ON FORGETTING ALLÂH, DISOBEDIENCE AND HYPOCRISY

A woman came to Hasan al-Basrî rahimahullâh and said: “I had a young daughter who passed away. I would like to see her in my dream. So I have come to you to teach me what I could resort to in order to see her.” So he taught her and she saw her daughter in her dream: the daughter was wearing clothes of tar, there was an iron collar around her neck and fetters on her feet. The woman went and informed Hasan al-Basrî about this and he became very distressed over what he heard. After some time, Hasan al-Basrî saw her in Paradise with a crown on her head. She said: “O Hasan! Do you not know me? I am the daughter of the woman who came to you and told you certain things.” He asked her: “What has caused you to become as I see you at present?” She replied: “A man passed by us and sent salutations to the Prophet . There were 550 people in the graveyard who were being punished [the punishment of the grave]. So an announcement was made: “Remove the punishment from them by the blessing of the salutation of this person.” On account of this one salutation of one person they received forgiveness. So won’t the person who is sending salutations for the past fifty years receive intercession on the day of resurrection?

Allâh says: “Do not be like those who forgot Allâh.” In other words, do not be in disobedience like the hypocrites who abandoned the orders of Allâh , who acted against Him, who took enjoyment from the desires of this world and who were inclined towards its deception.

The Messenger of Allâh was asked about a believer and a hypocrite. So he said: “The believer’s main concern is in salâh and fasting. While the hypocrite’s main concern is food and drink like an animal, abandoning worship and salâh. The believer is engrossed in charity and seeking forgiveness. While the hypocrite is engrossed in greed and hopes. The believer is despondent of everything but Allâh while the hypocrite hopes from everyone but Allâh . The believer sacrifices his wealth for his religion while the hypocrite sacrifices his religion for his wealth. The believer feels safe from everyone but Allâh while the hypocrite fears everyone but Allâh . The believer does good but still cries [before Allâh ] while the hypocrite does evil yet he laughs [about it]. The believer loves to be alone and in solitude while the hypocrites loves to intermingle and be in company. The believer sows but fears destruction while the hypocrite uproots and hopes for a harvest. The believer commands and prohibits as a religious duty and he reforms, while the hypocrite commands and prohibits merely for leadership and he causes corruption. In fact, he commands evil and prohibits good.Allâh says:

“The male hypocrites and the female hypocrites are all the same: they enjoin what is evil and prohibit what is good, and they close their hands. They forgot Allâh, so Allâh forgot them. Surely the hypocrites, it is they who are disobedient. Allâh has promised the male hypocrites, the female hypocrites and the unbelievers the fire of Hell, abiding therein. It is sufficient for them.Allâh has cursed them, and for them is a permanent punishment.” (Sûrah at-Taubah, 9: 67, 68)

Allâh says:

“Allâh shall gather the hypocrites and unbelievers in Hell all together.” (Sûrah an-Nisâ’, 4: 140)

This is if they died on their unbelief and hypocrisy. Allâh mentioned the hypocrites first because they are worse than the unbelievers. And He made the fire the abode of both groups. Allâh says:

“The hypocrites shall be in the lowest level of the fire and you will never find a helper for them.” (Sûrah an-Nisâ’, 4: 145)

The word  (hypocrite) is linguistically derived from the word . It is said that the jerboa (a nocturnal rodent) burrows two holes in the ground. One is called  and the other is called . This rodent portrays itself from one hole but exits from the other [thereby deluding its enemies]. It is for this reason that a hypocrite is called a munâfiq – he portrays himself as a Muslim but comes out of Islam towards unbelief.

A Hadîth states: “The hypocrite is like a sheep between two flocks of sheep. Sometimes it will graze with one flock and sometimes it will graze with the other flock. It is not at ease with either flocks because it is a stranger not belonging to either flock. Similar is the case of a hypocrite – he is not totally at ease with the Muslims nor with the unbelievers.”

Allâh created the Hell-fire which has seven gates. Allâh says: “It has seven gates.” [27] These gates are made of steel, with a layer of curse. Their outer surface is of copper while the under surface is of lead. There is punishment in its very essence while there is wrath above it. The ground of Hell-fire is of copper, glass, steel and lead. The fire is above the inmates of Hell and beneath them as well. The fire is also to their right and their left. Its levels are one above the other. Allâh prepared the lowest level for the hypocrites.

It is stated in a Tradition that Jibra’îl came to the Messenger of Allâh . The latter said to him: “O Jibra’îl! Describe the Hell-fire and its heat to me.” He replied: “Allâh created the Hell-fire and kindled it for 1000 years until it became red. He then kindled it for another 1000 years until it turned white. He then kindled it for another 1000 years until it turned black. And so it is pitch black. I take an oath by that being [Allâh ] who sent you with the truth that if a garment of the inmates of Hell were to appear before the inhabitants of this world, they would all die together. If a bucket of its drink were to be poured on all the waters of the world, whoever drinks it will be killed. If one arm’s length of its chain which Allâh mentioned in the Qur’ân “in a chain whose length is 70 arms length” [28] – the extent of one arm length is between east and west – were to be placed on the mountains of this world, they would all melt. If a person is put into the Hell-fire and is then removed, the people of this world will all die on account of the offensive odour that he will emit.”

The Messenger of Allâh then asked Jibra’îl : “Describe to me the gates of Hell. Are they like these gates of ours?” He replied: “No. Instead, they have levels some of which are lower than others. The distance between one gate and the next is a journey of 70 years. Each door is 70 times hotter than the one next to it.” He also asked him about the inhabitants of these gates. He replied: “As for the lowest level, in it are the hypocrites. The name of this level is al-hâwiyah. Allâh says: “The hypocrites are in the lowest level of the fire.” [29] In the second level are the polytheists. The name of this level is al-jahîm. In the third level are the Sabeans. The name of this level is saqar. In the fourth level is Satan – curse be on him – and the Mageans who followed him. The name of this level is lazâ. In the fifth level are the Jews. The name of this level is al-hutamah. In the sixth level are the Christians. The name of this level is as-sa‘îr.” Jibra‘îl then remained silent. So the Messenger of Allâh said to him: “You did not inform me about the inmates of the seventh level.” Jibra’îl replied: “O Muhammad! Do not ask me about them.” He said: “You must certainly inform me.” Jibra’îl said: “In this [seventh] level are those from your ummah who committed major sins and passed away without having repented.”

It is related that when this verse was revealed: “There isn’t anyone among you who will not pass it”, [30] the fear of the Prophet over his ummah became intense and he cried profusely. So the person who truly recognizes Allâh , the severity of His power and might, fears Allâh intensely and he cries over his soul and his excesses even before he can see these difficulties, even before he can physically see that frightful abode [Hell], before the veils can be lifted when he is presented before the avenging and almighty [Allâh ], and before he is ordered to be flung into the Hell-fire. Many an old man in the Hell-fire will cry out: “O my old age and grey hair!” Many a youth in the Hell-fire will cry out: “O my youth!” Many a woman in the Hell-fire will cry out: “O my disgrace! O my degradation and disclosure!” Their faces and bodies will be blackened and the backs will be broken. Their elders will not be honoured, their young will not be shown mercy and their women will not be covered.

O Allâh! Save us from the Hell-fire, from the chastisement of the Hell-fire and from every deed that will take us closer to the Hell-fire. Admit us into Paradise with the righteous ones through Your mercy, O the mighty, the forgiving! O Allâh! Conceal our weaknesses, turn our fears into peace, lift us up from our shortfalls, and do not disgrace us before You, O the most Merciful of those who show mercy. And peace and salutations upon our leader Muhammad , his family and his Companions.