According to the verses and hadiths about the bridge of Sirat, Ahl al-Sunnah and Jama’ah believe in its existence and have entrusted its truth to Allah Almighty.
Ahl al-Sunnah wa Jama’ah believe that the bridge of Sirat is real; it is narrower than a hair and sharper than a sword. The righteous pass through it while the wicked fall into Hell.
Allamah Ibn Abi al-Azz, the Hanafi commentator of Al-Aqidah al-Tahawiyyah, speaks about the bridge of Sirat: “We believe in the bridge of Sarat, which is a bridge that spans Hell. Reaching the bridge of Sarat signifies that people are separated from the place of reckoning and lead to the darkness that lies below the bridge of Sarat.”
Sunnis believe that the bridge of Sirat is real, as it is mentioned in the Qur’an and Sunnah and is agreed upon by scholars.
Reasons of Ahl al-Sunnah wa Jama’ah
Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: «وإن مِّنکُم إلَّا وَارِدُهَا کَانَ عَلَی رَبِّكَ حَتمَا مَّقضِيَّا – ثُمَّ نُنَجِّي الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوا وَّنَذَرُ الظَّالِمِينَ فِيهَا جِثِيًّا» “And there is none of you unless he enters upon it; this [promise] is a definite decree from your Lord. Then We will save the righteous and leave the wrongdoers there while they are lost.”
It is stated in Sahih Muslim that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, said: “I swear by the Lord whom my soul belongs to: None of those who pledged allegiance under the tree will enter Hell.” Hazrat Hafsa, may Allah be pleased with her, asked, “O Messenger of Allah, did not Allah Almighty say: «وإن مِّنکُم إلَّا وَارِدُهَا»?” He replied, “Did you not hear that Allah Almighty says further: «ثُمَّ نُنَجِّي الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوا وَّنَذَرُ الظَّالِمِينَ فِيهَا جِثِيًّا»?” The commentator of Al-Tahawiyyah writes: “The commentators have differed in their interpretations of this verse. The strong and apparent meaning is that it refers to crossing the bridge of Sarat.”
Hadiths of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)
It is narrated from Hasan that once Hazrat Ayesha, may Allah be pleased with her, mentioned the fire of Hell and cried. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, asked, “What made you cry?” She replied, “I remembered the fire of Hell, and it made me cry. Do you remember your family on the Day of Judgment?” The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, responded: «أما في ثلاثة مواطن فلا یذکر أحد أحدا: عند المیزان حتی یعلم أیخف میزانه أو یثقل وعند الکتاب حین یقال «هاؤم اقروا کتابیه» حتی یعلم أین یقع کتابه أفي یمینه أم في شماله أم من وراء ظهره وعند الصراط إذا وضع بین ظهری جهنم.» “But no one remembers anyone else in three places: at the time of weighing deeds, when it is said to take the letter of his deeds and read it, and on the bridge of Sirat when he sees Hell on both sides.”
Amr bin Sulaiman narrates on the authority of Abu Saeed, may Allah be pleased with him, that he heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say: «یوضع الصراط بین ظهراني جهنم، علی حسک کحسک السعدان، ثم یستجیز الناس، فناج مسلم، ومخدوج به، ثم ناج، ومحتبس به، ومنکوس فیها.» “The bridge of Sirat is placed in the midst of Hell on thorny plants, and then people cross it: a group is saved and remains healthy, a group is wounded but eventually saved, while some get stuck and fall into Hell.”
It is narrated from Hazrat Mughirah bin Shohba, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, said: «شعار المؤمن علی الصراط رب سلم سلم» “The slogan of the believer on the bridge of Sirat is: ‘O Lord, keep me safe, keep me safe.’”
It is narrated from Hazrat Ayesha, may Allah be pleased with her, that she asked: «والأرض جمیعا قبضته یوم القیامة والسماوات مطویات بیمینه» فأین المومنون یومئذ؟ قال: علی الصراط یا عائشة.» “O Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, the whole earth is under Allah’s power, and the heavens are crushed in His hand (power). So where will the believers be on that day?” The Prophet of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, replied: “O Ayesha, they will be on the bridge of Sirat.”
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