Who is forbidden to enter Hell-Fire and who is forbidden to enter Paradise?

[ابوالوليد المسلم]

Who is forbidden to enter Hell-Fire and who is forbidden to enter Paradise?

Dr. Fahmy Ahmad `Abdul-Rahman Al Qazzaz




Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds [i.e., people] and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah and the Master of the former and the later. May Allah be pleased with the Companions of the Prophet and the Followers and those who follow their track until the Day of Recompense.
It is not strange that salvation from Hell-Fire is the wish of every believing man and woman, but rather it is the greatest win. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing)." [Surat Al `Imran: 185].
Moreover, some people whom the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned by their characteristics shall not enter Hell-Fire. Some believers may enter Hell-Fire to be tortured for their sins then come out according to the Hadith. Here we want to shed light on those people whom the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned and highlighted their features that they shall never enter Hell-Fire whereas there are some people who are forbidden to Paradise and shall not enter it nor smell its odor according to the narrations. Some scholars considered these descriptions for deterring those who do them, however they have agreed that those who associate others with Allah in worship are forbidden to enter Paradise and shay abide forever in Hell-Fire. As for the other groups, they are under the will of Allah, if He wills to punish them or forgive them.
This made me to consider these texts again concerning these two issues, referring them to their sources, and judging them without elongation in explanation and commentary lest boredom, asking Allah to be of those who are forbidden to enter Hell-Fire and of those who enter Paradise without reckoning; for He is an Excellent Lord, and an Excellent Helper! and peace be upon our master Muhammad, upon his family, and all his Companions.
First, who is forbidden to enter Hell-Fire?
The one who believes in Allah, the one who loves Allah, and the one who hates to go back to disbelief after believing in Allah: Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying: "Whoever possesses three qualities shall be forbidden to Hell-Fire and Hell-Fire is forbidden to him: Belief in Allah, loving Allah, and to be thrown in Hell-Fire and be burnt is more beloved to him than going back to disbelief." [1]
The one who keeps to the five daily Salah and some specific descriptions:
A- Hanzalah Al Usaydy (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever keeps to the Five daily Salah in terms of their ablution, due times, Ruku` (bow down), and prostration, and considers it a due right of Allah upon him; he shall be forbidden to Hell-Fire."[2]
B- Um Habibah, the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever keeps on praying regularly four Rak`ahs before and four after the Dhuhr Salah shall not enter the Hell-Fire."[3]
C- Abu Bakr ibn `Imarah ibn Ruwaybah reported on the authority of his father (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying: Whoever offers Salah before sunrise and before sunset Allah shall make his body forbidden to Hell-Fire." [4]
D- Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying: "Whoever offers twelve Rak`ahs during the daytime, Allah shall forbade his flesh to Hell-Fire."[5]
E- Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "...Until when Allah intends mercy on whomever He likes amongst the people of Hell, He will order the angels to take out of Hell those who worshipped none but Him alone. The angels will take them out by recognizing them from the
traces of prostrations, for Allah has forbidden the (Hell) fire to eat away those traces. So, they will come out of the Fire, it will eat away from the whole of the human body except the marks of the prostrations." [6]
Those who dusted their feet in the cause of Allah in Jihad and other types of worship.
A- `Ubabah ibn Rifa`ah reported Abu `Abs caught me while I was going to the Friday Salah and said: I heard of the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying: "Anyone whose feet are covered with dust in Allah's cause, shall be saved by Allah from the Hell-Fire."[7]
B- Abu Ad-Darda' (may Allah be pleased with him)narrated that that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Allah does not combine in the abdomen of a man the dust in the cause of Allah and the smoke of Hell-Fire, and whose feet were covered with dust in the cause of Allah shall save his entire body from Hell-Fire."[8]
The kind and the lenient people:
A- Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Every person who is kind, lenient, and near to the people shall be forbidden to enter Hell-Fire."[9]
B- `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Shall I tell you whom the (Hell) Fire is forbidden to touch? It is forbidden to touch a man who is always accessible, having polite and tender nature."[10]
Crying for fear of Allah:
`Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "No person shall shed tears from his eyes even if they are like the heads of flies out of Allah's Fear then these tears flow down the heat of his face but Allah makes such a person forbidden to Hell-Fire." [11]
Vigil for the sake of Allah: Abu Rayhanah narrated: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying: "I have forbidden every eye [a person] stayed up for watching in the cause of Allah." [12]
Whoever says: La ilaha illa Allah (there is no deity but Allah) out of sincere heart:
A- Mahmoud ibn Ar-Rabi` Al Ansary (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Allah has forbidden the (Hell) fire for those who say: 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah' for Allah's sake only." [13] [Reported by Al Bukhari and Muslim].
B- `Uthman ibn `Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying: "I know a word that no person says sincerely from his heart but makes him forbidden to Hell-Fire."[14]
Second, Who is forbidden to enter Paradise?
The polytheist:
Allah (may He be Exalted) says: “Surely, they have disbelieved who say: "Allâh is the Messiah ['Isâ (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary)." But the Messiah ['Isâ (Jesus)] said: "O Children of Israel! Worship Allâh, my Lord and your Lord." Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allâh, then Allâh has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers) there are no helpers." [Surat of Al-Ma'idah: 72].
The one who commits suicide:
Jundub ibn `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Amongst the nations before you there was a man who got a wound, and growing impatient (with its pain), he took a knife and cut his hand with it and the blood did not stop till he died. Allah said: 'My Slave hurried to bring death upon himself so I have forbidden him (to enter) Paradise.'" [15]
A ruler who oppresses his subjects:
Mi`qal (may Allah be pleased with him)narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “If any ruler having the authority to rule Muslim subjects dies while he is deceiving them, Allah will forbid Paradise for him."[16]
The one who takes Muslims' properties without right:
Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "He who misappropriates the right of a Muslim by taking a false oath, Allah will condemn him to the fire of Hell and will forbid Paradise for him." A person asked: "O Messenger of Allah, even if it is something insignificant?'' He replied, "Yes, even if it is the twig of the Arak tree."[17]
The one who cuts the ties of kinship: Sa`id ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "One of the highest types of Usury is to speak badly about a Muslim's honor without right, and this womb is part of the Name of the Most Gracious, so whoever cuts it Allah shall make him forbidden to enter Paradise."[18] Whoever is attributed to someone other than his father: Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever is ascribed to other than his father while he knows Paradise shall be forbidden for him."[19] Whoever kills a covenant person: Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever kills a covenant person without right Allah shall make Paradise forbidden to him."[20].




[1] Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal: (3/ 113) (12143) and Shu`ayb Al Arna'ut said: Its chain of narration is good. A group of narrators reported from Nawfal ibn Mas`ud and Ibn Hibban mentioned him in his book Ath-Thiqat "Trustworthy men."

[2] Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal: (4/ 267) (18372) and Shu`ayb Al Arna'ut said: Authentic but this is a weak narration because of its interruption. It was also reported in Al Mu`jam Al Kabir (4/ 12) (3494) and Al Haythamy said: reported by Imam Ahmad and At-Tabarany in Al Mu`jam Al Kabir, and the narrators whom Imam Ahmad mentioned are the narrators of the Hadiths compiled by Al Bukhari and/or Muslim, see Majma` Az-Zawa'id wa Manba` Al Fawa'id: (1/ 359).

[3] Sunan Abu Dawud: (1/ 490) (1271) and Al Albany said: Authentic. and was reported in Sunan At-Tirmidhy (2/ 292) (428) with these wordings: "Whoever observes the practice of performing four Rak`ah before Zhuhr Salah and four after the Zhuhr Salah, Allah will shield him against the Fire (of Hell)." He said: This a good and authentic Hadith, but strange from this way of narration. It was also reported in Al Mu`jam Al Kabir (23/ 233) (442) and in Al Mustadrak (1/ 456) (1175).

[4] Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah (1/ 164) (318) and its origin is found in Sahih Muslim with these wodings: "He who offers Salah before the rising of the sun and its setting..." See Sahih Muslim: (1/440) (634).

