What is the meaning of al-wurud (arrival) in the saying of Allah the Exalted: “And there is no one among you but will pass over it…”?
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The questioner : In the name of Allah, we begin this session with a message received from one of our brother listeners who did not mention his name in the message. He asks: What is the meaning of al-wurud (arrival) in the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Maryam 19:71]?
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and I send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow them with excellence until the Day of Judgment. We thank the questioner for his question about the meaning of this noble verse. We wish that Muslims would follow his example in seeking the meanings of the verses of the Noble Qur’an, for Allah revealed the Book and clarified the wisdom behind its revelation. He said, the Exalted:[Sad 38:29] Thus, Allah the Exalted described the Qur’an as blessed due to the blessing in its effects and its reward, and He clarified the wisdom of its revelation, making it consist of two things: first, so that they may reflect upon its verses, meaning to understand them and contemplate their meanings repeatedly until they reach what is intended by them.
The second thing is that those of understanding may be reminded, and being reminded means taking heed and acting upon what a person has learned of the meanings of the noble verses.
Knowledge of the meanings of the verses of the Noble Qur’an is not possible except through research and consulting the people of knowledge. Therefore, we say that there is no one among you but will pass over the Fire, meaning he will pass over it. The scholars differed regarding the intended meaning of al-wurud (arrival) in this verse.[Al-Anbya 21:69] So it became coolness and peace for him. People will pass over the Fire and fall into it, and if they do not deserve punishment by it, it will not harm them in any way.
Some scholars said that the intended meaning of the passing is crossing over the Sirat, and the Sirat is the bridge placed over Hell, may Allah protect us, the listeners, and our Muslim brothers from it. People will pass over this Sirat according to their deeds. It is a steep and slippery path, and it has hooks that snatch people away by their deeds. Passing over it is according to one’s deeds in this world. Some people will pass over it like lightning, some like the flash of an eye, some like a swift horse, some like a camel rider, some will walk, some will crawl, and some will be snatched and thrown into Hell. This passing is according to a person’s acceptance of the Shari’ah of Allah in this world. Whoever accepted it with openness and tranquility, and hastened to it and competed in it, will pass over this Sirat quickly and safely. And whoever was less than that, it will be according to his deed. Thus, there are two opinions regarding the meaning of al-wurud mentioned in the verse: the first opinion is falling into Hell, but it does not harm one who is not deserving of punishment therein.
The second is crossing over the Sirat placed over Hell. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
And there is none of you except he will come to it
وإن منكم إلا واردهاThe Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and I send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow them with excellence until the Day of Judgment. We thank the questioner for his question about the meaning of this noble verse. We wish that Muslims would follow his example in seeking the meanings of the verses of the Noble Qur’an, for Allah revealed the Book and clarified the wisdom behind its revelation. He said, the Exalted:
[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.
كِتابٌ أَنزَلناهُ إِلَيكَ مُبارَكٌ لِيَدَّبَّروا ءاياتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُو الأَلبابِThe second thing is that those of understanding may be reminded, and being reminded means taking heed and acting upon what a person has learned of the meanings of the noble verses.
Knowledge of the meanings of the verses of the Noble Qur’an is not possible except through research and consulting the people of knowledge. Therefore, we say that there is no one among you but will pass over the Fire, meaning he will pass over it. The scholars differed regarding the intended meaning of al-wurud (arrival) in this verse.
O fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham."
يا نار كوني بردا وسلاما على إبراهيمSome scholars said that the intended meaning of the passing is crossing over the Sirat, and the Sirat is the bridge placed over Hell, may Allah protect us, the listeners, and our Muslim brothers from it. People will pass over this Sirat according to their deeds. It is a steep and slippery path, and it has hooks that snatch people away by their deeds. Passing over it is according to one’s deeds in this world. Some people will pass over it like lightning, some like the flash of an eye, some like a swift horse, some like a camel rider, some will walk, some will crawl, and some will be snatched and thrown into Hell. This passing is according to a person’s acceptance of the Shari’ah of Allah in this world. Whoever accepted it with openness and tranquility, and hastened to it and competed in it, will pass over this Sirat quickly and safely. And whoever was less than that, it will be according to his deed. Thus, there are two opinions regarding the meaning of al-wurud mentioned in the verse: the first opinion is falling into Hell, but it does not harm one who is not deserving of punishment therein.
The second is crossing over the Sirat placed over Hell. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.