended (his conduct), lo! He is Oft- forgiving, Most
Merciful.’” S. 6:54
“If they accuse thee of falsehood,
say: ‘Your Lord is full of mercy all- embracing; but from people in
guilt never will His wrath be turned back.’” S. 6:147 (Cf. 33:43)
“Moses prayed: ‘O my Lord! forgive me
and my brother! admit us to Thy mercy! for Thou art the Most Merciful of
those who show mercy!’” S. 7:151 (Cf. 12:64, 92; 23:109, 118)
“And Moses chose seventy of his
people for Our place of meeting: when they were seized with violent quaking,
he prayed: ‘O my Lord! if it had been Thy will Thou couldst have destroyed,
long before, both them and me: wouldst Thou destroy us for the deeds of the
foolish ones among us? this is no more than Thy trial: by it Thou causest whom
Thou wilt stray, and Thou leadest whom Thou wilt into the right path. Thou art
our Protector: so forgive us and give us Thy mercy; for Thou art the Best
of those who forgive. And ordain for us that which is good, in this life
and in the Hereafter: for we have turned unto Thee.’ He said: ‘I afflict on
whom I will; but My mercy extendeth to all things. That (mercy) I shall
ordain for those who do right, and pay Zakat, and those who believe in Our
signs;-’” S. 7:155
Since Allah is merciful and willing to
forgive, man must
1. Seek for His Mercy. S. 3:133
2. Ask for it. S. 71:10
3. Turn to Allah. S. 39:17, 54
4. Believe. S. 5:36-37
5. Obey God and the Messenger. S.
3:31-32, 132
6. Change behavior. S. 3:135; 5:39
7. Do good deeds. S. 3:193-195; 35:7
8. Make amends. S. 2:160
Repentance is not accepted:
1. When made on one’s deathbed. S. 4:18
2. When one is coerced. S. 5:33-34
3. When sought on the Day of Judgment.
S. 23:106-108.
5. Deeds Judged and Weighed on a
Balance
“On the Day when every soul will be
confronted with all the good it has done, and all the evil it has done,
it will wish there were a great distance between it and its evil. But Allah
cautions you (to fear) Him. And Allah is full of kindness to those that serve
Him.” S. 3:30
“It is He who doth take your souls by
night, and hath knowledge of all that ye have done by day: by day doth He
raise you up again; that a term appointed be fulfilled; In the end unto Him
will be your return; then will He show you the truth of all that ye did.” S.
6:60
“The balance that day will be true
(to a nicety): those whose scale (of good) will be heavy, will prosper: Those
whose scale will be light, will find their souls in perdition, for that they
wrongfully treated Our Signs.” S. 7:8-9
“We shall set up scales of justice
for the Day of Judgment, so that not a soul will be dealt with unjustly in the
least, and if there be (no more than) the weight of a mustard seed, We will
bring it (to account): and enough are We to take account.” S. 21:47
Then when the Trumpet is blown, there
will be no more relationships between them that Day, nor will one ask after
another! Then those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy,- they will be
successful: But those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their
souls, in Hell will they abide. S. 23:101-103
That Day shall ye be brought to
Judgment: not an act of yours that ye hide will be hidden. Then he that will be
given his Record in his right hand will say: “Ah here! Read ye my Record! I did
really think that my Account would (One Day) reach me!” And he will be in a life
of Bliss, In a Garden on high, The Fruits whereof (will hang in bunches) low and
near. “Eat ye and drink ye, with full satisfaction; because of the (good) that
ye sent before you, in the days that are gone!” And he that will be given his
Record in his left hand, will say: “Ah! Would that my Record had not been given
to me! And that I had never realized how my account (stood)! Ah! Would that
(Death) had made an end of me! Of no profit to me has been my wealth! My power
has perished from me!” (The stern command will say): “Seize ye him, and bind ye
him, And burn ye him in the Blazing Fire.” S. 69:18-31
5A. Each Person’s own body parts and
Prophet will testify
“On the Day We shall raise from all
Peoples a witness against them, from amongst themselves: and We
shall bring thee as a witness against these (thy people): and We have sent
down to thee the Book explaining all things, a Guide, a Mercy, and Glad
Tidings to Muslims.” S. 16:89
“That Day shall We set a seal on
their mouths. But their hands will speak to us, and their feet bear witness,
to all that they did.” S. 36:65
5B. Each Person’s Record will be
handed to Him
Then he that will be given his Record
in his right hand will say: ‘Ah here! Read ye my Record!’… And he that
will be given his Record in his left hand, will say: ‘Ah! Would that my
Record had not been given to me!’” S. 69:19, 25
6D. Deeds will be Rewarded
Good Deeds
“Allah is never unjust in the least
degree: If there is any good (done), He doubleth it, and giveth from
His own self a great reward.” S. 4:40
“He that doeth good shall have ten
times as much to his credit: He that doeth evil shall only be
recompensed according to his evil: no wrong shall be done unto them.” S.
