Introduction
Islam is a Mercy which Allah the Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) of the worlds bestows only to whom He likes. It is full of Divine Guidance from Allah which He gives to those who truly believe in His Oneness (Tawhîd). Allah the Exalted says:
“This is the Guidance of Allâh. He gives that guidance to whom He pleases, of His servants. But if they were to join other gods with Him, all that they did would be vain for them.” (Qur’an 6:88)
“And indeed it has been revealed to you (O Muhammad), as it was to those (Allâh’s Messengers) before you: ‘If you join others in worship with Allâh, (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be among the losers.’” (Qur’an 39:65)
Alhamdullillah (All Praise be to Allah), we Muslims must thank and praise Allah for guiding us to Islam. How many people in this world who have been working very hard, struggling to attain success in life? Non-Muslims, as well as those secular Muslims who emulate them, struggle hard by hook or by crook to indulge themselves with whatever material comfort, fame and power that they aspire for. They struggle to dominate the world in terms of economic development, technological and scientific advancements, political power and military might. When they achieve their goals, they feel successful for enjoying without bounds all sorts of worldly comforts, amusements and vices. This is not surprising, because Allah the Most Gracious does not repudiate or turn down the wishes of those who seek transitory enjoyment in this world. His bounties are open to anyone, Muslim or non-Muslim alike, as mentioned in the following Qur’anic Ayât (Verses) and authentic Hadîth:
“Whoever wishes for the quick-passing (transitory enjoyment of this world), We readily grant him what We will for whom We like. Then, afterwards, We have appointed for him Hell, he will burn therein disgraced and rejected, ¾ far away from Allah’s Mercy. And whoever desires the hereafter and strives for it, with the necessary effort due for it (i.e., do righteous deed in obedience to Allah) while he is a believer then such are the ones whose striving shall be appreciated, thanked and rewarded (by Allah).” (Qur’an 17:18-19)
Anas Bin Malik t narrated that Allah’s Messenger r said: “Verily, Allah does not treat a believer unjustly in regard to his virtues. He would confer upon him (His blessings) in this world and would give him reward in the Hereafter. And as regards a non-believer, he would be made to taste the reward (of virtue in this world) what he has done for himself so much when it would be the Hereafter, he would find no virtue for which he should be rewarded.” (Muslim 6739)
If non-Muslims as well as the secular Muslims will study or at least read authentic knowledge of Islam (i.e., Qur’an and the Sunnah or Prophet Muhammad r’s Tradition, which includes his Ahadîth or Teachings and Sayings), they will learn that Islam teaches its followers to go for a well-balanced life – a goodly life in this world and an eternal life that is full of Bliss. Islam encourages us Muslims to strive hard to enjoy the material comfort and success in this world. At the same time, it enjoins us to develop our spiritual aspects of life in order to have eternal peace, happiness and success in the next world. Allah the Almighty says:
“It is no crime in you if you seek of the bounty of your Rabb (during pilgrimage). Then when you pour down from (Mount) Arafat, celebrate the praises of Allah at the Sacred Monument, and celebrate His praises as He has directed you even though before this you went astray.” (Qur’an 2:198)
“But seek the wealth which Allah has bestowed on you, the Home of the Hereafter, nor forget your portion in this World. But do good, as Allah has been good to you, and seek not (occasions for) mischief in the land; for Allah loves not those who do mischief.” (Qur’an 28:77)
“And when the prayer is finished, then may you disperse through the land, and seek of the Bounty of Allah: and remember Allah frequently that you may prosper.” (Qur’an 62:10)
As part of Allah’s divine guidance, we read in the Qur’an the following brief but comprehensive supplication for a well-balanced life:
“Our Rabb! Give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter. And save us from the torment of the Fire!” (Qur’an 2:201)
In line with the above prayer, Allah’s Messenger r teaches us to supplicate to Allah for a well-balanced life. The following authentic Hadîth tells us:
