The Ruling on Asserting That Certain People Are in Paradise and Citing the Hadith "You Are the Witnesses of Allah"
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Question:
I think that in the Shaykh. He says: Some students of knowledge state that Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) is in Paradise, and they are certain of this, citing the hadith, "You are the witnesses of Allah on earth." I ask you, Honorable Shaykh, to clarify the methodology of the Sunnah and the community on this matter, and whether they testify for anyone regarding Paradise or the Fire? What is the statement of the scholars regarding this hadithJami` at-Tirmidhi 1058Sahih (Darussalam) Is it a type of the knowledge of the unseen that Allah has made exclusive to Himself?
Answer:
Yes, regarding Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him), we hope for him that he is among the people of Paradise, due to his many good qualities, such as asceticism, scrupulousness, supporting the Sunnah, refuting the people of innovation, and his standing in the trial and patience until Allah, through him, established the creed of the people of the Sunnah and the community during the days of the trial. So, it is hoped for him that he is among the people of Paradise, as it is for him and other Imams of the Muslims. Every Muslim hopes for Paradise for a Muslim, and the hope is magnified if that Muslim has good deeds.
And he has good deeds, so the hope for him is magnified, like Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him). As for testimony and certainty, this is not permissible except with evidence from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). We do not testify for anyone that they are in Paradise or in the Fire, except for those for whom the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) testified. But we hope for the doer of good and fear for the doer of evil. This is the creed of the people of the Sunnah and the community, and it is a just creed, a just and good creed. As for "You are the witnesses of Allah on earth," yes, this is a hadith. So, when people praise a person, meaning when Muslims praise a person for good, this is an indication that he is among the people of good. But we do not assert this; this is considered only a circumstance, and we do not assert it, nor do we speak about Allah without knowledge. But this is from the apparent truth that appears to us.
I think that in the Shaykh. He says: Some students of knowledge state that Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) is in Paradise, and they are certain of this, citing the hadith, "You are the witnesses of Allah on earth." I ask you, Honorable Shaykh, to clarify the methodology of the Sunnah and the community on this matter, and whether they testify for anyone regarding Paradise or the Fire? What is the statement of the scholars regarding this hadith
You are Allah's witnesses on the earth.
أنتم شهداء الله في الأرضAnswer:
Yes, regarding Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him), we hope for him that he is among the people of Paradise, due to his many good qualities, such as asceticism, scrupulousness, supporting the Sunnah, refuting the people of innovation, and his standing in the trial and patience until Allah, through him, established the creed of the people of the Sunnah and the community during the days of the trial. So, it is hoped for him that he is among the people of Paradise, as it is for him and other Imams of the Muslims. Every Muslim hopes for Paradise for a Muslim, and the hope is magnified if that Muslim has good deeds.
And he has good deeds, so the hope for him is magnified, like Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him). As for testimony and certainty, this is not permissible except with evidence from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). We do not testify for anyone that they are in Paradise or in the Fire, except for those for whom the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) testified. But we hope for the doer of good and fear for the doer of evil. This is the creed of the people of the Sunnah and the community, and it is a just creed, a just and good creed. As for "You are the witnesses of Allah on earth," yes, this is a hadith. So, when people praise a person, meaning when Muslims praise a person for good, this is an indication that he is among the people of good. But we do not assert this; this is considered only a circumstance, and we do not assert it, nor do we speak about Allah without knowledge. But this is from the apparent truth that appears to us.
Source
منهج أهل السنة والجماعة في الشهادة بالجنة والنار — alfawzan.live
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.