The Seven under the Shade of Allāh

The Seven groups of people under the Shade of Allāh

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;

All the praise and Thanks are due to Allāh, the Lord of al-'ālameen. There is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam, is His Messenger.

On the Day of Resurrection, all people that ever lived will be gathered before Allāh to await His judgment for all they have done or said during their lives. During this time, the sun will come very close to the people - as close as one mile according to some narrations. People will want to get away from the heat of the sun but there will be no shade or shelter to go to and they will start sweating in proportion to their sins. The more sins a person has the more he or she will sweat profusely.

During this traumatic time, however, the seven groups of people who are mentioned in the following hadith (Prophetic narration) are completely immune to the sun’s heat and they will be in complete comfort; they will be enjoying the only shade available on that day and that is The Shade of Allāh. They will enjoy such an honor because of their piety and obedience to Allāh when they were alive.

The Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “There are seven whom Allāh will shade in His Shade on the Day when there is no shade except His Shade: a just ruler; a youth who grew up in the worship of Allāh; a man whose heart is attached to the masjid; two men who love each other for Allāh's sake, meeting for that and parting upon that; a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position [for illegal intercourse], but he says: 'I fear Allāh'; a man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity; and a man who remembered Allāh in private and so his eyes shed tears.” (Recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

In this narration, the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) spoke about small acts of worship which result in such a huge reward: shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His Shade, i.e., the Shade of His Throne.

This may not seem like much at first but then reflect upon the following narration:

“On the Day of Resurrection, the sun would draw so close to the people that there would be left a distance of only one mile. The people will be submerged in perspiration according to their deeds, some up to their ankles, some up to their knees, some up to the waist and some would have the bridle of perspiration (and, while saying this, the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) put his hand towards his mouth).” (Recorded by Muslim)

Let us examine now the characteristics and virtues of these seven categories of people who will be worthy of such an exalted position on the Day of Gathering (Qiamah):

1. A Just Ruler.

The concept of Justice in Islam is very important and it is something which the Muslim - Ruler and the ruled - must apply in all matters without exception. Justice means to give each the right he deserves: Muslim or non-Muslim, relative or stranger, friend or enemy.

Allāh Says:

“...And do not let hatred because you to act unjustly, that are nearer to piety.”

(Al-Mâ'idah, 5:8)

Unfortunately, even if we admit this in theory, we quickly forget it in practice. So we find that when we speak about our friends and loved ones, we praise them beyond reason and when we speak about those whom we hold difference with, we can find no good in them and we just capitalize on their bad points.

The Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allāh does not bless a people among whom a weak man is not given his right." (Recorded by At-Tirmidzi)

The concept of justice is most important for the Ruler, since he is in charge of his people and the primary disposer of justice in the land. For this reason, the Ruler is given special mention as one of the seven who will be honored with Allāh's Shade.

2. A youth who grew up in the Worship of Allāh.

The great scholar, Imam Ayyub As-Sakhtiyâni (rahimallāh) stated: 'From the success of a youth is that Allāh guides him to a scholar of the Sunnah (to study under and learn from).' Indeed, it is a great blessing from Allāh for a youth be guided towards worship and be befriended by the righteous, since it is in youth that a person is most vulnerable to the temptations of life and liable to drift away from the Islamic Path. This becomes apparent when we look at society around us and we see that most of the worldly distractions, such as music, games, clubs, fashion etc. are all specifically targeted at the young.

'You're only young once!' they are told, which is why many Muslims nowadays waste their youth thinking that they will pray, wear Hijab and go tn Hajj, etc. when they are old, as if they have a guarantee of long life from Allāh! How well we would do to heed the Prophet's (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) advice when he (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before you are preoccupied and your life before your death.” (Recorded by Al-Hakim)

3. A man whose heart is attached to the Masjid.

There is great encouragement in the Sunnah for men to pray in the mosques and the reward associated with it is tremendous. Not only does it make the person eligible for Allāh's Shade on the Day of Judgment, but also:

“He does not take a step [towards the masjid except that because of it, he is raised by one rank and one sin is removed from him. Then when he prays, the Angels do not cease supplicating for him [for] as long as he remains at his place of Prayer [sayings]: O Allāh send blessings upon him, O Allāh have mercy upon him...” (Recorded by Al-Bukhari)

It must be emphasized here however, that all the narrations encouraging the men to be attached to the masjid are not intended to lead one to the conclusion that Islam is a Religion which should be confined to the masajids, as many people imagine. Nonetheless, the mosque should be at the heart of the Muslim community, and the role of those in authority of the masajids is vital here. They are the ones mainly responsible for making the mosque a welcome refuge for the Muslims.

4. Two men who love each other for Allāh's Sake, meeting for it and parting upon it.

Allāh says: “The believers are nothing else than brothers, so make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allāh, that you may receive mercy.” (Al-Hujurat, 49:10)

Having mutual love for the sake of Allāh is one of the great doors leading to the good of the Hereafter and a cause of tasting the sweetness of faith in this world.

Loving one another for Allāh's sake means that a Muslim does not love another person except for the correctness of religion. So it does not matter what the person looks like, what he wears, how rich or poor he is, where he comes from, or what the color of his skin is - perhaps you dislike everything about him, but you love him for his belief in Allāh: this is loving for Allāh's sake. The Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said Allāh Says in a Sacred Narration:

"Those who have mutual love for the sake of My Glory will have minarets of light and will be envied by the Prophets and martyrs." (Recorded by At-Tirmidzi and Ahmad)

Imagine being envied by Allāh's chosen Messengers and those who were slain in His Path! Such is the reward of those who love one another for Allāh's sake.

5. A man who is called (seduced) by a woman of beauty and position but he says: 'I Fear Allāh'.

Allāh says: “And come not near to the adultery. Verily, it is a shameful (deed) and an evil way (that leads one to Hell).” (Al-Isra’, 17: 32)

This world is full of temptations that lead to burning in the Fire and amongst them is that which comes from women. Many a man has led his soul into destruction on account of the lure of a woman, which is why the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) warned his nation specifically about this. 

The Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “The world is sweet and green and verily Allāh is going to install you as successors upon it in order to see how you act. So avoid the allurement of women: verily the first trial for the Children of Israel was caused by women.” (Recorded by Muslim)

The most important provision which we need to protect ourselves from this and all other temptations in life is the fear of Allāh. This fact is alluded to in the following verse: 

“And as for him who feared standing before his Lord and restrained himself from impure evil desires, verily Paradise will be his abode.” (An-Nazi’at, 79: 40-1)

6. A Man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in Charity.

This describes the type of person who goes to great lengths to protect himself from ostentation and showing off in worship.

Being ostentatious is to do deeds in order to earn the praise and recognition of people. This sin destroys all the benefits that lie in righteous deeds and brings on a serious punishment for the one who commits it. It is particularly dangerous because it is in man's nature to desire and enjoy the praise of others.

Thus, great care has to be taken to ensure that one's intentions begin and remain pure whenever good actions (such as charity) are being done. Allāh warns the believers: 

“O you who believe! Do not render vain your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men and he does not believe in Allāh nor in the Last Day.” (Al-Baqarah, 2:264)

7. A man who remembered Allāh in private and so his eyes shed tears.

Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) informed us: “If you knew what I knew, you would laugh little and weep much.” (Recorded by Al-Bukhari)

Crying is not a sissy thing to do! The Prophet, (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam), who was the best of all creation, would weep, as would all of his Companions. Tears are a genuine expression of fear of Allāh's punishment and of our sincere love and awe of Him.

But how often do we remember Allāh in seclusion and are then moved to tears? How much do we laugh and how little do we weep? 

The Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "There is nothing more beloved to Allāh than two drops and two marks: A tear shed due to fear of Allāh, and a drop of blood spilled in the path of Allāh. And as for the two marks, then a mark caused in the path of Allāh, and a mark caused by fulfilling one of the duties made obligatory by Allāh." (Recorded by At-Tirmidzi)

Finally, through the seven types of people mentioned in the narration, we have been given clear signposts of the way to attain Allāh's pleasure and satisfaction. So you should devote yourself to being one amongst those seven, for indeed fortunate will be those who are granted Allāh's Shade on the Day when there will be no shade but His.

Wallāhu’alam

[Via On Islam as excerpted from Islamweb.net October 2011]

Please See Also:

1. The Meaning Of Silatul-Rahim;2. Guidelines On Ties Of The Kinship

3. The Obligation Of Upholding The Ties Of Kinship;4.The Rights Of The Kin In Islam

5.  The Rights And Duties Of Women In Islam;

6. All Occurs By The Will And Decree Of Allāh.

7. Allah Obligates Kindness To Parents; 8. Acknowledging The Parents

9. The Kindred Of Kinship

10.  Not Permissible To Forsake A Muslim

11.  Ruling On Disputes And The Virtue Of Reconciling

12.  Dealing With Relatives Who Backbite; 13. Dealing With Hurtful Relatives

14.  Giving Zakah To Deserving Relatives

15.  Is The Father’s Wife Among The Relatives (Rahm)

16.  Husband’s Duties Towards His Wife’s Family;

17. The Rights Of The Husband And The Wife.

18.  Upholding The Ties Of Kinship For Females; 19. A Woman’s Mahram.

The Situation of Unbelievers in the Hellfire

The Situation of Unbelievers in the Hellfire

Description: How the Hellfire will receive the unbelievers.

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;

All the praise and Thanks are due to Allāh, the Lord of the al-ā’lamīn. There is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam, is His Messenger.

Hell will receive the faithless with its fury and roar:

“…and We have prepared for those who deny the Hour, a Blaze. When it [Hellfire] sees them from a distant place, they will hear its fury and roaring.” (Surah Al-Furqan, 25:11-12)

When they near it, they will anticipate their shackles and their destiny as fuel:

“Indeed, We have prepared for the disbelievers chains and shackles and a blaze.” (Surah Al-Insan, 76:4)

“Indeed, with Us are shackles and burning fire.” (Surah Al-Muzzammil, 73:12)

Angels will rush at Allāh’s command to seize and shackle him:

“Seize him and shackle him.” (Surah Al-Haqqah, 69:30)

“…and We will put shackles on the necks of those who disbelieved.” (Surah Saba’, 34:33)

Bound in chains…

“…a chain whereof the length is seventy cubits.” (Surah Al-Haqqah, 69:32)

…he will be dragged along:

“When iron collars will be rounded over their necks, and the chains, they shall be dragged along.” (Surah Al-Ghaffir, 40:71)

While they are being tied down, chained, and dragged to be thrown into Hell, they will hear its rage:

“And for those who disbelieved in their Lord is the punishment of Hell, and wretched is the destination. When they are thrown into it, they hear from it a [dreadful] inhaling while it boils up. It almost bursts with rage....” (Surah Al-Mulk, 67:6-8)

Since they will be driven from the great plain of gathering, naked and hungry, they will beg the inhabitants of Paradise for water:

“And the companions of the Fire will call to the companions of Paradise: ‘Pour upon us some water, or from whatever Allāh has provided you.’ They will say: ‘Indeed Allāh has forbidden them both to the disbelievers.’” (Surah Al-‘Araf, 7:50)

At the same time the faithful in Paradise will be received with honor, made comfortable, and served with delicious banquets, the disbeliever will dine in Hell:

“Then indeed, you, the stray, the deniers, will be eating from trees of zaqqūm and filling your bellies with it.” (Surah Al-Waqiah, 56:51-53)

Zaqqum: a tree whose roots are in the bottom of Hell and which branches into its other levels; its fruit resembles the heads of the devils:

“Is that (Paradise) better as hospitality or the tree of zaqqūm? Indeed, We have made it a torment for the wrongdoers. Indeed, it is a tree issuing from the bottom of the Hellfire, its emerging fruits as if it was heads of the devils. And indeed, they will eat from it and fill with it their bellies.” (Surah As-Saffat, 37:62-66)

The wicked will have other food to eat as well, some that chokes,[Surah Al-Jinn,72:13] and some like dry, thorny bushes.[Surah Al-Ghasiyah, 88:6-7]

“Nor any food except from the (foul) discharge of wounds; none will eat it except the sinners.” (Surah Al-Haqqah, 69:36-37)

And to wash down their melancholy meals, an extremely cold mix of their own purse, blood, sweat and wound discharge[Surah An-Naba, 78:24-25] as well as boiling, scolding water which dissolves their intestines:

“…and are given to drink scalding water that will sever their intestines.” (Surah Muhammad, 47:15)

The clothing of the denizens of Hell will be made of fire and pitch:

“...but those who disbelieved will have cut out for them garments of fire.” (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:19)

“Their garments of liquid pitch and their faces covered by the Fire.” (Surah Ibrahim, 14:50)

Their sandals, [Sahih Muslim] bed, and canopies will likewise be made of fire; [Surah Al-Araf, 7:41] a punishment encapsulating the entire body, from heedless head to transgressing toe:

“Then pour over his head from the torment of scalding water.” (Surah Ad-Dukhan, 44:48)

“On the Day the punishment will cover them from above them and from below their feet and it is said: ‘Taste what you used to do.’” (Quran Surah Al-Ankabut, 29:55)

Their punishment in Hell will vary according to their disbelief and other sins.

“By no means! He will surely be thrown into the Crusher. And what can make you know what the Crusher is? It is the fire of Allāh, [eternally] fueled, which mounts directed at the hearts. Indeed, it [Hellfire] will be closed down upon them. In extended columns.” (Surah Al-Fil, 104:5-9)

Every time the skin will burn through, it will be replenished with new skin:

“Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses – We will drive them into a Fire. Every time their skins are roasted through, We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allāh is ever Exalted in Might and Wise.” (Surah An-Nisa’, 4:56)

Worst of all, the punishment will keep increasing:

“So taste [the penalty], and never will We increase you except in torment.” (Surah An-Naba, 78:30)

The psychological effect of this punishing chastisement will be tremendous. A chastisement so severe that its sufferers will cry out for it to be multiplied on those who led them astray:

“They will say: ‘Our Lord, whoever brought this upon us – increase for him double punishment in the Fire.’” (Surah Sad, 38:61)

The daring will make their first attempt to break out, but:

“And for them are maces of iron. Every time they want to get out of it from anguish, they will be returned to it, and [it will be said]: ‘Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire!’” (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:21-22)

After failing several times, they will seek assistance from Iblis, the Great Satan himself.

“And Satan will say when the matter has been concluded: ‘Indeed, Allāh had promised you the promise of truth. And I promised you, but I betrayed you. But I had no authority over you except that I invited you, and you responded to me. So do not blame me; but blame yourselves. I cannot be called to your aid, nor can you be called to my aid. Indeed, I deny your association of me [with Allāh] before. Indeed, for the wrongdoers is a painful punishment.’” (Surah Ibrahim, 14:22)

Giving up on Satan, they will turn to the angels guarding Hell to get their torment reduced, even if just for a day:

“And those in the Fire will say to the keepers of Hell: ‘Supplicate your Lord to lighten for us [even] one day from the punishment.’” (Surah Al-Ghafir, 40:49)

Awaiting the response for as long as Allāh wills, the guards will come back and ask:

“‘Did there not come to you your messengers with clear proofs?’ They will say, ‘Yes.’ They (Hell’s keepers) will reply: ‘Then supplicate yourselves, but the supplication of the disbelievers is nothing but (an exercise in) futility.’” (Surah Al-Ghafir, 40:50)

Losing hope in the reduction of punishment, they will seek death. This time they will turn to the Hell’s Chief Keeper, the angel, Malik, pleading to him for forty years:

“And they will call: ‘O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us!...’” (Surah Az-Zukhruf, 43:77)

His curt rebuttal after a thousand years will be:

“…Indeed, you will remain.” (Surah Az-Zukhruf, 43:77)

Eventually, they will return to He Whom they refused to turn to in this world, asking for one last chance:

“They will say, ‘Our Lord, our wretchedness overcame us, and we were a people astray. Our Lord, remove us from it, and if we were to return [to evil], we would indeed be wrongdoers.’” (Surah Al-Mu’minun, 23:106-107)

Allāh’s respond will be thus:

“Remain despised therein and do not speak to Me.” (Surah Al-Mu’minun, 23:108)

The pain from this response will be worse than their fiery torment. For the disbeliever will know his stay in Hell will be for an eternity, his omission from Paradise absolute and final:

“Indeed, those who disbelieve and commit wrong – never will Allāh forgive them, nor will He guide them to a path except the path of Hell; they will abide therein forever. And that, for Allāh, is easy.” (Surah An-Nisa’, 4:168-169)

The greatest deprivation and sorrow for an unbeliever will be spiritual: he will be veiled from Allāh and will be deprived of seeing Him:

“No! Indeed, from their Lord, that Day, they will be partitioned.” (Al-Mutaffifin, 83:15)

Just like they refused to “see” Him in this life, they will be separated from Allāh in the next life. The faithful will jeer at them.

“So Today, those who believed are laughing at the disbelievers, on adorned couches, observing. Have the disbelievers [not] been rewarded [this Day] for what they used to do?” (Surah Al-Mutaffifin, 83:34-36)

Their total despair and grief will culminate when death is brought in the form of a ram and slaughtered in front of them, so they know no refuge will ever be found in a final dissolution.

“And warn them, (O Muhammad), of the Day of Regret, when the matter will be concluded; and yet they are heedless, and they do not believe!” (Surah Maryam, 19:39)

Allāhumma inni as alukal jannah wa a ‘udzu bika minan-nār. (O Allāh, I ask Thou for Paradise and seek refuge in Thou from the Fire) [Narrated by Abu Dawud, 792: sahih] Rabbana âtina fid duñya hasanatan, wa fil âkhirati hasanah, wa qina `âdzabañnâr (Our Lord! Bestow upon us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the punishment of the Fire). (Al-Baqarah 2:201)  

Allāh Almighty Knows Best

[Via IslamReligion]

The Unbelievers on Judgment Day

The Situation of Unbelievers on the Judgment Day

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;

All the praise and Thanks are due to Allāh, the Lord of the al-ā’lamīn. There is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam, is His Messenger.

Description: Some of the trial the disbeliever will face on the Judgment Day.

On the mighty Day of Resurrection a great terror will befall the resurrected as Allāh Almighty Says in al-Quran: “…He only delays them until a Day when eyes will stare (in horror).” (Surah Ibrāhīm, 14:42)

Allāh described that ‘the unbeliever’ is resurrected from his ‘grave’ in the following state:

“The Day they will emerge from the graves rapidly as if they were, toward an erected idol, hastening. Their eyes humbled, humiliation will cover them. That is the Day which they had been promised.”  (Al-Ma’ārij, 70:43)

The heart will be trembling, confused about what evil retribution lies in store for it:

“And (other) faces, that Day, will have upon them dust. Blackness will cover them. Those are the unbelievers, the wicked ones.”   (‘Abasa, 80:40-42)

“And never think that Allāh is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them (i.e., their account) until a Day when eyes will stare (in horror). Racing ahead, their heads raised up, their glance does not come back to them, and their hearts are void.”  (Ibrāhīm, 14:42)

The disbelievers will be gathered as they were born - naked and uncircumcised – upon a great plain, driven on his faces, blind, deaf, and mute:

“We will gather them on the Day of Resurrection (fallen) on their faces – blind, dumb, and deaf. Their refuge is Hell; every time it subsides We increase them in blazing fire.”  (Al-Isrā’, 17:97)

“And whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed, he will have a depressing life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind.” (Ta Ha, 20:124)

Three times they will “meet” Allāh. The first time they will attempt to defend themselves in futile argument against Allāh Almighty, saying things such as: “The prophets did not come to us!” Even though Allāh revealed in His Book:

“…And never would We punish until We sent a messenger.” (Al-Isrā’, 17:15)

“…Lest you say: ‘There came unto us no bringer of glad tidings and no warner….’” (Al-Māidah, 5:19)

The second time, they will present their excuses while acknowledging their guilt. Even the devils will try to excuse themselves from their crimes of leading men astray:

“His (man’s) personal demon will say: ‘Our Lord! I did not push him to transgress. Rather, he was himself in error, far astray.’” (Qaf, 50:27)

But Allāh, Most High and Just, will not be fooled. He will say:

“Dispute not in front of me. I have already advanced before you the threat. The sentence that comes from Me cannot be changed. And I am not unjust (in the least) to the slaves.”  (Qaf, 50:28-29)

The third time the wicked soul will meet its Maker to receive its Book of Deeds [Ibn Majah, Musnad, and Al-Tirmidzi.], a record omitting nothing:

“And the record [of deeds] will be placed [open], and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say: ‘Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?’ And they will find what they did present [before them]. And your Lord does not do injustice to anyone.”   (Al-Kahf, 18:49)

Upon receiving their records, the wicked ones will be rebuked in front of the whole of mankind:

“And they will be presented before your Lord in rows, (and He will say), ‘You have certainly come to Us, just as We created you the first time.’ But you claimed that We would never have an appointment!”  (Al-Kahf, 18:48)

The Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “These are the ones who did not believe in Allāh!”[Sahih Muslim.] And it is these whom Allāh will question regarding the blessings they took for granted. Each one will be asked: ‘Did you think We would meet?’ And as each one will answer: ‘No!’ Allāh will tell him: ‘I will forget about you as you forgot Me!’[Sahih Muslim.] Then, as the disbeliever will attempt to lie his way out, Allāh will seal his mouth, and his body parts instead will testify against him:

“That Day, We will seal over their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us, and their feet will testify about what they used to earn.”  (Yāsin 36:65)

Besides his own sins, the disbeliever will also bear the sins of those he misled:

“And when it is said to them: ‘What has your Lord sent down?’ They say: ‘Legends of the former peoples,’ which they may bear their own burdens (i.e., sins) in full on the Day of Resurrection and some of the burdens of those whom they misguide without knowledge. Unquestionably, evil is that which they bear.”   (Al-Nahl, 16:24-25)

The psychological pain of deprivation, loneliness and abandonment will all to the physical torture:

“…and Allāh will not speak to them or look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them; and they will have a painful punishment.”   (Ali- ‘Imran, 3:77)

While the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) will intercede on behalf of all believers, no intercessor will the disbeliever find; he who worshipped false deities besides the One, True Allāh. [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

“…And the wrongdoers will not have any protector or helper.”   (Fussilat, 42:8)

Their saints and spiritual advisors will dissociate themselves, and the disbeliever would wish he could come back to this life and do the same to those who now disown them:

“(And they should consider that) when those who have been followed disassociate themselves from those who followed (them), and they [all] see the punishment, and cut off from them are the ties [of relationship]. Those who followed will say, ‘If only we had another turn [at worldly life] so we could disassociate ourselves from them as they have disassociated themselves from us.’ Thus will Allāh show them their deeds as regrets upon them? And they are never to emerge from the Fire.”  (Al-Baqārah, 2:167)

The sorrow of the sin-ridden soul will be so intense that he will actually pray:

‘O Allāh, have mercy on me and put me in the Fire.’[Tabarani] He will be asked: ‘Do you wish you had a whole earth-full of gold so you could pay it to set yourself free?’ To which he will answer: ‘Yes.’ Whereupon he will be told: ‘You were asked for something much easier than that - worship Allāh alone.’[Sahih Al-Bukhari]

“And they were not commanded except that they should worship Allāh (alone), being sincere to the upright religion (of Islam)….”  (Al-Bayyinah, 98:5)

“But the disbelievers – their deeds are like a mirage in lowland which a thirsty one thinks is water until, when he comes to it, he finds it is nothing, but he finds Allāh before Him, Who will pay him in full his due; and Allāh is swift in account.”  (Al-Nur, 24:39)

“And We shall turn to what deeds they have done, and We shall make them as dust dispersed.”  (Al-Furqan, 25:23)

The disbelieving soul will then be handed in his left hand and from behind his back, his written record which was kept by angels who noted his every deed in his earthly life:

“But as for he who is given his record in his left hand, he will say: ‘Oh, I wish I had not been given my record, and had not known what my account is.’” (Al-Hāqqah, 69:25-26)

“But as for he who is given his record behind his back, he will cry out for his destruction.” (Al-Inshiqāq, 84:10-11)

Finally, he will be made to enter Hell:

“And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates are opened and its keepers will say: ‘Did there not come to you messengers from yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?’ They will say: ‘Yes, but the word (i.e., decree) of punishment has come into effect upon the disbelievers.’” (Az-Zumar, 39:71)

The first to enter Hell will be the pagans, followed by those Jews and Christians who corrupted the true religion of their Prophets. [Sahih Al-Bukhari.] Some will be driven to Hell; others will fall in it, snatched by hooks. [Al-Tirmidzi.] At that point, the disbeliever will wish that he had could have been turned into dust, rather than reap the bitter fruits of his evil works.

“Indeed, We have warned you of a near punishment on the Day when a man will observe what his hands have put forth and the disbeliever will say: ‘Oh, I wish that I were dust!’”

(Al-Naba’, 78:40)

And Allāh Almighty Knows Best

[Via IslamReligion]

 

The Unbelievers in the Grave

Description: A description of the life in the grave between death and Judgment Day for the rejecting disbeliever.

By IslamReligion.

As death approaches the wicked disbeliever, he is made to feel something of the heat of the Hellfire. This taste of what is to come causes him to plead for a second chance on earth to do the good he knew he should have done. Alas! His pleading will be in vain.

“Until, when death comes to one of them, he says: ‘O my Lord. Send me back to life (on earth) in order that I may do good deeds in the things that I neglected.’ By no means! It is only an utterance that he says. And before them is a barrier (preventing them from returning: the life of the grave) until the Day (of Resurrection) they are ressurected.” (Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:99-100)

Divine wrath and punishment is conveyed to the wicked soul by hideously ugly, dark angels who sit far away from it:

“Receive glad tidings of boiling water, wound discharge, and multiple, similar torments.” (Ibn Majah, Ibn Kathir)

The disbelieving soul will not look forward to meeting its Lord God, as the Prophet explained:

“When the time of the death of a disbeliever approaches, he receives the evil news of God’s torment and His Requital, whereupon nothing is more hateful to him than what is before him. Therefore, he hates the meeting with God, and God too, hates the meeting with him.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

The Prophet also said:

“Whoever loves to meet God, God loves to meet him, and whoever hates to meet God, God hates to meet him.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

The Angel of Death sits at the head of the disbeliever in his grave and says: “Wicked soul, come out to the displeasure of Allah” as he snatches the soul out of the body.

