You Have Told A Lie

Saturday, November 14, 2009

It has been narrated on the authority of Sulayman ibn Yasar (radiAllahu 'anhu) who said “People dispersed from around AbuHurayrah, and Natil, who was from the Syrians, said to him: ‘O Shaykh, relate (to us) a tradition you have heard from Allâh’s Messenger (SalAllahu 'alayhi wa salam).’ He said “Yes. I heard the Allâh’s Messenger (SalAllahu 'alayhi wa salam) said

‘The first man (whose case) will be decided on the Day of Judgment, will be a man who died as a martyr. He shall be brought (before the Judgment Seat). Allâh will make him recount His blessings (i.e. the blessings which He had bestowed upon him) and he will recount them (and admit having enjoyed them in his life). (Then) will Allâh say: ‘What did you do (to requite these blessings)?’ He will say: ‘I fought for Thee until I died as a martyr.’ Allâh will say: ‘You have told a lie. You fought so that you might be called a brave warrior. And you were called so.’

(Then) orders will be passed against him and he will be dragged with his face downward and cast into Hell. Then, there will be brought forward a man who acquired knowledge and imparted it (to others) and recited the Qur’ân. He will be brought, Allâh will make him recount His blessings and he will recount them (and admit having enjoyed them in his lifetime). Then will Allâh ask: ‘What did you do (to requite these blessings)?’ He will say: ‘I acquired knowledge and disseminated it and recited the Qur’ân, seeking Your pleasure.’ Allâh will say: ‘You have told a lie. You acquired knowledge so that you might be called “a scholar”, and you recited the Qur’ân so that it might be said “He is a Qari” and such has been said.’

Then orders will be passed against him and he shall be dragged with his face downward and cast into the Fire. Then will be brought a man whom Allâh had made abundantly rich and had granted every kind of wealth. He will be brought, Allâh will make him recount His blessings and he will recount them and (admit having enjoyed them in his lifetime). Allâh will (then) ask: ‘What have you done (to requite these blessings)?’ He will say: ‘I spent money in every cause in which You wished that it should be spent.’ Allâh will say: ‘You are lying. You did (so) that it might be said about (you): “He is a generous fellow”, and so it was said.’ Then will Allâh pass orders and he will be dragged with his face downward and thrown into Hell.”

[Saheeh Muslim #4688]