Transcription* from the “Hereafter” Conference – Birmingham (Aston), UK – 23 May 2015 (Sha`baan 1436 AH)

All Praise is due to Allāh, we praise Him, seek His aid and His Forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allāh from the evils of our souls and the evils of our actions. Whomsoever Allāh guides there is none to misguide and whomsoever Allāh misguides there is none to guide. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allāh, alone, without any partners and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.

To proceed,

“O you who believe, fear Allāh as He should be feared, and die not except as Muslims.” (3:102)

“O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women and fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you.” (4:1)

“O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allāh and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allāh and His Messenger he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. he will be saved from the Hell-fire and made to enter Paradise).”(33:70-71)

To proceed,

The truest speech is the Book of Allāh, and the best way is the way of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم). The worst of affairs are the newly invented matters, every newly invented matter is an innovation, every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Fire. To proceed,

The title of this conference is entitled as the “Hereafter”, referring to all those events that will take place; before the hour is established, the grave (the Barzakh), the Day of Resurrection (Yawm ul-Qiyaamah) and thereafter, entry in to the Hellfire (Jahannam) and Paradise (Jannah). These are the topics that our brothers at Masjidus-Sunnah an-Nabawiyah have chosen, here in Aston (Birmingham, UK) that coincides with the 23rd May 2015 of the Common Era, coinciding with the month of Sha’baan 1436 AH. Preceeding me in the lectures have been our brother Abu Muadh Taqweem Aslam (hafidhahullah) then after him was our brother Abu Iyaad Amjad Rafiq (hafidhahullah).

So my topic as I mentioned is “The Events of the Day of Resurrection” – a discussion in brief to be honest, because every point that I take is actually a lecture in itself. Most of the discussion that I have taken from the books of Aqeedah that have been explained by the great scholar Shaykh Salih ibn Fawzaan Al-Fawzaan. I have tried to gather between what he has mentioned in various books and then I have added some extra benefits in various hadeeths that I’ve researched from elsewhere.

I want to begin with what has been stated by Shaykhul-Islam Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab (rahimahullah). He said:

“I believe (meaning: that this is the belief of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah) that the souls shall return to their bodies after death, and the people will stand for the Lord of the worlds. They will stand in front of their Lord, upright. They will be barefoot, naked and uncircumcised. On that Day, the sun will be drawn close to them.”

This is what will occur after the blowing of the horn and after the people come out of their graves. And that is the “Resurrection” – it is known as al ba’ath (meaning the return or the resurrection) and it is the return of the souls back to their bodies.

This was something rejected by the Pagans. When the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to mention to them the Day of Resurrection, the stage after the grave and before entering the two eternal abodes. So that is the time period and arena that we are referring to (i.e. the plains of Yawmul-Qiyaamah). It is when the souls will be returned back to the bodies, the Mushriks and the Atheists reject this. The Mushriks at the time of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and the Atheists (the Godless people), reject that the souls will return back to the bodies.

There are many proofs and evidences for this resurrection from the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. From these, there are intellectual proofs that have been mentioned in the Qur’aan. So they are intellectual and textual. And from those proofs is what Shaykh Al-Fawzaan (hafidhahullaah) mentions: “That the one capable of beginning and originating the creation, is even more capable of returning it.” This is an intellectual evidence as well as a textual evidence, that the One who created you in the first place, He is the One who will bring you out of your graves, and raise you up for the Day of Resurrection. Secondly, from the proofs is that the One capable of giving life to the earth after its death is also capable of giving life to the bodies after their death. Thirdly, from the proofs is that Allaah, the Most Perfect and far removed from amusement and mockery, is free from injustice of any sort. Knowing this about our Lord, that He did not create the heavens and the earth in jest, then there is no doubt that from the justice of Allaah is that He will establish justice between his servants and this will take place on Judgement Day. It will not take place in this world, rather it will take place after the deaths and after the grave. Allaah stated:

“And the horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and the earth shall fall dead.” – Qur’aan 39 : 68.