‘Abdullah bin Jabir t narrated that he heard Allah’s Messenger r said, “There is an hour during the night in which no Muslim individual will ask Allah for good in this world and the next [i.e., reciting: ‘Rabbana atina fi donya hasana, wa fil akhirati hasana, waqina adabannar.’ (2:201)], without His giving it to him. And that applies to every night.” (Muslim 1654)
Given the choice, however, between the life in this world and the life in the Hereafter, we should choose the eternal life in the Hereafter. The life in this temporary world is nothing compared to the eternal life in the Hereafter. Our Creator tells us:
“Nothing is the life of this world but play and amusement, but best is the Home in the Hereafter, for those who are righteous, will you not then understand?” (Qur’an 6:32)
“Allah does enlarge, or grant by (strict) measure, the sustenance (which He gives) to whom so He pleases ¾ (the worldly) rejoice in the life of this world. But the life of this world is but little comfort compared to the Hereafter.” (Qur’an 13:26)
Know (all), that the life of this world is but play and a pastime, adornment and mutual boasting and multiplying, (in rivalry) among yourselves, riches and children. Here is a similitude: How rain and the growth which it brings forth, delight (the departure of) the tillers; soon it withers; you will see it grow yellow; then it becomes dry and crumbles away. But in the Hereafter is a Chastisement severe (for the devotees of wrong) and forgiveness from Allah and His Good Pleasure (for the devotees of Allah). And what is the life of this world, but goods and chattels of deception? (Qur’an 57:20)
True and devoted Muslims spend more of their time, wealth and efforts or everything that Allah has given them for their spiritual happiness. Through patience and devotion to Allah, they fell contented for whatever lawful shares they have in this world. They believe in the following Prophet’s virtuous teachings:
Abu Hurairah t narrated that the Prophet r said: “Riches does not mean, having a great amount of property, but riches is self-contentment.” (Bukhari, 8/ 453)
Abu Said Al-Khudri t narrated that some Ansari persons asked for (something) from Allah’s Messenger r and he gave them. They again asked him for (something) and he again gave them. And then again they asked him and he gave them till all that was with him finished. And then he said, “If I had anything, I would not keep it away from you. (Remember) Whoever abstains from asking others, Allah will make him contented, and whoever tries to make himself self-sufficient, Allah will make him self-sufficient. And whoever remains patient, Allah will make him patient. Nobody can be given a blessing better and greater than patience.” (Bukhari 2/ 548)
Abdullâh ibn Mas’ud t narrated that he heard Allâh’s Messenger saying: “Whoever centers all his thoughts upon one object, viz. the thought of the Hereafter, Allâh will provide him with the worldly needs, and he whose whole distraction is worldly ends, Allâh does not care in what wilderness of the world he perishes.” (Tirmidhi 263 and Ibn Majah)
Anas bin Malik and Zayd bin Thabit t narrated that the Prophet r said “If anyone’s intention is to seek the hereafter, Allâh will place his sufficiency in his heart and order his affairs, and the world will come to him submissively; but if anyone’s intention is to seek worldly good Allâh will place poverty before him and disorder his affairs, and only so much of it as has been ordained for him will come to him.” (Tirmidhi 5320, Ahmad and Darimi)
Devoted Muslims feel gratified for whatever efforts and sacrifices they make in following the teachings of Islam. They always remember that the so-called “success” or “supremacy” that non-Muslims enjoy in this world is just temporary because they disbelieve in Allah and His Messenger r. If we Muslims strive hard for whatever good in this world and for our spiritual well-being, true success will be stored for us in this world and in the life Hereafter. If we are patient enough to bear any sort of hardship in this world we will surely enjoy Allah’s Mercy. We will enjoy the happiness and entertainment in Paradise forever:
“As to those who believe and work righteous deeds, they have, for their entertainment, the Gardens of Paradise.” (Qur’an 18:107)
“Successful indeed are the believers ¾ those who humble themselves in their prayers... and who (strictly) guard their prayers. These will be the heirs, who will inherit Paradise. They will dwell therein forever.” (Qur’ân 23:9-11)
“Verily, those who believe (in Allah and His Messenger) and do righteous deeds they are the best of creatures. Their reward is with Allâh: Gardens of Eternity Beneath which rivers flow. They will dwell therein for ever. Allâh well pleased with them and they with Him ¾ all this for such as fear their Rabb and Cherisher.” (Qur’ân 98:7-8)
We Muslims will be very happy in the eternal world to come. We will not only enjoy all the blessings of Paradise but above all reap Allah’s supreme reward and that is to be able to see Allah, our Creator and Sustainer:
“The believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers practice regular charity and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power Wise. Allah has promised the believers, men and women, gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allah: that is the supreme success.” (Qur’an 9:71-72)
Suhayb ibn Sinan Ar-Rumi narrated that Allah’s Messengerr said: “When those deserving of Paradise would enter Paradise, the Blessed and the Exalted would ask: ‘Do you wish Me to give you anything more?’ They would say: ‘Have You not brightened our faces? Have You not made us enter Paradise and saved us from Fire?’ Her said: ‘He (Allah) would lift the veil, and of things given to them nothing would be dearer to them than the sight of their Rabb, the Mighty and the Glorious.’” (Muslim 347)
Indeed, in the life Hereafter, what else can we ask from Allah when He will reward us the blessings of Paradise? Is it not a great favor and an honor that in the life Hereafter we will see Allah, the Unseen, Who Alone is our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) and Creator?
Non-Muslims must know that Allah is the Creator of everything in the Heavens and in the Earth, including Paradise and Hell. He has prepared Paradise as His Reward for those who believe in Him and His Messenger r and do righteous deeds. As to those who disbelieve and are doers of evil deeds, Hell-Fire is their abode forever where they will taste Allah’s severe torments for their disbelief:
“Who, then, does more wrong than one who utters a lie concerning Allâh and rejects the Truth when it comes to him? Is there not in Hell an abode for the Unbelievers?” (Qur’ân 39:32)
“Those who reject Our Signs, We shall soon cast them into the Fire; as often as their skins are roasted through. We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the Chastisement, for Allâh is Exalted in Power, All-Wise.” (Qur’ân 4:56)
“In front of such a one is Hell, and he is given for drink, boiling fetid water. In gulps will he sip it, but never will he be near swallowing it down his throat. Death will come to him from every quarter, yet will he not die, and in front of him will be a chastisement unrelenting.” (Qur’an 14:16-17)
“…But those who deny (Allah) ¾ for them will be cut out a garment of Fire. Over their heads will be poured out boiling water. With it will be scalded what is within their bodies, as well as (their) skins. In addition, there will be maces of iron (to punish) them. Every time they wish to get away there from, from anguish, they will be forced back therein, and (it will be said), ‘Taste you the Penalty of Burning!’” (Qur’an 22:19-22)
“As to those who are rebellious and wicked, their abode will be the Fire. Every time they wish to get away there from, they will be forced thereunto, and it will be said to them: ‘Taste you the Penalty of the Fire, the which you were wont to reject as false.’” (Qur’an 32:20)
Aside from the severe torments from the burning Hell-Fire, the non-Muslims will never see Allah for their disbelief. Neither can they see their loved ones for Allah will raise them blind on the Day of Judgment:
“But whosoever turns away from My Message, verily for him is a life narrowed down, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment.” (Qur’an 20:124)
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Severe Punishments in the Hell-Fire
Conclusion and Recommendations
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Please forward this to your email list. If you do this for the pleasure of Allah, you will, insha Allah, get great rewards. Allah the Almighty says:
“And he who brings the Truth and he who confirms (and supports) it -- such are the men who do right. They shall have all that they wish for, with their Rabb (Only God, Cherisher and Sustainer). Such is the reward of those who do good: so that Allah will remit from them (even) the worst in their deeds and give them their reward according to the best of what they have done.” (Qur’an 39:33-35)
Jazakumullahu khair,
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