6:160
“And he who brings the Truth and he
who confirms (and supports) it - such are the men who do right. They shall
have all that they wish for, with their Lord: such is the reward of those who
do good: So that Allah will remit from them (even) the worst in their
deeds and give them their reward according to the best of what they have
done.” S. 39:33-35
“If ye loan to Allah a beautiful loan,
He will double it to your (credit), and He will grant you Forgiveness: for
Allah is All-Thankful, Most Forbearing,-“ S. 64:17
Bad Deeds
“(But) the Chastisement on the Day of
Judgment will be doubled to him, and he will dwell therein in
ignominy,-” S. 25:69
“If any does good, the reward to
him is better than his deed; but if any does evil, the doers of evil
are only punished (to the extent) of their deeds.” S. 28:84
“But We will certainly give the
Unbelievers a taste of a severe chastisement, and We will requite them
for the worst of their deeds.” S. 41:27
Good Deeds Erase Bad Deeds
“If ye disclose (acts of) charity,
even so it is well, but if ye conceal them, and make them reach those (really)
in need, that is best for you: It will remove from you some of your (stains
of) evil. And Allah is well acquainted with what ye do.” S. 2:271
NOTE-
The sinner, not Allah, makes expiation
for sins:
Allah will not call you to account
for what is void in your oaths, but He will call you to account for your
deliberate oaths: for expiation, feed ten indigent persons, on a scale
of the average for the food of your families; or clothe them; or give a slave
his freedom. If that is beyond your means, fast for three days. That is the
expiation for the oaths ye have sworn. But keep to your oaths. Thus doth
Allah make clear to you His signs, that ye may be grateful. S. 5:89
O ye who believe! Kill not game while
in the sacred precincts or in state of pilgrimage. If any of you doth so
intentionally, the compensation is an offering, brought to the Kàba, of a
domestic animal equivalent to the one he killed, as adjudged by two just men
among you; or by way of atonement, the feeding of the indigent; or its
equivalent in fasts: that he may taste of the penalty of his deed. Allah
forgives what is past: for repetition Allah will punish him. For Allah is
Exalted, and Lord of Retribution.” S. 5:95 (Cf. S. 2:54, 177, 271; 4:16; 4:92;
24:2; 42:40-43; 58:2-4)
6. Eternal Life or Eternal
Punishment
“On the other hand, for those who
fear their Lord, are Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath; therein are they
to dwell (for ever),- a gift from Allah; and that which is from Allah is
the best (bliss) for the righteous.” S. 3:198
“But those who believe and do deeds
of righteousness, We shall soon admit to Gardens, with rivers flowing
beneath,- their eternal home: Therein shall they have spouses purified:
We shall admit them to shades, cool and ever deepening.” S. 4:57
“Say: ‘Is that best, or the
eternal Garden, promised to the righteous? For them, that is a reward as
well as a final abode.’” S. 25:15
“Taste ye then - for ye forgot the
Meeting of this Day of yours, and We too will forget you - taste ye the
Chastisement of Eternity for your (evil) deeds!” S. 32:14
“Such is the requital of the enemies
of Allah,- the Fire: therein will be for them the Eternal Home:
a (fit) requital, for that they were wont to reject Our Sings.” S. 41:28
Contradicts
“One day will He gather them all
together, (and say): ‘O ye assembly of Jinns! Much (toll) did ye take of men.’
