I heard Abu Dharr (RA) narrating it from the Apostle (ﷺ) that he observed: Gabriel (ؑ) came to me and gave me the tidings: Verily he who died amongst your Ummah without associating anything with Allah would enter Paradise. I (the narrator) said: Even if he committed adultery and theft. He (the Holy Prophet) said: (Yes), even if he committed adultery and theft.
Abu Dharr (RA) reported,: I came to the Apostle (ﷺ) and he was asleep with a white mantle over him. I again came, he was still asleep, I came again and he had awakened. I sat by his side and (the Holy Prophet) observed: There is none among the bondsmen who affirmed his faith in La illaha ill-Allah there is no God but Allah) and died in this state and did not enter Paradise. I (Abu Dharr) said: Even if he committed adultery and theft? He (the Holy Prophet) replied: (Yes) even though he committed adultery and theft. I (again said): Even if he committed adultery and theft? He replied: (Yes) even though he committed adultery and theft. (Th Holy Prophet (ﷺ) repeated it three times) and said for the fourth time: In defiance of Abu Dharr. Abu Dharr (RA) then went out and he repeated (these words): In defiance of Abu Dharr.
Abu Dharr (RA) reported: I walked with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on the stony ground of Madinah in the afternoon and we were looking at Uhud. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) (may peace by upon him) said: Abu Dharr! I said: Messenger of Allah, I am here at thy beck and call. He said: What I desire is that Uhud be gold with me and three nights should pass and there is left with me any dinar but one coin which I would keep to pay debt. (I love) to spend it among the servants of Allah like this and he pointed in front of him, and on his right side and on his left side. We then proceeded on and he said: Abu Dharr. I said: At thy beck and call, Messenger of Allah. He (the Holy Prophet) said: The rich would be poor on the Day of Resurrection, but he who spent like this and like this and like this, and he pointed as at the first time. We again went on when he said. Abu Dharr, stay where you are till I come back to you. He (the Holy Prophet) then moved on till he disappeared from my sight. He (Abu Dharr) said: I heard a sound and I heard a noise. I said (to myself): The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) might have met (mishap or an enemy). I wished to follow him but I remembered his command for not departing till he would come back. So I waited for him, and when he came I made a mention of what I heard. He said: it was Gabriel (ؑ), who came to me and said: "He who dies among your Ummah without associating anything with Allah would enter Paradise. I said: Even if he committed fornication or theft? He said: Even if he committed fornication or theft.
Abu Dharr (RA) reported: I went out one night and found the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) walking all alone. There was no man with him. I thought that he did not like anyone walking along with him. So I began to walk in the light of the moon. He, however turned his attention to me and saw me and said: Who is this? I said: It is Abu Dharr. Let Allah make me as ransom for you. He said: Abu Dharr, come on. He (Abu Dharr) said: So I walked along with him for some time and he said: The wealthy persons would have little (reward) on the Day of Resurrection, except upon whom Allah conferred goodness (wealth). He dispensed it to his right, left, in front of him and at his back (just as the wind diffuses fragrance) and did good with it (riches). I went along with him for some time when he said: Sit here. And he made me sit at a safe place and there were stones around it, and he said to me: Sit here till I come to you. He went away on the stony ground till I could not see him. He stayed away from me, and he prolonged his stay. Then I heard him as he came back and he was saying: Even if he committed theft and even if he committed fornication. When he came I could not help asking him: Apostle of Allah (ﷺ) , let Allah make me ransom for you, whom were you speaking on the stony ground? I heard nobody responding to you. He (the Holy Prophet) said: It was Gabriel (ؑ) who met me by the side of the stony ground and said: Give glad tidings to your Ummah that he who died without associating ought with Allah would go into Paradise. I said: Gabriel (ؑ), even if he committed theft and fornication? He said: Yes. I said: Even it he committed theft and fornication? He said: Yes, I again said: Even if he committed theft and fornication? He said: Yes, even if he drank wine.
Explanation & Benefits
Maulana Dawood Raz
Hadith Commentary:
The meaning is that if Allah wills, He will forgive them, and if He wills, He will punish them for their sins and then admit them into Paradise afterwards.
This is on the condition that they never committed shirk (associating partners with Allah) in the world, because Allah has absolutely forbidden Paradise for the polytheist.
Those so-called Muslims should reflect who go to the shrines of saints and commit acts of shirk there, such as prostrating to graves and circumambulating them.
There is no doubt about their being polytheists; such people will never enter Paradise, no matter how many good deeds they perform. Allah Himself has said regarding His Noble Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam):
﴿لَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ﴾ (az-Zumar: 65)
“O Messenger! If you also commit shirk, all your good deeds will be nullified and you will be among the losers.”
Kirmani said that in the narration, what is meant by such sinners not entering Hell is that they will not enter it eternally.
And it is necessary to interpret it in this way, reconciling between the verses and the hadiths.
(Kirmani)
Source: Sahih Bukhari: Commentary by Maulana Dawood Raz, Page: 3222
Shaykh Abdul Sattar al-Hammad
Hadith Commentary:
➊
Paradise has been made forbidden by Allah, the Exalted, for the polytheist (mushrik).
In contrast, any person who has not committed shirk will, in any case, definitely enter Paradise—whether Allah, the Exalted, forgives his sins and admits him to Paradise in the very first stage, or he reaches Paradise after suffering punishment for his sins.
In any case, such a person will not remain in Hell forever.
➋
Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah has established from this hadith the existence of Jibril (Gabriel) alayhis salam and has described his function.
And Allah knows best.
Source: Hidayat al-Qari: Commentary on Sahih Bukhari, Urdu, Page: 3222
Maulana Dawood Raz
Hadith Commentary:
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has stated the condition of repentance for those who commit these sins without considering them to be sins; such people will never be forgiven without repentance. However, if someone commits a sin knowing it to be a sin and dies feeling remorse, even if he did not repent, then due to the blessing of the kalimah (testimony of faith), there is hope for his forgiveness—
even if it is after receiving punishment. This is because the fundamental basis of salvation is reciting the kalimah "La ilaha illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah" (There is no deity except Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah) and correcting one’s actions and beliefs accordingly.
Merely reciting the kalimah like a parrot is not sufficient.
Source: Sahih Bukhari: Commentary by Maulana Dawood Raz, Page: 5827
Shaykh Abdul Sattar al-Hammad
Hadith Commentary:
(1)
Merely reciting "La ilaha illallah" like a parrot is not sufficient; until one recites "La ilaha illallah" with heart and soul and corrects one’s belief and actions accordingly, salvation will not be attained.
(2)
Since this hadith mentions the wearing of white clothes, Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has established that the use of white clothing is legislated (mashru‘). In fact, from other ahadith it is proven that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam encouraged the wearing of white clothing. Thus, it is narrated from Samurah ibn Jundub radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
"Wear white clothes, for they are purer and more excellent."
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab al-Libas, Hadith: 3567)
White color is superior, therefore it is better to wear it on important occasions.
White clothing is also beautiful and dignified.
Dirt and stains become apparent on it quickly, so it is washed promptly and with greater attention, and for this reason it remains purer and cleaner.
And Allah knows best.
Source: Hidayat al-Qari: Commentary on Sahih Bukhari, Urdu, Page: 5827
Maulana Dawood Raz
Hadith Commentary:
In another verse it is stated: (وَمَا نَتَنَزَّلُ إِلَّا بِأَمْرِ رَبِّكَ) (Maryam: 64)
Firstly, Angel Jibril (alayhis salam) would only descend when there was a command from Allah; therefore, the glad tidings that he gave to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) were by the command of Allah. It is as if Allah said to Jibril: Go and give glad tidings to Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). Thus, the relevance to the chapter heading is established.
Source: Sahih Bukhari: Commentary by Maulana Dawood Raz, Page: 7487
Shaykh Abdul Sattar al-Hammad
Hadith Commentary:
Regarding the angels, Allah the Exalted has stated:
“We do not descend except by the command of your Lord.” (: Maryam 64)
From this verse, it is understood that Jibril (alayhis salam) would only descend when he received the command of Allah the Exalted. Therefore, the glad tidings mentioned in the hadith were by the command of Allah.
It is as if Allah the Exalted said to Jibril (alayhis salam): “Go and give glad tidings to My Prophet.”
From this, it is established that Allah the Exalted spoke to Jibril (alayhis salam) and conveyed this message, and a message is always delivered through speech, and this includes a call (nida) as well.
This hadith also shows that a monotheist (muwahhid), even if sinful, will ultimately be deserving of Paradise, whether Allah the Exalted punishes him for his sins or forgives him.
Source: Hidayat al-Qari: Commentary on Sahih Bukhari, Urdu, Page: 7487
Shaykh Maulana Abdul Aziz Alvi
Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
‘Ala raghmi anf:
Raghima, righam:
(soil,
dust)
is derived from this,
whose literal meaning is “may his nose be soiled with dust,”
meaning he is afflicted with humiliation and disgrace.
However, this is an Arabic idiom, and it is not intended as a curse;
the only purpose is to express that, contrary to his desire, this matter will certainly occur.
Benefits and Issues:
(1)
La ilaha illallah
is an allusion to tawhid (monotheism), and tawhid, as we have already explained, is the title of the entire religion.
That is, to have faith in the religion of Islam and to adhere to it.
It is evident that whoever adheres to the complete religion,
and does not oppose any of its commands, will go straight to Paradise.
If, despite professing tawhid, he has also committed sins, then if he is deserving of pardon due to his other righteous deeds, Allah, exalted is He, will forgive his sins and admit him to Paradise without any punishment.
And if he is not deserving of pardon, then after receiving punishment for his sins, he will be able to enter Paradise, and we have already explained the reason for this above.
(1/40/150/92) (2)
Abu Dharr (radi Allahu anhu) repeated his question several times,
because he considered adultery and theft to be extremely vile sins.
For this reason, he was astonished that those who commit such indecent and filthy sins could also enter Paradise.
(3)
This hadith proves that one who commits major sins (kabirah) will not remain in the Fire forever, as is the belief of the Khawarij and the Mu'tazilah.
However, to infer from this that merely professing la ilaha illallah is sufficient for entry into Paradise,
and that there is no need for righteous deeds, nor is there any harm in evil deeds, as is the belief of the Murji’ah, is not correct.
For the explanation and clarification of the meanings of the texts of the Qur’an and Sunnah, it is necessary that all the texts on this subject be taken into consideration;
otherwise, contradiction will arise among the texts, and their correct meaning will not be understood.
Therefore, we see that the Khawarij and Mu'tazilah, by taking one type of text (those related to warning and intimidation),
declared the perpetrator of major sins to be eternally in Hellfire,
and the Murji’ah, by taking another type of text (those related to encouragement, motivation, and glad tidings),
considered sins to be insignificant and said that merely saying la ilaha illallah is sufficient for entry into Paradise. In this way, both groups deviated from the path of truth and correctness.
Ahl al-Sunnah combined both types of texts,
which eliminated the contradiction and led to the path of truth and correctness.
Source: Tuhfat al-Muslim: Commentary on Sahih Muslim, Page: 273
Shaykh Dr. Abdur Rahman Freywai
Explanation:
1:
The situation will be such that, after serving the prescribed punishment for adultery and theft, he will inevitably enter Paradise as a reward for his monotheism, or it is possible that the Lord of all worlds, out of His mercy, may forgive him.
Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhi – Majlis ‘Ilmi Dar al-Da‘wah, New Delhi Edition, Page: 2644
Hafiz Zubair Ali Zai
Takhrij al-Hadith:
[صحیح بخاری 5827],
[صحیح مسلم 272،273]
Fiqh al-Hadith
➊ It is understood from this that a sinful believer will, in the end, certainly enter Paradise by the mercy of the Generous Lord. The meaning of entering Paradise is by no means that sin has no harm; rather, it means that if Allah wills, He may forgive the sin, and if He wills, He may admit the person to Paradise after punishing him. Therefore, a sinful person is not eternally in Hell.
➋ This hadith is a refutation of the Khawarij and the Mu'tazilah, because they consider one who commits adultery or theft to be eternally in Hell.
➌ In one hadith it is mentioned:
The Noble Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
“When the adulterer commits adultery, he is not a believer at that time, and when he steals, he is not a believer at that time.” etc. [صحيح البخاري : 2475، صحيح مسلم : 57/10، واضواءالمصابيح : 53]
Therefore, it is obligatory upon every believer to always abstain from all major and minor sins.
➍ It is permissible to repeat a statement for the purpose of affirmation.
Source: Adwa al-Masabih fi Tahqiq Mishkat al-Masabih, Page: 26