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Verily the testimony of the Noble Qur’an in favour of the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum regarding their iman is not only restricted to this worldly life, rather it extends to include a favourable death, and upon that the promise of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala of forgiveness, happiness and a great reward in Jannat follows. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:
وَالسَّابِقُوْنَ الْأَوَّلُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِيْنَ وَالْأَنصَارِ وَالَّذِيْنَ اتَّبَعُوْهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ رَّضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوْا عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي تَحْتَهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِيْنَ فِيْهَا أَبَدًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيْمُ
And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhajirin and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct – Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.[1]
In this verse, Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala communicates His pleasure with the first forerunners (in Islam) among the Muhajirin and the Ansar and those who followed them with goodness and their pleasure with what has been prepared for them in Jannat. This (i.e., death on iman) is proven via clear unambiguous verses in the Noble Qur’an. So, what claim to belief in the Noble Qur’an can those who vilify and swear the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum have, when Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala is pleased with the Sahabah and promised Jannat and eternal success?
لَٰكِنِ الرَّسُوْلُ وَالَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا مَعَهُ جَاهَدُوْا بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ وَأُولٰئِكَ لَهُمُ الْخَيْرَاتُ وَأُولٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُوْنَ أَعَدَّ اللهُ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِيْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِيْنَ فِيْهَا ذٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيْمُ
But the Messenger and those who believed with him fought with their wealth and their lives. Those will have [all that is] good and it is those who are the successful. Allah has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide eternally. That is the great attainment.[2]
In this verse, there is an honourable promise from Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala to His Rasul salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and those who believe of goodness and high ranks in Jannat al Firdaws. Can such a promise be for people whom Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala knows will apostatise after the passing on of their Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam?! Is it possible that they were merely a handful of people, around 3 to 10 individuals as some claim, or were they a sizable number through whom the assistance of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala came and who were able to stand before large Roman armies—who represented the strongest and most grand empire in the world at the time?
أَجَعَلْتُمْ سِقَايَةَ الْحَاجِّ وَعِمَارَةَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ كَمَنْ آمَنَ بِاللهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَجَاهَدَ فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللهِ لَا يَسْتَوُوْنَ عِنْدَ اللهِ وَاللهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِيْنَ الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا وَهَاجَرُوْا وَجَاهَدُوْا فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللهِ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً عِنْدَ اللهِ وَأُولٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَائِزُوْنَ يُبَشِّرُهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنْهُ وَرِضْوَانٍ وَجَنَّاتٍ لَّهُمْ فِيْهَا نَعِيْمٌ مُّقِيْمٌ خَالِدِيْنَ فِيْهَا أَبَدًا إِنَّ اللهَ عِنْدَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيْمٌ
Have you made the providing of water for the pilgrim and the maintenance of al Masjid al Haram equal to [the deeds of] one who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in the cause of Allah? They are not equal in the sight of Allah. And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people. The ones who have believed, emigrated, and striven in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah. And it is those who are the attainers [of success]. Their Lord gives them good tidings of mercy from Him and approval and of gardens for them wherein is enduring pleasure. [They will be] abiding therein forever. Indeed, Allah has with Him a great reward.[3]
In these verses, Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala bears witness to the success and great ranks of the Sahabah of His Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam who believed and emigrated and fought in the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala with their wealth and lives, and Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala gives glad tidings to them of His mercy and happiness and of everlasting bliss in gardens of tranquillity.
Is it possible that these testimonies and glad tidings are for people whom Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala knows will apostatise from their religion and pass away in the state of disbelief?
After all this, what possible explanation can those who attribute disbelief to the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum give besides denying these verses or attributing ignorance to Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, due to the fact that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala promised Jannat to people whose end He did not know? No doubt, Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala is high above such falsehoods.
مُّحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوْلُ اللهِ وَالَّذِيْنَ مَعَهُ أَشِدَّاءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ تَرَاهُمْ رُكَّعًا سُجَّدًا يَبْتَغُوْنَ فَضْلًا مِّنَ اللهِ وَرِضْوَانًا سِيْمَاهُمْ فِي وُجُوْهِهِم مِّنْ أَثَرِ السُّجُودِ ذٰلِكَ مَثَلُهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَمَثَلُهُمْ فِي الْإِنْجِيْلِ كَزَرْعٍ أَخْرَجَ شَطْأَهُ فَآزَرَهُ فَاسْتَغْلَظَ فَاسْتَوىٰ عَلَىٰ سُوْقِهِ يُعْجِبُ الزُّرَّاعَ لِيَغِيْظَ بِهِمُ الْكُفَّارَ وَعَدَ اللهُ الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوْا الصَّالِحَاتِ مِنْهُمْ مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيْمًا
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure. Their sign is in their faces from the effect of prostration [i.e., prayer]. That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers – so that He [i.e., Allah] may enrage by them the disbelievers. Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward.[4]
Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala describes the Sahabah of His Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam as those who offer abundant salah with sincerity to Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, hoping for abundant reward from Him. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala then describes their good mannerisms, which are reflected in the clearness of their intentions and superiority of their good actions. Accordingly, due to all of this, Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala promises His forgiveness and great rewards. The promises of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala are always true and accurate, and can neither be substituted nor changed. This is proof of their sincere Iman, which they lived upon and passed away with.
لَّا يَسْتَوِي الْقَاعِدُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ غَيْرُ أُولِي الضَّرَرِ وَالْمُجَاهِدُوْنَ فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللهِ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ فَضَّلَ اللهُ الْمُجَاهِدِيْنَ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ عَلَى الْقَاعِدِيْنَ دَرَجَةً وَكُلًّا وَعَدَ اللهُ الْحُسْنىٰ وَفَضَّلَ اللهُ الْمُجَاهِدِيْنَ عَلَى الْقَاعِدِيْنَ أَجْرًا عَظِيْمًا
Not equal are those believers remaining [at home] – other than the disabled – and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has preferred those who strive through their wealth and their lives over those who remain [behind], by degrees. And to all [i.e., both] Allah has promised the best [reward]. But Allah has preferred those who strive [the mujahidin] over those who remain [behind] with a great reward.[5]
This verse alludes to the superiority of those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala with their wealth and their lives over those who do not, except for those who have a valid excuse. Nonetheless, great rewards have been promised to both groups, and that is Jannat and splendid rewards according to one’s rank. The promise of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala is true and cannot be altered. So is it possible that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala promises a nation Jannat whilst knowing that they will apostatise from their religion and pass away in the state of disbelief?
وَمَا لَكُمْ أَلَّا تُنْفِقُوْا فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللهِ وَللهِ مِيْرَاثُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ لَا يَسْتَوِي مِنْكُمْ مَّنْ أَنفَقَ مِنْ قَبْلِ الْفَتْحِ وَقَاتَلَ أُولٰئِكَ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً مِّنَ الَّذِيْنَ أَنْفَقُوْا مِنْ بَعْدُ وَقَاتَلُوْا وَكُلًّا وَعَدَ اللهُ الْحُسْنىٰ وَاللهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ خَبِيْرٌ
And why do you not spend in the cause of Allah while to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth? Not equal among you are those who spent before the Conquest [of Makkah] and fought [and those who did so after it]. Those are greater in degree than they who spent afterwards and fought. But to all Allah has promised the best [reward]. And Allah, of what you do, is Aware.[6]
The verse mentions that those who spent before the Conquest [of Makkah] and fought are greater in rank than those who did so after; thereafter, both groups (i.e. those who spent before the Conquest and those who did so after, even though they differ in rewards) are promised the best reward. We repeat the same question that we brought up recently, is it possible that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala promises a nation Jannat whilst knowing that they will apostatise from their religion and pass away in the state of disbelief?
وَإِذَا سَمِعُوْا مَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَى الرَّسُوْلِ تَرىٰ أَعْيُنَهُمْ تَفِيْضُ مِنَ الدَّمْعِ مِمَّا عَرَفُوْا مِنَ الْحَقِّ يَقُوْلُوْنَ رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِيْنَ وَمَا لَنَا لَا نُؤْمِنُ بِاللهِ وَمَا جَاءَنَا مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَنَطْمَعُ أَنْ يُدْخِلَنَا رَبُّنَا مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الصَّالِحِيْنَ فَأَثَابَهُمُ اللهُ بِمَا قَالُوْا جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِيْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِيْنَ فِيْهَا وَذٰلِكَ جَزَاءُ الْمُحْسِنِيْنَ
And when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they have recognized of the truth. They say, “Our Lord, we have believed, so register us among the witnesses. And why should we not believe in Allah and what has come to us of the truth? And we aspire that our Lord will admit us [to Paradise] with the righteous people.” So Allah rewarded them for what they said with gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. And that is the reward of doers of good.[7]
Here again we repeat the same question we posed before, is it possible that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala testifies to the goodness of a nation and decrees their everlasting abode to be Jannat whilst knowing that they will apostatise from their religion and pass away in the state of disbelief?
The promise of Jannat in favour of the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum has been reiterated in numerous other places in the Noble Qur’an. It is with regard to them that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:
وَإِنَّ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ لَمَنْ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللهِ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْهِمْ خَاشِعِيْنَ للهِ لَا يَشْتَرُوْنَ بِآيَاتِ اللهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيْلًا أُولٰئِكَ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ إِنَّ اللهَ سَرِيْعُ الْحِسَابِ
And indeed, among the People of the Scripture are those who believe in Allah and what was revealed to you and what was revealed to them, [being] humbly submissive to Allah. They do not exchange the verses of Allah for a small price. Those will have their reward with their Lord. Indeed, Allah is swift in account.[8]
الَّذِيْنَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ هُمْ بِهِ يُؤْمِنُوْنَ وَإِذَا يُتْلىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ قَالُوْا آمَنَّا بِهِ إِنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَّبِّنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا مِنْ قَبْلِهِ مُسْلِمِيْنَ أُولٰئِكَ يُؤْتَوْنَ أَجْرَهُمْ مَّرَّتَيْنِ بِمَا صَبَرُوْا وَيَدْرَءُوْنَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ السَّيِّئَةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنْفِقُوْنَ
Those to whom We gave the Scripture before it – they are believers in it. And when it is recited to them, they say, “We have believed in it; indeed, it is the truth from our Lord. Indeed, we were, [even] before it, Muslims [i.e., submitting to Allah].” Those will be given their reward twice for what they patiently endured and [because] they avert evil through good, and from what We have provided them they spend.[9]
[1] Surah al Tawbah: 100.
[2] Surah al Tawbah: 88-89.
[3] Surah al Tawbah: 19-22.
[4] Surah al Fath: 29.
[5] Surah al Nisa’: 95.
[6] Surah al Hadid: 10.
[7] Surah al Ma’idah: 83-85.
[8] Surah Al ‘Imran: 199.
[9] Surah al Qasas: 52-54.
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Verily the testimony of the Noble Qur’an in favour of the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum regarding their iman is not only restricted to this worldly life, rather it extends to include a favourable death, and upon that the promise of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala of forgiveness, happiness and a great reward in Jannat follows. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:
وَالسَّابِقُوْنَ الْأَوَّلُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِيْنَ وَالْأَنصَارِ وَالَّذِيْنَ اتَّبَعُوْهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ رَّضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوْا عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي تَحْتَهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِيْنَ فِيْهَا أَبَدًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيْمُ
And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhajirin and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct – Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.[1]
In this verse, Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala communicates His pleasure with the first forerunners (in Islam) among the Muhajirin and the Ansar and those who followed them with goodness and their pleasure with what has been prepared for them in Jannat. This (i.e., death on iman) is proven via clear unambiguous verses in the Noble Qur’an. So, what claim to belief in the Noble Qur’an can those who vilify and swear the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum have, when Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala is pleased with the Sahabah and promised Jannat and eternal success?
لَٰكِنِ الرَّسُوْلُ وَالَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا مَعَهُ جَاهَدُوْا بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ وَأُولٰئِكَ لَهُمُ الْخَيْرَاتُ وَأُولٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُوْنَ أَعَدَّ اللهُ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِيْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِيْنَ فِيْهَا ذٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيْمُ
But the Messenger and those who believed with him fought with their wealth and their lives. Those will have [all that is] good and it is those who are the successful. Allah has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide eternally. That is the great attainment.[2]
In this verse, there is an honourable promise from Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala to His Rasul salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and those who believe of goodness and high ranks in Jannat al Firdaws. Can such a promise be for people whom Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala knows will apostatise after the passing on of their Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam?! Is it possible that they were merely a handful of people, around 3 to 10 individuals as some claim, or were they a sizable number through whom the assistance of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala came and who were able to stand before large Roman armies—who represented the strongest and most grand empire in the world at the time?
أَجَعَلْتُمْ سِقَايَةَ الْحَاجِّ وَعِمَارَةَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ كَمَنْ آمَنَ بِاللهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَجَاهَدَ فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللهِ لَا يَسْتَوُوْنَ عِنْدَ اللهِ وَاللهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِيْنَ الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا وَهَاجَرُوْا وَجَاهَدُوْا فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللهِ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً عِنْدَ اللهِ وَأُولٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَائِزُوْنَ يُبَشِّرُهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنْهُ وَرِضْوَانٍ وَجَنَّاتٍ لَّهُمْ فِيْهَا نَعِيْمٌ مُّقِيْمٌ خَالِدِيْنَ فِيْهَا أَبَدًا إِنَّ اللهَ عِنْدَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيْمٌ
Have you made the providing of water for the pilgrim and the maintenance of al Masjid al Haram equal to [the deeds of] one who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in the cause of Allah? They are not equal in the sight of Allah. And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people. The ones who have believed, emigrated, and striven in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah. And it is those who are the attainers [of success]. Their Lord gives them good tidings of mercy from Him and approval and of gardens for them wherein is enduring pleasure. [They will be] abiding therein forever. Indeed, Allah has with Him a great reward.[3]
In these verses, Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala bears witness to the success and great ranks of the Sahabah of His Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam who believed and emigrated and fought in the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala with their wealth and lives, and Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala gives glad tidings to them of His mercy and happiness and of everlasting bliss in gardens of tranquillity.
Is it possible that these testimonies and glad tidings are for people whom Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala knows will apostatise from their religion and pass away in the state of disbelief?
After all this, what possible explanation can those who attribute disbelief to the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum give besides denying these verses or attributing ignorance to Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, due to the fact that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala promised Jannat to people whose end He did not know? No doubt, Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala is high above such falsehoods.
مُّحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوْلُ اللهِ وَالَّذِيْنَ مَعَهُ أَشِدَّاءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ تَرَاهُمْ رُكَّعًا سُجَّدًا يَبْتَغُوْنَ فَضْلًا مِّنَ اللهِ وَرِضْوَانًا سِيْمَاهُمْ فِي وُجُوْهِهِم مِّنْ أَثَرِ السُّجُودِ ذٰلِكَ مَثَلُهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَمَثَلُهُمْ فِي الْإِنْجِيْلِ كَزَرْعٍ أَخْرَجَ شَطْأَهُ فَآزَرَهُ فَاسْتَغْلَظَ فَاسْتَوىٰ عَلَىٰ سُوْقِهِ يُعْجِبُ الزُّرَّاعَ لِيَغِيْظَ بِهِمُ الْكُفَّارَ وَعَدَ اللهُ الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوْا الصَّالِحَاتِ مِنْهُمْ مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيْمًا
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure. Their sign is in their faces from the effect of prostration [i.e., prayer]. That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers – so that He [i.e., Allah] may enrage by them the disbelievers. Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward.[4]
Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala describes the Sahabah of His Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam as those who offer abundant salah with sincerity to Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, hoping for abundant reward from Him. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala then describes their good mannerisms, which are reflected in the clearness of their intentions and superiority of their good actions. Accordingly, due to all of this, Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala promises His forgiveness and great rewards. The promises of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala are always true and accurate, and can neither be substituted nor changed. This is proof of their sincere Iman, which they lived upon and passed away with.
لَّا يَسْتَوِي الْقَاعِدُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ غَيْرُ أُولِي الضَّرَرِ وَالْمُجَاهِدُوْنَ فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللهِ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ فَضَّلَ اللهُ الْمُجَاهِدِيْنَ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ عَلَى الْقَاعِدِيْنَ دَرَجَةً وَكُلًّا وَعَدَ اللهُ الْحُسْنىٰ وَفَضَّلَ اللهُ الْمُجَاهِدِيْنَ عَلَى الْقَاعِدِيْنَ أَجْرًا عَظِيْمًا
Not equal are those believers remaining [at home] – other than the disabled – and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has preferred those who strive through their wealth and their lives over those who remain [behind], by degrees. And to all [i.e., both] Allah has promised the best [reward]. But Allah has preferred those who strive [the mujahidin] over those who remain [behind] with a great reward.[5]
This verse alludes to the superiority of those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala with their wealth and their lives over those who do not, except for those who have a valid excuse. Nonetheless, great rewards have been promised to both groups, and that is Jannat and splendid rewards according to one’s rank. The promise of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala is true and cannot be altered. So is it possible that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala promises a nation Jannat whilst knowing that they will apostatise from their religion and pass away in the state of disbelief?
