According to surah 19:70-72, everyone will enter into hell, including Muslims. Allah will then bring out the god-fearing:
Then We shall pluck forth from every party whichever of them was the most hardened in disdain of the All-merciful; then We shall know very well those most deserving to burn there. Not one of you there is, but he shall go down to it (wariduha); that for thy Lord is a thing decreed, determined. Then We shall deliver those that were godfearing; and the evildoers We shall leave there, hobbling on their knees. A.J. Arberry
Many Muslims have tried to deny that the text says that everyone will enter hell. They argue that the expression "go down" (wurood) doesn’t necessarily mean to enter hell, but it can also mean to pass through or over. Some will even argue that the text is simply saying that people will cross over hell into Paradise on a bridge called Sirat, even though the Quran nowhere alludes to such a bridge. The late A.Y. Ali wrote:
Three interpretations are possible, (1) The GENERAL interpretation is that EVERYONE must pass through or by or over the Fire. Those who have Taqwa (see n. 26 to ii.2) will be saved by Allah’s Mercy, while unrepentant sinners will suffer the torments in ignominy, (2) If we refer the pronoun "you" to those "in obstinate rebellion" in verse 69 above, both leaders and followers in sin, this verse only applies to the wicked, (3) Some refer this verse to the Bridge over Hell, the Bridge Sirat, over which all must pass to their final Destiny. This Bridge is not mentioned in the Qur’an. (Ali, The Holy Qur’an: Translation and Commentary, fn. 2518; underline and capital emphasis ours)
Pay close attention to Yusuf Ali’s claim that the general Muslim understanding of the passage has been that everyone will have to pass through, by or over the Fire. The late Muhammad Asad stated:
55 Lit., "none of you but will reach it". According to SOME of the classical authorities, the pronoun "you" relates to the sinners spoken of in the preceding passages, and particularly to those who refuse to believe in resurrection; the MAJORITY of the commentators, however, are of the opinion that ALL HUMAN BEINGS, sinners and righteous alike, are comprised within this address in the sense that all "will come within sight of it": hence my rendering. (Source; capital and italic emphasis ours)
Despite Asad’s rendering of the Arabic as "will come within sight of it", his candid admission that the majority of Islamic scholarship held the position that the verse is addressing every person is quite significant. We will have more to say about this point later on.
For a sample of Muslim responses please consult the following articles: [1], [2].
Instead of responding here to all the objections we will provide a host of translations, hadiths and commentaries to see how those Muslims understood the passage. We want to see whether Muslims have traditionally interpreted this passage to imply that everyone will enter hell. We will then, in the second part, take a look at a specific Muslim response and see whether the arguments presented hold any real weight.
To make it easier for our readers to follow our arguments, we break down our article into the following sections.
1. The Translations
Here is how both Muslims and non-Muslims render the word wurood in S. 19:71.
Muslim Translations
There is not one of you but shall approach it… Pickthall
Not one of you but will pass over it… Y. Ali
And there is not one of you but shall pass over it… Daryabadi
There is not a single one of you, who shall not pass over it… F. Malik
There is not one of you but will pass over it (Hell)… Hilali-Khan
And there is not one of you but shall come to it… M.M Ali
And every one of you will come within sight of it… Asad
And there is not one of you but shall come to it… Shakir
And there is not one of you but will come to it… Sher Ali
And there is none of you except he will come to it… SAHEEH INTERNATIONAL
there is not one of you but he will be led up to it… T.B. Irving
Every single one of you must see it… Khalifa
There is none among you, (O those condemned to Hell!), but shall reach there (- the Hell)… Amatul & ‘Abdul Manan ‘Omar
It is the inevitable decree of your Lord that every one of you will be taken to hell. Muhammad Sarwar
Non-Muslim translations
There is not one of you who shall not pass through it… N.J. Dawood
There shall be none of you but shall descend into the same [hell]… George Sale
No one is there of you who shall not go down unto it… J.M. Rodwell
Rodwell’s footnote 25 reads:
Even the pious on their way to Paradise are to pass the confines of Hell. (Source)
The preceding renderings make one thing clear. Muslim translators, for the most part, are more likely to render the passage in such a way as to deny that everyone will enter hell. Sarwar is the exception, with the translations of SAHEEH INTERNATIONAL, Irving and the Omar brothers implying that men will enter.
On the other hand, the non-Muslims render the phrase to mean actual entrance into hell, with the exception of Dawood.
Since the translations are not conclusive at this point, we now turn our attention to the Quran itself.
2. The Quran’s Use of Wurood
In several places the Quran uses different forms of the word wurood in the same context of people entering hell.
He will go before his people on the Day of Judgment, and lead them into the Fire (fa awradahumu alnnara) (as cattle are led to water): But woeful indeed will be the place to which they are led! S. 11:98 Y. Ali
But the sinners will we drive unto (wirdan) Hell, like flocks driven to the watering. S. 19:86 Rodwell
Verily, ye, and what ye worship beside God, shall be fuel for hell: ye shall go down into it (waridoona). S. 21:98 Rodwell
The only possible meaning in these contexts is that evildoers will actually enter into hell itself. Interestingly, 19:86 appears in the same surah just some fifteen verses after 19:71. Since these contexts are virtually identical to 19:71 it therefore follows to reason that the meaning will be the same as well, especially when some fifteen verses later the same word is used in connection with sinners literally entering hell.
Furthermore, the verse right after 19:71 supports the view that people will literally enter hell:
"And there is not one of you but will come to it. This is an absolute decree of thy Lord. And WE shall save the righteous, and shall leave the wrongdoers therein, on their knees."
The statement that Allah will deliver the righteous and leave the wrongdoer in hell presumes that the righteous are in there as well.
Hence, the usage of the term wurood within the Quran in contexts similar to 19:71, as well as the immediate context of the passage itself, conclusively point in the direction of all people, including all Muslims, having to enter into hell for a short while.
3. The Hadiths
The hadiths provide evidence for the view that Muslims will enter hell and then come out. We do need to be cautious here. The hadiths do not indicate that ALL Muslims will enter hell. They suggest that there will be many Muslims in hell which Allah will bring out on the basis of Muhammad’s intercession.
SAHIH AL-BUKHARI
… Anas then said, "Muhammad talked to us saying, 'On the Day of Resurrection THE PEOPLE will surge with each other like waves, and then they will come to Adam and say, 'Please intercede for us with your Lord.'…
They would come to me and I would say, 'I am for that.' Then I will ask for my Lord's permission, and it will be given, and then He will inspire me to praise Him with such praises as I do not know now. So I will praise Him with those praises and will fall down, prostrate before Him. Then it will be said, 'O Muhammad, raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to; and ask, for your will be granted (your request); and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.' I will say, 'O Lord, my followers! My followers!' And then it will be said, 'Go and take out of Hell (Fire) all those who have faith in their hearts, equal to the weight of a barley grain.' I will go and do so and return to praise Him with the same praises, and fall down (prostrate) before Him. Then it will be said, 'O Muhammad, raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to, and ask, for you will be granted (your request); and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.' I will say, 'O Lord, my followers! My followers!' It will be said, 'Go and take out of it all those who have faith in their hearts equal to the weight of a small ant or a mustard seed.' I will go and do so and return to praise Him with the same praises, and fall down in prostration before Him. It will be said, 'O, Muhammad, raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to, and ask, for you will be granted (your request); and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.' I will say, 'O Lord, my followers!' Then He will say, 'Go and take out (all those) in whose hearts there is faith even to the lightest, lightest mustard seed. (Take them) out of the Fire.' I will go and do so."' …
Anas told me the same as he told you and said that the prophet added, 'I then return for a fourth time and praise Him similarly and prostrate before Him. He asks me the same as he did, 'O Muhammad, raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to; and ask, for you will be granted (your request): and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.' I will say, 'O Lord, allow me to intercede for whoever said, 'None has the right to be worshiped except Allah.' Then Allah will say, 'By my Power, and my Majesty, and by My Supremacy, and by My Greatness, I will take out of Hell (Fire) whoever said: 'None has the right to be worshipped except Allah.'" (Volume 9, Book 93, Number 601)
SAHIH MUSLIM
… It would be said to me: O Muhammad, raise your head, and say and it would be heard; ask and it would be granted; intercede and intercession would be accepted. So I would say: My people, my people. It would be said to me: Go and take out from it (Hell) him who has in his heart faith equal to the weight of a mustard seed. I would go and do that. I would again return to my Lord and extol Him with those praises. I would then fall in prostration. It would be said to me: O Muhammad, raise your head: say, and you would be listened to; ask and it would be granted; intercede and intercession would be accepted. I would say: My Lord, my people, my people. It would be said to me: Go, and bring out of the Fire him who has in his heart as much faith as the smallest, smallest, smallest grain of mustard seed. I would go and do that. (Book 1, Number 377)
HADITH QUDSI 36
The believers will gather together on the Day of Resurrection and will say: Should we not ask [someone] to intercede for us with our Lord? So they will come to Adam and will say: You are the Father of mankind; Allah created you with His hand He made His angels bow down to you and He taught you the names of everything, so intercede for us with you Lord so that He may give us relief form this place where we are. And he will say: I am not in a position [to do that] - and he will mention his wrongdoing and will feel ashamed and will say: Go to Noah, for he is the first messenger that Allah sent to the inhabitants of the earth… So they will come to me and I shall set forth to ask permission to come to my Lord, and permission will be given, and when I shall see my Lord I shall prostrate myself. He will leave me thus for such time as it pleases Him, and then it will be said [to me]: Raise your head. Ask and it will be granted. Speak and it will be heard. Intercede and your intercession will be accepted. So I shall raise my head and praise Him with a form of praise that He will teach me. Then I shall intercede and HE will set me a limit [as to the number of people], so I shall admit them into Paradise. Then I shall return to Him, and when I shall see my Lord [I shall bow down] as before. Then I shall intercede and He will set me a limit [as to the number of people]. So I shall admit them into Paradise. Then I shall return for a third time, then a fourth, and I shall say: There remains in Hell-fire only those whom the Quran has confined and who must be there for eternity. There shall come out of Hell-fire he who has said: There is no god but Allah and who has in his heart goodness weighing a barley-corn; then there shall come out of Hell-fire he who has said: There is no god but Allah and who has in his heart goodness weighing a grain of wheat; then there shall come out of Hell-fire he who has said: There is no god but Allah and who has in his heart goodness weighing an atom.
It was related by al-Bukhari (also by Muslim, at-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah). (Source)
The following tradition indicates that others will intercede for people in hell and be heard:
Narrated Anas ibn Malik
Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "The inhabitants of Hell will be drawn up in line, and when one of the inhabitants of Paradise passes them one of them will say, 'So and so, do you not recognise me? I am the one who gave you a drink.' And one of them will say, 'I am the one who gave you water for ablution.' He will then intercede for him and bring him into Paradise."
Ibn Majah transmitted it. (Al-Tirmidhi Hadith, Number 1473– taken from the ALIM CD-ROM version)
These traditions demonstrate the plausibility of interpreting 19:71 to mean that every Muslim will enter hell. After all, if Allah allows bad Muslims to enter hell and then come out due to Muhammad’s intercession, then he can also allow good Muslims to enter there as well.
More importantly, these hadiths do not necessarily state that Muhammad is interceding simply for bad Muslims. The context says that the people, specifically believers, will look for help from the prophets, without stating that these are evildoers. Thus, the natural implication is that everyone will seek aid from the prophets on the Day of Judgment with Muhammad specifically interceding for Muslims, whether good or bad.
It seems that Allah’s purpose in doing this is to allow the Muslims to better appreciate his "grace" and the "blessings" of Paradise after having experienced hellfire for a while.
There is one hadith, however, which states that mankind in general will enter hell and come out, some faster than others, depending on their deeds (or lack thereof):
Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas'ud
Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "Mankind WILL GO DOWN TO HELL and then COME UP up from it because of their deeds, the first of them like a flash of lighting, the next like the wind, the next like a horse's gallop, the next like one riding on his pack-saddle, the next like a man's running, the next like his walking." Tirmidhi transmitted it. (Tirmidhi Hadith, Number 1475- ALIM CD-ROM Version)
This narration provides support for understanding surah 19:71 to be referring to all mankind entering hell.
In fact, here is another narration which indicates that Allah's promise to send people to hell also includes Muslims:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "Any Muslim who has lost three of his children will not be touched by the Fire except that which will render Allah's oath fulfilled." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 78, Number 650)
The Quran translators Al-Hilali and Khan quote this hadith in their commentary on surah 19:71 and state that the oath mentioned in this narration refers to the promise made by Allah in this very Quranic verse to send people to hell:
* Allah's Oath alluded to here is the Qur'anic Verse: "There is not one of you but will pass over it (Hell), this is with your Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished." (V. 19:71) (Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud Din Al-Hilali & Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Interpretation of the Meanings of the Noble Qur'an: With Comments from Tafsir At-Tabari, Tafsir Al-Qurtubi and Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Ahadith from Sahih Al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim and other Ahadith Books [Darussalam Publishers & Distributors, Riyadh, Lahore, Houston, New York, First Edition: January 2000], Part 4. From Surah 16 to 20, p. 400, fn. to Q. 19:71)
Thus, the above narrative substantiates that Allah’s decree in surah 19:71 means that even Muslims will be sent to hell!
4. The Muslim Commentators
Our dear brother Dimitrius, a very fine Christian gentleman, writer, apologist in his own right, translated the following section entirely from the Arabic. Needless to say, this section would not have been possible without Dimitrius’ hard efforts in producing it. For that, we are completely grateful to him for taking time out of his busy schedule to assist us. May our risen and immortal Lord and Savior Jesus Christ richly bless this young soldier and his family with God’s eternal riches. Amen.
Dimitrius writes:
Here are the translations of all four commentaries of Surah 19:71 (Muslims going through hell) given by Ibn Kathir, Jalalayn, Qurtubi and Tabari.
I need to make a few notes about the translation itself.
All four commentaries agree that the meaning of the word wurood means to enter and pass through hell. However, they also present the other lesser authoritative opinions on the topic, i.e. like wurood meaning to "walk over hell" but not actually into hell, or that wurood could mean to be sick on earth with a fever so you don’t go to hell in the afterlife.
The last two explanations of course don’t make sense but the commentators have included the quotes of people who make these claims. Please note that the majority of quotes are of the opinion that Muslims will go into hell like everyone else, and then later Allah will save them and take them out of the fire, or the intercession of the prophets and other Muslims will remove them from hell. If you notice, Jalalyn’s commentary is only one sentence long and it says that all Muslims must go into hell…
I have tried to translate the entire commentaries word for word as opposed to re-phrasing the meaning in my own words. I have not inserted any personal statements into the translation. However, it was at times necessary to add a word to make the sentence read better and in those cases I placed the word I added in brackets ( ).Usually this was done when the commentator keeps referring to "it" in a long sentence and I would have to write (in brackets) what the "it" was referring to.
Another point to keep in mind is that the commentator’s writing style is lengthy, unformatted and loaded with run-on sentences. At other times their sentences are only 2 or 3 words long. Basically, their style is very unstructured when writing an explanation. As a matter of fact, each of their commentaries on a verse in the Arabic version is one long paragraph that runs several pages long.
This brings me to the next point. The majority of their writing has to do with quoting narrators who said such and such a thing. As a result, the phrase "narrated by" and "said" is repeated over and over again. This may require you to look at the punctuation
I have used at the beginning and end of quotes. I also had to break up the commentary into sectioned paragraph, where the topic changes.
Again, this translation is word for word, with no personal comments added. I only re-organized the format but did not change the content. I suggest that you allow someone fluent in both English and Arabic… read the original and the translated commentaries to assess its accuracy. I’m pretty confident that I have captured it all but its best to double check.
And now on to the translations. All capital and underline emphasis ours.
Ibn Kathir’s Commentary
Surah 19:71 Not one of you but will pass through it: this is, with thy Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished.
Imam Ahmad narrated that Sulaiman Ibn Harb narrated that Khalid Ibn Sulaiman narrated that Kathir Ibn Ziad Al- Barsani narrated that Abu Sumaya said, "We differed about the meaning of ‘Passing through it’ (wari-duha). For some of us said that no believer will enter hell and others said all (people) shall enter it and then Allah will save those who have done righteousness. Then I met Jabir Ibn Abdallah and I informed him that we differed about the meaning of, ‘Pass through it,’ and he replied that, "EVERYONE SHALL ENTER IT."
Also Sulaiman Ibn Murrah said THAT EVERYONE SHALL ENTER IT (hell). Then he placed his fingers near his ears and said, "I would have remained silent had I not heard the apostle of Allah -pbuh- say, ‘There shall not remain a righteous or sinful person but shall enter hell. To the believer the fire will be cool and pleasant as it was to Abraham to the point that hell will be noisy because the believers are cold. Then Allah will save those who have avoided (evil) and greatly torment the sinners in it.’"
Also narrated by Hassan Ibn Arfa, narrated by Marwan Ibn Mu’awiya, narrated by Bahar Ibn Abu Marwan, narrated by Khalid Ibn Ma’dan who stated, "The people of paradise said after they entered paradise, ‘Didn’t our Lord promise that we will pass through hell?’ And they will be told, ‘You passed through it (hell) while it’s flames were calm.’"
Also narrated by Abdel Razak, narrated by Ibn Ayena, narrated by Ismail Ibn Abu Khalid, narrated by Qais Ibn Abu Hazem who said that Abdallah Ibn Rawaha placed his head on his wife’s lap and BEGAN TO WEEP, so his wife began to weep also. So he asked her, "Why are you weeping?" She responded, "I saw you weeping and so I started to weep." He said, "I remembered the saying of Allah - who is glorified and exalted- (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through it,’ AND I DON’T KNOW IF I WILL BE SAVED FROM IT OR NOT." In another narration it adds the phrase, ‘he said this while he was ill.’
Also narrated by Ibn Jarir, narrated by Abu Kurayb, narrated by Ibn Yaman, narrated by Malik Ibn Maghul, narrated by Ibn Ishaq who said, "Whenever Abu Maysarah would lie down on his bed he would say, ‘I wish my mother had never bore me.’ And then he would begin to weep. When asked why he was weeping he would respond, ‘We were told that WE WOULD ENTER HELL, BUT WE WEREN’T TOLD THAT WE WOULD EXIT FROM IT.’"
Also narrated by Abdallah Ibn Al-Mubarak, narrated by Al-Hassan Al-Basri who said, "A man said to his brother ‘Have you been told that you shall enter hell?’ The brother answered ‘YES.’ He then asked, ‘Have you also been told that you shall exit from it?’ The brother responded ‘NO.’ So he asked, ‘Then why the laughter?’ The brother responded, ‘I have not seen a person laugh until he joined Allah.’
Narrated by Abdel Razak, narrated by Ibn Ayena narrated by Amru who told us that he heard Ibn Abbas feud with Nafi Ibn Al-Azraq regarding the meaning of, ‘Entering (Al-wurood).’ He said it meant ‘Entering (Hell),’ but Nafi disagreed. Thus Ibn Abbas read (Surah 21:98) "‘Verily ye, and the gods that ye worship besides Allah, are but fuel for Hell! To it will ye surely will enter (Wardan),’ and asked did they enter or not? He also read (Surah 11:98) ‘He will go before his people on the Day of Judgment, and lead them (Awrada-hum) into the fire: but woeful indeed will be the place (Wird) to which they are led (Al-mawrud)!’ Did they enter or not? As for you and I, WE WILL ENTER IT but let us see if we will exit from it and I don’t see Allah taking you out of it because you lie (regarding its meaning)." Nafi then laughed.
Narrated by Ibn Jarir, narrated by Atta who stated that Abu Rashid Al-Harury, who is called Nafi Ibn Al-Azraq, said, "They (the believers) will not hear hell’s roar." So Ibn Abbas responded, "Woe to you! Are you insane? What of Allah’s verse (Surah 11:98) ‘He will go before his people on the Day of Judgment, and lead them (Awrada-hum) into the fire,’ and also the verse (Surah 19:86) ‘And We shall drive the sinners to hell being lead (Wirdan)’? And also the verse (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass (Waridu-ha) through it’? By Allah, the supplication of those who lived previously used to be, ‘O Allah TAKE ME OUT OF HELL FIRE peacefully and allow me to enter paradise victorious.’"
Narrated by Ibn Jarir, narrated by Muhammad Ibn Ubaid Al-Mihrabu, narrated by Asbat, narrated by Abdel Malik, narrated by Ubaid Allah narrated by Mujahid who said, "I was in the company of Ibn Abbas when a man called Abu Rashid, who is also known as Nafi Al-Azraq, came and asked Ibn Abbas, ‘Have you seen the saying of Allah (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through (Waridu-ha) it: this is, with thy Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished?’ Ibn Abbas replied, ‘As for you and I, O Abu Rashid, WE SHALL ENTER IT (hell), but let us see WHETHER we shall exit from it or not.’"
Narrated by Abu Dawud Al-Tayalisi, narrated by Sha’aba, narrated by Abdallah Ibn Al-Sa’ib about those who heard Ibn Abbas read the verse (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through (Waridu-ha) it,’ meaning the infidels. This is how it was narrated by Amru Ibn Al-Walid Al-Basti that he heard Ikrimah read it likewise.
Also narrated by Al-Awfi, narrated by Ibn Abbas who said, "(Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through (Waridu-ha) it’ means that the righteous and the sinner (shall enter hell). For don’t you hear what Allah said to Pharaoh (Surah 11:98) ‘He will go before his people on the Day of Judgment, and lead them (Awrada-hum) into the fire,’ and also the verse (Surah 19:86) ‘And We shall drive the sinners to hell being lead (Wirdan)’? So he called ‘passing through’ (Wird) AN ENTRY INTO HELL AND NOT AN EXIT OUT OF IT."
Narrated by Imam Ahmed, narrated by Abdel Rahman, narrated by Israel, narrated by Al-Suddi, narrated by Murrah, narrated by Abdallah, who is known as Ibn Mas’ud, regarding (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through (Waridu-ha) it.’ The prophet said, "All people will enter (Yarud) hell and exit it by their deeds." This was also narrated by Al-Tirmidhi, narrated by Abd Ibn Hamid, narrated by Ubaid Allah, narrated by Israel, narrated by Al-Suddi. This was also narrated through Shu’bah, narrated by Al-Suddi, narrated by Murrah, narrated by Ibn Mas’ud.
It was also narrated by Asbat, narrated by Al-Suddi, narrated by Ibn Mas’ud who said, "All people shall walk (Yarud) on the (bridge) of Sirat and pass through (wu-rooda-hum) the fires of hell, then they will exit the (bridge) of Sirat by their deeds. Some of them will pass (as fast) as lightning; some of them will pass (as fast) as the wind; some of them will pass (as fast) as birds; some of them will pass (as fast) as running horses; some of them will pass (as fast) as running beasts, some of them will pass (running) as a man’s enemy so that the last one of them (passing) will have light shining only on the toes of his feet and the Sirat (bridge) will then be full. The Sirat (bridge) will be slippery with many thorns like a thorn bush. On either side of it will be angels with fiery shackles used for capturing people." This same hadith was also narrated by Ibn Abu Hatim.
Narrated by Ibn Jarir, narrated by Khalid Ibn Aslam, narrated by Al-Nadir, narrated by Israel, narrated by Abu Ishaq, narrated by Abu Al-Ahwas, narrated by Abdallah who stated that regarding verse (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through (Waridu-ha) it,’ the bridge of Sirat that passes through hell is as sharp as a sword. The first layer of people will pass as lightning, the second as the wind, the third as running horses, the fourth as running beasts. As they pass the angels will say, "O Allah save, save." To this hadith there are many references in both Sahih (Bukhari and Muslim) and others from the narration of Ans and Abu Sa’id and Abu Huraira and Jabir and others from among the companions, may Allah be pleased with them.
Narrated by Ibn Jarir, narrated by Yaqub, narrated by Ibn Alia, narrated by Al-Jariri, narrated by Abu Al-Salik, narrated by Ghunaim, narrated by Qais who stated that regarding, ‘entering (wurood) hell,’ Ka’b related, "Hell fire will hold on to people with great intensity so that the soles of the feet of ALL PEOPLE, both RIGHTEOUS and sinners, will be charred. Then one will cry out to hell saying, ‘Hold on to your people AND LET MY PEOPLE GO. Then hell will know who belongs to it better than a man knows his own son and the believers will exit with whitened garments.’" Ka’b also added that the distance between one guardian (of hell) and the next is a year’s travel. Each one of them holds a column containing two branches and with one thrust of the column, 70,000 people are thrown into the fire.
Narrated by Imam Ahmad, narrated by Abu Mu’awiya, narrated by Al-A’mash, narrated by Abu Sufyan, narrated by Jabir, narrated by Um Bashir, narrated by Hafsa who related that the prophet -pbuh- said, "It is my wish that those who participated in the battles of Badr and Hudaibiyah will not enter hell, Allah willing." Hafsa then asked, "Doesn’t Allah say (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through (Waridu-ha) it?’ The prophet then replied (Surah 19:72) ‘Then we will save those who have avoided (evil)."
