Question
Is this Hadith authentic?
بادرني عبدي بنفسه حرمت عليه الجنة
Answer
Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim (rahimahumallah) have recorded this Hadith. The Hadith is therefore authentic. The full Hadith is as follows:
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “There was a man from among those before you who was wounded. [He was unable to bear the pain], so he took a knife and cut his hand. The blood did not stop until he passed away. Allah Ta’ala said, ‘My slave hastened his [death] so I made Jannah unlawful for him.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 1364-3463, Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 113)
Suicide is a major sin. Believers who die without repenting for their major sins, will still gain entry into Jannah -Allah willing- after being punished for their sins.
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has offered several explanations as to why Jannah had been declared haram for this person. Among them are the following:
- He deemed this unlawful act lawful and therefore lost his Iman.
- Initial entry into Jannah has been made unlawful for him. He will be punished and thereafter gain entry into Jannah.
- Jannah here refers to Jannatul Firdaws. He may gain entry into Jannah (whenever Allah wills), but not the level of Firdaws.
- The Shari’ah of the previous nations stated that those who perpetrated major sins, lose their Iman. ‘Allamah Nawawi (rahimahullah) has offered this explanation.
(Fathul Bari, Hadith: 3463, vol. 6, pg. 500)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar