Question
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that a man will perform the deeds of the people of Paradise until there is nothing between him and it except a distance of a forearm, but then what is written overtakes him and he performs the deeds of the people of the Fire and thereby enters the Fire. Does that not seem a bit unfair? If this is true, what is the point of our doing good deeds?
Answer
In the hadîth in question, the Prophet (peace be upon him) discusses the child in the womb, saying:
“Allah dispatches to him an angel with four statements to write – his work, his lifespan, his sustenance, and whether he will attain salvation or damnation. Then his soul will be breathed into him. So a man will perform the deeds of the people of the Fire until there is nothing between him and it except a distance of a forearm, but then what is written overtakes him and he performs the deeds of the people of Paradise and thereby enters Paradise. And a man will perform the deeds of the people of Paradise until there is nothing between him and it except a distance of a forearm, but then what is written overtakes him and he performs the deeds of the people of the Fire and thereby enters the Fire.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (3332)]
The problem seems to stem from a misunderstanding of Allah’s decree.
This decree is merely the recording of a person’s deeds. The person has been given free will. He fully enjoys the choice to act or not to act of his own volition during the course of his life. He can choose to obey Allah’s commands and abstain from what Allah has prohibited, or he may choose to do otherwise.
However, Allah knows the Unseen in its entirety. He knows what that person will choose to do of his own free will throughout his life, and He records all of this.
Let us use an example to make things a bit more clear. You look in a mirror on one occasion and, you will see a clean face staring back at you. If you look at it at another time and you see unclean face, you cannot blame the mirror. It only shows what is in front of it. The same applies for a camera and the like.
The knowledge of Allah is something infinitely and incomparably far greater and far more precise than that reflection in the mirror.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) relates to us that Allah says: “O My servants! It is only your deeds that I take into account, and I recompense you for them.”
Therefore, what is mentioned in the hadîth that “what is written overtakes him” does not mean that a person is recorded as being one of the dwellers of Fire just like that without any justification. What is recorded for a person is only in accordance with what that person will have chosen for himself. Allah does not oppress anyone.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also relates to us that Allah says: “O my servants I have forbidden oppression upon myself.”
We should not presume something about Allah that is not true.
No one will enter the Fire except on account of what he had committed of his own free will. This fact is emphasized in the Qur’ân many times over.
Allah says: “And whoever works a righteous deed – whether man or woman – and is a believer, such will enter the Paradise: therein will they have abundance without measure.” [Sûrah Ghâfir: 40]
He also says: “Then, on that day, not a soul will be wronged in the least, and ye shall but be recompensed except for what you had done.” [Sûrah YâSîn: 54]
Hence, I would say your question is misplaced, since no one will enter the Fire except on account of what he does of his own free will.
“Allah dispatches to him an angel with four statements to write – his work, his lifespan, his sustenance, and whether he will attain salvation or damnation. Then his soul will be breathed into him. So a man will perform the deeds of the people of the Fire until there is nothing between him and it except a distance of a forearm, but then what is written overtakes him and he performs the deeds of the people of Paradise and thereby enters Paradise. And a man will perform the deeds of the people of Paradise until there is nothing between him and it except a distance of a forearm, but then what is written overtakes him and he performs the deeds of the people of the Fire and thereby enters the Fire.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (3332)]
The problem seems to stem from a misunderstanding of Allah’s decree.
This decree is merely the recording of a person’s deeds. The person has been given free will. He fully enjoys the choice to act or not to act of his own volition during the course of his life. He can choose to obey Allah’s commands and abstain from what Allah has prohibited, or he may choose to do otherwise.
However, Allah knows the Unseen in its entirety. He knows what that person will choose to do of his own free will throughout his life, and He records all of this.
Let us use an example to make things a bit more clear. You look in a mirror on one occasion and, you will see a clean face staring back at you. If you look at it at another time and you see unclean face, you cannot blame the mirror. It only shows what is in front of it. The same applies for a camera and the like.
The knowledge of Allah is something infinitely and incomparably far greater and far more precise than that reflection in the mirror.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) relates to us that Allah says: “O My servants! It is only your deeds that I take into account, and I recompense you for them.”
Therefore, what is mentioned in the hadîth that “what is written overtakes him” does not mean that a person is recorded as being one of the dwellers of Fire just like that without any justification. What is recorded for a person is only in accordance with what that person will have chosen for himself. Allah does not oppress anyone.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also relates to us that Allah says: “O my servants I have forbidden oppression upon myself.”
We should not presume something about Allah that is not true.
No one will enter the Fire except on account of what he had committed of his own free will. This fact is emphasized in the Qur’ân many times over.
Allah says: “And whoever works a righteous deed – whether man or woman – and is a believer, such will enter the Paradise: therein will they have abundance without measure.” [Sûrah Ghâfir: 40]
He also says: “Then, on that day, not a soul will be wronged in the least, and ye shall but be recompensed except for what you had done.” [Sûrah YâSîn: 54]
Hence, I would say your question is misplaced, since no one will enter the Fire except on account of what he does of his own free will.
-islamtoday.net
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