وَمَا لَكُمْ أَلَّا تُنْفِقُوْا فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللهِ وَللهِ مِيْرَاثُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ لَا يَسْتَوِي مِنْكُمْ مَّنْ أَنفَقَ مِنْ قَبْلِ الْفَتْحِ وَقَاتَلَ أُولٰئِكَ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً مِّنَ الَّذِيْنَ أَنْفَقُوْا مِنْ بَعْدُ وَقَاتَلُوْا وَكُلًّا وَعَدَ اللهُ الْحُسْنىٰ وَاللهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ خَبِيْرٌ
And why do you not spend in the cause of Allah while to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth? Not equal among you are those who spent before the Conquest [of Makkah] and fought [and those who did so after it]. Those are greater in degree than they who spent afterwards and fought. But to all Allah has promised the best [reward]. And Allah, of what you do, is Aware.[6]
The verse mentions that those who spent before the Conquest [of Makkah] and fought are greater in rank than those who did so after; thereafter, both groups (i.e. those who spent before the Conquest and those who did so after, even though they differ in rewards) are promised the best reward. We repeat the same question that we brought up recently, is it possible that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala promises a nation Jannat whilst knowing that they will apostatise from their religion and pass away in the state of disbelief?
وَإِذَا سَمِعُوْا مَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَى الرَّسُوْلِ تَرىٰ أَعْيُنَهُمْ تَفِيْضُ مِنَ الدَّمْعِ مِمَّا عَرَفُوْا مِنَ الْحَقِّ يَقُوْلُوْنَ رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِيْنَ وَمَا لَنَا لَا نُؤْمِنُ بِاللهِ وَمَا جَاءَنَا مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَنَطْمَعُ أَنْ يُدْخِلَنَا رَبُّنَا مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الصَّالِحِيْنَ فَأَثَابَهُمُ اللهُ بِمَا قَالُوْا جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِيْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِيْنَ فِيْهَا وَذٰلِكَ جَزَاءُ الْمُحْسِنِيْنَ
And when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they have recognized of the truth. They say, “Our Lord, we have believed, so register us among the witnesses. And why should we not believe in Allah and what has come to us of the truth? And we aspire that our Lord will admit us [to Paradise] with the righteous people.” So Allah rewarded them for what they said with gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. And that is the reward of doers of good.[7]
Here again we repeat the same question we posed before, is it possible that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala testifies to the goodness of a nation and decrees their everlasting abode to be Jannat whilst knowing that they will apostatise from their religion and pass away in the state of disbelief?
The promise of Jannat in favour of the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum has been reiterated in numerous other places in the Noble Qur’an. It is with regard to them that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:
وَإِنَّ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ لَمَنْ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللهِ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْهِمْ خَاشِعِيْنَ للهِ لَا يَشْتَرُوْنَ بِآيَاتِ اللهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيْلًا أُولٰئِكَ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ إِنَّ اللهَ سَرِيْعُ الْحِسَابِ
And indeed, among the People of the Scripture are those who believe in Allah and what was revealed to you and what was revealed to them, [being] humbly submissive to Allah. They do not exchange the verses of Allah for a small price. Those will have their reward with their Lord. Indeed, Allah is swift in account.[8]
الَّذِيْنَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ هُمْ بِهِ يُؤْمِنُوْنَ وَإِذَا يُتْلىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ قَالُوْا آمَنَّا بِهِ إِنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَّبِّنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا مِنْ قَبْلِهِ مُسْلِمِيْنَ أُولٰئِكَ يُؤْتَوْنَ أَجْرَهُمْ مَّرَّتَيْنِ بِمَا صَبَرُوْا وَيَدْرَءُوْنَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ السَّيِّئَةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنْفِقُوْنَ
Those to whom We gave the Scripture before it – they are believers in it. And when it is recited to them, they say, “We have believed in it; indeed, it is the truth from our Lord. Indeed, we were, [even] before it, Muslims [i.e., submitting to Allah].” Those will be given their reward twice for what they patiently endured and [because] they avert evil through good, and from what We have provided them they spend.[9]
[1] Surah al Tawbah: 100.
[2] Surah al Tawbah: 88-89.
[3] Surah al Tawbah: 19-22.
[4] Surah al Fath: 29.
[5] Surah al Nisa’: 95.
[6] Surah al Hadid: 10.
[7] Surah al Ma’idah: 83-85.
[8] Surah Al ‘Imran: 199.
[9] Surah al Qasas: 52-54.