This “sa’iqa” that Allaah mentions, it refers to death. This is the blowing of the horn of death, and everyone in the heavens and earth will die except whom Allaah wills. The scholars have spoken about who will not die when the horn is blown, and they differed with regard to what will perish and what will not. Some of the Scholars have said that the angels will not die, and some have said it refers to the Hoor ul-`Een (the women of Paradise). Whilst others have said “Ahlul Jannah will not die.“ Why will the people of Jannah not die? Because of the fact that whomsoever enters paradise and whatever is in paradise is eternal and will never perish. Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said that there is no definitive evidence as to what will survive and what will die at the blowing of the Horn. Thereafter the Angel Israafeel will be commanded to blow for the second time, and the people will stand up from their graves for the Lord of the worlds. Their souls will fly into their bodies (at the second blowing), just as Allaah has stated:

“Then it will be blown for the second time, and at once they will be standing, looking on.” – Quraan 39 : 68

And the earth will break away from them:

“On the Day the earth breaks away from them (and they emerge) rapidly.” – Qur’aan 50 : 44

They will come out from their graves on that day, and will travel to the place of assembly as if they were spread out locusts, flying to the place of gathering.

“So leave them, (O Muhammad). The day the caller calls to something forbidding. Their eyes humbled, they will emerge from the graves as if they were locusts spreading.” – Qur’aan 54 : 6-7.

So the earth will be covered and concealed by their abundant numbers that come rushing out of their graves.

“Racing ahead toward the caller.” – Qur’aan 54 : 8.

So they are directed and driven along and no one is delayed, neither unbeliever nor Muslim. They are pushed and they are driven and no-one amongst them can hold back so that anyone can be late upon that day. Allaah mentions in another ayah:

“The Day when they rush out of their graves quickly as if racing to an erected goal (nusub).” – Qur’aan 70 :43

As the scholars have mentioned, “nusub” is a banner that the people will head towards rapidly. And the Angels will drive them and no-one will be left behind. This is because when Allaah wants to resurrect those in their graves, He will send down from the sky a rain that cannot be prevented by anything, nether a ceiling nor a roof or anything else besides. It penetrates the ground and it enters the bodies in the graves. Then these bodies sprout up, just like the seeds sprout (as mentioned in some hadith). The bodies sprout and become once again like they were before. Allaah has mentioned in the Qur’aan:

“And of His signs is that the heaven and the earth remain by His command. Then when he calls with a (single) call from the earth, immediately you will come forth.” – 30 : 25.

And no-one is able to resist my brothers! Likewise, Allaah has said:

“And listen on the Day when the Caller will call out from a place that is near.” – Qur’aan 50 : 41.

The scholars of Qur’aan and tafsir have mentioned that a Caller will call out to them saying “O bundle of bones, O shredded flesh, O scattered hair! Allaah commands you to come together for the day of judgement.” (Tafseer Imaam at-Tabaree). The bones will be called, and the decomposed, shredded flesh will be called. Even the hair that is dispersed will come together at the command of Allaah. So the person will be gathered together from the earth and he will be brought together just as he once was, except that he will not have a soul at that stage. He will not have a soul in his body. He will be such that that if someone knew him upon the earth, they would go past him and say “O! That is so-and-so.” Nothing is altered regarded his outward appearance. Then Angel Israafeel will be commanded to blow the horn again and when he does, the souls will fly forth because they were gathered together in the horn – so they will fly forth in to their respective bodies and will be given life.

Then they will be commanded to move onwards to the place of assembly (mah-shar). They will stand there, upon their feet, being tight and confined having only the place they have, there not being any space for anything else. They will suffer the sever heat of that day. The sun will come close to their heads and they will be overcome by sweat and severe crowding, because Allaah will gather the first to the last of them upon that one open ground. They will be gathered and they will sweat profusely due to the terror of that day, as occurs in various Ahaadeeth (Prophetic narrations). They will be terrified and they will have no helper on that day except for Allaah. They will differ in terms of their sweating and perspiration, so there will be from them whose sweat will reach their ankles. Others whose sweat will reach their knees, others up to their waste and others up to their necks whilst others will be bridled across their mouth due to them sweating so profusely as a result of terror on that day and their anxiety. The standing on that day, my brothers and sisters will last 50,000 years. Those who will be standing, their eyes will be glazed over and their feet will be sore. They will be naked and uncircumcised, not afraid or embarrassed of their nakedness. Aa’ishah (radiyAllaahu’anhaa) reported: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said,

“The people will be assembled barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised.” I said, “O Messenger of Allah, will the men and women look at each other?” The Prophet said, “The matter will be too serious for them to notice.” (Sahih Bukhari 6075, Sahih Muslim 5107)

Allaah has mentioned in the Qur’aan three blowings of the horn, as Shaykh al Fawzaan mentions, even though some scholars mention two.

