Question
I wanted to know the status and commentary of the following Hadith:
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“By My Grandeur, I will never allow my slave to be fearful or fearless twice. If he fears me in the world, I will grant him safety in the Hereafter, but if he feels safe from me [my punishment] in this world, I will cause him to fear in the Hereafter.”
Answer
Imam Ibn Hibban (rahimahullah) has declared this Hadith authentic. See here.
This Hadith explains that if a person fears Allah Ta’ala in this world and carries out good deeds, on the Day of Qiyamah, Allah Ta’ala will protect him from punishment and remove his fears.
However, if a person is bold and fearless in this world and carries out sins, Allah Ta’ala will punish him in the Hereafter. He will therefore be fearful on the Day of Qiyamah.
A similar message is echoed in the Holy Quran. Allah Ta’ala says:
“Surely those who say ‘Our Rabb is Allah’ and then stay steadfast, the angels will descend on them [at the time of their death] saying, ‘Do not be frightened or grieved, but be delighted at the good news of Jannah that you have been promised.'”
(Surah Fussilat, Verse: 30)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar