Islam

 People will be in different categories on the Day of Resurrection: sinere believers who used to worship Allah alone without associating any partners with Him, hypocrites and disbelievers who used to worship others along with Allah. As for the disbelievers, they will not cross over the Bridge; rather, they will have fallen into the Fire before the crosing of the Bridge takes place. It is only those who attributed themselves to Islam and did not indulge in shirk that will pass over the Bridge - i.e. the Muslims and the hypocrites.

 The crossing of the Bridge will occur after the unfurling of the scrolls, the weighing of deeds, occurrence of some intercessions, the coming to the Hawdh and accounting judgment among the people.

 As-Siraat is a Bridge that extends over the hellfire. It is sharper than a sword, thinner than a hair and on it there will be spikes like the thorns of as-Sa´dan and hooks that will snatch people. The length of the Bridge is fequivalent to) the distanve of a month´s journey and it will be pitch-black. The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´Then the bridge will be set up over Hell. We asked: ´´O Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam, what is this bridge?´´ He said: ´´The abyss in which one is likely to slip in which there will be hooks, tongs, spits like the thorn that is found in Najd and is known as Sa´dan.´´57 Abu Sa´eed said: ´´It reached me that the Bridge is thinner than a hair and sharper than a sword.´´58

 The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam mentioned the situation of Resurrection and its events. From them is the crossing of the bridge, and he salla alayhi wa sallam explained that all the Messengers will be gripped by fear and hope and that his ummah will benefir from his intercession. This Bridge has its own attributes and the conditions of those who will cross will also very. As-Siraat in Arabic lexicon is a clear path. As-Siraat in the Hereafter is a bridge that extends across Jahannam and on which the first and the last generations will cross.

 One of the foremost event of the Day of Resurrection is the crossing of the Bridge; and it will be a most diffcult crossing and a terrifying spectade. Allah will establishe and strengthen the feet of the believers firmly on it; just as He established and strengthened their hearts upon the religion in the world. The feet of the losers will sway on it; just as their hearts swayed in the world from faith and certainty. It will be a great test and a difficult trial. Whoever survives it suceeds and obtains the most magnificent of rewards. Whoever falls in fails and deserves to be punished. What is As-Sirrat? What is its description? Where will it be located? What is the situation of people when they cross it?

 Our Lord explains to us the events of the Day of Resurrection as a warning and illustration for us.

 Lastly, the criminals will be shoved disgracefully into the Fire and what an evil destination it is. Allah describes their situation: ´´So enter the gate of Hell, to abide therein, and indeed what an evil abode will be for the arrogant.´´ (An-Nahl: 29)

 When they approach the Fire, they will consider their desicable situation and they will be gripped by a feeling of regret. They will wish that they could return to the world in order that they may believe. Allah says concerning them: ´´If you could but see when they will be held over the (Hell) Fire! They will say: ´Would that we were but sent back (to the world)! Then we would not deny the ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, revelations, etc.) of our Lord, and we would be of the believers!´´ (Al-An´aam: 27) However, they will find no means of escape. Allah says: ´´And the mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners), shall se the Fire and apprehend that they have to fall therein. And they will find no way of escape from there.´´ (Al-Kahf: 53)

 Their hearing will be inundated by the bellowing sound of the Fire and their hearts will be filled with terror. This is a sour Lord says: ´´When it (Hell) sees them from a far place, they will hear it´s raging and it´s roaring.´´ (al-Furqaan: 12)

 Upon their gathering, they will be in a subjugated, despicable, himbled, dishonourable and disrespectful situation. This is as Allah says: ´´Say (O Muhammad salla alayhi wa sallam) to those disbelieve: ´You will be defeated and gathered together to Hell, and worst indeed is that place to rest.´´ (Aal-Imraan:12)

 They will be gathered along with their false gods, associates and followers. This is as Allah says:  ´´It will be said to the angels): ´´Assemble those who did wrong, together with their companions (from the devils) and what they used to worship instead of Allah, and lead them on the way of flaming Fire (Hell).´´ (As-Saafaat: 22-23) As for Allah´s statement, ´their companions´, it means similitudes and counterparts. A man will be resurrected in company of the one he loved; whoever loves anything will be resurrected alongside that thing. 

 The Second portrayal is that they will be driven to the Fire on their faces; rather than on their legs as is common in the world. Allah says: ´´Those who will be gathered to Hell (prone) on their faces, such will be in an evil state and most astray from the (Straight) Path.´´ (Al-Furqaan: 34) A man once approached the Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam and asked: ´´O Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam, how will the disbeliever he gathered on his face on the Day of Resurrevtion?´´ He salla alayhi wa sallam: ´´Is Who made them walk on their legs in the world not capable of making them walk on their faces on the Day of Resurrection?´´56 In adition to their being driven in this agnoizing and distressful manner, they will be gathered blind, dumb and deaf. Our Lord, the Sovereign, Exalted and Mighty says: ´´We shall gather them together on the Day of Resurrection on their faces, blind, dumb and deaf, their abode will be Hell; whenever it abates, We shall increase for them ...

 The first portrayal is that they will be driven like herds, moving in droves and being holend from different directions. Allah says: ´´And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups.´(Az-Zumar:71) He also says: ´´The Day when they wil be pushed down by force to the Fire of Hell; with a gorrible, forceful pushing.´´ (At-Toor: 13) He also said:  ´´And (remeber) the Day that the enemies of Allah will be gathered to the Fire, so they will be collected there (the first and the last).´´ (Fussilat: 19) They will be herded and crowded together and they will shove one another just as people do with their animals.

 Our Lord, the Great King, Exalted and Mighty, informed us of how the believers will be ushered into al-Jannah with honour, grace, joy, tranquillity and profit deviod if loss. He also described to us the herding of the disbelievers to the Hellfire in humiliation, degradation, ignominy and abjectness. This description is contained in the Book of our Lord in the most vivid, form and who can be more truthful in speech than the Benevolent and Munificent. How will the disbelievers be herded into Hell? How is the conditionof their gods? What is the reaction of theFire to them when they drew close to it? The Book of Allah, the Exalted portrays this in many ways:

 None will be saved on the Day of Resurrection except he who used to worship alah alone with Whom there is no associate. As for the other gods, they will lead their adherents into the Fire.

 At the close of this day i.e. the Day of Resurrection, the slave will be discharged either to al-Jannah or Jahannam. Both are the final abodes to which all the slave of Allah will return. After death, there is no abode other than al-Jannah and Jahannam. At the end of that great Day, each nation shall be ordered to seek the god to which they were devoted in the world and they will follow it. Whoever used to sorship the sun will follow the sun and the worshippers of the moon will also follow it. Idol worshippers will also find the image of their gods in front of them and they will follow it. Those who used to worship Fir´aun will follow him and be will be their false god. Just as they followed their false gods in the world so will they follow them until their gods fall into the Fire; and their worshippers will also plunge into the Fire after them. Allah says concerning Fir´aun: ´´He will go ahead of his people on the Day of Resurrection, and will lead them into the Fire, and evil in...

 Abu Hurayrah asked the Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam: ´´O Allah´s Messenger! Who will be the most fortunate person who will gain your intercession on the Day of Resurrection?´´ Allah´s Messenger salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´ Abu Hurayrah! I have thought that none will ask me about it before you as I know your longing for the (learning of) hadiths. The most fortunate person will have my intercession on the Day of Resurrection will be the one who said sincerely from the bottom of his heart, Laa ilaaha illAllah´ (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah).´´ The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´Whoever said, laa ilaaha illAllah,´ sincerely will enter Paradise.´´´ It was said (to him): ´´O Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam, what constitutes its sincerity?´´ He said: ´´To restrain from Allah´s prohibitions.´´54

 The Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´Those who frequently invoke curses will neither be witnesses nor intercessors on the Day of Resurrection.´´53

 Allah has connected the believers together with the tie of brotherhood. Allah says: ´´The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion). So make reconcilation between your brothers, and fear Allah, that you may receive mercy.´´ (al-Hujuraat: 10) Brotherhood for Allah´s sake is a companion of eemaan. the believers are one soul, scattered in different bodies. Whoever loves his brother for Allah´s sake and form a bond of brotherhood with him deserves the Prophet´s intercession. The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´I will intercede for two men who love each other for Allah´s sake from commissioning...´´52 These are the acts of devotion the Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam informed us of which will accord us his intercession. Emancipated is the slave who is diligent in observing and acquiring them.

 Allah created people and gave them different ranks and status. He raised some above others in ranks; just as there is the rich, there is also the poor, there is the leader and also the led. He has specified zakat for superiority just as he has for wealth. Zakat for supperiority is to intervene on behalf of the weak and the poor and to strive to fulfil their needs. The Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´Whoever fulfils the need of his brother, I will stand by his scale if it tilts (with righteous deeds), otherwise I will intercede for him.´´51

 Prayer is the beloved of deeds to Allah. The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´And know that the best of your deeds is as-salaah.´´49 The obligatory and voluntary prayers are pathways to good and attinment of intercession. This is as mentioned by Rabee´ah ibn Ka´b while he served the Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam: ´´..My desire is that you intercede on my behalf on the Day of Reusrection.´´ Then Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam responded: ´´Assist me with a lot of prostrations.´´50

 Our Prophet Muhammad salla alayhi wa sallam is the dearest of al creature to us. He is even more bloved to us than ourselves and our children. Remembering him often, recollecting his biography and sending salaah on him are signs of one´s love for him and means of obtaining his intercession. The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´Whoever sends the salaah on me ten times when he rises in the morning and ten times when he reaches the evening, my intercession will reach him on the Day of Resurrection.´´48

 Saying a lot of dhikr has immense excellence. The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam informed us that we would be recipients of his intercession on the Day of Resurrection if we persist in saying the dhikr after the adhaan. He said: ´´Whoever after listening to the adhaan says: ´Allahumma Rabba gadhihi-d-da´watit-tammah was-salatil qa´imah, aati Muhammadan al-wasilata-wal-fadilah, wab´ath´hu maqaman mahmudan-li-ladhi wa´ ad´tahu (O Allah! Lord of this perfect call and of the regular prayer which is going to be established! Kindly grant Muhammad the right of intercession and superiority and send him (on the Day of Resurrection) to the best and the highest place in Paradise which You promised him)´, then my intercession for him will be permitted on the Day of Resurrection.´´47

 Attaining the intercession of the Prophet on the Day of Resurrection is a great success and an ample profit. The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam has mentioned a number of means and deeds which will cause the slave to qualify for the Prophet´s intercession. A person´s adherence to these deeds is an indication of the eemann (faith) in intercession and his attestation to its reality.

 Offering salaah ul-Janazah for the dead Muslim is a right the dead has over the living. Those offering the funeral prayer for the dead receive an immense reward. Allah´s Messenger salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´´whoever attends the funeral procession till he offers the funeral prayer for it will get a reward equal to one qirat, and whoever accompanies it till burial, will get a reward equal to two qirats.´´ It was asked: ´what are two qirats?´´ He replied: ´´Like two huge mountains.´´45 ´´If a group of Muslims numbering one hundred pray over a dead person, all of them interceding for him, their intercession for him will be accepted.´´46 The phrase ´all of them interceding for him,´ means praying for him and asking Allah for forgivness and mercy on his behalf.

 Fasting is from the greatest, most important and most beneficial acts of worship. The Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´Évery righteous deed of the children of Aadam is rewarded by ten times its kind, up to seven hundrede times. Allah says: ´... except fasting, which is for Me, and I reward it. ´He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. there are two joys for the fasting person; one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will met his Lord. The breath of his fasting person is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk. ´´42 The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam also said: ´´He who observes a fast for a day for the sake of allah, He will remove his face from the hell due to (the fast of) that day to the extent of seventy years´ distance. ´´43 There is a gate in al-Jannah called ar-Rayyaan; through which a fasting person will enter and no one will enter through it other than them. When they have entered, it will be closed and no o...

 A child´s supplication for his/her parents will benefit them on the Day of Resurrection and will cause an incease in their rabks after death. The Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´Allah will raise the rank of the righteous slave in al-Jannah and he will say: ´O Lord, where did I get this?´ It will be said to him: ´By your son´s seeking forgiveness for you.´´´41

 The death of a child is an injury which cannot be healed in the heart of his/her parent. however, if the father or the mother shows patience in expectation of Allah´s reward for their aflication, he/she will not be disappointed. ´´during the lifetime of the Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam, a man used to attend the gathering of Allah´s Messenger, along with his son. When the Prophet noticed his absence, he said: ´what has so-and-so´s son done? (i.e. what has happened to him?)´ They (the Companions) said: ´He died.´ The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam said to his father: ´Are you not pleased that you will not come to any of the gates of Paradise except that you will find him wating for you?´ A man said: ´O Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam, is it exclusively for him or for every one of us?´

 The Qur´an is the Word of Allah the Exalted; (a means) of nearness to Allah. Itsreciter gets a reward for every letter he recites. It is honour for its reciter in this world and salvation in the Hereafter. It will intercede for its companion (reciter) on the Day of Resurrection as Allah´s Messenger salla alayhi wa sallam pointed out: ´´Read the Qur´an for it will come as an intercessor for its companions on the Day of Resurrection.´´36 The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam also said: ´´The Qur´an will come on the Day of Reusrrection and it will say: O Lord, adorn him´ and he would be made to wear a crown of honour. It would say again: ´O Lord, increase it (i.e. his adornment) and he would be dressed in a robe of honour and then it will say: ´O Lord, be pleased with him´ and he would be granted (Allah´s) pleasure. He will say: ´Recite and ascend´ and a good deed will be added for every verse.´´37 Allah´s Messenger salla alayhi wa sallam also said: ´´The Qur´an will meet its companion ...

 They are those who loved their Lord and He in turn loved them; they drew close to Him and He drew close to them; they sought His aid and He aided them. Due to their status with Him, He will permit them to intercede as reported on the authority of a man from the Prophet´s Companions who heard the Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam saying: ´´´Most members of Banu Tameen will enter Paradise due to the intercession of a man from my Ummah.´ He replied: ´Aside from me.´ The narrator of the hadith added: When the Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam got up I said: ´Who is this (man)?´ and he said: ´It is Ibn abil-Jud´aa.´´35

 Martyrs are those who sacrificed their lives in the path of Allah. Allah raised the banner of at-tawheed through them and by their struggles the One and Exalted is worshipped. They separated from their families, countries, friend and loved one and they became strangers with neither family nor children, in quest of the Pleasure of the Benevolent and the Sublime. Alah will compensate them on the Day of resurrection by counting them among the intercessors. The Messenger of Allah Salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´The martyr will intercede on behalf of seventy members of his family.´´34

 The angels as well as the righteous believers hae status and honour with Allah. The Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´Then the prophets and angels and the believers will intercede, and (last of all) the Almighty (Allah) will say: ´Now remains My Intercession. He will then hold a handful of the Fire from which He will take out some people whose bodies have been burnt, and they will be thrown into a river at the entrance of Paradise, called the water of life. They will grow on its banks, as a seed carried by the torrent grows. You have noticed how it grows beside a rock or beside a tree, and how the side facing the sun is usually green white the side facing the shade is white. Those people will come out (of the River of Life) Like pearls, and they will have (golden) necklaces, and then they will enter Paradise whereupon the people of Paradise will say: ´These are the people emancipated by the Beneficent. He has admitted them into Paradise without them hacing done any...

 This is the Prophet´s intercession for the one who dies in Madinah. Allah´s Messenger salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´Whoever is able die in Madinah let him do so; for I will intercede for whoever dies therin. It is therefore a blessing for whomever Alah favours to live in Madinah and causes to die therein. These nine intercession are either specific to the Prophet or his share in them is relatively greater than others. However, there are other intercessions and intercessors on the Day of resurrection, the occurrence of which is affirmed and a discussion on them will come shortly.

 This is the Prophet´s intercession for the one who exercised patience on the hardship and inconvenience he encounters in Madinah; and he continues to live in it and does not relocate to a different location. This is as the Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´There is none of my Ummah who is patient on the hardship and difficulty of Madinah except that I am his intercessor or witness on the Day og Resurrection.´´30

 This is the intercession on behalf of the people who professed eemaan to increase in their high ranks and levels in Paradise. The indication of this is contained in the Messenger of Allah´s supplication fra Abu Salamah after his demise: ´´O Allah, Forgive Abu Salamah; raise his degree among those who are rightly guided; grant him a sucessor in his desendants (from those) who remain. Forgive us and him, O Lord of the Universe, and make his grave spacious, and grant him light in it.´´ 29

 This is tje intercession for the one who deserves to enter Hellfire due to his sins and shortcomings to be saved from entering it. This is different from his intercession of behalf of the one who enters Hellfire among the believers who used to pray to be taken out of it. This intercession is not specific to Prophet Muhammad; rather, others will partake in it among the anbiyaa (Prophets), siddeeqeen (the truthful ones), saaliheen (the righteous ones) and the angels. Allah will permit them to intercede for some ocupants of the helfire to be brought out of it and for those deserving of Hellfire to be saved from entering it.

 This intercession is specifically the one the Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam will make for his uncle, Abu Talib and no one else. This is inspite that he died a kafir and Allah says concerning such people: ´´So no intercession of intercessors will be of any use to them. (Al-Muddaththir: 48) Allah will make an exception of Abu Talib from this general rule. The Prophet´s intercession will benefit him but not to the extent of bringing him out of the Hellfire; rather, it will only be beneficial in alleviating his punishment such that he will be located in the shallow part of the Hellfire. He will be the least punished in the Fire but he will not come out of it. Abu Talib´s situation is recorded in details in other ahadith. The Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam said concerning his uncle: ´´He will find him in the depth of the Fire and he will intercede for him till he ends ip in shallow part of Hell.´´ So, he will intercede only for the alleviation of his Uncle Abu Talib´s punis...

 The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam described the condition of some of the believers in the Oneness of Allah when they come out of the hellfire by the Prophet´s intercession after they have undergone their prescribed punishment. The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´They will come out of Hell by intercession as if they are Sha´aareer.´ ´Ash-Sha´aareer´ is the plural for small cucumbers or a plant similar to it but longer. It means that when they are engulfed in the Fire of Hell, their bodies, shapes and sizes will change due to the intensity of what they were subjected to and they will become like shrivelled cucumbers. The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam explained that the people of tawheed will exit from the Fire even if they had been punished therein. He said: ´´Some people will come out of the Fire after they have recived a touch of the Fire, which will change their colour, and they will enter Paradise, and the people of Paradise will name them ´Al-Jahannamiyin´ the (Hell) F...

 From Allah´s grace and benevolence to His believing slaves is that He deals with them with His pardon and forbearance over and above His anger and punishment. From Allah´s mercy to the creation is that He will permit our Prophet Muhammad salla alayhi wa sallam to intercede on behalf of sinners among the believers and Unitarians who died while they werre insistent upon sin and they were weel aware of its prohibition. The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam also informed us that he will intercede on their behalf too as he said in the hadith of intercession: ´´Then I will proced and I will ask my Lord´s permission, and when I se Him, I will fall down in prostration to Him, and He will leave me in that state as long as (He) Alah wils, and then I will be addressed: ´Rise, O Muhammad! And say, your saying will be listened to; ask, and your request will be granted;  intercede, and your intercession will be accepted.´ Then I will glorify and praise my Lord with (words of) priase which He ...

 This is specifically for the believers who will neither undergo accounting or punishment. Our Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam will intercede for them with allah the Exalted to permit them to enter al-Jannah. The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´I wil be the leader of all the people on the Day of resurrection. Do you know the reason for it? Allah will gather all the human beings of early generations as well as later genertions on one plain so that they will be made to hear the announcer and all of them will be within the sight. The sun will come so close to the people that they will suffer such distres and trouble as they will not be able to bear or withstand.´´ Then the Prophet sala alayhi wa sallam said at the end of the hadith: ´´Then it will be said: ´O Muhammad, raise your head. Ask, and it will be granted. Intercede, it will be accepted.´ So I will raise my head and say: ´My followers, O my Lord! My followers, O my Lord!!´ It will be said: ´O Muhammad! Let those of your ...

 This will occur after the people deserving al-Jannah have been ordered to proceed to it. They will seek someone would intercede on their behalf to be admitted into al-Jannah. the believers will approach Aadam and say (to him): ´O our father, request that al-Jannah be opened for us´ as Allah´s Messenger sala alayhi wa sallam mentioned in the following hadith. állah, the Blessed and Exalted, will gather the people. The believers will stand till al-Jannah will be brought near them. They will approach Aadam alayhi sallam and say: ´O out father, request that al-Jannah be opened for us.´ He will say:´did anything turn you out of al-Jannah other tahn the sin of your father Aadam? I am not in a position to do that; go to my son Ibraheem alayhi sallam, the Friend of Allah.´ )when they approach Ibraheem) He will say: ´I am not in a position to do that. Verily I had been the Friend (of allah) from beyond, beyond;17 approach Musa alayhi sallam with whom Allah spoke directly. They will opproac...

 This is the greatest intercession of the Day of Resurrection on behalf of the entire people standing at the plain of resurrection. It is the same Maqam al-Mahmud concerning which Allah says: ´´It may be that your Lord will raise you to Maqaman Mahmuda (a station of praise and glory).´´ (al-Israa: 79) This intercession is specific to the Prophet because every other Prophet wil excuse himself from it and it is the greatest intercession wherein he (the prophet) will intercede on behalf of all the firghtened and shaken slaves as they stand in wait for Allah´s Judgment. Ibn Umar said: ´´On the Day of resurrection the people will fall on their knees and every nation will follow their prophet and they will say: O so-and-so! Intercede (for us with Allah),´´ Till (the right of) intercession is given to the Prophet (Muahmmad) and that will be the Day when Allah will raise him to the station of praise and glory (i.e. Al-Maqam-al-Mahmud).´´12 It also states in the hadith of Ibn Umar that he h...

 From Allah´s honour to those who seek nearness to and worship Him is that He will accept their intercession and intervention on the Day of Resurrection to save some of the accupants of the Hellfire. We have previously quoted the hadith on the types of intercession and conditions for their acceptance. We also mentioned that on of these conditions is Allah´s permission for the intercessor to intercede. In the light of Shari´ah evidence, we deduce that the legitimate intercessors are: The Prophets The Prophets are the formost friends of Allah among mankind Allah chose them to bring people out of the darkness (of misguidance) to the light of (faith). They occupy a different status with Alah as He honours and raises whomever He wills. Allah says: ´´Those Messengers! We preferred some to others; to some of them allah spoke (directly); others He raised to degree (of honour).´´ (Al-Baqarah: 253)

 This is the intercession the polytheists and Christians believe they will get from their gods. It also includes the one innovators assume of their shaykhs and that which grave worshippers suppose from the inhabitants of graves to whom they offer their supplication, slaughtering and prayer in the hope of their intercession on the Day of Resurrection. Allah has disproven the above nation and its suporters; no one will intercede on the Day except by Allah´s permission and on one will be interceded for except He is pleased with both the intercessor and the one being interceded for. allah the Exalted says; ´´Who is he that can intercede with Him except His Permission?´´ He also says: ´´...and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased.´´ (al-Anbiyaa: 28) Whoever seeks a means of nearness to a grave by any act of worship such as slaughtering, invocation, supplication, circumambulation or prayer, then he is far astray and with such futile intercession, he will be unsunc...

 This is the intercession that is affirmed in the Qur´an and Sunnah and it includes that of the Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam, other Prophets (peace be upon them), angels, martyrs and the believers. It has types branches and levels. Some of them are generally applicable to every member of our Ummah and other nations while some of them are specifik to our Ummah alone.

 On the Day of Resurrection, every creature will desire to obtain intercession. It will be accepted for some and rejected for others. Some will be repelled and among the greatest of those who will be repelled and the losers are people who used to worship graves, personalities, stones and idols, offering Dua´ to themin the hope of obtaining aleviation of tribulation from them. They slaughter at the graves of these personalities, sprinkle perfumes and scents on them. On the Day og Resurrection, other gods that were worshipped besides Allah will declare their innocence of the action of their sorshippers and they will not benefit or save them. Most Beautiful are the following words of Allah the Most High: ´´Ánd of mankind are some who take (for worship) others besides allah as rivals (to Allah). They love them as they love Allah. But those who believe love Allah more (than anything else). If only those who do wrong could see, when they will see the torment that all power belongs to all...

 From the Prophet´s aspiration for intercession is that he used to rejoice and prepare for it even whilse he was alive. Every Prophet had a prayer that is accepted and every other Prophet used theirs in this world. as for the Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam. inspite of the toil and hardship he suffered in the world, and inspirte of being in need of this accepted prayer, he reserved it for the Day of Resurrection. The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´Every Prophet has a supplication that is answered and every other Prophet hastened to use his supplication; but I have reserved mine for the intercession of my Ummah on the Day of Resurrection. And it will be granted, if Allah so wills, in case of everyone amongst my Ummah provided he dies without associating any partner with Allah.´´10 From the favour and benevolence of allah the Exalted is the He promised his Prophet that 70.000 of his Ummah will enter Paradise without acounting or punishment and others along with them...

 The attainment of the privilege of intercession by the Prophet and those whom Allah will honour with intercession among the martyrs and others is a great honour, salvation and sucess to the one being interceded for. Part of the significance of intercession is that Allah give the Prophet a choice between half of his community entering Paradise or obtaining the privilege of intercession and he chose intercession. The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´Do you know the choice my Lord gave me this night?´´ We (the Companions) said: ´´Allah and His Messenger know best.´´ He said: ´´He gave me a choice between half of my Ummah entering Paradise and intercession and I chose intercesion.´´ We said: ´´O Messenger of Allah, pray to Allah to make us its recipients.´ He said: ´´It is for every Muslim.´´9

 Allah mentions in the Qur´an two conditions which must be fulfilled to qualify to make intercession: that it is both acceptable to Allah and beneficial to the one on whose behalf the intercesion is being made. The first condition is Allah´s permission to the intercessor to intercede whether this intercessor is a Prophet, a martyr or an angel. This is as Allah says, Intercession with Him profits not, except for him whom He permits. (Saba´: 23) The second condition is Allah´s pleasure for the one being interceded for, being that he is guilty of a sin lesser than shirk, if the one being interceded for is a disbeliever, Allah will not accept that anyone intercedes for him because Allah does not forgive that anything is associated with Him. Hence, Allah the Exalted says concerning the disbelievers: ´´So no intercession of intercessors will be of any use to them.´´ (Al-Muddathhir: 48) Allah also says; ´´None shall have the power of intercession, but such a one as has received permission...

 The verbal noun of shafa´au, shafa´atan is derived from ash-shaf´ (even), which is merging one thing with another and the opposite of which is witr (odd). Ash-Shafaa´ah is asking for good on behalf of someone else. It is called shafa´ah because the person was alone in his request at the beginning and when someone else joins him in the request alongside him, they become shaf´an i.e. two.

 Ash-Shafaa´ah (intercession) is one of the major events of immense mitigating and facilitating influence on the Day og Resurrection. Slaves will request from the leaders of the pious, and each messenger and Prophet will excuse himself. Then Allah will grant our Prophet the Station of Praise and Glory  (Maqaam al-Mahmud). What is intercession? What are its conditions? How many are its types? Is it a special privilege for our Prophet or do other Prophets also have their own? Will the privilege also be granted to other than the Prophets? Introduction When all of the creatures are gatheredtogether on the Day of resurrection, their standing will be long, and their fright will intensify, the eyes of the negligent will shed tears, the hopes of the losers will be dashed, the noble messengers will be gripped by fear, the mighty angels will tremble, the souls will choke the throats and every disbeliever and sinner shall be frustrated. At this point, the people will search for someone w...

 Every Prophet will have his Cistern on the Day of Resurrection from which the believers of his community shall drink. The Prophet salla alayhi wa salam has informed us that his Hawdh is specifically for his ummah and no other people will drink from it. Rather, each community will drink from the pond of the Prophet. This is as the Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam said: My people will come to me at the Cistern and I will drive away people (from it) just as a person drives away other people´s camels from his camels.´´ The Companions said: O Prophet of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam, will you recognize us?´´ He replied: ´´Yes, you will have a mark which other people will not have. You will come to me with a white blaze on your foreheads and white marks on your feet because of the traces of ablution. A group among you will be prevented from comin to me, and they will not meet me, and I will say: ´O my Lord, they are my companions.´ Upon this an angel would reply to me saying: `Do you know ...

 These ahadith do not imply a criticism of the noble Companions; rather, its meaning is that those who will be turned back from the Cistern are those who apostatized from Islam during the reign of Abu Bakr; after the death of the Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam and Abu Bakr fought them and they died upon disbelief. It is well-known to every believer that none of the noble Companions apostatized from the religion and it was only some people from among the uncouth and ignorant Bedouins who did not assist the religion, nor associate with the Prophet, nor sit in his circle for any appreciable length of time, nor seek knowledge, nor memorize the hadith that apostatized from Islam. More so, those who the Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam will see, regonise and assume to be from his Companions are actually the hypocrites such as abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul and others who hid their disbelief and feigned Islam and Allah is All-Aware of their secrets.

 The more a person improves in his righteousess the quicker is his arival at the Hawdh. The best of this Ummah are the Companisons of Allah´s Messenger salla alayhi wa sallam and the best of the are the four caliphs and orthodox leaders - Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali,. The ansaar will also gain priority. This is as Allah´s Messenger salla alayhi wa sallam said to the Ansaar: ´´You will surely come across preferential treatment after me; so you should be patient untill you mett me at the Cristern.´´2 The above hadith is indicating to the Ansaar that other people will be given preference over them in gifts and welath wven though they have more rights to it due to their service to Islam and their Jihad. The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam explained that those who apostatized from Islam his death and the hyprocrites who hid disbelief and demonstrated Islam will all be exposed and the reality of their situation will be uncovered. They will be turned away from the Hawdh as the Messenge...