In both Sahih (of Bukhari and Muslim) there is a hadith narrated by Al-Zuhri, narrated by Sa’id, narrated by Abu Huraira - may Allah be pleased with him- who related that the prophet - pbuh- said, "No Muslim whose three children die will have the fires of hell touch him, for he will be saved by the oath of (Allah)." This was also narrated by Abdel Razak, narrated by Ma’mar, narrated by Al-Zuhri narrated by Ibn Al-Maseeb, narrated by Abu Huraira who related that the prophet said, "If a person’s three children die the fire (of hell) will not touch him, he will be saved from it by (Allah’s) oath." This was the meaning of entry (wurood). Abu Zuhri stated this regarding (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through it: this is, with thy Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished.’
Narrated by Jarir, narrated by Imran Ibn Bakar Al-Kila’i, narrated by Abu Mughira, narrated by Abdel Rahman Ibn Yazid Ibn Tamim, narrated by Ismail ibn Ubaid Allah, narrated by Abu Salih, narrated by Abu Huraira who related that he was with the prophet -pbuh- who went out looking for one of his companions who was ill with a fever and said, "Allah the exalted says, ‘It is My fire that I impose on my believing servant, that it may be his portion of fire in the afterlife.’"
Narrated by Abu Kurayb, narrated by Abu Al-Yaman, narrated by Uthman Ibn Al-Aswad, narrated by Mujahid who related that fever is every believer’s portion of hell fire and then he recited (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through (Waridu-ha) it.’
Narrated by Imam Ahmad, narrated by Hassan, narrated by Ibn Luhay’a, narrated by Zaban Ibn Fa’id, narrated by Sahil Ibn Mu’ath Ibn Ans Al Juhani, narrated by his father who related that the prophet said, "He who reads the verse, ‘Say Allah is one,’ and completes it ten times, Allah will build a palace for him in paradise." Then Umar responded, "O prophet of Allah, then we will increase (the number of times we recite it)." The prophet replied, "Allah is the increase and more pleasant." The prophet also said, "He who reads a thousand verses for the sake of Allah will be written on the day of resurrection as being among the prophets, believers, martyrs and righteous who are worthy companions, if Allah wills it. He who voluntarily stands guard behind Muslims for the sake of Allah, not being forced to do so by a sultan, his eyes will not see the fires of hell for the oath (of Allah) rescues him."
Allah the exalted stated, (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through it,’ and reciting (the Quran) for the sake of Allah is worth 700 times more than charity; in another narration it is stated worth 700,000 times more than charity.
Narrated by Abu Dawud, narrated by Abu Tha’hir, narrated by Ibn Wahb, narrated by Yahya Ibn Ayub, narrated by Zaban, narrated by Sahil, narrated by his father who related that the prophet -pbuh- said, "Prayer is exalted, and fasting and recitation are increased above charity for the sake of Allah by 700 times."
Narrated by Abdel Razak, narrated by Mumar, narrated by Qatada who said, (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through it (wurood),’ means to go through. Also, Abdel Rahman Ibn Zaid Ibn Aslam stated regarding (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through it,’ that Muslims will pass over ("wurood") hell on a bridge, while the infidels will pass through hell. The prophet -pbuh- said, "The men and women who will be passing on the bridge (of Sirat) on judgment day will be many and there will be two groups of angels supplicating and saying ‘O Allah! Save, save.’"
Also, narrated by Al-Sadi, narrated by Murrah, narrated by Ibn Masud who stated that regarding (Surah 19:71) ‘a decree which must be accomplished,’ means that the decree is an oath that must be fulfilled. Mujahid also stated that the decree is a certainty of judgment. (Arabic source)
Al-Jalalayn’s Commentary
Surah 19:71 Not one of you but will pass through it: this is, with thy Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished.
"Not one" means that there will be none.
"Of you" means ALL PEOPLE.
"But will pass through" means THE ENTRY INTO HELL.
"A decree which must be accomplished" means it is a certainty and a judgment from which (Allah) will not relent from. (Arabic source)
Here is an alternate translation of Tafsir al-Jalalayn:
There is not one of you but shall come to it, that is, [but] shall enter Hell. That is an inevitability [already] decreed by your Lord, [something which] He made inevitable and [which] He decreed; He will not waive it. (Source)
Then We will deliver (read nunajjī or nunjī) those who were wary, of [committing] idolatry or disbelief, [We will deliver them] from it, and leave those who did wrong, by way of idolatry and disbelief, crouching therein, on their knees. (Source)
Al-Tabari’s Commentary
Surah 19:71 Not one of you but will pass through it:
The meaning of Allah’s saying, ‘Not one of you but will pass through it,’ is that from you people there shall be none who will not enter hell, for this was the will of thy Lord, O Muhammad; an order that will be fulfilled. For He has commanded it and revealed it in the mother of all books (the Quran).
The men of learning have differed about the meaning of pass through "wurood" that was mentioned in this verse. Some of them say that pass through "wurood" mean ENTRY INTO HELL. Of those that mentioned this meaning:
Narrated by Hassan Ibn Yahya, narrated by Abdel Razak, narrated by Ibn Ayena, narrated by Amru who stated that someone had heard Ibn Abbas feud with Nafi Ibn Al-Azraq. Ibn Abbas said, "Passing through (wurood) means ENTRY INTO HELL." Nafi replied, "No." So Ibn Abbas recited (Surah 21:98) ‘Verily ye, and the gods that ye worship besides Allah, are but fuel for Hell! To it will ye surely will enter (Wardan),’ and asked did they enter or not? He also read (Surah 11:98) ‘He will go before his people on the Day of Judgment, and lead them (Awrada-hum) into the fire: but woeful indeed will be the place (Wird) to which they are led (Al-mawrud)!’ Did they enter or not? As for you and I, WE WILL ENTER IT but let us see IF WE WILL EXIT FROM IT and I don’t see Allah taking you out of it because you lie (regarding its meaning). Nafi then laughed.
Narrated by Kasim, narrated by Al-Husain, narrated by Hajaj, narrated by Ibn Juraih, narrated by Ibn Abu Rabah, narrated by Abu Rashid Al-Harury who said, "They (the believers) will not hear hell’s roar." Ibn Abbas responded, "Woe to you! Are you insane? What of Allah’s verse (Surah 11:98) ‘He will go before his people on the Day of Judgment, and lead them (Awrada-hum) into the fire,’ and also the verse (Surah 19:86) ‘And We shall drive the sinners to hell being lead (Wirdan),’ and also the verse (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass (Waridu-ha) through it.’ By Allah, the supplication of those who lived previously used to be, "O Allah TAKE ME OUT OF HELL FIRE peacefully and allow me to enter paradise victorious."
Ibn Juraih narrated that passing though (Wurood) which Allah mentioned in the Quran means ENTRY INTO HELL, so that into hell shall enter EVERY RIGHTEOUS and sinner. In the Quran, entry into hell is mentioned 4 times: (Surah 11:98) ‘and lead them (awrada-hum) into the fire,’ and (Surah 21:98) ‘Verily ye, and the gods that ye worship besides Allah, are but fuel for Hell! To it will ye surely will enter (Wardan).’ And (Surah 19:86) ‘And We shall drive the sinners to hell being lead (Wirdan),’ and (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass (Waridu-ha) through it.’
Narrated by Muhammad Ibn Sa’d, narrated his father, narrated by his uncle, narrated by Ibn Abbas who said the verse (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass (Waridu-ha) through it,’ means EVERYONE, whether righteous or sinner. For have you not heard what Allah the exalted said to Pharaoh in (Surah 11:98) ‘He will go before his people on the Day of Judgment, and lead them (Awrada-hum) into the fire.’ And He also said in (Surah 19:86) ‘And We shall drive the sinners to hell being lead (Wirdan),’ so passing through (wurood) meant entering hell fire, not exiting from it.
Narrated by Hassan Ibn Urfa, narrated by Marwan Ibn Mu’awiya, narrated by Bakar, narrated by Abu Mu’awiya, narrated by Khalid Ibn Ma’dan who related that the people of paradise said when they entered paradise, "Didn’t our Lord promise that we will pass through hell?" They will be told, "You passed through it (hell) while its flames were calm."
Narrated by Ibn Urfa, narrated by Marwan Ibn Mu’awiya, narrated by Bakar Ibn Abu Marwan, narrated by Abu Jamida, narrated by Muhammad Ibn Al-Mathna, narrated by Marhum Ibn Abd Al-Aziz, narrated by Abu Khalid who said, "The earth will one day be aflame, so how have you prepared for it?" he said, "This is the saying of Allah in (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through it: this is, with thy Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished.’"
Narrated by Yaqub Ibn Ibrahim, narrated by Ibn Alia, narrated by Al-Jariri, narrated by Abu Al-Salil, narrated by Ghunaim Ibn Qais who related that concerning the entry (wurood) into hell fire Ka’b said, "Hell fire will hold on to people with great intensity so that the soles of the feet of ALL PEOPLE, both RIGHTEOUS and sinners, will be charred. Then one will cry out to hell saying, ‘Hold on to your people AND LET MY PEOPLE GO. Then hell will capture everyone that belongs to it, for hell will know who belongs to it better than a man knows his own son BUT THE BELIEVERS WILL EXIT WITH THEIR BODIES.’" Ka’b also added that the distance between one guardian (of hell) and the next is a year’s travel. Each one of them holds a column containing two branches and with one thrust of the column, 70,000 people are thrown into the fire.
Narrated by Abu Kurayb, narrated by Ibn Yaman, narrated by Malik Ibn Maghul, narrated by Abu Ishaq who said, "Whenever Abu Maysarah would lie down on his bed he would say, ‘I wish my mother had never bore me’ and then he would begin to weep. When asked why he was weeping he would respond, ‘We were told that WE WOULD ENTER HELL, but WE WEREN’T TOLD THAT WE WOULD EXIT FROM IT.’"
Narrated by Ibn Hamid, narrated by Hakam, narrated by Ismail, narrated by Qais who related that Abdallah Ibn Rawaha WEPT DURING HIS ILLNESS, so his wife wept also. He then asked her, "Why are you weeping?" She responded, "I saw you weeping and so I started to weep." Ibn Rawaha said, "I KNOW THAT I WILL ENTER HELL FIRE, BUT I DON’T KNOW WHETHER I WILL BE TAKEN OUT OF IT OR NOT."
Narrated by Qasim, narrated by Al-Husain, narrated by Amru Dawud Ibn Al-Zabarkan, narrated by Al-Suddi, narrated by Mura Al-Hamadani, narrated by Ibn Masud who said, ‘Not one of you but will pass (Waridu-ha) through it,’ means ENTRY (into hell).
Narrated by Qasim, narrated by Al-Husain, narrated by Hajaj, narrated by Ibn Jarih, narrated by Mujahid, narrated by Ibn Abbas who said, "’Not one of you but will pass (Waridu-ha) through it,’ means ENTRY (into hell).
Narrated by Al-Hussan Ibn Yahya, narrated by Abdel Razak, narrated by Ibn Ayina, narrated by Ismail Ibn Abu Khalid, narrated by Qais Ibn Abu Hazim who said that Abdallah Ibn Rawaha placed his head on his wife’s lap and BEGAN TO WEEP, so his wife began to weep also. So he asked her, "Why are you weeping?" She responded, "I saw you weeping and so I started to weep." He said, "I remembered the saying of Allah - who is glorified and exalted- (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through it,’ AND I DON’T KNOW IF I WILL BE SAVED FROM IT OR NOT."
Others have said that ‘Pass through’ (wurood) means to pass over hell fire. Of those who mentioned this:
Narrated by Bishr, narrated by Yazid, narrated by Sa’id, narrated by Qatada, who said that, ‘Not one of you but will pass through it,’ means that people passed over hell.
Narrated by Al-Hassan, narrated by Abdel Razak, narrated by Mu’amar, narrated by Qatada who said that ‘Not one of you but will pass through it,’ means that people will pass over hell.
Narrated by Khalid Ibn Aslam, narrated by Al-Nadir, narrated by Israel, narrated by Abu Ishaq, narrated by Abu Al-Ahwas, narrated by Abdallah said regarding (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through it’, "The Sirat (bridge) over hell is as sharp as a sword. The first layer (of people) will pass as lightning, the second layer as the wind, the third layer as running horses and the fourth layer as running beasts. Then the angels will pass saying, ‘O Allah! Save, save.’"
Others have said that pass through (wurood) means entry into hell for the infidels, not the believers. Of those who said this:
Narrated by Al-Mathna, narrated by Abu Dawud, narrated by Shu’ba, narrated by Abdallah Ibn Al-Sa’ib about a man who heard Ibn Abbas read (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through it,’ in regards to the infidels, but the believers will not enter it.
Narrated by Muhammad Ibn Bashar, narrated by Abdel Rahman, narrated by Amru Ibn Al-Walid Al-Shinni, narrated by Ikrimah who said that (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through it,’ refers to the infidels.
Others have said that ‘pass through’ (wurood) refers to all believers and infidels, with the difference being that (wurood) as applied to the believers means to walk through while (wurood) as applied to the infidels means to enter and stay. Of those who mentioned this:
Narrated by Yunus, narrated by Ibn Wahb, narrated by Ibn Zaid who stated regarding (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through it,’ that (wurood) for the Muslims will be to walk over the center of hell on the bridge (of Sirat) but (wurood) for the infidels will be to enter hell. For the prophet -pbuh- said, "The men and women who will be passing on the bridge (of Sirat) on judgment day will be many and there will be two groups of angels supplicating and saying, ‘O Allah! Save, save.’’"
Others have said that (wurood) for the believer is what befalls him in this world from fever and illness. Of those who said this:
Narrated by Abu Kurayb, narrated by Ibn Yaman, narrated by Uthman Ibn Al-Aswad, narrated by Mujahid who said, "Fever is the portion of every believer from hell fire." He then read (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through it.’
Narrated by Imran Ibn Bakar Al-Kila’i, narrated by Abu Mughira, narrated by Abdel Rahman Ibn Yazid Ibn Tamim, narrated by Ismail Ibn Ubaid Allah, narrated by Abu Salih, narrated by Abu Huraira who related that he was with the prophet -pbuh- who went out looking for one of his companions who was ill with a fever and said, "Allah the exalted says, ‘It is My fire that I impose on my believing servant, that it may be his portion of fire in the afterlife.’"
Others have said, (Yaru-daha) means ALL PEOPLE will enter hell and the believers will exit by their deeds. Of those who said this:
Narrated by Ibn Al-Mathna, narrated by Yahya Ibn Sai’d, narrated by Shu’ba, narrated Al-Suddi, narrated by Murrah, narrated by Abdallah regarding (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through it.’ He said that all people will enter it (hell) and exit from it by their deeds.
Narrated by Muhammad Ibn Ubaid Al-Miharibi, narrated by Asbat, narrated by Abdul Malik, narrated by Ubaid Allah, narrated by Mujahid who said, "I was in the company of Ibn Abbas when a man called Abu Rashid, who is also known as Nafi Al-Azraq, came and asked Ibn Abbas, ‘Have you seen the saying of Allah (Surah 19:71) "Not one of you but will pass through (Waridu-ha) it: this is, with thy Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished"?’ Abu Abbas replied, ‘As for you and I, O Abu Rashid, we SHALL ENTER IT (hell), but let us see WHETHER we shall exit from it or not.’"
Narrated by Ibn Bashar, narrated by Abu Asim, narrated by Ibn Juraih, narrated by Abu Zubair who reported hearing Jabir Ibn Abdallah ask about the meaning of (wird) so he said, "On judgment day we will either be branded or restful standing above the people. Then all nations will be called by the name of their deities or what they worshipped, one after the other shall they follow. Then all people, hypocrites and believers, will be given a light to cover their darkness and follow (their deity) onto the bridge (of Sirat) where the shackles of hell will take those whom Allah wills. The light of the hypocrite will then be darkened and the believer will be rescued and the first group will be saved like a (bright) night with a full moon and 70,000 will not be judged. The ones behind them will be as bright as the stars in the skies and likewise saved. Then, intercession will dwell and they will intercede AND OUT OF HELL FIRE WILL EXIT ANYONE WHO SAID, ‘There is no god but Allah,’ who had the weight of a single hair of goodness in his heart. They will be hurled towards paradise where the people in paradise will dowse them with water. They will then sprout like a plant in the downpour and they will ask (for the reward) of the world and ten times as much will be given to them."
Also narrated by Al-Qasim, narrated by Al-Husain, narrated by Ibn Al-Mubarak who said, "A man said to his brother ‘Have you been told that you shall enter hell?’ The brother answered ‘YES.’ He then asked, ‘Have you also been told that you shall exit from it?’ The brother responded ‘NO.’ So he asked, ‘Then why the laughter?’ The brother responded, ‘I have not seen a person laugh until he joined Allah.’"
Narrated by Yunus, narrated by Ibn Wahb, narrated by Amru Ibn Al-Harith, narrated by Bakara that he said to Basir, "A certain man says that passing through (wurood) hell fire means passing over it." Basir replied that he heard Abu Huraira say, "On judgment day, all people will be gathered and a voice will cry out ‘Let all people join themselves to the deities they used to worship.’ So some will go to stones, others to horses and others to wood until those who remain are people who worshipped Allah. Then Allah will come to them and they will rise when they see Him and follow Him over the (bridge) of Sirat where there are traps. Then intercession will be allowed, so the people will pass and the prophets will say, ‘O Allah! Save, save.’"
The most PREFERRED of the correct sayings is he who said, "ALL PEOPLE WILL ENTER IT; then the believers will exit from it, whom Allah will save, but He will keep the infidels in it."
The meaning of the word(s) ‘passing through’ (wurood-daha) is revealed in the narrations about the prophet -pbuh- when he spoke of the (believers) passing through the crowd of hell on the bridge (of Sirat) and the Muslims are then HEAPED UP FROM HELL. Of the narrations that mentioned this:
Narrated by Abu Kurayb, narrated by Ibn Idris, narrated by Al-Amash, narrated by Abu Sufyan, narrated by Jabir, narrated by Um Mubshir the wife of Zaid Ibn Haritha who stated that the prophet -pbuh- said while he was in the house of Hafsa, "Those who participated in the battles of Badr and Hudaibiyah will not enter hell." Hafsa then asked, "Doesn’t Allah say (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through (Waridu-ha) it?’" The prophet then replied (Surah 19:72) ‘Then we will save those who have avoided (evil).’"
Narrated by Hassan Ibn Mudrik, narrated by Yahya Ibn Hamad, narrated by Abu Awana, narrated by Al-Amash, narrated by Abu Sufyan, narrated by Jabur, narrated by Um Mubshir narrated the same hadith as above.
Narrated by Abu Kurayb, narrated by Abu Mu’awiya, narrated by Al-Amash, narrated by Abu Sufyan, narrated by Jabur, narrated by Um Mubshir, narrated that Hafsa stated that the prophet - pbuh- said, "It is my wish that those who participated in the battles of Badr and Hudaibiyah will not enter hell, Allah willing." Hafsa then asked, "Doesn’t Allah say (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through (Waridu-ha) it?’" The prophet then replied (Surah 19:72) "Then we will save those who have avoided (evil)."
Narrated by Yaqub Ibn Ibrahim, narrated by Ibn Ayena, narrated by Muhammad Ibn Ishaq, narrated by Ubaid Allah Ibn Al Mughira Ibn Mu’ikab, narrated by Sulaiman Ibn Umru Ibn Abd Al-Atwari, a member of the tribe of Laith, who was in the lap of Abu Sa’id related that he heard Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri narrate that the apostle -pbuh- said, "The Sirat (bridge) will be placed over the center of hell and on it will be thorns similar (to the bones) of an ape. Then the Muslim will pass onto the bridge being wounded but saved from the crowded imprisonment. When Allah has finished from judging the people, the believers will look for men who were with them on earth praying as they prayed, paying the same Zakat they paid, fasting the same fast they fasted, performing the same pilgrimage they performed and making the same raids they made. The believers will then ask, ‘O, our Lord! There were servants who worshipped you that were with us on earth and used to pray as we prayed, pay the same Zakat we paid, fast the same fast we fasted, perform the same pilgrimage we performed and make the same raids we made but we don’t see them.’
Allah will say to them, ‘Depart to hell and whomever of these believers you find TAKE THEM OUT.’ So they will find that THE FIRE HAD ENGULFED THE BELIEVERS according to their deeds. For some of them will be engulfed by the fire to their feet, some of them will be engulfed to their knees, some of them will be engulfed to their chest and some of them will be engulfed to their necks but not their faces. They will be removed from the fire and cast into the water of life."
It was asked, "What is the water of life, O prophet of Allah?" He replied, "To be washed by the people of paradise and they will sprout as a plant sprouts from the foam of a flood. Then the prophets will intercede on behalf of anyone who faithfully witnessed that there is no god but Allah and the believers will be saved from it (hell fire) and Allah will have compassion by His mercy on THOSE LEFT IN IT so that there will not be left in it a worshipper who has an atom’s weight of faith in his heart who will not be REMOVED FROM HELL."
Narrated by Muhammad Ibn Abdallah Ibn Abdel Hakim, narrated by Abu Shu’ayb Ibn Al-Laith, narrated by Laith Ibn Khalid, narrated by Yazid Ibn Abu Hilal, narrated by Zaid Ibn Aslam, narrated Atta Ibn Yassar, narrated by Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri who related that the prophet said, "The bridge will be brought on judgment day and placed in the center of hell." We asked, "O prophet, what is the bridge?" He replied, "A slippery slope on which are placed catchers and shackles and flattened fish bones that have raised thorns called Sa’dan. The believer will pass on it like a glance, lightning, wind, running horses and riders. Then there will be rescued Muslims, scratched Muslims all compacted in hell and the last of them will pass quickly. You will not seek me in truth more urgently, by Allah the blessed and exalted, than the believers on that day, who will see some saved but their brothers left behind."
Narrated by Ahmad Ibn Issa, narrated by Sa’id Ibn Kathir Ibn Afeer, narrated by Ibn Luhay’a, narrated by Abu Zubair who related that he asked Jabir Ibn Abdallah about the meaning of (wurood), who replied that he heard the prophet -pbuh- say, "It means ENTRY." They (the believers) WILL ENTER HELL and then exit from it. The last man to remain on the Sirat (bridge) will crawl so Allah will raise for him a tree and the man will cry out, ‘O my Lord, bring me closer to it.’ So Allah -the blessed and exalted- will bring him closer to it. Then the man will say, ‘O my Lord, place me in paradise,’ and Allah will tell him to ask for it and the man will ask. Then Allah will say to him, ‘It is yours and ten times more or so.’ The man will ask, ‘O Lord, are you mocking me?’ Then he will laugh to the point that his gums and back teeth show.
Narrated by Yunus, narrated by Ibn Wahb, narrated by Yahya Ibn Ayub, narrated by Abi Kurayb, narrated by Muhammad Ibn Zaid, narrated by Rashid, who all heard from Zaid Ibn Fa’id, narrated by Sahl Ibn Mu’ath, narrated by his father who narrated that the prophet said, "He who voluntarily stands guard behind the Muslims, not taken by the sultan with guards, will not see the fires of hell with his eyes when he is released by Allah’s oath. For Allah the exalted says, (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through (Waridu-ha) it.’
Narrated by Al-Hassan Ibn Yahya, narrated by Abdel Razak, narrated by Ma’mar, narrated by AL-Zuhary, narrated by Ibn Al-Maseeb, narrated by Abu Huraira that the prophet said, "He whose three children die will not be touched by the fires of hell for he will be released from it by the oath (of Allah)," regarding wurood. (Arabic source)
The following is taken from The History of Al-Tabari: The Victory of Islam, translated by Michael Fishbein (State University of New York Press [SUNY], Albany 1997), Volume VIII (8), pp. 152-153:
According to Ibn Humayd- Salamah- Muhammad b. Ishaq- Muhammad b. Ja‘far b. al-Zubayr- ‘Urwah b. al-Zubayr, who said: The Messenger of God sent his expedition to Mu’tah in Jumada I of the year 8. He put Zayd b. Harithah in command of the men and said, "If Zayd b. Harithah is killed, Ja‘far b. Abi Talib shall be in command of the men; if Ja‘far is killed, ‘Abdallah b. Rawahah shall be in command… When ‘Abdallah b. Rawahah said goodbye with the other commanders of the Messenger of God who were doing so, HE WEPT. They said to him, "What is making you weep, Ibn Rawahah?" He said, "By God, I have no love of this world or excessive love for you, but I heard the Messenger of God recite a verse from the Book of God that mentioned the Fire [of Hell] - ‘Not one of you there is, but he shall go down to it; that for thy Lord is a thing decreed, determined’ - AND I DO NOT KNOW HOW I CAN COME OUT AFTER GOING DOWN." The Muslims said, "May God accompany you, defend you, and bring you back to us in good health." …
The above story is reported by Ibn Ishaq, one of the first who wrote a biography on Muhammad:
Muhammad b. Ja'far b. al-Zubayr from 'Urwa b. al-Zubayr said: The apostle sent his expedition to Mu'ta in Jumada'l-Ula in the year 8 and put Zayd b. Haritha in command; if Zayd were slain then Ja'far b. Abu 'Talib was to take command, and if he were killed then 'Abdullah b. Rawaha. The expedition got ready to the number of 3,000, and prepared to start. When they were about to set off they bade farewell to the apostle's chiefs and saluted them. When 'Abdullah b. Rawaha took his leave of the chiefs he wept and when they asked him the reason he said, 'By God, it is not that I love the world and am inordinately attached to you, but I heard the apostle read a verse from God's book in which he mentioned hell: "There is not one of you but shall come to it; that is a determined decree of your Lord," and I do not know how I can return after I have been to it.' The Muslims said, 'God be with you and protect you and bring you back to us safe and sound.' ... (Ishaq's Sirat Rasulullah (The Life of Muhammad), translated by Alfred Guillaume [Oxford university Press, Karachi, tenth impression 1995], p. 532; bold emphasis ours)
Al-Qurtubi’s Commentary
There are five issues:
The first is the saying of Allah "And of you" which is a vow (in Surah 19:71). The "And" has been explained in the hadith of the prophet -pbuh- when he said, "No Muslim whose three children die will have the fires of hell touch him, he will be saved by the oath of (Allah)." Al-Zuhri stated that it seems that by this hadith is explained the meaning of the verse (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through it.’ So the oath mentioned in (Surah 19:71) ‘this is, with thy Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished,’ refers to the previous verse of, ‘Not one of you but will pass through it.’ Some have mentioned that the oath mentioned in this verse actually refers to (Surah 51:1), ‘The bounties given,’ but the first meaning is the more famous and fits the meaning.
The second issue:
People have differed regarding the meaning of the word (wurood), for some say wurood means entry into hell. It is narrated by Jabir Ibn Abdallah that he heard the prophet -pbuh- say, "Wurood is entry (into hell). There shall not remain A RIGHTEOUS MAN or sinner who will not enter hell. For the believer, it will be cool and peaceful as it was to Abraham. Then we will save those who have avoided (evil) and greatly torment the sinners in it." Abu Omar gave the chain of transmission (isnad) to this hadith in his book, "The Preparation (Al-Tam-heed)," and this is also narrated by Ibn Abbas, Khalid Ibn Mu’adh, Ibn Jarih and others.
It is related that Yunus used to read (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through it,’ to mean entry into hell and felt that some of the narrators erred in explaining the meaning of wurood, so he established (its meaning) from the Quran.
From Al-Darimi, narrated by Abdallah Ibn Mas’ud who related that the prophet -pbuh- said, "All people will ENTER (yarud) hell then exit it by their deeds. Some of them will exit like a glance, lightning, wind, a galloping horse, a glorious rider on a journey and a man walking in stride."
It is narrated that Abu Abbas said regarding this issue to Nafi Ibn Al-Azraqi Al-Khariji, "As for you and I, WE MUST ENTER IT. As for me, Allah will then save me from it but for you, I doubt He will save you because you lie regarding it."
Many scholars have diligently VERIFIED THE SURETY OF ENTRY (wurood) INTO HELL but expressed IGNORANCE ABOUT EXIT FROM IT and have stated so in the book ‘The Preparation (Al-Tam-heed)’.
A group said that wurood means walking on the bridge of (Sirat). It is narrated from Ibn Abbas, and Ibn Mas’ud, and Ka’b Al-Ahbar, and Al-Suddi who narrated it from Ibn Mas’ud who narrated it from the prophet -pbuh.
Al-Hassan also said, "Wurood does not mean entry, rather, you can say, ‘I have arrived (warad-tu) to (the city of) Basra but I have not entered it. So wurood means to pass on the Sirat (bridge)."
Abu Bakir Al-Anbari stated that there were some men of learning who followed the teachings of Al-Hassan and cited the verse of Allah (Surah 21:101) ‘Those for whom the Good (Record) from Us has gone before, will be removed far from there (hell),’ as proof for their belief. They said that no person can enter hell if Allah has guaranteed to protect them from it. They used to change the pronunciation of the word ‘Then" (Thumma) to (Thama) in the verse (Surah 19:72), ‘But then We shall save those who guarded against evil.’
Others objected to what these people said by stating that the meaning of (Surah 21:101) ‘will be removed far from there (hell),’ is that the righteous will be removed from the torment and burning found in hell. They also said that whoever enters hell and does not feel ache or pain because of it, he is in reality removed from it. They then confirm this teaching by pronouncing the word ‘Then’ as (Thumma) in the verse (Surah 19:72), ‘Then we will save those who avoided (evil).’ So the word ‘Then’ (Thumma) illustrates that there is A CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER of events; first the entry into hell then being saved from it.
In Sahih Muslim it is related that the prophet said, "The bridge will be brought on judgment day and placed in the center of hell." We asked, "O prophet, what is the bridge?" He replied, "A slippery slope on which are placed catchers and shackles and flattened fish bones that have raised thorns called Sa’dan. The believer will pass on it like a glance, lightning, wind, running horses and riders. Then there will be rescued Muslims, scratched Muslims all compacted IN HELL."
Some used this hadith as evidence that the meaning of (wurood) is to walk on the Sirat (bridge) as opposed to mean entry into hell. Others said that wurood means to behold, look at and approach hell, for the place of judgment will be near hell. So people will see it and look at it during the judgment then Allah will save those who have sought refuge from what they saw and usher them into paradise.
The verse (Surah 19:72) ‘and We shall leave the wrong-doers therein,’ means that the evil doers will be commanded into hell fire for Allah the exalted says (Surah 28:23) ‘And when he arrived at the watering (place) in Madyan,’ means that Moses approached the water but did not enter in it.
Hafsa narrated that the prophet -pbu- said, "Those who participated in the battles of Badr and Hudaibiyah will not enter hell." Hafsa then asked, "O apostle of Allah, what about Allah’s saying (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through (Waridu-ha) it?’" The prophet then replied, (Surah 19:72) ‘Then we will save those who have avoided (evil) and compact the evil doers in it.’ Imam Muslim brought forth this hadith as narrated by Um Mubshir who heard the prophet say it while at Hafsa’s house.
Al-Zujaj also supported this opinion by (Surah 21:101) ‘Those for whom the Good (Record) from Us has gone before, will be removed far there from (hell).’ Mujahid said, "Entry (wurood) into hell for the believers is to have a fever on this earth; for it is every believer’s portion of hell fire but he will not enter it."
Abu Huraira narrated that the prophet -pbuh- visited a man with illness and fever and said to him, "Rejoice! For Allah the blessed and exalted says, ‘It is My fire that I impose on my believing servant, that it may be his portion of fire in the afterlife.’" Abu Umar also supported this hadith by narrating that Abdel Warih Ibn Sufyan, narrated by Kasim Ibn Asbagh, narrated by Muhammad Ibn Ismail Al-Sa’igh, narrated by Abu Usama, narrated by Abdel Rahman Ibn Yazid Ibn Jabir, narrated by Ismail Ibn Ubaid Allah Al-Ash’ari (from Abu Salih), narrated by Abu Huraira who reported the hadith about the prophet going to visit a sick man and then mentioned that, ‘Fever is the believer’s portion of hell fire.’
Another group stated that wurood means to look at hell from the grave; where the winner will be saved from it and those destined to enter it will do so, but they also will exit from it through intercession or by Allah’s mercy. These people use a hadith of Ibn Umar as evidence, ‘If one of you dies, he will be offered a seat noon and evening time.’
Also, narrated by Waki, narrated by Sha’ba, narrated by Abdallah Ibn Al-Sa’ib, narrated by Rajul, narrated by Ibn Abbas that he stated that (Surah 19:71), ‘Not one of you but will pass through it,’ is addressed to the infidels. It is also reported that he used to read the words, ‘Not one of them’ (instead of one of you) belonging to (Surah 19:68-70), ‘So, by thy Lord, without doubt, We shall gather them together, and (also) the Evil Ones (with them); then shall We bring them forth on their knees round about Hell; Then shall We certainly drag out from every sect all those who were worst in obstinate rebellion against (Allah) Most Gracious. And certainly We know best those who are most worthy of being burned therein. Not one of you but will pass over it,’ as referring to the infidels referenced in those verses. Ikrimah also said likewise.
Another group said that the words (in Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you’ refers to the infidels and implies the meaning, ‘O Muhammad tell the infidels…’ and this explanation is easily reached when considering (Surah 76:21-22), ‘Upon them will be green Garments of fine silk and heavy brocade, and they will be adorned with Bracelets of silver; and their Lord will give to them to drink of a Wine pure and Holy. Verily this is a Reward for you, and your Endeavor is accepted and recognized,’ where the believers here are addressed in a similar manner.
However, THE MAJORITY (of scholars) say that ALL THE PEOPLE OF EARTH are being addressed in (Surah 19:71) and it is necessary FOR ALL PEOPLE TO ENTER HELL. This is where disagreements have occurred about the meaning of wurood. We have shown the sayings of the scholars AND IT IS APPARENT THAT wurood MEANS ENTRY INTO HELL, for the prophet says (when the fires of hell touch him). The sense of touch is a reality in the (Arabic) language, SO THE FIRE WILL TOUCH THE BELIEVERS but it will be cool and pleasant on them and thus they will be delivered from it safely.
