The hadith which states, “O Allah! Whatever punishment you are going to impose upon m

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Question

Dear respected Shaykh, assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. Muslim narrated from Anas that he reported that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) visited a person from amongst the Muslims in order to inquire (about his health) . The person had grown feeble like a chicken. Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Did you supplicate or beg for anything from Allah?” He said: “Yes. I used to utter (these words): O Allah! Whatever punishment you are going to impose upon me in the Hereafter, impose it upon me earlier in this world.” Thereupon Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Hallowed be Allah, you have neither the power nor forbearance to take upon yourself (the burden of His Punishment). Why did you not say this?: O Allah, grant us good in the world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the torment of Fire. He (the Holy Prophet) made this supplication (for him) and he was cured.” What I understand from the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) statement “ (the punishment) that you are going to impose on me in the Hereafter” is that if this person was supposed to be punished in the Hereafter, and if Allah already knew that this person was to be punished in the Hereafter, then he wanted to have this punishment in the world. This is the confusing part of the hadith, because it appears that the man’s request is logical. If the man was supposed to be punished in the Hereafter, then he wanted the punishment in the world. It is known that the punishment of the world is much lighter than that of the Hereafter. It is not clear to me why the Prophet (peace be upon him) censured the man. If the man cannot bear the punishment of the world, how will be his state be when he is punished in the Hereafter? Did the Prophet (peace be upon him) want the man to seek safety in the world and face what no creature can bear in the Hereafter? Please answer me. May Allah reward you (اللَّهُمَّ مَا كُنْتَ مُعَاقِبِي بِهِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ فَعَجِّلْهُ لِي فِي الدُّنيا)

Answer

Praise be to Allah, and may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family and his companions. Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. As to what follows: In response to your question, we say: . It is imperative that a believer should consider his opinion to be inferior to the texts from the Qur’an and Sunnah. Allah said about the Qur’an, “Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; [it is] a revelation from a [Lord who is] Wise and Praiseworthy.” [Fussilat 41: 42]. As for the Sunnah; Allah said, “Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination.It is not but a revelation revealed” [an-Najm 53: 3-4]. As for your statement that it is a logical request; this is not correct for a person who knows the severity of Allah’s punishment, and knows the greatness and expanse of His forgiveness. This why the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) told the man, “you have neither the power nor forbearance to take upon yourself (the burden of His Punishment). Why did you not say this?: O Allah, grant us good in the world”. Thus he was directed to ask for the goodness of the world and the Hereafter. The goodness of the world covers all things which better a person’s condition like good health, ample provision, being in a good state of faith, doing righteous deeds, and safety from calamities. The highest possible goodness of the Hereafter is entry into Paradise and look at Allah there, and what follows that in the form of safety from the horrors and the tribulations of that day. After mentioning these two types of goodness Allah ended the verse with the servant’s asking for salvation from Allah from the punishment of the Fire and what causes it in the form of committing sins, and involvement in misdeeds. Thus, asking for salvation from the Fire implies asking for help in avoiding unlawful things, sins and not having doubts about religion. Therefore, this shows that the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not direct him to ask for well-being in the world and face punishment in the Hereafter. Be aware of this. May Allah grant me and you understanding of religion.

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