 Allah granted the Hawdh of our Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam to him as an honour, and our Lord is the Owner of Honour and Benevolence. Our prophet salla alayhi wa sallam will deserve to be honoured and favoured. The more a believer increases in his faith, belief and does righteous actions, the greater is his prority to drink from the water. The first sets of people who will drink from the Hawdh are the poor emigrants who sacrified their lives, spilled their blood and spent their wealth in the path of Allah. Allah, the All-Knowing, describes their external and internal characteristics in the following words. ´´And there is also a share in this booty for the poor emigrants, who were expeled from their homes and their property, seeking bounties from Allah and to please Him. And helping Allah (i.e. helping His religion) and His Messenger (Muhammad salla alayhi wa sallam). Such are indeed the truthful (to what they say.´´ (Al-Hashr: 8) The first of them will be Abu Bakr, then Umar, Ut...

From the characteristics of the water of the Hawdh is that from a single sip of it the drinker will feel its delight and freshness. Its effect is such that he wil never feel any thirst after drinking it. This is as the Messenger of Alah salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´Its jugs (placed around it) are like stars in the sky, and he who drinks from it would never feel thirsty after that. ´´29

 Its water is fresh; the most pleasant and sweetest water. This is not surprising since it is from Paradise. The Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam said concerning the description of the water of the Hawdh: ´´It is whiter than milk and seeter than honey. There will spout into it two stramlets having their sources in Paradise; one is from gold and the other is from silver. 227 He salla alayhi wa sallam also said: Its scent is more pleasant than the fragrance of musk, and its jugs (placed around) are like stars in the sky. 228

 The water of the Cistern flows from Paradise. The river of Kauthar feeds it as Allah´s Messenger salla alayhi wa sallam mentioned: ´´There will spout into it two stremlets having their sources in Paradise.´´226

 The Muslims will visit the Cistern and they will drink from it with jugs. They will neither take turns at it nor congest it. The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam said: In it are jugs of gold and silver (as numerous) as the number of stars in the sky or more than the stars in the sky.´225

 If you observe the texts of the ahadith, you will discover the shape of the Cistern. Its width is a distance of one month journey and its length is equally a distanve of a month´s journey. He salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´My Cistern is the distance of (the journey of) a onth and its corner is similar (to that).´´223

 There are numerous ahaadeeth describing the expanse and vastness of the Hawdh; such that it will accommodate the people and they will neither crowd nor shove one another in an attempt to drink (from it). While giving a rough indication of its vastness, the Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam compared its expanse to the distances between specific lands and he mentioned a number of lands just to aid understanding and as a motivation: He salla alayhi wa sallam said: In front of you is a Pond (whose expanse) is the distance between Jarba and Adhruh.´´217 He salla alayhi wa sallam also said: The extent of my Hawdh (Cistern) is like (the distance) between Aylah and Sana´aa in Yemen.´´218 He salla alayhi wa sallam also said: The distance between the two sides of my Cristern is like the distance between sana´aa and Madinah. ´´219 In another hadith he salla alayhi wa sallam said: My Cristern will extend from Aden to Ammaan al-Balqaa´a.´´220 He salla alayhi wa sallam said: My Cristern will occup...

 Its water is whiter than milk, sweeter than honey and its scent is more pleasant than musk. Its drinking vessels and jugs are so numerous; like the number of the stars in the sky: This fresh water is supplied from the river of al-Kauthar. Whoever takes a single sip from it will never feel thirsty again.

 Al-Hawdh is a location in which wather from Paradise in collected; from which the believers will drink on the Day of Gathering. The descriptions of the Hawdh; those who will drink from and those who will be turned away from it are afirmed in serval ahadith. Some of the descriptions provided in various ahadith include the following:

 Al-Kauthar is an attribute the suggest a pinnacle of vastness. It is the river that feeds the Hawdh with water. There are ahadith describing the river of al-Kauthar in a manner that resembles the description of al-Hawdh. This is part of what made some scholar understnad that al-Kauthar that is mentioned in the Qur´an in the following words of Allah: Verily, We have granted you (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) Al-Kauthar (a river in Paradise) What is apparent, however, is that the Hawdh will be on the plain of Gathering on the Day of Resurrection, while al-Kauthar is a river in Paradise. Nevertheless, the connection between the Hawdh and the river is that the river of Kauthar flows into the Hawdh, thus feeding it with water. Al-Hawdh appears to be a branch and extension of the river of al-Kauthar, hence they share the same attributes. In subsequent pages, when discussing the attributes of al-Jannah, a detailed discussion on the attributes of the river of al-Kauthar and an explanati...

 After the people have been gathered on the plain of Judgment, on the Day of Resurrection, their fright will intensify and so will their thirst. They will then crave to visit the Hawdh in order to drink from it. Will the believer drink from the (water of the) Hawdh before traversing the bridge (of as-Siraat) or will they drink after it? There is a difference among the scholars concerning its timing but the more correct view is that it will occur before the crossing over the Brige. This is because after the apostates, unbelievers and hypocrites have been turned away from the Hawdh, they will proceed to join other people to cross the Bridge and they will not be able to cross it and will fall into the Fire.

 This is due to Allah´s honour and exaltation of the status of our Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam among the people. He will be chief of the hildren of Aadam on the Day of Resurection. He salla alayhi wa sallam said: What is between my house and mu minbar is one of the meadows of al_Jannah, and my minbar is on my watering-place (al-Hawdh).´´216 The believer wil yearn to see the Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam and to drink from (the water of) the blessed Hawdh, from his noble hand.

 Every Propjet will have a Hawdh at the plain of gathering on the Day of Resurrection; but our Porphet salla alayhi wa sallam hoped that hid Hawdh will receive the greatest number of visitors i.e. he will have the greatest number of followers who would then come to drink from the Hawdh. This is as he said; Every Prophet has a Hawdh and they will vie with one another over who among them will have more visitors and I hope to be the one who would have the greatest of visitors. ´´215

 The believers will meet the Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam at the Pond. With his own noble hand he will give them a pleasant drink; due to which they shall never feel thirsty again. Some of the hypocrites and apostates will be repelled from the Pond of the Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam and they will not be given a drink What is al-Hawdh? Where is it located? What are the attributes of those who will drink from it? Introduction When the standing of the Day of Resurrection becomes lengthened for the people on the plain of gathering as nations throng together; from Aadam to the last person to die from the last generation, at that time, thirst and fright will intensify, and parched mouths will crave for a drink of water. Then the Pond belonging to the Prophet of each nation will appear from which his followers will drink; some will drink from it and others will be driven back. Hawdh is a place in which water collects. As for the Hawdh of our Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam, it will be...

 It behoves a slave to aspire to make his/her scale heavy on the Day of Resurrection by increasing their good deeds and being concerned about them. The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam said: Every good deed is reearded by ten times its like, up to seven hundred times.´´213 He salla alayhi wa sallam also said: ´´Whoever intended a good deed but did not (evertually) do it, a good deed will be recorede for him. ´´214

 An endowment is the act of specifying a part of one´s wealth, such as real estate, a farm, or furniture not for sale and the income that accrues from that portion of the wealth is spent on pious endeavours as a means of nearness to Allah, the Exalted. Such wealth is considered ongoing charity. The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam said: When a man dies, his deeds come to an end, except three: ongoing charity, knowledge (by which people) benefit, or a righteous son, who prays for him (the deceased).´´207 The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam also said: Part of the good deeds that reach a believe after his death are: knowledge that he inparted and spread; a righteous child that he left behind, a copy of the Qur´an which he bequeathed; a mosque which he built; a house which he built for the wayfarer; a river which he dredged; or charity that he gave during his lifetime whilst he was healty. These deeds will reach him after his death.´´208 He also said: Whoever tethers a horse in the cause ...

 Profusely remembering Allah by saying Subhaana´llah, Alhamdulillah and La ilaaha ill´Allah makes a servant beloved and draws him closer to allah. Whoever loves Allah he increases in His remembrance. Allah says, ´´Therefore remember Me /by praying, glorifying, etc.). I will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless Favours on you) and never be ungrateful to Me.´´ (Surah Al-Baqarah: 152) ´´And the men and the women who remember Allah much (with their hearts and tongues) allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).´´ (Surah Al-Ahzab: 35) The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam said, Shouldn´t I inform you of the best of your deeds and the purest with your Owner, the one that raises your status the most and which is better for you than spending gold and silver (in charity), better for you that that you meet your enemy and you strikes their necks and they strike yours.´´ They (the Compaions) said, ´´Yes.´´ The Prophet said, The Remembrance of Allah...

 Good character includes having an easy demeanor, good countenance and speaking with gentle words. Whoever is endowed with good character, a persistent smile, and pleasant interaction with others and he is flexible, his deeds will be heavy in the scale and beloved to the All-Beneficent. The Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam had the best character and was most sociable such that Allah praised him in His words, And verily, you (O Muhammad salla alayhi wa sallam) are on an exalted standard of character.´´ (Surah Al-Qalam: 4) Allah says, And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allah´s) Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).´´ (Surah Aal-Imran: 159) The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam has also extolled good ...

 Once a deeds is beloved to Allah, the Exalted, then it is weighty on the scale. When the scale is heavy with righteous deeds, the slave prospers and succeeds. Deeds vary and are unequal; some are more virtuous than others. There are big and small, light and heavy deeds. The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam has informed us that some deeds are heavy in the scale, among them are,

 The deeds of the Kuffar will be weighed on the two sides of the scale. On the first side of the scale of a kafir, his evil deeds will be placed. In view of  the fact that he does not have any good deed which will be placed on the other side, his evil will outweigh, dominate and tilt the scale. We have mentioned earlier that when a kafir does a good deed in the world, Allah repays him and hastens his reward for it in the world in terms of comfort, peave of mind, blessing in his provision and increase in his wealth; for Allah does not treat anyone unjstly. Allah says, Whoever desires the life of the world and its glitter, to them We shall pay in full (the wages of) their deeds therein, and they will have no diminution therein. They are thpse for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but Fire; and vain are the deeds they did therein. And of no effect is that which they used to do.´´ (Surah Hud: 15-16) Shirk destorys righteous deeds such they do not benefit in the Hereafter as A...

 Hence, calling them to account would clarify the levels and intensity of the punishment they deserve; not for the purpose of them entering Paradise. This is as the Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam pointed out in the case of his uncle Abu Talib who died as a disbeliever. The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam described to us his condition in the Hereafter when al-Abbaas Ibn Abdul Muttalib asked him, ´´O Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam! have you benefitted Abu Talib in any way? he used to protect you and get angry for your sake.´´ He (The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam= said, ´´Yes, he in in the shallow part of Hellfire and if it were not for me he would be in the depest part of Hellfire.´´200 Hence, Abu Talib´s punishment in the Fire is milder compared to Abu Lahab´s

 Hence, they will be queried over their shortcomings in that regard as well as concerning their opposition to the truth. Our Lord will query them why they declined to pay the Zakat and abandoned the Salaah and alongside, He will call them to account for their disbelief. This is as Allah says, And woe to Al-Mushrikun (the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, polytheists, idolaters, etc.); Those who give not the Zakat and they are disbelievers in the Hereafter.´´ (Surah Fusilat: 6-7) allah also says concerning the evildoers, What has caused you to enter Hell?´´ they will say: We were not of those who used to offer their salat (prayers) nor we used to feed Al_MIskin (the poor); and we used to talk falsehood (all that which Allah hated) with vain talkers; and we used to belie the Day of Recompense.´´ (Surah Al-Muddaththir: 42-46)

 If you could but see when they will be held (brought and made to stand) in front of their Lord! He will say: ´´Is not this (Resurrection and the taking of the accounts) the truth?´´ They will say: ´´Yes, but our Lord!´´ He will then say: ´´So taste you the torment because you used not to believe.´´ (Surah Al-An´am: 30) At that point, imagine the kind of regret that will encompass them! Imagine the kind of lamentation and sorrow that will envelop them! Meanwhile, they had recognized the truth but they deliberately opposed it.