[5] The selected Hadiths of Ad-Diya' Al Maqdisy(2/ 452) (2135) who said: Zurarah was authenticated by Yahya ibn Ma`in and its origin is found in At-Tirmidhy and others with these wordings: "Anyone who is persistent in offering twelve supererogatory Rak'ah of Prayer, Allah will build a house for him in Paradise; that is four Rak'ah before the Zhuhr (Midday) Prayer and two after it, two Rak'ah after the Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer, two Rak'ah after the Isha' (Night) Prayer, and two Rak'ah before the Fajr (Dawn) Prayer."Sunan At-Tirmidhy (2/ 273) (414) He said: It was reported on the authority of Um Habibah, Abu Hurayrah, Abu Musa, Ibn `Umar. The Hadith of `A'ishah is Gharib (a Hadith with a single narrator usually at the beginning of the chain of narration) from this way of narration, and some scholars spoke the bad memory of Mughirah ibn Ziyad. Sheikh Al Albany said: It is authentic. See Sunan An-Nasa'y (3/ 260) (1794) and Sunan Ibn Majah (1/ 361) (1140).

[6] Sahih Al Bukhari (1/ 277) (773) and Sahih Muslim (1/ 163) (182).

[7] Sahih Al Bukhari (1/ 308) (865), and the meaning is: In every act of worship including the Friday Salah and Jihad in the cause of Allah.

[8] Part of Hadith that was reported by Ahmad in his Musnad, see Musnad Ahmad: (6/443) (27543) and Shu`ayb Al Arna'ut said: An authentic Hadith by its similar Hadiths.

[9] Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal: (1/ 415) (3938) and Shu`ayb Al Arna'ut said: Good by its similar Hadith, but this chain of narration is weak. It was also reported in Sahih Ibn Hibban (2/ 216) (470) and Shu`ayb Al Arna'ut said: authentic by its similar Hadiths.

[10] Sunan At-Tirmidhy (4/ 654) (2488) who said: This Hadith is Hassan Gharib (a good Hadith that is strange to come from this chain of narration). Al Albany said: It is authentic.

[11] Sunan Ibn Majah, (2/ 1404) (4197) and Al Albany said: vulnerable. Weak. Al Mundhiry said: Reported by Ibn Majah, Al Bayhaqy, and Al Asbahany and the chain of transmission of Ibn Majah is similar. See At-Targhib Wat-Tarhib (4/ 115). There is a similar Hadith that was reported by At-Tirmidhy and others on the authority of Abu Hurayrah: (4/ 171) (1633) "The one who cries out of fear of Allah (Glory be to Him) shall never enter Hell until milk goes back to its udder, and the dust which a person suffered in the cause of Allah shall not gather with the smoke of Hell-Fire." At-Tirmidhy said: This is a good and authentic Hadith.

[12] Sunan An-Nasa'y, (6/ 15) (3117) Sheikh Al Albany said: It is authentic.

[13] Sahih Al Bukhari (1/ 164) (415) and Sahih Muslim (1/ 454) (33) with his own wordings.

[14] Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal1/ 63) (447) and Shu`ayb Al Arna'ut said: Its chain of transmission is strong.

[15] Sahih Al Bukhari (3/ 1275) (3276).

[16] Sahih Al Bukhari (6/ 2614) (6732).

[17] Sahih Muslim (1/ 122) (137).

[18] Part of Hadith, see Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal: (1/ 190) (1651) and Shu`ayb Al Arna'ut said: Its chain of transmission is authentic and its narrators are trustworthy who narrate Hadiths of Al Bukhari and Muslim except for Nawfal ibn Musahiq.

[19] Sahih Al Bukhari (4/ 1572) (4071) and Sahih Muslim (1/ 80) (63).

[20] This Hadith was reported by Abu Dawud in his Sunan: (3/ 38) (2762) and Al Albany said: It is authentic. Other compilers of Sunan reported this Hadith, and Al Hakim reported it in Al Mustadrak (2/ 154) (2631) and said: It an authentic Hadith, however Al Bukhari and Muslim did not report it. Adh-Dhahaby said: It is authentic.