Source: Fatawa Ulama-e-Hadith, Volume 09
❝ A man asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: “Where is my father?” He ﷺ said: “In the Fire.” When the man turned away, the Prophet ﷺ called him and said: “Indeed, my father and your father are both in the Fire.” ❞
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Iman, Hadith 203)
❝ The Prophet ﷺ visited the grave of his mother, wept, and made those around him weep. He then said: “I asked my Lord for permission to visit her grave, and He permitted me. I also asked permission to seek forgiveness for her, but He did not permit me.” ❞
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Kusuf, Hadith 976)
❝ O people of Quraysh, save yourselves, for I cannot help you against Allah... ❞
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 2753; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 206)
◄ Narrations claiming they were resurrected to accept Islam are weak or fabricated and not dependable.
◄ Kinship with a prophet does not ensure salvation; belief and righteous action are necessary.
❖ Question
I have heard that the parents of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did not hold correct beliefs, and it was said based on a Hadith that the Prophet ﷺ stated his father is in Hell. Is this Hadith authentic? Was his mother brought back to life so that she could accept Islam? Please provide clarification.✔ Answer
Alḥamdulillāh! It is better to avoid discussing such sensitive matters as they bear little practical benefit and require utmost respect. When speaking about the Prophet’s ﷺ parents, decorum and reverence are essential. However, since the question has been raised, a scholarly response is provided below.➊ Reference to the Hadith
The Hadith you referred to is recorded in Sahih Muslim:❝ A man asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: “Where is my father?” He ﷺ said: “In the Fire.” When the man turned away, the Prophet ﷺ called him and said: “Indeed, my father and your father are both in the Fire.” ❞
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Iman, Hadith 203)
➋ Seeking Forgiveness for His Mother
In another Hadith from Sahih Muslim, it is narrated that the Prophet ﷺ visited his mother’s grave, wept, and sought permission to pray for her forgiveness — which was denied:❝ The Prophet ﷺ visited the grave of his mother, wept, and made those around him weep. He then said: “I asked my Lord for permission to visit her grave, and He permitted me. I also asked permission to seek forgiveness for her, but He did not permit me.” ❞
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Kusuf, Hadith 976)
➌ Faith of the Prophet’s Parents
These narrations clarify that it was not possible for the Prophet’s ﷺ parents to accept faith during their lifetime, and the Prophet ﷺ was not granted permission to seek forgiveness for them.➍ Reports of Resurrection and Faith
Claims that the Prophet’s ﷺ parents were brought back to life and accepted Islam are based on weak and fabricated narrations. Scholars such as Shams al-Haq Azimabadi and others have stated clearly that all such narrations are either weak or fabricated (mawdu‘) and cannot be relied upon. This is the consensus among the scholars of Hadith.➎ Key Principle
Kinship with a prophet does not guarantee salvation — faith and righteous deeds are essential. The examples of Prophet Ibrahim’s عليه السلام father and Prophet Nuh’s عليه السلام son demonstrate this principle. The Prophet ﷺ himself addressed his family, warning them:❝ O people of Quraysh, save yourselves, for I cannot help you against Allah... ❞
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 2753; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 206)
➏ Summary
◄ According to authentic Hadiths, the Prophet’s ﷺ parents did not have the opportunity to accept faith, and the Prophet ﷺ was not allowed to seek forgiveness for them.◄ Narrations claiming they were resurrected to accept Islam are weak or fabricated and not dependable.
◄ Kinship with a prophet does not ensure salvation; belief and righteous action are necessary.