Khalid Ibn Ma’dan who related, "The people of paradise said after they entered paradise, ‘Didn’t our Lord promise THAT WE WILL ENTER HELL?’ and they will be told, ‘You ENTERED IT and found it ashes.’"
This hadith gathers the meaning of the various sayings; for the believers who enter hell are not hurt by its flames and heat but are (eventually) removed and saved from hell; may Allah save us all from it by His kindness and make us of those who entered hell peacefully and existed from victorious. If it is asked, ‘Do the prophets enter hell?’ we respond, ‘That is not what we are saying." However, we do say that all of humanity will enter hell as the hadith of Jabir demonstrated. Those of ancient times followed by the transgressors will enter with their crimes, then the overlords and the joyful (will enter) for their intercession, and between each group is a gap.
Ibn Al-Bari stated, WHILE OBJECTING TO UTHMAN’S VERSION OF THE QURAN AND THE WAY IT WAS RECITED IN THE PUBLIC, that it is permissible in the (Arabic) language to switch from addressing the absent to addressing the present hearers as found in (Surah 76:22), ‘Verily this is a Reward for you, and your Endeavor is accepted and recognized.’ So he switched a letter in that verse to convey that meaning. This same argument was also given by Yunus.
{Side Note: Ibn Al-Bari’s complaint against Uthman’s recension of the Quran demonstrates that the Qurans which were in circulation were not uniform, but contained major differences, and that not all Muslims approved of the Uthmanic version.}
The third issue:
The petition in the saying of the prophet (until he is saved by the oath) may be an intermitted petition but the (divine) oath will nevertheless save the person. This is a common expression among the Arabs and the meaning is that the fires of hell don’t even touch the person because the oath has to be fulfilled. When Allah says, ‘Not one of you but shall pass through it,’ it could mean to walk on the Sirat (bridge) or to look upon hell or to enter it safely. In all these cases, there is no contact with the flames for the prophet says, ‘There shall not die three children for any of you, but will then be counted for you as a paradise from the fire.’ This is in reference to the preventative paradise or the protective curtain that will prevent the fire from touching a person in the first place, or if it did touch then it will not be hot…
Al-Nakash related about those who claimed that verse (Surah 19:71) ‘Not one of you but will pass through it,’ was abrogated by the verse (Surah 21:101) ‘those who have received a foretime goodness from Us, those will be removed from it (hell).’ But this is a weak saying because Surah 19:71 has no abrogation. We have demonstrated that if the person is not touched by the fire, then it has been removed from him.
The fifth issue:
For Allah’s saying (Surah 19:71) ‘This is, with thy Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished,’ the decree is an affirmative judgment meaning that this will be done with certainty. A ‘decree’ means that Allah has ordered it to be so and Ibn Masud calls it an obligatory oath. (Arabic source)
A Commentary Attributed to Ibn Abbas
(There is not one of you but shall approach it) there is not a single one of you, to the exclusion of prophets and messengers, save that he will enter it, i.e. Hell. (That is a fixed ordinance of your Lord) it is a decree that must necessarily take place. (Source)
(Then We shall rescue those who kept from evil) those who ward off disbelief, idolatry and indecency, (and leave the evil-doers) the idolaters (crouching) all gathered for eternity (there) in Hell. (Source)
A brief note at this point. This commentary says that only prophets and messengers are exempted from entering hell which presupposes that everyone else will indeed enter, including believers.
A Modern Commentary
This more recent commentator, although believing that the text states that believers will go across hell, nonetheless still admits that:
This means that everybody - be he believer or an infidel - will go across Hell. However, this does not mean that they would go to stay in it; they would only go across it. But even if the word means "entry", then the pious believers on entry into Hell will feel no discomfort because its fire will cool down and will do no harm to them. Sayyidna Abu Sumayya has related that The Holy Prophet once said that:
"Everybody whether is a pious man or a sinner will initially enter Hell, but for the pious believers the fire will cool down just as the fire of Namrud cooled down when Sayyidna Ibrahim was cast into it. Thereafter, the believers will be taken to Paradise."
This view is confirmed by the next sentence which means then We will save those who feared Allah - 19:72. A similar view has also been expressed by Sayyidna Ibn 'Abbas, thus even if the word ... occurring in the Qur'an is taken to mean ... (entry) then the word ... will be interpreted as synonymous with the word ... (going across). Thus, there is no contradiction in the meaning of the word. (Mufti Shafi Uthmani, Maariful Quran, Volume 6, p. 66; source)
Summary Analysis
The traditions and comments presented by some of Islam’s leading exegetes conclusively show that the view that every person entering hell is the correct one, being held by the majority of Muslims. As the above scholars clearly articulated, the majority of Muslims historically accepted the fact that every Muslim would enter hell, but weren’t certain about coming out. In fact, certain Muslims were so frightened by this passage that they would weep over the uncertainty of whether they would be taken out of the hellfire!
Some of these Muslims believed that the fire would not harm the believers, a view nowhere supported by the Quran itself. It seems that these Muslims were really troubled by the thought of having to enter hell and so came up with the interpretation that the fire will not affect the believers. Be that as it may, the point is clear that Muslims traditionally understood and interpreted surah 19:71 to mean that believers must of necessity enter hell.
What a vast difference there is in following Allah and in following the Lord Jesus. Christ, not Allah, promises and guarantees all his followers that they would never see death, meaning hell:
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life." John 5:24 NASB
"Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me WILL NEVER DIE. Do you believe this?’ She said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.’" John 11:25-27 NASB
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death." Revelation 2:11 NASB
"Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written IN THE BOOK OF LIFE, he was thrown into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:14-15
The Lord’s resurrection from the dead proves that Christ can and will do all that he says and promises.
5. A Contradiction
In light of the foregoing data which state that Muslims shall indeed enter hell, the following verse becomes quite interesting.
Our Lord! surely whomsoever Thou makest ENTER the fire, him Thou hast indeed brought to disgrace, and there shall be no helpers for the unjust: S. 3:192 Shakir
… Truly Thou coverest with shame… Y. Ali
According to the Quran, entering the fire is a sign of a person being shamed, humiliated, disgraced by Allah. Since the Quran says that Muslims shall enter hell, this means that Allah has decreed that all Muslims must experience shame, humiliation, and disgrace!
Note the implications here:
Allah obviously delights in humiliating his followers since he has decreed their descent into hell.
But this introduces an additional problem, namely a contradiction, since elsewhere the Quran says:
O you who disbelieve! do not urge excuses today; you shall be rewarded only according to what you did. O you who believe! turn to Allah a sincere turning; maybe your Lord will remove from you your evil and cause you to enter gardens beneath which rivers flow, on the day on which Allah will not abase the Prophet and those who believe with him; their light shall run on before them and on their right hands; they shall say: Our Lord! make perfect for us our light, and grant us protection, surely Thou hast power over all things. 66:7-8 Shakir
… the Day that God will not permit to be humiliated the Prophet and those who believe with him… Y. Ali
… the day God will not disgrace the Prophet nor those who believe with him… Palmer
Allah says that neither Muhammad nor the believers will be abased, disgraced, humiliated etc., contradicting surah 19:71 which says that believers shall enter hell and therefore will be disgraced.
These passages aren't the only ones contradicting surah 19:71, but this following hadith contradicts it as well:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "No Muslim whose three children died will go to the Fire except for Allah's oath (i.e. everyone has to pass over the bridge above the lake of fire)." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 23, Number 342)
The preceding hadith was even mentioned by our commentators as one of the reasons some Muslims didn’t believe that every believer was going to enter hell. Yet others took this to mean that a believer, once in hell, would not suffer harm which to them implied that a believer wasn’t really in hell.
In fact, this is the very narration which, according to Hilali-Khan, refers to Allah’s oath in surah 19:71 that everyone must enter hell. What this hadith is basically saying is that the person who has lost three children will have to spend some time in hell since Allah must fulfill his oath, which means that this report actually substantiates the fact that even Muslims shall enter Hell per 19:71!
Whatever the meaning, it is rather apparent that Muhammad was confused about the fate of Muslims and in the process left his companions confused as well.
Now, contrast the difference between following Allah and following the true God of the Holy Bible:
"Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’" Romans 9:32-33 ESV
"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.’" Romans 10:9-11
True believers in the risen and immortal Lord Jesus will never be put to shame or humiliated, unlike the Muslims who follow Allah.
This concludes Part 1. Continue with Part 2.
Articles by Sam Shamoun
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