Their friends amongst men will say: ‘Our Lord! we made profit from each other:
but (alas!) we reached our term - which thou didst appoint for us.’ He will
say: ‘The Fire be your dwelling-place: you will dwell therein for ever,
except as Allah willeth.’ for thy Lord is full of wisdom and knowledge.”
S. 6:128
Those who are wretched shall be in
the Fire: There will be for them therein (nothing but) the heaving of sighs
and sobs: They will dwell therein so long as the heavens and the earth
endure, except as thy Lord willeth: for thy Lord is the (sure)
accomplisher of what He planneth. And those who are blessed shall be in the
Garden: They will dwell therein so long as the heavens and the earth
endure, except as thy Lord willeth: a gift without break.” S. 11:106-108
The Quran also alludes to the fact that
everyone enters hell, and only the faithful will come out:
“There will be no one of you who
will not enter it (Hell). This was an inevitable decree of your
Lord. Afterwards he MAY save some of the pious, God-fearing
Muslims out of the burning fire.” S. 19:71-72
A.J. Arberry’s translation reads:
No one of you there is, but he
shall go down to it. That for thy Lord is a thing decreed, determined.
Then We shall deliver these that were God-fearing; and the evildoers We shall
leave there, hobbling on their knees.
Other translations include:
“Every soul will taste of death. And
ye will be paid on the Day of Resurrection only that which ye have fairly
earned. Whoso is removed from the Fire and is made to enter paradise,
he indeed is triumphant. The life of this world is but comfort of illusion.”
S. 3:185 Pickthall
6A. Graphic Descriptions of Hell
Those who reject our Signs, We shall
soon cast into the Fire: As often as their skins are roasted through, We
shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty: for
Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise. S. 4:56
Those who are wretched shall be in
the Fire: There will be for them therein (nothing but) the heaving of sighs
and sobs: S. 11:106
In front of such a one is Hell, and
he is given, for drink, boiling fetid water. In gulps will he sip it, but
never will he be near swallowing it down his throat: death will come to
him from every quarter, yet will he not die: and in front of him will be a
chastisement unrelenting. S. 14:16-17
And thou wilt see the sinners that day
bound together in fetters;- Their garments of liquid pitch, and their faces
covered with Fire; S. 14:49-50
These two antagonists dispute with
each other about their Lord: but those who deny (their Lord),- for them
will be cut out a garment of Fire: over their heads will be poured out boiling
water. With it will be melted what is within their bodies, as well as
(their) skins. In addition there will be maces of iron (to punish) them.
S. 22:19-21
Nay they deny the Hour (of the
judgment to come): but We have prepared a blazing fire for such as deny
the Hour: When it sees them from a place far off, they will hear its fury
and its ranging sigh. And when they are cast, bound together into a
constricted place therein, they will plead for destruction there and then!
