بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد
Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله said:
* The correct opinion [1] is that the
ahl al-Fatrah (those who received no message or messenger), they will be tested
on the Day of Judgment. Whomsoever obeys (Allaah تعالى) will enter the Paradise and those
who disobey (Him) will enter the Fire.
Source:
الفوائد الجلية من دروس الشيخ ابن باز العلمية (ص 14)
***
[1] This is an issue that the
`Ulamaa’ have differed over, as Imaam Ibn Katheer رحمه الله has pointed out. He has discussed this in great detail in his
Tafseer saying:
“Here there arises an issue over which the scholars in
earlier and modern times have disagreed, رحمهم الله. This is the issue of children who die when they are little,
and their parents are disbelievers: what happens to them, by the same token,
what happens to the insane, the deaf, the senile and those who die during the
circumstances of Fatrah, when no Message reached them. Several Ahaadeeth have
been narrated on this topic, which I will quote here by the help and support of
Allaah.
The First Hadeeth: from
Al-Aswad رضي الله عنه; Imaam Ahmad رحمه الله reported from Al-Aswad bin Saree` that
the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
أَرْبَعَةٌ يَحْتَجُّونَ يَوْمَ
الْقِيَامَةِ: رَجُلٌ أَصَمُّ لَا يَسْمَعُ شَيْئًا، وَرَجُلٌ أَحْمَقُ، وَرَجُلٌ
هَرِمٌ، وَرَجُلٌ مَاتَ فِي فَتْرَةٍ، فَأَمَّا الْأَصَمُّ فَيَقُولُ: رَبِّ قَدْ
جَاءَ الْإِسْلَامُ وَمَا أَسْمَعُ شَيْئًا، وَأَمَّا الْأَحْمَقُ فَيَقُولُ:
رَبِّ قَدْ جَاءَ الْإِسْلَامُ وَالصِّبْيَانُ يَحْذِفُونِي بِالْبَعْرِ، وَأَمَّا
الْهَرِمُ فَيَقُولُ: رَبِّ لَقَدْ جَاءَ الْإِسْلَامُ وَمَا أَعْقِلُ شَيْئًا، وَأَمَّا
الَّذِي مَاتَ فِي الْفَتْرَةِ فَيَقُولُ: رَبِّ مَا أَتَانِي لَكَ رَسُولٌ.
فَيَأْخُذُ مَوَاثِيقَهُمْ لِيُطِيعَنَّهُ، فَيُرْسِلُ إِلَيْهِمْ أَنِ ادْخُلُوا
النَّارَ، فَوَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ، لَوْ دَخَلُوهَا لَكَانَتْ
عَلَيْهِمْ بَرْدًا وَسَلَامًا
“There are four who will present their case on the Day of
Resurrection: a deaf man who never heard anything, an insane man, a very old
and senile man, and a man who died during the Fatrah. As for the deaf man, he
will say: “O Lord, Islaam came but I never heard anything.” As for the insane
man, he will say: “O Lord, Islaam came and the young boys were throwing camel
dung at me.” As for the senile man, he will say: “O Lord, Islaam came and I did
not understand anything.” As for the one who died during the Fatrah, he will
say: “O Lord, no Messenger from You came to me.” Allaah تعالى will accept their pledge of obedience to Him, then He تعالى will send word to them that they should enter the Fire.
By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, if they enter it, it will be
cool and safe for them.” [al-Tabaraanee (2/79) with a “Saheeh” Sanad, Musnad Ahmad (16301), Ibn Hibbaan
(1827) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh
al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah (1434). It was also graded as “Saheeh” by Ibn al-Qayyim in Tareeq al-Hijratain
(1/397) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh
Muqbil in Saheeh al-Musnad (19)]
There is a similar report with a chain from Qataadah from
Al-Hasan from Abu Rafi` from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه, but at the end it says:
فَمَنْ دَخَلَهَا كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِ بَرْدًا وَسَلَامًا، وَمَنْ لَمْ
يَدْخُلْهَا يُسْحَبُ إِلَيْهَا
“Whoever enters it will find it cool and safe, and whoever does
not enter it will be dragged into it.” [Musnad Ahmad (16301), this
Hadeeth is also graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh
al-Albaanee]
This was also recorded by Is-haaq bin Rahwayh from Mu`adh
bin Hisham, and by Al-Bayhaqi in Al-I`tiqaad. He said: “This is a Saheeh chain.”
It was reported by Ibn Jareer from the Hadeeth of Ma`mar from Hammam from Abu
Hurairah, who attributed it to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. Then Abu Hurairah said: “Recite, if you wish:
﴿وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّى نَبْعَثَ رَسُولاً﴾
{And We never punish until We have
sent a Messenger (to give warning)}.”
This was also narrated by Ma`mar from `Abdullaah bin Tawoos
from his father, from Abu Hurairah, but it is Mauqoof (it was not attributed
directly to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم).
