Question

Does the following Hadith come in more detail?

Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu) has narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:

‘Four people will come out of the fire [of Jahannam] and will be presented before Allah [Ta’ala]. One of them will turn and say: “O my Rabb! Since you have removed me from it [i.e. the fire of Jahannam], do not return me to it!”

Allah Ta’ala will then grant him salvation from it.’

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 192; Also see: Sharhus Sunnah, Hadith: 4362)

 

Is there any narration in which Allah Ta’ala instructs them to throw themselves back into the fire, after which all but one complies? Allah Ta’ala will then ask those that threw themselves back into the fire as to the reason for complying, and He will ask the one who hesitated as to the reason for his hesitation.

 

Answer

Ibn Abid Dunya (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration on the authority of Bilal ibn Sa’d (rahimahullah).

(Husnudh Dhann Billah, Hadith: 59; Also see: Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2599, Sahih ibn Hibban, Hadith: 5262, Sharhus Sunnah, Hadith: 4362, Fadhlul Mun’im, Hadith: 494, and Mirqat, Hadith: 5605)

 

Hereunder is an explanatory translation of the narration:

 

Bilal ibn Sa’d (rahimahullah) has narrated:

‘The instruction will be given to extract two men from the fire [of Jahannam]. When they are removed, they will stand [before Allah Ta’ala].

Allah [Ta’ala] will say to them: “How did you find your resting place and the wretchedness of your abode?”

They will say: ‘A disastrous resting place and a most wicked of abodes that the servants have come to!’

He [Allah Ta’ala] will then say to them: “[This is] because of what your [own] hands have sent forth; and I am not one that oppresses the servants [in the least bit].

He will then instruct that they two return to the fire. One of them will then rush in his chains and shackles until he plunges into it [i.e. the fire].

As for the other, he will hesitate.

Allah Ta’ala will then command that they both be returned [to stand before him again]. He will say to the one who ran in his chains and shackles till he plunged into the fire: “What led you to do what you had done whilst you had just experienced it [i.e. the unbearable torment of the fire of Jahannam]?

He will reply saying: “O my Rabb! Indeed, I have most certainly experienced the outcome of sin to such an extent that I could never again face Your wrath a second time!”

Allah Ta’ala will then speak to the one who hesitated saying: “[And] what led you to do what you have done?”

He will reply saying: “My good thoughts, that when you removed me from the fire, you would not return me to it.

Allah Ta’ala will then show mercy to them [both] and instruct that they enter Jannah [Paradise]”

 

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar