What is your opinion of Ibn al-Jawzi's statement in the introduction to his book *Tanbih al-Na'im al-Ghamr li-Mawasim al-'Umr* (Awakening the Deep Sleeper to the Seasons of Life): "And this brief life, with which he purchased eternal abode in the Gardens and unending permanence, like the permanence of the Most Merciful"?
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The questioner : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Your Eminence, what is your opinion of Ibn al-Jawzi's statement in the introduction to his book *Tanbih al-Na'im al-Ghamr li-Istighlal Mawasim al-'Umr* (Awakening the Deep Sleeper to Utilizing the Seasons of Life): "And this brief life, with which he purchased eternal abode in the Gardens and unending permanence, like the permanence of the Most Merciful"?
The Shaykh : Like the permanence of what?
The questioner : Like the permanence of the Most Merciful.
The Shaykh : Yes. As for the fact that the pleasure does not end, that is clear, for the Qur'an is full of statements that the people of Paradise will remain therein forever. As for his saying: "like the permanence of the Most Merciful", I do not know if this phrase is established in the words of Ibn al-Qayyim or not. Did you see it?
The questioner : Ibn al-Jawzi.
The Shaykh : Ibn al-Jawzi.
In any case, Ibn al-Jawzi (may Allah have mercy on him) is not one who is relied upon in matters of the attributes. But this phrase is rejected: "like the permanence of the Most Merciful," because it contradicts the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), or rather the saying of Allah:[Al-Hadid 57:3] The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: If we say that this remains like the permanence of the Most Merciful, it means equating the Most Merciful in permanence, and this is not correct.
So the important point is that this phrase is rejected. Note in the book you have that this phrase is rejected because it contradicts the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Hadid 57:3] and the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him): Sunan Ibn Majah 3831Sahih (Darussalam) Yes.
Your Eminence, what is your opinion of Ibn al-Jawzi's statement in the introduction to his book *Tanbih al-Na'im al-Ghamr li-Istighlal Mawasim al-'Umr* (Awakening the Deep Sleeper to Utilizing the Seasons of Life): "And this brief life, with which he purchased eternal abode in the Gardens and unending permanence, like the permanence of the Most Merciful"?
The Shaykh : Like the permanence of what?
The questioner : Like the permanence of the Most Merciful.
The Shaykh : Yes. As for the fact that the pleasure does not end, that is clear, for the Qur'an is full of statements that the people of Paradise will remain therein forever. As for his saying: "like the permanence of the Most Merciful", I do not know if this phrase is established in the words of Ibn al-Qayyim or not. Did you see it?
The questioner : Ibn al-Jawzi.
The Shaykh : Ibn al-Jawzi.
In any case, Ibn al-Jawzi (may Allah have mercy on him) is not one who is relied upon in matters of the attributes. But this phrase is rejected: "like the permanence of the Most Merciful," because it contradicts the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), or rather the saying of Allah:
He is the First and the Last, the Ascendant and the Intimate
هُوَ الْأَوَّلُ وَالْآخِرُ وَالظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُThe Last, after which there is nothing
الآخر الذي ليس بعده شيءSo the important point is that this phrase is rejected. Note in the book you have that this phrase is rejected because it contradicts the saying of Allah the Exalted: