Maulana Dawood Raz
Hadith Commentary:
In this hadith, the affirmation of two attributes of the Lord is found:
One is "coming," and the other is "form."
The theologians (mutakallimun) make far-fetched interpretations (ta'wilat) of such attributes, but the Ahl al-Hadith say that Allah ta'ala can come, go, descend, ascend.
Similarly, He can manifest (tajalli) in whatever form He wills.
He has power over all things.
The only point is that none of Allah's attributes can be likened to the attributes of the creation.
Many matters have been mentioned in this hadith.
There is also mention of the Bridge (Sirat), about which it is stated in another narration that I will be the first to cross this bridge, and my ummah will be with me.
There is mention of hooks on the Bridge (Sirat) like the thorns of the tree called Sa‘dan, which will resemble the thorns of Sa‘dan, but not in size, for in size they will be very large—so large that none knows them except Allah.
Sa‘dan is the name of a grass in Arabia which has crooked-mouthed thorns.
Further in the narration, there is mention of the mark of prostration (sajdah) and the impermissibility (hurmah) of the place of prostration for the Fire (Hell).
The places of prostration are the forehead, both palms, both knees, both feet, or only the forehead is intended.
The meaning is that the whole body will have been burnt and turned to coal, but these places of prostration will remain intact, by which the angels will recognize that these were monotheist (muwahhid) Muslim worshippers.
Alas, what sign will the Muslims who did not pray have, by which they will be recognized and taken out of Hell?
Further in the narration, there is mention of a person who will enter Paradise last; he will be the one who spent seven thousand years in Hell.
After that, he will come out and enter Paradise in this state.
Regarding this person, there is mention of Allah ta'ala's laughter (dhahik).
This too is an attribute of Allah.
The Ahl al-Hadith neither deny nor interpret it away, nor do they liken it to the laughter of the creation.
Source: Sahih Bukhari: Commentary by Maulana Dawood Raz, Page: 6574
Shaykh Abdul Sattar al-Hammad
Hadith Commentary:
(1)
The following hadiths clarify the nature of the Bridge of Sirat (al-Sirat) and the manner of crossing it:
• When, on the Day of Resurrection, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is granted permission to intercede, trust (amanah) and maintaining family ties (silat al-rahm) will be sent forth, and they will stand on either side of the Bridge of Sirat. Then, the first among you will cross it like lightning.
The narrator of the hadith says:
I said: May my parents be sacrificed for you! How will the crossing be like lightning? He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) replied:
“Have you not seen lightning? It passes and returns in the blink of an eye. Then, (some will cross) like the blowing wind, then like a bird, and then like the swiftest of men; their deeds will carry them along.
And your Prophet will be standing on the Bridge of Sirat,
saying: O my Lord! Grant safety, grant safety, until the deeds of the servants become unable (to carry them further), until a man will come who will not have the strength to walk, but will be crawling on his buttocks.”
He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
“On both sides of the Bridge of Sirat there will be hooks.
They will be commanded to snatch up whomever they are ordered to seize.
Some people will be wounded, but will be saved, and some will be thrown into Hell.
By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Abu Hurayrah! The depth of Hell will be a distance of seventy years.”
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Iman, Hadith: 482 (195))
• It is narrated from Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radi Allahu anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
“All people will arrive at the Fire (the Bridge of Sirat),
then they will cross over it according to their deeds.
The first of them will pass like a flash of lightning, then like the wind, then like a swift horse, then like a rider on a mount, then like a running man, then like a walking man—they will cross that bridge which will be set up over Hell.”
(Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Tafsir al-Qur’an, Hadith: 3159)
(2)
Beneath the Bridge of Sirat will be Hell.
The low and high cries of the people of Hell, the smoke, and the burning will be visible.
People will be seen slipping from the bridge and falling into Hell.
This will be an extremely difficult scene, so rectify your beliefs and actions.
And Allah is the One whose help is sought.
Source: Hidayat al-Qari: Commentary on Sahih Bukhari, Urdu, Page: 6574