“And if you could but see when the wrongdoers are in the overwhelming pangs of death while the angels extend their hands, saying, ‘Discharge your souls! Today you will be awarded the punishment of extreme humiliation for what you used to say against God other than the truth, and that you were, toward His verses, being arrogant.” (Surah Al-An’am 6:93)

“And if you could not see when the angels take the souls of those who disbelieved… striking their faces and their backs and saying, ‘Taste the punishment of the Blazing Fire.’” (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:50)

The evil soul leaves the body with great difficulty, drawn out by the angels as a thronged skewer is dragged through wet wool.[ Al-Hakim, Abu Dawud, and others.] The Angel of Death then seizes the soul and puts it in a sack woven from hair which gives off a putrid stench, as foul and offensive as the most foul-smelling rotting corpse found on earth. The angels then take the soul up past another company of angels who inquire: “Who is this wicked soul?” to which they reply: “So and so, the son of so and so?” - using the very worst of names that he was ever called during his time on earth. Then, when he is brought to the lowest heaven, a request is made that its gate be opened for him, but the request is denied. Whilst the Prophet SAW was describing these events, when he reached this point, he recited:

“The gates of heaven will not be opened for them and they will not enter paradise until a camel can pass through the eye of a needle.” (Surah Al-‘Araf, 7:40)

God will say: “Record his book in Sijjin in the lowest earth.”

…and his soul is cast down. At this juncture, the Prophet, may God praise him, recited:

“He who assigns partners to Allah is as if he had fallen down from heaven and been snatched up by the birds, or made to fall by the wind in a place far distant.” (Surah Luqman, 31:22)

The wicked soul is then restored to its body and the two fearsome, dread-inspiring angels, Munkar and Naker, come to it for its interrogation. After making him sit up, they ask:

Munkar and Naker: “Who is your Lord?”

Disbelieving soul: “Alas, alas, I do not know.”

Munkar and Naker: “What is your religion?”

Believing soul: “Alas, alas, I do not know.”

Munkar and Naker: “What do you say about this man (Muhammad) sent to you?”

Believing soul: “Alas, alas I do not know.”

Having failed his test, the disbeliever’s head will be struck with an iron hammer with a force so violent that it would crumble a mountain. The cry will be heard from heaven: “He has lied, so spread out carpets of Hell for him, and open for him a portal into Hell.”[ Musnad Ahmad.] The floor of his grave is thus set alight with some of Hell’s fierce fire, and his grave is made narrow and constricted to the extent that his ribs become intertwined as his body is crushed. [Musnad Ahmad.] Then, an incredibly ugly being, wearing ugly garments and giving off a foul and offensive odor comes to the disbelieving soul and says: “Be grieved with what displeases you, for this is your day which you have been promised.” The disbeliever will ask: “Who are you, with your face so ugly and bringing evil?” The ugly one will reply: “l am your wicked deeds!” The disbeliever is then made to taste bitter remorse as he is shown what would have been his abode in Paradise - had he lived a righteous life - before a portal is opened for him every morning and evening showing him his actual home in Hell. [Ibn Hibban.]

Allah mentions in His Book how the wicked people of Pharaoh are, at this very moment, suffering from such an exposure to Hell from within their graves:

“The Fire: they are exposed to it, morning and afternoon, and on the Day when the Hour will be established (it will be said to the angels): ‘(Now) cause Pharaoh’s people to enter the severest torment!’” (Surah Al-Ghafir, 40:46)

Overcome with fear and loathing, anxiety and despair, the disbeliever in his grave will keep asking: “My Lord, do not bring the last hour. Do not bring the last hour.”

The Companion, Zaid bin Thabit, narrated how, when the Prophet Muhammad SAW and his Companions were once passing some graves of polytheists, the Prophet’s horse bolted and almost unseated him. The Prophet may God praise him, then said:

“These people are being tortured in their graves, and were it not that you would stop burying your dead, I would ask God to let you hear the punishment in the grave which I (and this horse) can hear.” (Sahih Muslim)


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