The Danger of Investigating Matters of the Unseen
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It is reported in a hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he met the prophets in the heavens in the hadith of the Night Journey, and this was after their deaths, except for 'Isa.So do we say: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is in the heavens now in his station, because some scholars consider the hadith that the earth was forbidden (from consuming the bodies of the prophets) to be weak. What is your opinion?
Our view is that we should stand by what the text has brought regarding matters of the unseen and not investigate further. This is a form of excessive delving and rigidity. Investigating matters of the unseen is a great error. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) met the prophets in the heavens, greeted them, and they returned his greeting and welcomed him. He also prayed with them in the Sacred Mosque. He informed us that Allah has forbidden the earth to consume the bodies of the prophets, so we stand by this. As for the body of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), there is no doubt that it is in the earth, and so are the bodies of the prophets. As for their souls, Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said regarding the martyrs: [Al 'Imran: 169], and the prophets are better than the martyrs. But even so, we remain silent, just as Allah and His Messenger remained silent.
Beware in matters of the unseen of trying to go ahead, even by one step, of what the text has brought! Not in this matter, nor in the names of Allah and His attributes, because the slip is great. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were more eager for knowledge than we are, and they had among them one who was more knowledgeable than us, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and yet they did not ask him about such matters. You are to concern yourself with what pertains to you: what you must believe, and what you must do regarding purification, prayer, zakah, and the like.
I have not found more peace of mind than standing by what has been reported regarding matters of the unseen, and not investigating beyond it.
Our view is that we should stand by what the text has brought regarding matters of the unseen and not investigate further. This is a form of excessive delving and rigidity. Investigating matters of the unseen is a great error. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) met the prophets in the heavens, greeted them, and they returned his greeting and welcomed him. He also prayed with them in the Sacred Mosque. He informed us that Allah has forbidden the earth to consume the bodies of the prophets, so we stand by this. As for the body of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), there is no doubt that it is in the earth, and so are the bodies of the prophets. As for their souls, Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said regarding the martyrs:
Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision,
بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَBeware in matters of the unseen of trying to go ahead, even by one step, of what the text has brought! Not in this matter, nor in the names of Allah and His attributes, because the slip is great. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were more eager for knowledge than we are, and they had among them one who was more knowledgeable than us, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and yet they did not ask him about such matters. You are to concern yourself with what pertains to you: what you must believe, and what you must do regarding purification, prayer, zakah, and the like.
I have not found more peace of mind than standing by what has been reported regarding matters of the unseen, and not investigating beyond it.