(This is) so that no excuse or alibi would be left for them. Allah says, And the Book (One´s Record) will be placed (in the right hand for a believer in the Oneness of Allah, and in the left hand for a disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah), and you will see the Mujrimun (Criminals, polytheists, sinners, etc.) fearful of that which is (recorded) therein. They will say: ´´Woe to us! What sort of Book is this that leaves neither a small thing nor a big thing, but has recorded it with numbers!´´ And they will find all that they did, placed before them, and your Lord treats no one with injustice.´´ (Surah Al-Kahf: 49)

 The answer is yes, Everyone will be called to account and their deeds will be weighed. Since the destination of the Kuffar is Hellfire, why will they be called to account and why will their futile deeds need to be weight?! But stop them, verily they are to be Questioned.´´ (Surah As-Saafaar: 24) This is what our Lord says. They will be called to account and questioned concerning their deeds due to a number of reasons:

  Answer:  Allah created the creation for His worship commanded them to obey Him. He also sent Messengers giving glad tidings and warning; who illuminated the right path for the people, made them understand the proof and they clarified the goal. To whomever the truth is clear and evident but is spite of that he deliberately prefers renuciation and denial, without being under any coercion or insanity, such a person deserves punishment for his deeds. On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will make His entire creatures stand on the plain of judgment and He will take their account in the varieties of their nationalities, colour and religion. While narrating the situation of the Kuffar on the Day of Resurrection, And (remember) the Day when We will call them, and say; Where are My (so-called) partners whom you used to assert.´´ (Surah Al-Qasas: 62) Yes, where are the partners whom you used to worship, exalt and seek nearness to; whom you claimed were gods alongside Allah? Where will th...

 Ash is the residue of a burnt wood or charcoal such that it becomes like grey coloured flour. The deeds of the Kuffar are like a heap of ashes which a gale from a wind blows in all directions. How can the owner gather them back together after it has been scattered?! Allah says, The parable of those who disbelieve in their Lord is that their works are as ashes, on which the wind blows furiously on a stormy day, they shall not be able to get aught of what they have earned. That is the straying, far away (from the Right Path). (Surah Ibraheem: 18)

 Their deeds are so described because the Kuffar carry out their deeds of goodness and charity thinking that they will benefit them but in relity they will not. Hence, they become like they thirsty person that pursues a mirage gleaming in his presence thinking that it is water but in reality, it is not Allah says, As for those who disbelieve, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert. The thirsty one thinks it to be water, until be comes up to it, finds it to be nothing, but he finds Allah with him, Who will pay him due (Hell). and Allah is Swift in taking account. (Surah An-Nur:39)

 First Type: This type includes tyranny, agression and spreadin corruption in the land. Originally, while they were committing these invialid and evil deeds, they did not except any good consequence or reward. Allah describes such deeds ad darkness. He says, Or (the state of a disbeliever) is like the darkness in a vast deep sea, overwhelmed with a great wave topped by a great wave, tiooed by dark clouds, darkness, one above another, if a man stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it! and he for whom Allah has not appointed light, for him there is no light.´´ (Surah An-Nur: 40) Second Type: Deeds that are done by the Kuffar while they assume it would benefit them in the presence of Allah. These deeds include charity, connecting ties of kinship, assisting the oppressed and innovations that benefit mankind. All these deeds are recompensed in this world through increase in their welath, peace of mind, healing from diseases and protection from harm. However, they will not benefit th...

 Allah will not deal unjustly with anyone whether a kafir or a Muslim. Everyone will be affected bu his deeds, good or bad. The deeds of the kuffar will be weighed too but they will be light and trivial on the scale. This is as Allah says, They are those who deny the ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessions, signs, revelations, etc.) their Lord and the Meeting with Him (in the Hereafter). so their works are in vain, and on the Day of Resurrection, We shall not give them any weight. (Surah Al-Kahf: 105)

  Answer: The one whose good deeds equal his evil will be included among the people of Al-A´raf who would be in a location between Paradise and Hell as Allah says, And on Al-A´raf (a wall with eveated places) will be men (whose good and evil deeds would be equal in scale), who would recognise all (of the Paradise and Hell people), bu their marks (the dwellers of Paradise by their white faces and the dwellers of Hell by their black faces)... ´´ (Surah Al-A´raf: 46) The affairs of the people of Al-A´raf will be delayed till the people of Paradise and their people of Hellfire have been admitted into their respective abodes. Afterwards, Allah will admit the people of Al-A´raf under intercession and they would enter Paradise by the grace and favour of our Lord. as Allah has said concerning the people of Al-A´raf after mentioning the people of Paradise and the people of Hell, And between them will be a barrier screen and on Al-A´raf (a wall with elevated places) will be men (whose good a...

 The fate of a slave is determined by the result of the weighing of his deeds. Whoever´s righteous deeds outweighs his evil deeds will enter Paradise. Whoever´s evil deeds outweigh his good deeds seserves Hellfire, except if Allah overlooks the sinners or one of the interessors intercedes for him. Allah says, Then verily, We shall narrate unto them (their whole story) with knowledge, and indeed We were not absent. And the weighing on that day (Day of Resurrection) will be the true (weighing). So as for those whose scale (of good deeds) will be heavy, they will be the successful (by entering Paradise) And as for those whose scale will be light, they are those who will lose their own selves /by entering Hell) because they denied and rejected Out Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.).´´ (Surah Al-A´raf:7-9)

 This is by placing the servant onto the scale of deeds and the servant will either be heavy or light depending on the rigteousness of His deeds or otherwise. One of the indications of that is what is contined in the story of Abdulah Ibn Masood when he was walking with the Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam and they passed by a tree and the Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam commanded him to climb the tree and cut a branch which he could use as siwak (toothstick). When Ibn Masood, who had a slim and slender body, climbed the tree to cut the stick, a wind blew and lifted his garment and it exposed his small and thin shins which drew laughter from the people due to their thinness. The Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam said, ´´What are you laughing at; at the thinness of his shins? By Him in Whose Hans is mu soul, they will be heavier on the scale than Mount Uhud. ´´198 The two shins of Ibn Masood might be light in the world; however they will be heavy in the scale. What will make them heavy in ...