A Reply to Those Who Deny Punishment in the Grave

Posted by Saheefah.org on Mar 4, 2008 in General Aqeedah

A Reply to Those Who Deny Punishment in the Grave
By Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen

Information related to the Religion (al-khabar), is categorized in accordance to the manner in which it has reached us. There are two categories:

[1]: al-Mutawaatir (recurrent): that which has been narrated from one group to another. Convention dictates: it is impossible that they would act in collusion upon a lie, from he beginning of the chain of narration to the end.

[2]: al-Aahaad (singular): all narrations excluding those classified as recurrent. Some individuals from the people of kalaam, for instance the:

The Mu’tazilah and whoever followed them from later generations, for example Shaykh Muhammad Abduh, Mahmood Shaltoot, Ahmad Shalbee, ’Abdul-Kareem ’Uthmaan, amongst others. In addition to the Usooliyyeen: Ascribed to the opinion that the khabarul-waahid cannot be used as a means of founding matters of ’aqeedah, rather only definite evidence can be used to establish matters of ’aqeedah, comprising of either a verse or a prophetic tradition. [1] The assertion above concerning the impermisibility of establishing matters of ’aqeedah upon singular traditions is inadmissible. For indeed, if the authenticity of a hadeeth is established, it being transmitted by a trustworthy chain of narrators, and has arrived to us in a correct manner, then eemaan (faith) upon it is indeed obligatory, in addition to the affirmation of it. Irrespective of whether it is khabarul-aahaad or mutawaatir. It imports upon the individual an obligation to maintain the indisputable knowledge concerning it. This is the creed of the scholars of our pious predecessors, established upon the Command of Allaah the Most High to the believers, by his statement:

‘‘It is not for a Believer, man or woman, when Allaah and his Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision.’’ [Sooratul-Ahzaab 33:36]

His statement, the Most High:

‘‘Obey Allaah and His Messenger.’’ [Soorah Aali-’Imraan 3:32]

Ibn Hajar (d.852H) – rahimahullaah – said:

‘‘The implementation of the singular tradition, by the companions and the Taabi’een without repudiation is ubiquitously circulated and known, for it dictates that they unanimously accepted it.’’ [2]

Ibn Abil-’Izz al-Hanafee (d.729H) – rahimahullaah – mentioned:

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