In the name of Allah
The All Compassionate, the All Merciful
20th Jamadial-Thani 1444 (13th January 2023)
Islamic Universal Association
20 Penzance Place, Holland Park
London, W11 4 PG
Jihad An-Nafs – Part 114
Purification of the heart-Part 56
Further to last week’s discussion on the level of questioning on the Day of Reckoning, I reproduce more relevant Ayahs:
Ayahs 119, 134 and 141of Surah Al-Baqarah: “…..and you will not be questioned about the companions of the blazing Fire.
This is a group that has passed away, for them is the reward which they have earned and you shall not be questioned about what they were doing.
That was a group that has passed away. What they have earned is theirs, and what you have earned is yours, and you will not be questioned about what they were doing.”
Ayahs 78 of Surah Al-Qasas: “He (Korah) said: “It has been granted to me only on account of the knowledge I possess.” Did he not know that God had destroyed generations before him, who were mightier in prowess than him and greater in hoarding? The criminals will not be questioned about their crime.”
Ayah 8 of Surah al-Ahzab: “That He may ask the truthful (messengers and prophets) about their truth, and He has prepared for the disbelievers a painful chastisement.”
Ayah 25 of Surah Saba: “Say: “You shall not be questioned about what we are guilty of,, nor shall we be questioned about what you do.”
Ayahs 39 and 41 of Surah Ar-Rahman: “And on that Day no man or jinn shall be asked about his sins.
The guilty ones shall be recognised by their marks, and they shall be seized by their forelocks and feet.”
Valuable points:
- Allah (s.w.t.) will not ask us what our forefathers did, but we will be questioned about our deeds.
- The Holy Quran refers to actions and deeds as earnings in order to focus on their serious consequence
- The guilty ones consider themselves to be free from evil, but they will not be questioned about their sins and their confessions will be of no avail.
- It is in our interest that we followproper guidance. For if we are misguided, we will bear the consequences of our errors.
- The truthful are those who sincerely obey the conditions of the covenant which they had taken.
- No man or jinn shall be questioned about their sins on that Day as the guilty ones will be recognized by their marks and they will face dire consequences. This may appear to be inconsistent with some Ayahs that I had quoted earlier that everyone will be questioned, for instance Ayah 6 of Surah A’raaf which provides “that Allah (s.w.t) will question His messengers and their followers.”
In this context there are some traditions which provide that there will be about 50 check-points/barriers for questioning and when the outcome is clear in some of these barriers there will be no questioning for either the truthful or the guilty who will be known by their marks. Their dejected faces will be enough to expose them. Questioning is for the benefit of people but Allah (s.w.t.) knows everything and He may decide the outcome without questioning when it is not needed.
Second Sermon
Today, being the 20th of Jamadial-Thani, is the birth anniversary of the Fatima (a.s.) and I congratulate Imam Mahdi (a.s.) and the followers of the Ahlul Bait. I also take this opportunity to continue with my discussion on the final days of Fatima (a.s)’s life, after the death of her father, the Holy Prophet (s.a.).
Fatima (a.s) was bestowed with exceptional characteristics and distinctions and moreover the Holy Prophet (s.a.)’s guidance spruced her personality. She was very calm, serene and sober even in her childhood and spent most of her time in the exalted company of her parents where she gained her intelligence and maturity and from early in life she was fully detached from all allurements and fascinations of worldly life. She was distinguished amongst women in regards to knowledge, piety, ancestry and human excellence. She was the hope and desire of all the prophets for she manifested each and every honorable characteristic and eminence. She was not an ordinary woman, but a divine woman and indeed the pride of the world.
Imam Sadeq (a.s) had narrated that Fatima (a.s) has nine names and titles, which were specifically chosen by Allah (s.w.t) and each of these names symbolizes her divine characteristics. After he mentioned her names, he asked one of his companions if he was aware of the meaning of ‘Fatima’. When the companion replied in the negative, the Imam explained: “Fatima means one who is protected and purified from all kinds of evil and my great grandmother, Fatima, has all the greatest attributes of respect and honor. Her followers are indeed protected from the fire of hell” The Imam has also said: “Whenever she prays and worships Allah, her light illuminates the heavens and like the stars it lights up the earth and its inhabitants.”
The meaning of her names are: Zahra (luminous), Siddiqah (the truthful), Tahirah (pure and virtuous), Mubarakah (filled with blessings and favors), Batool (separated from uncleanliness), Raziyah (pleased with the Will of Allah), Marziyah (lofty position and close to Allah), Zakiyah (purified from all kinds of evil), Muhadatah (one to whom the angels speak).
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