Author: Om Aisha
Morjaeh Sect (21st part)
The point of view of Ahl al-Sunnah and Jama’ah
The ummah (Islamic nation) agrees that Allah Almighty forgives His servants, and the Qur’an has also addressed this issue. Undoubtedly the punishment for minor sins is absolute, and for major sins, it is obligatory after repentance. Therefore, by removing the punishment for both, there is no pardon or forgiveness; hence, it is necessary that the punishment for the perpetrator of a major sin should occur before repentance.
Allama Tahawi, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in this regard: “Those from the ummah of Muhammad, PBUH, who have committed a major sin and die as monotheists, will not remain eternally in the fire of Hell. Even if they have not repented, they (the perpetrators of major sins) are left to Allah’s will and decree after meeting Allah and recognizing Him (and giving their testimonies). If He wants, He will forgive them out of grace and kindness, as Allah says in the Qur’an: “وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ” Translation: “Allah forgives sins except polytheism to whomever He wills,” and if He wills, He will punish them in the fire according to His justice. Then, with His mercy and the intercession from among His obedient people (angels, prophets, and the righteous), He will bring them out of Hell and send them to His Paradise.”
Imam Razi, may Allah have mercy on him, says: “A believer is characterized by the attribute of faith, just as the black is characterized by the attribute of blackness, and a transgressor is characterized by the attribute of faith; because the meaning of faith is confirmation, according to the opinion of Imam Razi, the transgressor is defined by confirmation. Thus, he or she is considered a believer, and this is what is desirable.”
He continues: “A believer deserves a reward for his faith and other obedience, but he also deserves to be punished for his transgressions and sins. So, either he will be rewarded first and enter heaven. Then, if he enters hell due to his punishment for transgressions, it is not valid for everyone, or he will enter hell for a while, and then be transferred to heaven. This is the right path, showing that believing sinners will not stay in hell forever.
The author of Sharh al-Aqaed writes: “The perpetrators of major sins who are believers will not stay in hell forever, even if they die without repentance, because Allah (s.w.t) says: “وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ” Translation: “So whoever has done an atom’s weight of good will see it [reward]. Faith itself is a good deed. It is not possible to see its reward before entering the Hellfire. Therefore, the great offenders will enter the Hellfire, but by consensus, they should be taken out of the fire of hell, as they will be rewarded. This is supported by the saying of Allah Almighty: “وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ جَنَّاتٍ” Translation: “Allah has promised the believing men and women gardens.” He also says in another place: “إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ الْفِرْدَوْسِ نُزُلًا” Translation: “Indeed, those who believed and worked righteous deeds, their reception place is the Gardens of Paradise.” These and other texts indicate that a believer is one of the people of Paradise, despite the reasons already mentioned, showing a servant does not lose faith by sinning. Additionally, remaining forever in the fire of hell is one of the greatest punishments, and this punishment is specifically for disbelief, which is a great crime. If someone other than a disbeliever is punished with this penalty, it surpasses the crime, contradicting the concept of justice.
No one goes from the circle of faith to disbelief except by committing an act of blasphemy that leads to great disbelief and entirely violates his monotheism. Allah Almighty is just in His judgment. The person whose good deeds outweigh his bad deeds will, Allah willing, be among the saved. For those burdened with sins and evils, Allah may bring monotheists into the fire to cleanse them of their sins. After they have received the punishment they deserve, He will take them out of it. For someone who does not repent, it lies in the providence and will of Almighty Allah. He may choose to forgive or punish them. The repentance from a major sin or polytheism leaves no room for contradiction. This is illustrated in a hadith narrated by Imam Muslim, may Allah have mercy on him, on the authority of Hazrat Ubada bin Samit: “We were sitting in a meeting with him, and he said…”
“Ahl al-Sunnah and Jama’ah” states: “The perpetrators of major sins will not remain in the fire of hell forever. Even if they leave this world without repentance, they are under the providence of the Almighty Allah, who may forgive them with an intercessor’s help and spare them from hellfire. As Allah Almighty says: “إِنَّ الْحَسَنَاتِ يُذْهِبْنَ السَّيِّئَاتِ” Translation: “Indeed, good deeds wipe out bad deeds.”
