I hear some stories about people who were in a bad state, such as abandoning prayer and other things, then Allah granted them guidance and righteous deeds, and the conclusion of these stories is death.
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The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh. I hear some stories about people who were in a bad state, such as abandoning the prayers and other things, then Allah grants them guidance and righteous deeds, and the conclusion of these stories is death. These stories are found in many of the books of the early scholars and even the later ones, which makes me doubt their authenticity at times. I ask for clarification on that. May you be rewarded.
The Shaykh : Do not doubt their authenticity, for hearts are in the hand of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). How many a person is at the height of open sinfulness, lewdness, disbelief, associating partners with Allah, and atheism, yet Allah (Mighty and Majestic) guides him with a single word he hears, whether from a preacher, a caller to Islam, or the like.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And how many a person is the opposite, whose outward state is one of uprightness and that he is firm upon the truth, yet his end is sealed with a bad outcome. We ask Allah for safety.
And in "Sahih al-Bukhari" it is mentioned that a man was with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in one of his battles, and he was a bold, courageous man who did not leave any stray or scattered matter without seizing it, and the people were amazed by his courage. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih al-Bukhari 4203 A man stood up and said: By Allah, I will keep close to this man, for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) did not say this by guessing, but it is revealed to him. He kept close to him until this courageous man was struck by an arrow from the enemy. He panicked greatly, drew his sword, and leaned on it, bending over it, until the sword came out of his back, refuge with Allah, and he died. He died having killed himself. When the man reached the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) in the morning, he said: I bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allah. He said: He said: The man about whom you said he is from the people of the Fire did such and such. He said: Sahih Muslim 27b Then he said: Sahih al-Bukhari 4207 This man who killed himself was working hard, fighting, raiding the enemy, and taking their wealth, and he did not leave them any stray or scattered matter, and all of this is from the deeds of the people of Paradise.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : But as it appears to us, as it appears to people, he is from the people of the Fire, refuge with Allah.
And in this is an indication that a person must purify his heart before he purifies his limbs, for the criterion is the heart. Perhaps there is a hidden evil in a person's heart, such as arrogance or pride or the like, that does not appear to people, but when the need for it arises at death, it appears, refuge with Allah. I say: These blameworthy traits do not appear to people, but they appear to the angels at death and become clear, and his end is sealed with a bad conclusion, refuge with Allah. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you, O honorable Shaykh. The listener says.
The Shaykh : Do not doubt their authenticity, for hearts are in the hand of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). How many a person is at the height of open sinfulness, lewdness, disbelief, associating partners with Allah, and atheism, yet Allah (Mighty and Majestic) guides him with a single word he hears, whether from a preacher, a caller to Islam, or the like.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And how many a person is the opposite, whose outward state is one of uprightness and that he is firm upon the truth, yet his end is sealed with a bad outcome. We ask Allah for safety.
And in "Sahih al-Bukhari" it is mentioned that a man was with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in one of his battles, and he was a bold, courageous man who did not leave any stray or scattered matter without seizing it, and the people were amazed by his courage. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
This (man) is from the dwellers of the Hell-Fire.
هذا من أهل النارAnd by what?
وبم؟It is narrated either on the authority of Abu Huraira or that of Abu Sa'id Khudri. The narrator A'mash has narrated this hadith with a little bit of doubt (about the name of the very first narrator who was in direct contact with the Holy Prophet. He was either Abu Huraira or Abu Sa'id Khudri. Both are equally reliable transmitters of the traditions). He (the narrator) said: During the time of Tabuk expedition, the (provisions) ran short and the men (of the army) suffered starvation; they said: Messenger of Allah, would you permit us to slay our camels? We would eat them and use their fat. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Do as you please. He (the narrator) said: Then 'Umar came there and said: Messenger of Allah, if you do that (if you give your consent and the men begin to slay their camels), the riding animals would become short. But (I would suggest you to) summon them along with the provisions left with them Then invoke Allah's blessings on them (different items of the provisions) It is hoped Allah shall bless them. The Messenger of Allah replied in the affirmative. (the narrator) said: He called for a leather mat to be used as a table cloth and spread it out. Then he called people along with the remaining portions of their provisions. He (the narrator) said: Someone was coming with handful of mote, another was coming with a handful of dates, still another was coming with a portion of bread, till small quantities of these things were collected on the table cloth. He (the narrator said): Then the messenger of Allah invoked blessing (on them) and said: Fill your utensils with these provisions. He (the narrator) said: They filled their vessel to the brim with them, and no one amongst the army (which comprised of 30,000 persons) was left even with a single empty vessel. He (the narrator) aid: They ate to their fill, and there was still a surplus. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) remarked: I bear testimony that there is no god but Allah and I am the messenger of Allah. The man who meets his Lord without harboring any doubt about these two (truths) would never be kept away from Paradise.
أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وأني رسول اللهA man may do what may seem to the people as the deeds of the dwellers of Paradise, but he is of the dwellers of the Hell-Fire
إن الرجل ليعمل بعمل أهل الجنة فيما يبدو للناس وهو من أهل النارThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : But as it appears to us, as it appears to people, he is from the people of the Fire, refuge with Allah.
And in this is an indication that a person must purify his heart before he purifies his limbs, for the criterion is the heart. Perhaps there is a hidden evil in a person's heart, such as arrogance or pride or the like, that does not appear to people, but when the need for it arises at death, it appears, refuge with Allah. I say: These blameworthy traits do not appear to people, but they appear to the angels at death and become clear, and his end is sealed with a bad conclusion, refuge with Allah. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you, O honorable Shaykh. The listener says.