The first blowing of the horn is the blowing of the terror which also has been mentioned in Surat an-Naml (verse 87): “ And (warn of) the Day the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will be terrified except whom Allaah wills. And all will come to Him humbled .”

.” The second blowing is the blowing of death, as mentioned in Surat az-Zumar (verse 68) where Allaah says: “ And the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall dead except whom Allaah wills .”

.” The third blowing is the blowing of the resurrection. Allaah has stated: “Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.” (Qur’aan 39:68)

Scholars have stated in their books of Aqeedah based upon the statements of Allaah and His Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam):

“On the Day of Resurrection, the sun would draw so close to the people that there would be left a distance of only one mile” (Muslim)

Nevertheless, on that day the believers will be shaded. Allaah mentions in the Qur’aan:

“Indeed the righteous will be among shades and springs.” (Quraan 77: 41).

So the scholars say, because they will be in shades and springs, they will not experience the terror of that day. Allaah mentioned in the Qur’aan (21:103):

“They will not be grieved by the greatest terror, and the angels will meet them.”

So when the Horn is blown, that day surely will be a difficult day especially for the unbelievers. May Allaah give us shade on that Day! Shaykh al Fawzaan said: “This is the day of assembly, where they all will come upon one plain. They will hear the caller and the sight will penetrate – they will be on a singular plain that is level and equal without any elevations or depressions.”

And Allaah has mentioned this affair in the Qur’aan (20:105-108)

“And they ask you about the mountains, so say, “My Lord will blow them away with a blast. And He will leave the earth a level plain. And you will not see therein a depression or an elevation. That Day, everyone will follow (the call of) the Caller (with) no deviation therefrom, and (all) voices will be stilled before the Most Merciful, so you will not hear except a whisper (of footsteps).”

Sahl ibn Sa’d said: “I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say,

‘The people will be gathered on the Day of Resurrection on reddish white land like a pure loaf of bread (made from pure fine flour).” Sahl said, “It will have no landmarks for anyone (to make use of).” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6521)

It’s not like what we have in this world, where you can say “that’s the mountain that will take us that way” or “I remember seeing that tree when I reached here.” There are no sign posts, hills or mountains. Just as the Messenger of Allaah has been commanded to say: “My Lord will blow them away with a blast.” (Qur’aan 20 : 105). Allaah says in the Qur’aan (14:48):

“On the Day when the earth will be changed to another earth and so will be the heavens, and they (all creatures) will appear before Allah, the One, the Irresistible.”

Abdullaah ibn `Abbaas said, “Somethings will be added to it and somethings will be taken away on the day when the earth will be changed to another earth, and so will the heavens. Its hills, its mountains, its valleys and its trees will disappear, and then it will be spread out like a carpet of Ukadh.”

Bukhaari (4651) and Muslim (2955) narrated that Abu Hurayrah said:

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Between the two blowings of the Trumpet there will be forty.” The people said, “O Abu Hurayrah! Forty days?” I said: “I am not sure.” They said, “Forty years?” I said: “I am not sure.” They said, “Forty months?” I said: “I am not sure. Then Allaah will send rain down from the sky and they will grow as herbs grow. There is no part of a man which will not decay except a single bone at the base of the coccyx, from which he will be re-created on the Day of Resurrection.”

The first one to be resurrected on that Day is the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alyhi wa sallam).

The scales will be set up on that day. The Salaf used to say,

“The scales for weighing the deeds will be set up and with them, will be weighed the deeds of the servants.” Allaah says:

“And the weighing [of deeds] that Day will be the truth. So those whose scales are heavy – it is they who will be the successful. And as for those whose scale will be light, they are those who will lose their ownselves (by entering Hell).” Qur’aan (7: 8-9).