“This day plead not for a single destruction: plead for destruction oft-
repeated!” S. 25:11-14
Is that the better entertainment or
the Tree of Zaqqüm? For We have truly made it (as) a trial for the
wrong-doers. For it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell-Fire:
The shoots of its fruit-stalks are like the heads of devils: Truly they
will eat thereof and fill their bellies therewith. Then on top of that they
will be given a mixture made of boiling water. Then shall their return be
to the (Blazing) Fire. S. 37:62-68
This is the Hell which the Sinners
deny: In its midst and in the midst of boiling hot water will they wander
round! S. 55:43-44
The Companions of the Left Hand,-
What will be the Companions of the Left Hand? (They will be) in the midst
of a Fierce Blast of Fire and in Boiling Water, And in the shades of Black
Smoke: Neither cool nor refreshing: S. 56:41-44
For those who reject their Lord (and
Cherisher) is the Chastisement of Hell: and evil is (such),
destination. When they are cast therein, they will hear the (terrible)
drawing in of its breath even as it blazes forth, Almost bursting with fury:
Every time a Group is cast therein, its Keepers will ask, “Did no Warner come
to you?” S. 67:6-8
(The stern command will say): “Seize
ye him, and bind ye him, And burn ye him in the Blazing Fire. Further,
insert him in a chain, whereof the length is seventy cubits!” S. 69:30-32
7. The Position of People of other
Faiths
Will be Accepted
“Those who believe (in the Qurán),
and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the
Sabians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work
righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall
be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” S. 2:62
“Those who believe (in the Qurán),
those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Sabians and the Christians,-
any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness,- on them
shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” S. 5:69
Will not be Accepted
“The Religion before Allah is
Islám (submission to His Will): Nor did the People of the Book dissent
therefrom except through envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them.
But if any deny the Signs of Allah, Allah is swift in calling to account.” S.
3:19
“If anyone desires a religion other
than Islám (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and
in the Hereafter He will be in the ranks of those who have lost.” S.
3:85
“Forbidden to you (for food) are:
dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the
name of other than Allah; that which hath been killed by strangling, or by a
violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which
hath been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it
(in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars); (forbidden) also is
the division (of meat) by raffling with arrows: that is impiety. This day have
those who reject faith given up all hope of your religion: Yet fear them not
but fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My
favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islám as your religion. But if any
is forced by hunger, with no inclination to transgression, Allah is indeed
Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” S. 5:3
Salvation According
to the Hadith
Salvation by Faith Alone
Narrated Abu Dharr:
I came to the Prophet while he was
wearing white clothes and sleeping. Then I went back to him again after he had
got up from his sleep. He said, “Nobody says: ‘None has the right to be
worshipped but Allah’ and then later on he dies while believing in that,
except that he will enter Paradise.” I said, “Even It he had committed
illegal sexual intercourse and theft.” I said, “Even if he had committed
illegal sexual intercourse and theft? He said. “Even If he had committed
illegal sexual intercourse and theft.” I said, “Even it he had committed
illegal sexual intercourse and thefts.” He said, “Even If he had committed
Illegal sexual intercourse and theft, in spite of Abu Dharr’s dislikeness. Abu
‘Abdullah said, “This is at the time of death or before it if one repents
and regrets and says ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah’, he will
be forgiven his sins.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 72, Number 717)
Narrated Abu Dharr:
The Prophet said, Gabriel came to
me and gave me the glad tidings that anyone who died without worshipping
anything besides Allah, would enter Paradise. I asked (Gabriel), ‘Even if
he committed theft, and even if he committed illegal sexual intercourse?’
He said, ‘(Yes), even if he committed theft, and even if he Committed
illegal sexual intercourse.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 93, Number
579)
Salvation by Grace Alone
Narrated Abu Huraira:
I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “The
good deeds of any person will not make him enter Paradise.” (i.e., None
can enter Paradise through his good deeds.) They (the Prophet’s companions)
said, ‘Not even you, O Allah’s Apostle?’ He said, “Not even myself, unless
Allah bestows His favor and mercy on me. So be moderate in your religious
deeds and do the deeds that are within your ability: and none of you should
wish for death, for if he is a good doer, he may increase his good deeds, and
if he is an evil doer, he may repent to Allah.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 7,
Book 70, Number 577)
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah’s Apostle said, “The deeds
of anyone of you will not save you (from the [Hell] Fire).” They said,
“Even you (will not be saved by your deeds), O Allah’s Apostle?” He said,
“No, even I (will not be saved) unless and until Allah bestows His Mercy on me.
Therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allah
in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and
always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course whereby you will reach your
target (Paradise).” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 76, Number 470)
Muhammad as Intercessor and Hell as
a type of Purgatory for Muslims
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah’s Apostle said, “For every
Prophet there is one invocation which is definitely fulfilled by Allah, and I
wish, if Allah will, to keep my that (special) invocation as to be the
intercession for my followers on the Day of Resurrection.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari,
Volume 9, Book 93, Number 566)
Narrated Anas:
The Prophet said, “The believers will
be kept (waiting) on the Day of Resurrection so long that they will become
worried and say, ‘Let us ask somebody to intercede far us with our Lord so
that He may relieve us from our place.’
Then they will go to Adam and say,
‘You are Adam, the father of the people. Allah created you with His Own Hand
and made you reside in His Paradise and ordered His angels to prostrate before
you, and taught you the names of all things will you intercede for us with
your Lord so that He may relieve us from this place of ours? Adam will say, 'I
am not fit for this undertaking.' He will mention his mistakes he had
committed, i.e., his eating off the tree though he had been forbidden to do
so. He will add, ‘Go to Noah, the first prophet sent by Allah to the people of
the Earth.’ The people will go to Noah who will say, ‘I am not fit for this
undertaking.’ He will mention his mistake which he had done, i.e., his asking
his Lord without knowledge. He will say (to them), ‘Go to Abraham, Khalil
Ar-Rahman.’ They will go to Abraham who will say, ‘I am not fit for this
undertaking.’ He would mention three words by which he told a lie, and say (to
them). ‘Go to Moses, a slave whom Allah gave the Torah and spoke to, directly
and brought near Him, for conversation.’
They will go to Moses who will say,
'I am not fit for this undertaking. He will mention his mistake he made, i.e.,
killing a person, and will say (to them), ‘Go to Jesus, Allah’s slave and His
Apostle, and a soul created by Him and His Word.’ (Be: And it was.) They will
go to Jesus who will say, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking but you’d better
go to Muhammad the slave whose past and future sins have been forgiven by
Allah.’ So they will come to me, and I will ask my Lord's permission to enter
His House and then I will be permitted. When I see Him I will fall down in
prostration before Him, and He will leave me (in prostration) as long as He
will, and then He will say, ‘O Muhammad, lift up your head and speak, for you
will be listened to, and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted,
and ask (for anything) for it will be granted:’ Then I will raise my head and
glorify my Lord with certain praises which He has taught me. Allah will put a
limit for me (to intercede for a certain type of people) I will take them out
and make them enter Paradise.” (Qatada said: I heard Anas saying that), the
Prophet said, “I will go out and take them out of Hell (Fire) and let them
enter Paradise, and then I will return and ask my Lord for permission to enter
His House and I will be permitted.
When I will see Him I will fall down
in prostration before Him and He will leave me in prostration as long as He
will let me (in that state), and then He will say, ‘O Muhammad, raise your
head and speak, for you will be listened to, and intercede, for your
intercession will be accepted, and ask, your request will be granted.’”
The Prophet added, “So I will raise my head and glorify and praise Him as He
has taught me. Then I will intercede and He will put a limit for me (to
intercede for a certain type of people). I will take them out and let them
enter Paradise.” (Qatada added: I heard Anas saying that) the Prophet
said, “I will go out and take them out of Hell (Fire) and let them enter
Paradise, and I will return for the third time and will ask my Lord for
permission to enter His house, and I will be allowed to enter.
When I see Him, I will fall down in
prostration before Him, and will remain in prostration as long as He will, and
then He will say, ‘Raise your head, O Muhammad, and speak, for you will be
listened to, and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted, and ask,
for your request will be granted.’ So I will raise my head and praise Allah as
He has taught me and then I will intercede and He will put a limit for me
(to intercede for a certain type of people). I will take them out and let them
enter Paradise.” (Qatada said: I heard Anas saying that) the Prophet said,
“So I will go out and take them out of Hell (Fire) and let them enter
Paradise, till none will remain in the Fire except those whom Quran will
imprison (i.e., those who are destined for eternal life in the fire).” The
narrator then recited the Verse:-- “It may be that your Lord will raise you to
a Station of Praise and Glory.” (17.79) The narrator added: This is the
Station of Praise and Glory which Allah has promised to your Prophet. (Sahih
Al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 93, Number 532v)
Narrated Ma’bad bin Hilal Al’Anzi:
We, i.e., some people from Basra
gathered and went to Anas bin Malik, and we went in company with Thabit Al-Bunnani
so that he might ask him about the Hadith of Intercession on our behalf.
Behold, Anas was in his palace, and our arrival coincided with his Duha
prayer. We asked permission to enter and he admitted us while he was sitting
on his bed. We said to Thabit, “Do not ask him about anything else first but
the Hadith of Intercession.” He said, “O Abu Hamza! There are your brethren
from Basra coming to ask you about the Hadith of Intercession.” Anas then
said, “Muhammad talked to us saying, ‘On the Day of Resurrection the people
will surge with each other like waves, and then they will come to Adam and
say, ‘Please intercede for us with your Lord.’ He will say, ‘I am not fit for
that but you’d better go to Abraham as he is the Khalil of the Beneficent.’
They will go to Abraham and he will say, ‘I am not fit for that, but you’d
better go to Moses as he is the one to whom Allah spoke directly.’ So they
will go to Moses and he will say, ‘I am not fit for that, but you’d better go
to Jesus as he is a soul created by Allah and His Word.’ (Be: And it was) they
will go to Jesus and he will say, ‘I am not fit for that, but you’d better go
to Muhammad.’
They would come to me and I would
say, ‘I am for that.’ Then I will ask for my Lord’s permission, and it will be
given, and then He will inspire me to praise Him with such praises as I do
not know now. So I will praise Him with those praises and will fall down,
prostrate before Him. Then it will be said, ‘O Muhammad, raise your head and
speak, for you will be listened to; and ask, for your will be granted (your
request); and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.’ I will
say, ‘O Lord, my followers! My followers!’ And then it will be said, ‘Go
and take out of Hell (Fire) all those who have faith in their hearts, equal to
the weight of a barley grain.’ I will go and do so and return to praise
Him with the same praises, and fall down (prostrate) before Him. Then it will
be said, ‘O Muhammad, raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to,
and ask, for you will be granted (your request); and intercede, for your
intercession will be accepted.’ I will say, ‘O Lord, my followers! My
followers!’ It will be said, ‘Go and take out of it all those who have
faith in their hearts equal to the weight of a small ant or a mustard seed.’
I will go and do so and return to praise Him with the same praises, and fall
down in prostration before Him. It will be said, ‘O, Muhammad, raise your head
and speak, for you will be listened to, and ask, for you will be granted
(your request); and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.’ I
will say, ‘O Lord, my followers!’ Then He will say, ‘Go and take out (all
those) in whose hearts there is faith even to the lightest, lightest mustard
seed. (Take them) out of the Fire. ‘I will go and do so.’”
When we left Anas, I said to some of
my companions, “Let’s pass by Al-Hasan who is hiding himself in the house of
Abi Khalifa and request him to tell us what Anas bin Malik has told us.” So we
went to him and we greeted him and he admitted us. We said to him, “O Abu
Said! We came to you from your brother Anas Bin Malik and he related to us a
Hadith about the intercession the like of which I have never heard.” He said,
“What is that?” Then we told him of the Hadith and said, “He stopped at this
point (of the Hadith).” He said, “What then?” We said, “He did not add
anything to that.” He said, Anas related the Hadith to me twenty years ago
when he was a young fellow. I don't know whether he forgot or if he did not
like to let you depend on what he might have said.” We said, “O Abu Said! Let
us know that.” He smiled and said, “Man was created hasty. I did not mention
that, but that I wanted to inform you of it.
Anas told me the same as he told you
and said that the Prophet added, ‘I then return for a fourth time and praise
Him similarly and prostrate before Him me the same as he ‘O Muhammad, raise
your head and speak, for you will be listened to; and ask, for you will be
granted (your request): and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted
.’ I will say, ‘O Lord, allow me to intercede for whoever said, ‘None has
the right to be worshiped except Allah.’ Then Allah will say, ‘By my
Power, and my Majesty, and by My Supremacy, and by My Greatness, I will
take out of Hell (Fire) whoever said: ‘None has the right to be worshipped
except Allah.’” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 93, Number 601)
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The people said, “O Allah’s Apostle!
Shall we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection?” He replied, “Do you have
any doubt in seeing the full moon on a clear (not cloudy) night?” They
replied, “No, O Allah’s Apostle!” He said, “Do you have any doubt in seeing
the sun when there are no clouds?” They replied in the negative. He said, “You
will see Allah (your Lord) in the same way. On the Day of Resurrection, people
will be gathered and He will order the people to follow what they used to
worship. So some of them will follow the sun, some will follow the moon, and
some will follow other deities; and only this nation (Muslims) will be left
with its hypocrites. Allah will come to them and say, ‘I am Your Lord.’ They
will say, ‘We shall stay in this place till our Lord comes to us and when our
Lord will come, we will recognize Him. Then Allah will come to them again and
say, ‘I am your Lord.’ They will say, ‘You are our Lord.’ Allah will call
them, and As-Sirat (a bridge) will be laid across Hell and I (Muhammad) shall
be the first amongst the Apostles to cross it with my followers. Nobody except
the Apostles will then be able to speak and they will be saying then, ‘O
Allah! Save us. O Allah Save us.’
There will be hooks like the thorns
of Sa’dan in Hell. Have you seen the thorns of Sa’dan?” The
people said, “Yes.” He said, “These hooks will be like the thorns of Sa’dan
but nobody except Allah knows their greatness in size and these will
entangle the people according to their deeds; some of them will fall and stay
in Hell forever; others will receive punishment (torn into small pieces) and
will get out of Hell, till when Allah intends mercy on whomever He likes
amongst the people of Hell, He will order the angels to take out of Hell those
who worshipped none but Him alone. The angels will take them out by
recognizing them from the traces of prostrations, for Allah has forbidden the
(Hell) fire to eat away those traces. So they will come out of the Fire, it
will eat away from the whole of the human body except the marks of the
prostrations. At that time they will come out of the Fire as mere skeletons.
The Water of Life will be poured on them and as a result they will grow like
the seeds growing on the bank of flowing water. Then when Allah had finished
from the Judgments amongst his creations, one man will be left between Hell
and Paradise and he will be the last man from the people of Hell to enter
paradise. He will be facing Hell, and will say, ‘O Allah! Turn my face from
the fire as its wind has dried me and its steam has burnt me.’ Allah will ask
him, ‘Will you ask for anything more in case this favor is granted to you?’ He
will say, ‘No by Your (Honor) Power!’ And he will give to his Lord (Allah)
what he will of the pledges and the covenants. Allah will then turn his face
from the Fire. When he will face Paradise and will see its charm, he will
remain quiet as long as Allah will. He then will say, ‘O my Lord! Let me go to
the gate of Paradise.’ Allah will ask him, ‘Didn’t you give pledges and make
covenants (to the effect) that you would not ask for anything more than what
you requested at first?' He will say, ‘O my Lord! Do not make me the most
wretched, amongst Your creatures.’ Allah will say, ‘If this request is
granted, will you then ask for anything else?’ He will say, ‘No! By Your
Power! I shall not ask for anything else.’ Then he will give to his Lord what
He will of the pledges and the covenants. Allah will then let him go to the
gate of Paradise. On reaching then and seeing its life, charm, and pleasure,
he will remain quiet as long as Allah wills and then will say, ‘O my Lord !
Let me enter Paradise.’ Allah will say, May Allah be merciful unto you, O son
of Adam! How treacherous you are! Haven’t you made covenants and given pledges
that you will not ask for anything more that what you have been given?’ He
will say, ‘O my Lord! Do not make me the most wretched amongst Your
creatures.’ So Allah will laugh and allow him to enter Paradise and will ask
him to request as much as he likes. He will do so till all his desires have
been fulfilled. Then Allah will say, ‘Request more of such and such things.’
Allah will remind him and when all his desires and wishes; have been
fulfilled, Allah will say ‘All this is granted to you and a similar amount
besides.’” Abu Said Al-Khudri, said to Abu Huraira, “Allah’s Apostle said,
‘Allah said, “That is for you and ten times more like it.”’ Abu Huraira said,
“I do not remember from Allah’s Apostle except (his saying), ‘All this is
granted to you and a similar amount besides.’ Abu Sahd said, “I heard him
saying, ‘That is for you and ten times more the like of it.’” (Sahih Al-Bukhari,
Volume 1, Book 12, Number 770)
Yet other hadiths teach that Muhammad’s
intercession is of no value and that Muhammad was actually uncertain of his own
destiny:
Narrated Kharija bin Zaid bin Thabit:
Um Al-‘Ala’, an Ansari woman who gave
the pledge of allegiance to the Prophet said to me, “The emigrants were
distributed amongst us by drawing lots and we got in our share ‘Uthman bin
Maz’un. We made him stay with us in our house. Then he suffered from a disease
which proved fatal when he died and was given a bath and was shrouded in his
clothes, Allah’s Apostle came I said, ‘May Allah be merciful to you, O Abu As-Sa’ib!
I testify that Allah has honored you’. The Prophet said, ‘How do you know that
Allah has honored him?’ I replied, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! Let my father be
sacrificed for you! On whom else shall Allah bestow His honor?’ The Prophet
said, ‘No doubt, death came to him. By Allah, I too wish him good, but by
Allah, I do not know what Allah will do with me though I am Al lah’s Apostle.’
By Allah, I never attested the piety of anyone after that.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari,
Volume 2, Book 23, Number 334)
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, “(On the Day of
Resurrection) camels will come to their owner in the best state of health they
have ever had (in the world), and if he had not paid their Zakat (in the
world) then they would tread him with their feet; and similarly, sheep will
come to their owner in the best state of health they have ever had in the
world, and if he had not paid their Zakat, then they would tread him with
their hooves and would butt him with their horns.” The Prophet added, “One of
their rights is that they should be milked while water is kept in front of
them.” The Prophet added, “I do not want anyone of you to come to me on the
Day of Resurrection, carrying over his neck a sheep that will be bleating.
Such a person will (then) say, 'O Muhammad! (please intercede for me,) I will
say to him. ‘I can’t help you, for I conveyed Allah’s Message to you.’
Similarly, I do not want anyone of you to come to me carrying over his neck a
camel that will be grunting. Such a person (then) will say “O Muhammad!
(please intercede for me).” I will say to him, “I can't help you for I
conveyed Allah’s message to you.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 24,
Number 485)
Narrated Abu Huraira:
When Allah revealed the Verse: “Warn
your nearest kinsmen,” Allah’s Apostle got up and said, “O people of Quraish
(or said similar words)! Buy (i.e. save) yourselves (from the Hellfire) as
I cannot save you from Allah’s Punishment; O Bani Abd Manaf! I cannot
save you from Allah’s Punishment, O Safiya, the Aunt of Allah’s Apostle! I
cannot save you from Allah’s Punishment; O Fatima bint Muhammad! Ask me
anything from my wealth, but I cannot save you from Allah’s Punishment.” (Sahih
Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 51, Number 16)
