How do we reconcile the statement of the man who said, “If I die, burn me,” in which he expressed doubt about Allah’s ability to restore him as he was, with the fact that Allah the Exalted forgave him in the end?

The Shaykh : All right, what do you have?

The questioner : The man who instructed his sons that when he died, they should scatter him in the wind, burn him, and scatter him so that Allah would not be able to gather me... then He gathered him. How is this possible with ?

The Shaykh : Yes, we have mentioned this more than once. The verse you cited at the end of your question is the rule and the principle: . Similarly, the verse However, there is a rule in the principles of jurisprudence that many general statements are subject to specification. Although the principle is to remain with the general text until a specifying text arrives, once the specifying text arrives, a person does not hesitate to accept it. The Salaf did not hesitate, even if the point of reconciliation between the general and the specific was not apparent to them. It is sufficient that one is a general text and the other is a specific text. As for what the wisdom is, what the philosophy of the matter is, and how it is directed, that is a second matter. Some people may be able to handle it, and some may not. But following the rules puts a person’s mind and soul at ease. So this is general and this is specific. , Is it possible for specification to enter? Intellectually, it is possible, but from the perspective of the Shari'ah, we wait in the Shari'ah. If something comes to us indicating specification, we accept it; otherwise, we remain with the general text and reject any opinion that contradicts the general text, unless it is accompanied by evidence.

The questioner : Abu Talib...

The Shaykh : Why did you bring the verse ? We need to look at our position, we who are the people of hadith, regarding the authentic hadith in which the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about his uncle Abu Talib, who used to defend you, and so on. Did that benefit him in any way? He said: , . The point is that his punishment was lightened. And our Lord says: . If this is a general text and this is a specific text, there is no obstacle to accepting it as long as it is authentic. This rule, and ignorance of it, leads many people astray, both in the past and the present. For example, the Khawarij, who went astray in many matters, both in creed and in the branches of the Shari'ah. Why? Because they relied on general texts and rejected specific texts... between the general text and the specific text. So this is what we are currently addressing.