The Second Hadeeth: from Anas
bin Maalik رضي الله عنه:
Yazeed bin Abaan said: We said to Anas رضي الله عنه: O Abu Hamzah! What do you say in regards to the children of
the Mushriks? He رضي الله عنه said: The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
لَمْ تَكُنْ لَهُمْ سَيِّئَاتٌ، فَيُعَاقَبُوا بِهَا، فَيَكُونُوا مِنْ
أَهْلِ النَّارِ، وَلَمْ تَكُنْ لَهُمْ حَسَنَاتٌ، فَيُجَازَوْا بِهَا فَيَكُونُوا
مِنْ مُلُوكِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ، هُمْ خَدَمُ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ
“They won’t have any sins for
which they would be punished, so that they would be the inhabitants of the
Fire; neither would they have any good deeds for which they would be rewarded,
so that they become the inhabitants of the Paradise. They will be the servants
of the people of Paradise.” [Abu Dawood al-Tayaalisee in his Musnad
(2225), Tabaraanee in Mu`jam al-Awsat (5355) and Mu`jam al-Kabeer (6993),
al-Bazzaar (4516, 7466) and graded as “Saheeh li
shawaahid” (authentic due to supporting chains) in al-Saheehah (1468)]
The Third Hadeeth: also from
Anas رضي الله عنه:
Anas رضي الله عنه said that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
يؤتى بأربعة يوم القيامة، بالمولود وبالمعتوه
وبمن مات في الفترة والشيخ الفاني، كلهم يتكلم بحجته، فيقول الرب تبارك وتعالى
لعنق من النار: ابرز، فيقول
لهم: إني كنت أبعث إلى عبادي رسلا من أنفسهم، وإني رسول نفسي إليكم،
ادخلوا هذه، فيقول من كتب عليه الشقاء: يا رب! أين ندخلها ومنها كنا نفر؟
قال: من كتب عليه السعادة يمضي فيقتحم فيها مسرعا، قال: فيقول تبارك وتعالى : أنتم لرسلي أشد تكذيبا
ومعصية، فيدخل هؤلاء الجنة، وهؤلاء النار
“Four (types of people) will
come on the Day of Judgment: the infant, the insane, the one who died during
al-Fatrah and a very old and senile man. Everyone will present their case. Allaah
تعالى will say to
the neck from the Hellfire: {Arise!} And He تعالى will say to them: {I used to send Messengers to my slaves from among
themselves, and I am a Messenger from Myself to you. So enter into this
(Fire).} So those for whom misery was
written will say: O Lord! How should we enter this, whereas this is what we are
trying to run away from? As for those for whom happiness was written, will be
charging towards it (to enter it). Allaah تبارك وتعالى will say: {You (would have been) more severe in denying and
disobeying My Messengers.} So those (who ran
to enter the fire) will be made to enter the Jannah and those (who complained)
will be made to enter the Hellfire.” [Musnad al-Bazzaar (7594),
Musnad Abu Yu`laa (4224) and Shaikh al-Albaanee said that the Hadeeth with this
chain is “Dha`eef” but it there are other
Ahaadeeth to raise the level of this Hadeeth (like the first Hadeeth of
Al-Aswad رضي الله عنه), see al-Saheehah (2468).]
The Fourth Hadeeth: from
al-Baraa’ bin `Aazib رضي الله عنه:
Al-Haafidh Abu Yu`laa reported in his Musnad on the
authority of al-Baraa’ bin `Aazib رضي
الله عنه said: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was asked about the children of the Believers. He صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
هم مع آبائهم
“They will be with their
fathers”, and he was asked about the children of the Mushriks, he صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
هم مع آبائهم
“They will be with their
fathers.” They said: O Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم! They did not do anything? He صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
الله أعلم بهم
“Allaah knows best about
them.” [[Translator’s Note: Could not
trace this Hadeeth in Musnad Abu Yu`la from al-Baraa’ رضي الله عنه. But there is a Hadeeth on the authority of Umm al-Mu’mineen
`Aaishah رضي الله عنها that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
هم مع آبائهم
“They (the offspring of
theKuffaar) will be with their fathers.” I said: O Messenger of
Allaah! Without they doing any (wrong) action? He صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا كَانُوا عَامِلِينَ
“Allaah عز وجل knows best
what they would have done.” [Musnad Ahmad (24545) but the Hadeeth
with this chain is “Dha`eef”.]
In the Saheehain there is a similar Hadeeth on the authority
of Abu Hurairah and Ibn `Abbaas رضي
الله عنهما but
without the phrase: “that the offspring of the pagans will be with their
fathers.”
Abu Hurairah رضي
الله عنه said that the Prophet
صلى الله عليه وسلم was asked about the offspring of pagans (Mushrikeen); so he صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا كَانُوا عَامِلِينَ
“Allaah knows what sort of
deeds they would have done.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1384, 6598) and
Saheeh Muslim (6933)]
Narrated Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما: Allaah's Messenger صلى
الله عليه وسلم was asked about
the children of (Mushrikeen) pagans. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم replied:
اللَّهُ إِذْ خَلَقَهُمْ أَعْلَمُ
بِمَا كَانُوا عَامِلِينَ
“Since Allaah created them,
He knows what sort of deeds they would have done.” [Saheeh
al-Bukhaaree (1383, 6597)]]]
The Fifth Hadeeth: from the
Hadeeth of Thawbaan رضي الله عنه:
Al-Haafidh Abu Bakr al-Bazzaar reported in his Musnad on the
authority of Thawbaan رضي الله عنه that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
إذا كان يوم القيامة، جاء أهل الجاهلية
يحملون أوثانهم على ظهورهم فيسألهم ربهم، فيقولون: ربنا لم ترسل إلينا رسولا ولم
يأتنا لك أمر، ولو أرسلت إلينا رسولا لكنا أطوع عبادك، فيقول لهم ربهم: أرأيتم
إن أمرتكم بأمر تطيعوني؟ فيقولون: نعم، فيأمرهم أن يعمدوا إلى جهنم فيدخلوها،
فينطلقون حتى إذا دنوا منها وجدوا لها تغيظًا وزفيرًا، فرجعوا إلى ربهم فيقولون:
ربنا أخرجنا -أو: أجرنا-منها، فيقول لهم: ألم
تزعموا أني إن أمرتكم بأمر تطيعوني؟ فيأخذ على ذلك مواثيقهم.
فيقول: اعمدوا إليها، فادخلوها. فينطلقون حتى إذا رأوها فَرِقوا ورجعوا، فقالوا: ربنا فَرِقنا منها،
ولا نستطيع أن ندخلها فيقول: ادخلوها داخرين.
فقال
نبي الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: لو دخلوها أول مرة كانت
عليهم بردًا وسلامًا.
“When it will be the Day of
Judgment, people from the days of ignorance will come forth carrying idols on
their backs. Their Lord will ask them [in al-Zuhd of Ibn al-Mubaarak
it is: Allaah will ask them: {What did you used to worship?}] and they will say: O our Lord! You did not send any
Messenger to us nor did we receive any commands from you. Had You send us the
Messenger we would have been Your obedient servants. Their Lord will say to
them: {If I command you with a task will you
obey Me?} They will says: Yes! They will be
commanded to walk towards the Hellfire and enter it. They will walk towards it
till when they come close to it, they will hear its raging and roaring. They
will return back to their Lord saying: O our Lord! Take us out from it. He تعالى will say to them: {Did you not claim to Me that if I command you with a
task, you will obey Me?} He will take a
promise from them and say to them: {Go
towards it and enter it} They will (again)
walk towards it till when they see it, they will disperse and return back. They
will say: O our Lord! Distance us from it for we cannot enter it. He تعالى will say: {Enter it humiliated}”
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Had
they entered it the first time, they would have found it cool and safety (for
them)” [Musnad al-Bazzaar (4169), and the words within the brackets
are from al-Zuhd (1323) of Ibn al-Mubaarak. Al-Haakim also reported it in
al-Mustadrak (8390) and said: “It is Saheeh as per the condition of
al-Bukhaaree and Muslim but they did not report it” and al-Dhahabee agreed with
him.]
The Sixth Hadeeth: from Abu
Sa`eed al-Khudree رضي الله عنه:
Imaam al-Dhuhlee reported on the authority of Abu Sa`eed
al-Khudree رضي الله عنه that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
الهالك في الفترة والمعتوه والمولود: يقول
الهالك في الفترة: لم يأتني كتاب، ويقول المعتوه: رب، لم تجعل لي عقلا أعقل به خيرًا
ولا شرًا، ويقول المولود: رب لم أدرك العقل فترفع
لهم نار فيقال لهم : ردوها
[وفي
رواية أَوِ ادْخُلُوهَا]، قال: فيردها من كان
في علم الله سعيدًا لو أدرك العمل، ويمسك عنها من كان في علم الله شقيا لو أدرك
العمل، فيقول: إياي عصيتم، فكيف لو أن رسلي
أتتكم؟
“(In regards to) the one who
died during al-Fatrah, the insane and infant. The one who died during the
Fatrah will say: No Book had reached me. The insane will say: O my Lord! You
did not give me a sound intellect so that I could distinguish what is good and
what is evil. The infant will say: O my Lord! I did not reach adolescence. Then
the fire will be raised for them and it will be said to them: {Enter it}.” The
Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “So
those who were in Allaah’s knowledge from the successful people – had they been
given the chance to act (in this world) – they will enter it (and no harm will
happen to them) and those who were in Allaah’s knowledge from the wretched
people – had they been given the chance to act (in this world) – will hold back
(from entering it). He تعالى will say (to those who did not enter): {You disobey Me (now), so how would you be had my
Messengers come to you?}” [al-Bazzaar
also reported it and said: We do not know of any other route for the Hadeeth of
Abu Sa`eed رضي الله عنه except from the route of al-Fudhail from
`Attiyyah from Abu Sa`eed, and `Attiyyah is “Dha`eef”, see al-Saheehah (5/604)
of Shaikh al-Albaanee]
The Seventh Hadeeth: from
Mu`aadh ibn Jabal رضي الله عنه:
On the authority of Mu`aadh ibn Jabal رضي الله عنه that the Prophet صلى
الله عليه وسلم said:
يؤتى يوم القيامة بالممسوخ عقلا وبالهالك في
الفترة، وبالهالك صغيرًا. فيقول الممسوخ: يا رب، لو آتيتني عقلا ما كان من آتيته عقلا بأسعد مني -وذكر في الهالك في
الفترة والصغير نحو ذلك-فيقول الرب عز وجل: إني
آمركم بأمر فتطيعوني؟ فيقولون: نعم، فيقول: اذهبوا
فادخلوا النار - قال: ولو دخلوها ما ضرّتهم- فتخرج
عليهم قوابص، فيظنون أنها قد أهلكت ما خلق الله من شيء، فيرجعون سراعًا، ثم يأمرهم
الثانية فيرجعون كذلك، فيقول الرب عزّ وجل: قبل أن
أخلقكم علمت ما أنتم عاملون، وعلى علمي خلقتكم، ضميهم،
فتأخذهم النار
“On the Day of Judgment an
insane person, the one who died during al-Fatrah and the one who died during
infancy/childhood will come. The insane will say: My Lord! Had you given me
intelligence, no one whom you had given intelligence would have been as
successful as me. The one who died during al-Fatrah and childhood will say the
similar to it. Allaah عز وجل will say: {I will command
you with a task, will you obey Me?} They
will say: Yes! He تعالى will say: {Go and enter the
Fire.}” He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Should they enter it, no
harm will happen to them. They will see such a huge blaze that they will think
that everything which Allaah تعالى has created will perish. They will
return back hurriedly. They will be commanded a second time but they will
return similarly. Allaah عز وجل
will say: {Even before I created you,
I knew what you will be doing; and upon My knowledge I created you.} They will be gathered and the fire will engulf them.”