The records will be unfolded and spread out and one person may take his book with his right hand and another will take his book with the left hand. These are the scales (of deeds). Likewise, we have the statement of Allaah,

“Then as for one whose scales are heavy [with good deeds], He will be in a pleasant life. But as for one whose scales are light, His refuge will be an abyss. And what will make you know what it is? It is a Fire, intensely hot.” (Qur’aan 101:6-11).

So the ‘Mawaazeen’ (the Scales) are established in the Qur’aan. They are the scales, real and true. And they have two pans. The good deeds are placed in one pan, and the evil deeds are placed in another. If the good deeds out weight the evil and overcome the pan which has evil deeds, then there is success and salvation. He attains success where there is no misery and if his evil deeds are heavier then he will have failed and lost. We believe just as what Allaah mentions,

“Then as for him who will be given his Record in his right hand will say: “Take, read my Record!” (Qur’aan 69:19)

He will rejoice that his record was given in his right hand, showing it to the people saying,

“Take, read my Record! Indeed, I was certain that I would be meeting my account.” (Qur’aan 69:19-20)

Meaning: in the world he was certain this was going to happen. He knew that he was going to be held accountable on Yawmul Qiyaamah, so he prepared for it.

“So he will be in a pleasant life – In an elevated garden, Its [fruit] to be picked hanging near. [They will be told], “Eat and drink in satisfaction for what you put forth in the days past.”” (Qur’aan 21:24),

Meaning in the days passed in this world, those are the days that have past so now eat and drink in eternity, live in happiness and joy and there is no death for you.

“But as for he who is given his record in his left hand, he will say, “Oh, I wish I had not been given my record! And had not known what is my account. I wish my death had been the decisive one.” (Qur’aan 69: 25-27).

Shaykh Fawazaan explains the verse “I wish my death had been the decisive one.” (69:27) to mean: Only if they had died and never brought back (resurrected). Allaah informs them that the wealth amassed will not avail him.

“My wealth has not availed me. Gone from me is my authority.” (Qur’aan 69:29-28),

Even if he was the richest and most powerful of men on earth, it was no good for him. Then [ Allah will say],

“Seize him and shackle him. Then into Hellfire drive him. Then into a chain whose length is seventy cubits insert him. Indeed, he did not used to believe in Allah , the Most Great, Nor did he encourage the feeding of the poor. So there is not for him here this Day any devoted friend. Nor any food except from the discharge of wounds.” Qur’aan 69:30-36.

That’s his recompense because of what occurs on the Day of Resurrection. This is a scenario from the scenarios on the Day of Judgement.

Likewise my brothers and sisters, upon that day is the Hawd (the Lake of water) of the Prophets. Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah believe in this “Lake” of water given to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), in the courtyard of Qiyaamah (or upon the plains of the Day of Resurrection). Its water is whiter than milk, and sweeter than honey. Its drinking vessels are more numerous than the stars in the sky. And whoever sips from it (even one drink) will never be thirsty again. So this is what is present on the Last Day (Yawmul Aakhir). The Hawd is the length of one month’s journey and the width of one month’s journey. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said in various ahaadeeth that have been authenticated by Shaykh Albaanee and others: its fragrance is sweeter than musk. The vessels around the lake and made out of gold and silver. The pipes that lead into it are from Paradise itself and those pipes are of gold and silver. So it is fed from the rivers of Paradise. The Prophet’s Ummah on that Day will be taken to it and will be given to drink, yet other people will come and be prevented so the Prophet will say,

“My Lord, these are my people.” And it will be said to him, “You do not know (O Muhammad) what they invented after you.” (Bukhari and Muslim).

So there will be a group of people that will race towards the lake of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) but they’ll be prevented.they are those that introduce matters into the religion. Imam al Qurtubee said about them that they will be turned away upon that day when they will be thirsty and terrified. They will be turned away by the angels and by Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) himself. He said: “They are the Khawarij, the Rawafidh and the mu’tazillah. They are the people of misguidance and innovation.” So will be turned away from the lake of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). So this lake will be set up on the plains on Yawmul Qiyamah.