[al-Tabaraanee in al-Awsat (7955), al-Kabeer (158) and in its chain is `Amr bin
Waaqid and Imaam al-Bukhaaree rejected his Hadeeth and he has been accused of
lying, see al-Saheehah (5/604-605)]
The Eight Hadeeth: from Abu
Hurairah رضي الله عنه and it was already mentioned along with
the Hadeeth of al-Aswad رضي الله عنه.
Abu Hurairah رضي
الله عنه said
that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
كُلُّ مَوْلُودٍ يُولَدُ عَلَى الْفِطْرَةِ،
فَأَبَوَاهُ يُهَوِّدَانِهِ أَوْ يُنَصِّرَانِهِ أَوْ يُمَجِّسَانِهِ، كَمَا
تُنْتِجُ الْبَهِيمَةُ بَهِيمَةً جَمْعَاءَ، هَلْ تُحِسُّونَ فِيهَا مِنْ
جَدْعَاءَ؟
“Every newborn is born in a state of Fitrah (the natural state
of man), then his parents make him into a Jew or Christian or Zoroastrian, as
animals produce whole animals - do you see any that is born mutilated (with
something missing)” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1358, 1359, 1385, 4775)] According
to one report they said: “O Messenger of Allaah, what about those who die when
they are little?” He صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
اللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا كَانُوا عَامِلِين
“Allaah knows best what they would have done.” [Saheeh
al-Bukhaaree (1383, 1384, 6597, 6598, 6599) and Saheeh Muslim (6428, 6430,
6432, 6433)]
Imaam Ahmad reported from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
ذَرَارِيُّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فِي الْجَنَّةِ
يَكْفُلُهُمْ إِبْرَاهِيمُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام
“The children of the Muslims are in Paradise, being taken care
of by Ibraaheem عليه
السلام.”
[Musnad Ahmad (16/140) and graded as “Hasan”
by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah (603, 1467)]
In Saheeh Muslim it is reported from `Iyaadh رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said that Allaah تعالى said:
إِنِّي خَلَقْتُ عِبَادِي حُنَفَاء
{I have created My servants as Hunafaa’ (having a natural
inclination to the worship of Allaah alone)} [Saheeh Muslim (6853)]
The Ninth Hadeeth: from
Samurah رضي الله عنه:
In his book Al-Mustakhraj `alaa Al-Bukharee, Al-Haafidh Abu
Bakr Al-Baraqaanee recorded the Hadeeth of `Awf Al-A`rabee, from Abu Raja'
Al-`Utardi from Samurah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
كُلُّ مَوْلُودٍ يُولَدُ عَلَى الْفِطْرَة
“Every newborn is born in a
state of Fitrah.” The people called out to him: “O Messenger of Allaah!
What about the children of the idolaters?” He صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
وَأَوْلَادُ الْمُشْرِكِين
“And the children of the idolaters
too.” [Al-Mustakhraj `alaa Al-Bukharee of al-Baraqaanee]
At-Tabarani reported that Samurah said: "We asked the
Messenger of Allaah about the children of the idolators, and he صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
هُمْ خَدَمُ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّة
“They are the servants of the
people of Paradise.” [al-Bazzaar (4516), al-Tabaraanee in al-Awsat
(2045) and al-Kabeer (6993). It is similar to the Hadeeth of Anas رضي الله عنه (the Second Hadeeth), see al-Saheehah (1468)]
The Tenth Hadeeth: from the
paternal uncle of Hasnaa’
Imaam Ahmad reported that Hasnaa’ bint Mu`aawiyah, from Bani
Suraym, said that her paternal uncle said to her: I said: `O Messenger of Allaah!
Who is in Paradise? He صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
النَّبِيُّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَالشَّهِيدُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ،
وَالْمَوْلُودُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَالْوَئِيدُ فِي الْجَنَّة
“Prophets are in Paradise,
martyrs are in Paradise, infants are in Paradise and baby girls who were buried
alive are in Paradise.” [Musnad Ahmad (20583, 20585), Sunan Abu
Dawood (2521) and graded as “Saheeh” by
Shaikh al-Albaanee]
a. From the scholars are
those who inclined towards al-Tawaqquf (i.e. not to proceed further in this
matter and to say: “Allaah knows best – as reported in al-Bukhaaree and Muslim
(see the section under the fourth Hadeeth.))
b. There are those who
affirmed for them the Jannah due to the (long) Hadeeth of Samurah bin Jundub
reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree: In which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم narrated about the dream saying that the two angels informed
him:
وَأَمَّا الرَّجُلُ الطَّوِيلُ الَّذِي فِي الرَّوْضَةِ فَإِنَّهُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ
صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، وَأَمَّا الوِلْدَانُ الَّذِينَ حَوْلَهُ فَكُلُّ
مَوْلُودٍ مَاتَ عَلَى الفِطْرَةِ
“and the tall man whom you
saw in the garden, is Ibraaheem عليه السلام and the children around him are
those children who die during Al-Fatrah.” The narrator added: Some
Muslims asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم: “O Allaah’s Messenger! What about the
children of the Mushriks (pagans)?" The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم replied:
وَأَوْلاَدُ المُشْرِكِينَ،
“(Yes) and also the children of pagans (will be among
them).” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (7047)]
c. And among them are those
who said that they (the children of the pagans) will be in the Fire due to the
saying of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم:
هم مع آبائهم
“They are with their fathers.”
d. And among them who
inclined to the opinion that they will be tested on plains on the Day of
Judgment. Whosoever obeys will enter the Jannah – and it will become manifest
(to the people) about Allaah’s knowledge beforehand about who will be the
successful ones; and those who disobey will enter the Fire humiliated - and it
will become manifest (to the people) about Allaah’s knowledge beforehand about
who will be the losers.
And this opinion (i.e. that the people will be tested),
gathers in it all the (other) evidences and all the previous quoted Ahaadeeth
bear witness to each other. And this is the opinion which Shaikh Abu al-Hasan
`Alee al-Ash`aree رحمه الله has narrated from the scholars of Ahl
al-Sunnah wal-Jamaa`ah. This is the opinion which al-Haafidh al-Baihaqee
supported in his “Kitaab al-`Itiqaad”, and and similarly other scholars had the
same opinion.
Removing the doubts about the
Ahaadeeth of the “Test”:
Imaam Ibn Katheer رحمه
الله continues: Shaikh Abu
`Umar bin `Abdul-Barr al-Nimaree, after mentioning the above mentioned
Ahaadeeth on the test, said: The Ahaadeeth under this topic are not strong, and
neither can they be used as evidence and people of knowledge have rejected them
because the Aakhirah (the Day of Judgment) is the place of recompense and not
the place for action and test. How can the people be tested with the burdened
to enter the Fire which they cannot bear, for Allaah does not burden a soul
more than it can bear?!
The Answer:
As for his statement about the inauthenticity of the
Ahaadeeth under this topic: Then (it should be known) that there are Ahaadeeth
which are “Saheeh”, as more than one scholar
has said that, and from them are Ahaadeeth which are “Hasan”
and then there are Ahaadeeth which are “Dha`eef”
(weak in themselves) but which can be raised to the level of “Saheeh” or “Hasan”
(due to supporting chains). So when the Ahaadeeth under one chapter are
mutually reinforcing one another, then on the basis of this, evidence has been
established accordingly. As for his statement: “The Aakhirah is the place for
recompense only”, then there is no doubt that it is indeed the place for
recompense. But it does not negate the tasks that will be put on the people in
the plains before entering the Jannah – as how Shaikh Abu al-Hasan al-Ash`aree
has narrated from the Madhhab of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamaa`ah that the children
(of the Mushriks) will be tested. Moreover Allaah تعالى
has said:
﴿يَوْمَ
يُكْشَفُ عَنْ سَاقٍ وَيُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى السُّجُودِ﴾
{(Remember) the Day when the
Shin shall be laid bare (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) and they shall be called
to prostrate (to Allaah)} [Surah al-Qalam (68):42]
And it is also proven from the Sunnah in the two Saheeh and
other than them that the Believers will prostrate to Allaah تعالى
on the Day of Judgment. But as for the hypocrites they will not be able to do
so and their vertebral column (spine) will become as one bone, whenever they
will try to prostrate, their necks will not bend.
And the narration in the Saheehain (al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
about the man who will be the last one to be taken out of the Hellfire and
Allaah تعالى will take an oath from him that he will
not ask Allaah for more than the state he already is in (but he will ask Allaah
for more and more) and this will repeat a few times. Then Allaah تعالى will say:
يا ابن آدم، ما أغدرك!
“O son of Aadam! How
treacherous you are!” Then Allaah تعالى
will allow him to enter the Jannah.
[Translator’s Note:
This is part of the long Hadeeth: Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“Then when Allaah 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 Allaah! Turn my face from
the fire as its wind has dried me and its steam has burnt me.' Allaah 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 (Allaah)
what he will of the pledges and the covenants. Allaah 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 Allaah will. He then will say, 'O my Lord! Let me go to
the gate of Paradise.' Allaah 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.' Allaah 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. Allaah 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 Allaah wills and then will say, 'O my Lord ! Let me enter Paradise.' Allaah
will say, May Allaah 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 Allaah 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 Allaah will say, 'Request
more of such and such things.' Allaah will remind him and when all his desires
and wishes; have been fulfilled; Allaah will say 'All this is granted to you
and a similar amount besides.'” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (806, 6573,
7437) and Saheeh Muslim (358, 7078) and it is also reported on the authority of
`Abdullaah Ibn Mas`ood رضي الله عنه in Saheeh
al-Bukhaaree (6571, 7511) and Saheeh Muslim (308, 309, 310) and in the
Saheehain it is also recorded on the authority of Abu Dharr and Abu Sa`eed
al-Khudree رضي الله عنهما]]
And as for his saying: “How will they be burdened to enter
the Fire for which is above their capacity to bear?” This statement does not
affect the authenticity of the Hadeeth, because Allaah تعالى
will command His slaves to walk over the bridge on the Day of Judgment, and it
will laid over the Hellfire – which will be sharper the sword and thinner than
a hair. The believers – depending upon their good deeds - will pass over it like
lighting or wind or like the ride on a fast horse, will be running, some
walking and there will others who will be crawling over it and other will fall
face first in the fire. The (test) discussed in the earlier Ahaadeeth is not as
severe as this (crossing the bridge). Rather crossing the bridge will be more
difficult that the test.
Moreover, it is confirmed from the Sunnah that Dajjaal will
have with him the Jannah and the Fire. He will command the believers to enter
the fire, and those who enter it, the fire will be cool and safety for them.
This is similar to it.
Furthermore, Allaah تعالى
had commanded the Banee Israa’eel to kill each other. So they killed each other
– to the extent that it is said that in one day, seventy thousand were killed –
a person killing his father and brother and this was a punishment for
worshiping the calf. This is also a bigger burden, more than one can bear –
more burdensome than what is mentioned in the Hadeeth (of the test).
And Allaah knows best.
Section (Two):
Since this has been established, still the scholars have
differed over the infants of the Kuffaar:
The first opinion: Some said:
They will be in the Jannah and they take their evidence from the Hadeeth of
Samurah in which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم saw Ibraaheem عليه السلام with the children of the Muslims as well as the children of the
Mushriks, as well as what we have mentioned of the Hadeeth (in the Musnad of) Imaam
Ahmad from Hasnaa’ who reported from her uncle that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم that (every) infant is in Jannah. And this reasoning is
correct, but the Ahaadeeth of the test are more specific than this. It is from
the Knowledge of Allaah عز وجل about who will obey Him, that He تعالى created their souls in the Barzakh with Ibraaheem عليه السلام and the children of the Muslims, those who died during
al-Fatrah. And from His تعالى knowledge about those who will disobey, He
تعالى will command them on the Day of Judgment to be put into the
Fire as is evident from the Ahaadeeth about the test. Abu al-Hasan al-Ash`aree
has reported from (the scholars of) Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamaa`ah, and among them
are those who said that they will be in Paradise and then there are those who
said that they will be the servants of the people of Paradise as has been
reported in the Hadeeth of Anas رضي
الله عنه by Abu Dawood
al-Tayaalisee and it is “Dha`eef” [Translator’s Note: The Hadeeth is Dha`eef in itself as Imaam Ibn Katheer has pointed out
but with different supporting routes it reaches to the level of “Saheeh li ghairihee” see the second Hadeeth]. And Allaah knows best.
The second opinion: They will
be with their fathers in the Fire. And they take their evidence from what Imaam
Ahmad has reported from the Hadeeth of `Abdullaah bin Abu Qais that he asked `Aaishah
about the children of the Kuffaar and she said that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
هم مع آبائهم
“They (the offspring of
theKuffaar) will be with their fathers.” I said: O Messenger of
Allaah! Without they doing any (wrong) action? He صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا كَانُوا عَامِلِينَ
“Allaah عز وجل knows best
what they would have done.” [Musnad Ahmad (24545) but the Hadeeth
with this chain is “Dha`eef”.]
And Abu Dawood reported the Hadeeth on the authority of
`Aaishah رضي الله عنها that she asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم about the offspring of believers. He صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
هم من آبائهم
“They are joined to their
parents.” I asked: Allaah’s Messenger! Although they have done
nothing? He صلى الله عليه وسلم replied:
الله أعلم بما كانوا عاملين
“Allaah knows best what they
would have done.” I asked: what happens to the offspring of the
Mushriks? He صلى الله عليه وسلم replied:
من آبائهم
“They are joined to their
parents.” I asked: Allaah’s Messenger! Although they have done nothing?
He صلى الله عليه وسلم replied:
الله أعلم بما كانوا عاملين
“Allaah knows best what they
would have done.” [Sunan Abu Dawood (4712) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]
Imaam Ahmad also reported a Hadeeth on the authority of
`Aaishah رضي الله عنها that she mentioned to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم about the children of the Mushriks. He صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
إن شئت أسمعتك تضاغيهم في النار
“If you wish, I can make you
hear their cries in the Fire.” [Musnad Ahmad (25743) but this
Hadeeth is “Maudhoo`” (Fabrcated)
see al-Dha`eefah of Shaikh al-Albaanee (3898)]
`Abdullaah the son Imaam Ahmad reported on the authority of
`Alee (Ibn Abu Taalib) رضي الله عنه that he said: Khadeejah رضي الله عنها asked the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم about her two sons who had died in the Jaahiliyyah. He صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
هما في النار
“They are in the Fire.”
(`Alee رضي الله عنه) said: When he صلى الله عليه وسلم saw the sign of dislike on her face, he صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
لو رأيت مكانهما لأبغضتهما
“Were you to see their place
in the Fire, you would have hated them.” She said: What about my son
from you? He صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
في الجنة
“They are in Jannah.”
(`Alee) said: Then the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
إن المؤمنين وأولادهم في الجنة، وإن المشركين
وأولادهم في النار
“Verily! The believers and their children will be in the
Jannah and the Mushriks and their children will be in the Fire.” He صلى الله عليه وسلم then recited:
﴿وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا
وَاتَّبَعَتْهُمْ ذُرِّيَّتُهُم بِإِيمَانٍ أَلْحَقْنَا بِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ﴾
“And those who believed and
whose descendants followed them in faith - We will join with them their
descendants” [Surah Toor (52): 21]
Ibn Katheer said: This Hadeeth is strange, for Muhammad bin
`Uthmaan (one of the narrators) is “Majhool” (his state of affairs is unknown)
and his (Muhammad’s) Shaikh Zaadaan (another narrator) did not meet `Alee (i.e.
the chain of this narration is broken), And Allaah knows best. [al-Dhahabee
also graded this narration as “Munkar” (baseless)
in Meezaan al-`Itidaal (3/642) and by al-Albaanee in al-Dha`eefah (5791).
Shaikh al-Albaanee also said its chain is broken in Takhreej Mishkaat al-Maasaabeeh
(113)]
Abu Dawood reported in his Sunan on the authority of Ibn
Mas`ood رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
الوائدة والموءودة في النار
“The woman who buries alive
her new-born girl and the girl who is buried alive both will go to Hell.”
[Sunan Abu Dawood (4717) and graded as “Saheeh”
by Shaikh al-Albaanee.]
And a group (of scholars) have reported on the authority
Salam bin Qais al-Ashja`ee رضي الله عنه who said: I and my brother went to the
Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and said to him: Our mother died in the
Jaahiliyyah and she used to honor the guest and used to maintain ties of
kinship and we had a sister in Jaahiliyyah who did not attain puberty. He صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
الوائدة والموءودة في النار، إلا أن تدرك
الوائدة الإسلام، فتسلم
“The woman who buries alive
her new-born girl and the girl who is buried alive both will go to Hell, except
for the woman comes to know about Islaam (and she accepts it), then Allaah will
pardon her.”
Ibn Katheer said: the chain of this narration is “Hasan”. [It was graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh Muqbil in Saheeh al-Musnad (453) and Shaikh
al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Jaami` (7143)]
The Third opinion: “Tawaqquf”
(Stopping at it and attributing its knowledge to Allaah alone) and relying on
the saying of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم: “Allaah
knows best what they would have done.” And this is in the Saheehain
from the Hadeeth on the authority of Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما who said: Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم was asked about the children of (Mushrikeen) pagans. The
Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم replied:
اللَّهُ إِذْ خَلَقَهُمْ أَعْلَمُ
بِمَا كَانُوا عَامِلِينَ
“Since Allaah created them,
He knows what sort of deeds they would have done.” and the same has
been reported in the Saheehain on the authority of Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet صلى
الله عليه وسلم said the same.
[References already quoted above under the Fourth Hadeeth.]
The fourth opinion: And among
them are those who said that they (the infants) will be from the people of
al-A`raaf (the elevated plain: referring to Surah al-A`raaf (7): 46-49). And
this opinion is similar to the saying of those who said that they will be from
the people of Jannah. This is because al-A`raaf is not the final resting place,
and in the end, those who are on al-A`raaf will attain the Jannah as we have
already discussed this in Surah al-A`raaf. And Allaah knows best.
Section (three):
Know that this difference of opinion is only regarding the children of the Mushriks. But as for the children of the believers, then there is no difference between the scholars (that they will be in the Jannah) – as Qadhee Abu Yu`laa has reported from Imaam Ahmad that he said: No one differs about them (the children of the believers) from being the inhabitants of the Jannah. And this is what is famous among the people. And this is what we will stop at, in-shaa Allaah عز وجل.
But as for what Shaikh Abu `Umar bin `Abdul-Barr has
reported from some scholars: that they apply “Tawaqquf” in this regards and
that all the children (including the believers as well as the Mushriks) are
under the Will of Allaah عز وجل (if He تعالى Wills, He will forgive them or punish
them). Abu `Umar said: those who inclined towards this opinion were some of the
scholars of Fiqh (Fuqahaa’) and Hadeeth (Muhadditheen), and among them are:
Hammaad bin Zaid, Hammaad bin Salamah, Ibn al-Mubaarak, Is-haaq ibn Rahawaih
and others than them who said: this is similar to what Imaam Maalik mentioned
in his Muwatta under the chapter of “al-Qadr” and the Ahaadeeth that are
mentioned in it and this is what the companions of Imaam Maalik were upon. But
there is nothing specific mention from Imaam Maalik regarding this except that
his later companions were of the opinion that the children of the believers are
in Jannah and the children of the Mushriks are specifically under the Will of
Allaah. This is what Ibn `Abdul-Barr said, and this is a strange opinion.
Abu `Abdullaah al-Qurtobee also reported a similar opinion
in his book “al-Tadhkirah” and Allaah knows best.
And in this regards they mention the Hadeeth of `Aaishah رضي الله عنه who said that Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم was called to lead the funeral prayer of a child of the Ansaar.
I said: Allaah’s Messenger, there is happiness for this child who is a bird
from the birds of Paradise for he committed no sin nor has he reached the age
when one can commit sin. He صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
أو غير ذلك يا عائشة، إن الله خلق الجنة وخلق
لها أهلا وهم في أصلاب آبائهم، وخلق النار وخلق لها أهلا وهم في أصلاب آبائهم
“`Aaishah , perhaps, it may
be otherwise, because Allaah created for Paradise those who are fit for it
while they were yet in their father's loins; and created for Hell those who are
to go to Hell. He created them for Hell while they were yet in their father's
loins.” [Saheeh Muslim (6436)]
In order to discuss this issue we need good, sound proof,
but people who have no knowledge of Sharee`ah may try to speak about it. For
this reason some of the scholars did not like to discuss it. This view has been
narrated from Ibn `Abbaas, Al-Qaasim bin Muhammad bin Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq,
Muhammad bin Al-Hanafiyyah and others.
Ibn Hibban recorded in his Saheeh that Jareer bin Haazim
said: I heard Abu Rajaa’ Al-`Utaardee saying that he heard Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما while he was on the Minbar saying: the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
لَا يَزَالُ أَمْرُ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ
مُوَاتِيًا أَوْ مُقَارِبَا مَا لَمْ يَتَكَلَّمُوا فِي الْوِلْدَانِ وَالْقَدَر
“This Ummah will be fine so
long as they do not talk about children and the divine decree.”
Ibn Hibbaan said: “This means talking about the children of
the idolaters.”
[Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh (1824), al-Haakim in al-Mustadrak
(1/33). Al-Haakim said it is “Saheeh” as per
the condition of al-Bukhaaree and Muslim and we don’t know of any defect in it;
and al-Dhahabee agreed with him and Shaikh al-Albaanee also agreed with them in
al-Saheehah (1515)]
Abu Bakr Al-Bazzaar also recorded it through Jareer bin Haazim
and then he said: “A group narrated it from Abu Rajaa’ from Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما, but it is “Mauquf”.
--end of quote from Tafseer Ibn
Katheer.
*******
Extra points from Brother Moosaa Richardson:
About the children of the mushrikeen who die young (not the
children of the muslims) -
This is an issue that the 'ulamaa' have differed over. I researched this issue last year. I will summarize my research below,
mentioning the opinions, some of the evidence for each opinion, and my
conclusion. (My original research has
many more points of daleel, the sources for all of the positions of the various
ulamaa, and a discussion of the authenticity of each proof)
The opinions:
1) At-Tawaqquf
Ibn `Abbaas and the two Hammaads, Shaafi'ee, Bayhaqee, Ibn
Abdil-Barr and others believed that we have to say “Allaah knows best” and not
talk about this issue, based on the statement of the Prophet sallallaahu
'alayhe wa sallam, when he was asked about the children of the mushrikeen:
(( Allaah knows best about what they would have done ))
[Bukhaaree and Muslim]
I included those 'ulamaa who said that the children of the
mushrikeen were under the Will of Allaah in this category, since their
statement is identical with a different wording.
2) They are in the Hellfire
This is the position of Ibn Hazm and some of the Hanbalees.
They use the hadeeth of the Jewish boy who died after
accepting Islaam. The Prophet
(sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said about him “Praise to Allaah the One who
saved him from the Hellfire,” [Bukhaaree & Ahmad] meaning that if he had died without accepting
Islaam, he would be in the Hellfire.
And they use the hadeeth about “every child being born on
the fitrah” too, and many others.
3) They are in Jannah
Those who hold this position: Al-Qurtubee, Al-Bukhaaree, Ibn Hajr,
An-Nawawee, Ibn Al-Jowzee, and others.
One of their proofs:
The aayah ( No soul shall bear the burden of another, and we
are not to punish any people until after sending a messenger to them )
Israa':15
Other proofs they use briefly:
The hadeeth of Ibraaheem and the children around him from
Bukhaaree, “And the children of the mushrikeen”
“The pen is lifted off of three... the boy until he becomes
of age (reaches puberty)” At-Tirmithee
“There is no child except he is born upon the fitrah”
and many others
4) They will be tested
This is the position of Abul-Hasan Al-Ash'aree, Ibn Katheer,
Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Qayyim, Al-Albaanee, and Ibn Baaz, and others.
They based their position on the hadeeth of the imtihaan,
one of its wordings as found in the Mu'jam Kabeer of At-Tabaraanee:
“The incompetent one, the one who died in the period between
messengers, and the one who died as a child will be brought forth on the Day of
Judgement...”
Then the hadeeth mentions that they will be asked to enter a
piece of the Hellfire as a test of their obedience to Allaah... “and if they
enter it (the fire) it will be cool and calm on them” and in one narration, “So
then these (those who refuse) will enter the Fire, and those (those who obeyed)
will enter the Jannah.”
This hadeeth has numerous routes and they are gathered and
mentioned in Silsilatul-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah #2468.
5) They are the servants of the people of Jannah
Al-Hasan Al-Basree from the earlier scholars said this, as
well as Al-Albaanee from the later ones.
They rely on the hadeeth of Anas:
The Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) was asked
about the children of the Mushrikeen. He
said:
“They have no sins to be punished for and thus become from
the people of the Hellfire, nor do they have any good deeds to be rewarded for
and become from the people of Jannah, they are the servants of the people of
Jannah.”
Hasan lighayrihi according to Al-Albaanee. See Silsilatul-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah #1468.
6) They will be turned into dust (!)
This has been reported to be the position of Thamaamah ibn
Ashras. This opinion has no clear
evidence.
7) They are in LIMBO between Jannah and the Hellfire (!)
Some of the 'ulamaa' have mentioned this postion, however it
also has no clear evidence.
These are the different positions that have reached me. As for the conclusion to my research, after
discarding the weak narrations, and thinking carefully about the narrations, I
saw a way to combine all of the authentic narrations within one answer, and
that is:
1) They are from the mushrikeen in the dunyaa, and this
explains the hadeeth: “They (the children of the mushrikeen) are from them (the
mushrikeen).” As this was referring to
their hukm in the dunyaa, ie if they are killed in a war unintentionally, then
they are from them.
2) They will be tested in the Hereafter
3) Whoever disobeys Allaah in this test, will be from the
people of the hellfire.
4) Whoever obeys Allaah in this test, they will go to the
Jannah.
5) Whoever goes to the Jannah from them, they will be a
servant to the people of Jannah.
6) We make tawaqquf about the specific individuals from
them, ie we do not say that John the son of Henry Jones is in the Hellfire or
the Jannah.
Then the last part of my research included refutations of
each of the other statements.
I reviewed this research with Dr. Muhammad Baazmool who
said, “You came to the right conclusion,” except he said that I did not make a
distinction between the boy who is mumayyiz and the boy who is too young to
understand Islaam.
If anyone requests further evidences or other information on
this subject, then they can purchase the CDs on this topic from TROID in shaa'
Allaah:
http://www.troid.org/store/cds/
And Allaah knows best.
For further reading on this topic, I would suggest the
following most important books of reference:
1) Ibn Katheer's tafseer of Soorah Israa':15
2) Fat-hul-Baaree 3/300 in explanation of the hadeeth of
Ibraaheem and the children around him
3) At-Tathkirah of Al-Qurtubee (p.552)
4) At-Tamheed of Ibn Abdil-Barr (6/377)
5) Al-I'tiqaad of Al-Bayhaqee (p.195)
6) Sharh An-Nawawee, the relative chapters (8/428 and in
that neighborhood)
7) Tareeq Al-Hijratayn of Ibn Al-Qayyim (p.584)
8) Majmoo' Al-Fataawaa of Ibn Taymiyyah (24/373)
The first four are the best by far in terms of gathering the
statements of the 'ulamaa', and there are others like 'Awn Al-Ma'bood,
Ash-Sharee'ah, Ma'aarij Al-Qabool, etc.
--end of quote.
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