And from that which will occur on judgement Day, is the reckoning or the ‘hisaab’ – that Allaah will judge His creation. The believer, will be judged and held to account by way of showing his decisive records but for the unbeliever there is no weighing of the deeds due to his good deeds are turned into dust and not counted. He has no good deeds on Yawmul Qiyamah, only his records of evil deeds will be confirmed. Allaah stated in the Qur’aan,

“And were they to associate partners with Allaah, then whatever you used to do will be turned into nothing and scattered dust.”

The good deeds will be nullified due to the fact that they committed shirk (polytheistic practices) with Allaah. Likewise the statement of Allaah,

“And whomsoever disbelieved in true faith all of his deeds will be nullified and in the Hereafter, he will be amongst the losers.”

As for the believers, they will be judged according to their deeds (their hasanaat). From the believers are those who will not be reckoned. Allaah will not call them to account, and will enter paradise without reckoning just as it is mentioned in the hadeeth that mentions the 70,000 that will enter paradise without reckoning. Abu Umaamah is reported to have said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“My Lord promised me that seventy thousand of my ummah will enter Paradise without being brought to account or being punished; with each thousand of them will be another seventy thousand, plus three handfuls of the handfuls of my Lord, may He be glorified.” (Imam Ahmad, Tirmidhi).

When the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was asked about this group, he said:

“They are the ones who do not seek ruqyaa, do not believe in bad omens and do not use branding; they put their trust solely in their Lord.” (Bukhari).

This is the description of those people, and may Allaah make us from amongst them. There will be some whose accounting will be easy, as it’s just a matter of presenting the deeds and thereafter he will return back to his people in happiness. He just needs to present his deeds then he is free, happy and joyous, knowing Jannah is his! There are some that will dispute their account as it occurs in a hadith collected by Bukhari – They will dispute their reckoning. They will try to draw as much as they can.

We also believe in the Siraat (Bridge) erected upon that Day, over the Hellfire. We believe in the bridge that has been erected upon the brink of Hell. The people will pass over it, in accordance to their deeds. This Siraat, my brothers and sisters, has been erected over the middle of Hellfire as Shaykh Saalih al Fawzaan mentions. It is a bridge, also known as the al-Qantarah, and all of the creation will have to cross it. It is thinner than a hair and sharper than a sword, hotter than hot coals, and the people will cross it according to their deeds. The hadith in Bukhari and Muslim mentions the speed which it will be crossed,

“The believers would then pass over within the twinkling of an eye, like lightning, like wind, like a bird, like the finest horses and camels. Some will escape and be safe, some will be lacerated and let go, and some will be pushed into the fire of Hell till the believers will find rescue from the Fire.”

Wal’iyaadhu billaah! This has also been mentioned in the Qur’aan,

“So by your Lord, We will surely gather them and the devils; then We will bring them to be present around Hell upon their knees. Then We will surely extract from every sect those of them who were worst against the Most Merciful in insolence. Then, surely it is We who are most knowing of those most worthy of burning therein. And there is none of you except he will come to it. This is upon your Lord an inevitability decreed. Then We will save those who feared Allah and leave the wrongdoers within it, on their knees.” Qur’aan 19:68-72.

Shaykh Fawzaan commented on this, “When they pass over the bridge, they will be stopped for settlements of disputes amongst themselves. When they are rectified and cleansed from that, they will be permitted to enter paradise.” There is a hadeeth in Bukharee and Muslim,

“…over that bridge there will be hooks similar to the thorns of As-Sa’daan (a thorny tree). Didn’t you see the thorns of As-Sa’daan?”

The companions said, “Yes, O Allah’s Prophet.” He added,

“So the hooks over that bridge will be like the thorns of As-Sa’daan except that their greatness in size is only known to Allāh. These hooks will snatch the people according to their deeds.”

On that Day, Yawmul Qiyaamah, we believe in the intercession of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and those who have the right to intercede. The first who will intercede is Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), and this intercession is established in the Qur’aan and Sunnah and that is because Allaah enables some of his servants to supplicate for his brother. This is what it is in essence. Allaah will give honour to some over others so they call upon Allaah for their brother to be saved from the punishment on Yawmul Qiyaamah. This is due to the honour that Allaah gives to the intercessors first and foremost, and the mercy Allaah confers to the one that is being interceded for. This is the intercession with Allaah. Its meaning is that Allaah, Mighty and Majestic will permit for some of his servants (awliyaa), those who are beloved to Allaah, that they may call upon Allaah that He excuses someone who is deserving of the punishment and pardons him. This will take place on Yawmul Qiyaamah and it’s established in the Qur’aan and Sunnah and ijmaa’ (concensus of ahlus-Sunnah). But there are two conditions:

The first: It is sought on that Day from Allaah the Majestic and Most High, and that Allaah permits it. So no one can intercede except with His permission. This is different to the creation in this world because it is possible for person in this world to intercede for another even if the one being asked is not happy – like the intercession of a courtier with a king – so the King may accept the intercession of a courtier for his relative even if the King hates the courtier! Allaah has mentioned in the Qur’aan, “Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?” Qur’aan 2:255

The Second: the one being interceded for, must be from a faithful believer, but he may be guilty of sin that makes incumbent upon him punishment. He may have a major sin that he fell in to. So he is from the people of eemaan and tawheed but had committed a crime lesser than shirk. Maybe he was a fornicator, a thief or killed someone unjustly. He committed a sin from the major sins, therefore he can be interceded for as long as Allaah is pleased with the one who is interceding and the one who is being interceded for.

As for the Mushrik, then Allaah is not pleased that the idol worshipper, pagan, the polytheist, the unbeliever is interceded for – and its not permitted. Allaah says in the Qur’aan (40:18),

“For the wrongdoers there will be no devoted friend and no intercessor (who is) obeyed.”

There will be no benefit for him in the intercession of any of the intercessors. If these two conditions are met, then the intercession is rightful and correct. Allaah says,

“And how many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession will not avail at all except only after Allaah has permitted it to whom He wills and approves.” Qur’aan 53:26

The people with regards the intercessors are three; two are extreme and one is in the middle path.

The first extreme: They are those who deny the intercessions. They are the Khawaarij and Mu’tazilah. They say, “Those who deserve the fire, surely will enter the fire.”

They are those who deny the intercessions. They are the Khawaarij and Mu’tazilah. They say, “Those who deserve the fire, surely will enter the fire.” The second extreme: Are those who go to extremes affirming the intercession. They are the Soofee and Shi’ah grave worshippers (Quboorriyoon). They are the people of superstition that are attached to the grave and the dead. They seek intercession from the dead, and sacrifice animals for them. They call upon the deceased in their graves asking them to call upon Allaah on their behalf. This is major Shirk.

Are those who go to extremes affirming the intercession. They are the Soofee and Shi’ah grave worshippers (Quboorriyoon). They are the people of superstition that are attached to the grave and the dead. They seek intercession from the dead, and sacrifice animals for them. They call upon the deceased in their graves asking them to call upon Allaah on their behalf. This is major Shirk. The middle path: They are Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah. They are balanced in this affair as they are in every affair. They do not deny the intercession like the Khawaarij (who declare the believers to be Kuffaar) or affirm it (to an extreme) like the Soofee grave worshippers. The manner of Ahl us Sunnah is that we affirm the intercession with those who are deserving of it and that it will take place on the last Day, Yawmul Qiyaamah.

The intercession is of six types and we should know what each one is. From these are those that are specific to the Prophet (sallallahu alyhi wa sallam). From the intercession is that which is shared between the Prophet (sallallahu alyhi wa sallam) and the other than him, the angels, the Prophets, the Awliyah and the Saaliheen (righteous) and the children who died young, and other than them.

The first intercession: This is specific to the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), the Greater Intercession (ash-Shafa’atul `Udhmah). It is the Praiseworthy Station (Al-Maqaam Al-Mahmood) that Allaah has promised the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alyhi wa sallam). Mankind will seek from that the Prophet that he may intercede for them so that Allaah may grant them rest from the standing which lasts 50,000 years. The Prophet said,

“Allah will gather the believers on the Day of Resurrection in the same way (as they are gathered in this life), and they will say, ‘Let us ask someone to intercede for us with our Lord that He may relieve us from this place of ours.’ Then they will go to Adam and say, ‘O Adam! Don’t you see the people (people’s condition)? Allah created you with His Own Hands and ordered His angels to prostrate before you, and taught you the names of all the things. Please intercede for us with our Lord so that He may relieve us from this place of ours.’ Adam will say, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking’ and mention to them the mistakes he had committed, and add, “But you’d better go to Noah as he was the first Apostle sent by Allah to the people of the Earth.’ They will go to Noah who will reply, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking,’ and mention the mistake which he made, and add, ‘But you’d better go to Abraham, Khalil Ar-Rahman.’ They will go to Abraham who will reply, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking,’ and mention to them the mistakes he made, and add, ‘But you’d better go to Moses, a slave whom Allah gave the Torah and to whom He spoke directly’ They will go to Moses who will reply, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking,’ and mention to them the mistakes he made, and add, ‘You’d better go to Jesus, Allah’s slave and His Apostle and His Word (Be: And it was) and a soul created by Him.’ They will go to Jesus who will say, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking, but you’d better go to Muhammad whose sins of the past and the future had been forgiven (by Allah).’ So they will come to me and I will ask the permission of my Lord, and I will be permitted (to present myself) before Him. When I see my Lord, I will fall down in (prostration) before Him and He will leave me (in prostration) as long as He wishes, and then it will be said to me, ‘O Muhammad! Raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to; and ask, for you will be granted (your request); and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.’ I will then raise my head and praise my Lord with certain praises which He has taught me, and then I will intercede.” – Bukhari (Volume 9, Book 93, Number 507)

So he will intercede with Allaah that Day for the people at this gathering on the Day of Resurrection, that Allaah may judge between them – and give them ease and rest from the standing. And Allaah will accept the intercession of the Prophet which known as al-Maqaamul-Mahmood, the Praiseworthy Station.

Second intercession: This is for the people of Jannah to enter Jannah. The gates of Jannah are open for them, and it is for the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). So when he comes to Jannah, the angels will not allow anyone to enter until the Prophet appears in front of them, and they will say, “We were commanded to not open the gates except for you.” Allaah stated this in His Book,

“And those who kept their duty to their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups, till, when they reach it, and its gates will be opened for them.” Surah az Zumar.

And they will not open it for the first time except for the Messenger of Allaah. So for the first time, the people will be rejected until the intercession of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). As for the unbelievers, and Allaah’s refuge is sought, when they reach the Hellfire, its doors are open for them and they will be pushed into the hellfire.

“And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates are opened and its keepers will say, “Did there not come to you messengers from yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?” They will say, “Yes, but the word of punishment has come into effect upon the disbelievers.” Qur’aan 39:71

The third type of intercession: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) will intercede for the people of Jannah for their levels to be raised in Jannah.

The fourth type of intercession: The intercession of the Prophet for Aboo Taalib who was his uncle. It is the only intercession ever allowed for an unbeliever. The Messenger of Allaah will be allowed to intercede for one Mushrik and other than this the intercession does not benefit the unbeliever, but this one is considered because Aboo Taalib defended the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and he was patient during the distressing times. He was good to the Messenger of Allaah but did not agree to enter Islaam when he was presented with it, though he knew that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was speaking the truth.

These intercessions are specific to Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).

The fifth intercession: It is shared between the Prophet, the Angels, the Awliyaa, the righteous and the believers. This is the intercession for the people of major sins (other than shirk). These intercessors will intercede for the believers and the people of Tawheed. They will intercede so they do not enter the Hellfire.

The sixth intercession: If the people of Tawheed enter Hell due to their sins, they will intercede so they are removed from it.

After the intercession they will head towards the gates of Jannah, then they will remain therein in eternity. And the people of Hell from the unbelievers and the polytheists will remain therein for eternity.

We ask Allaah to grant us success to worship Him, and obey Him as He deserves – we ask Him to forgive us and show us His mercy and enter us in to the eternal Gardens of Paradise and protect us from His punishment.

And all praise is due to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds.

* Transcribed by Umm Sufyaan al-Albaaniyah – may Allaah reward her for this noble effort and place it in her scale of good deeds on the Day of Judgement.

Want to transcribe and help spread the benefit? Please email: ak@walam.org

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