Q: There are certain Ahadith which say that anyone who says "There is no god but Allah" will not go to hell. On the other hand we find Ahadith where we are told that one who will have even a little faith will be TAKEN OUT OF HELL eventually. Is this not a contraditon?

ANS:- Sham Shamoun, the notorious anti-Islamic writer has written such things. (To read his article Click Here)

Let’s see what the truth is.

First of all let it be understood that Ahadith are to be taken in reference and an explanation to the Holy Quran because the purpose of Holy Prophet (PBUH) arrival was to explain and elaborate the Quran. So it will be a grave mistake to take either of them separately isolating it from the other.

The fact is that these Ahadith explain two different things. The whole thing if understood means that one who will utter the Islamic Shahadah “La Ilaha Illa Allah" (There is no god but Allah) with sincerity of heart will not remain in the Hell forever but the one who will make it a beacon of light for himself all the life and will not give anything importance when it clashes with the Will and Commands of Allah will never even taste it.

By uttering Shahadah one technically becomes a Muslim but True Faithrequires a complete set of righteous deeds and struggle in the way of ALLAH.

Two verses from the Holy Quran explain it in profound manner. ALLAH says in the Holy Quran;

“The dwellers of the desert say: We believe. Say: You do not believe but say, We submit; and faith has not yet entered into your hearts; and if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not diminish aught of your deeds; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger then they doubt not and struggle hard with their wealth and their lives in the way of Allah; they are the truthful ones.”
(Quran 49:14-15)

This verse clearly tells that there is a difference between PROFESSING & PRACTISING. Any Muslim who professes to be so with the sincerity of heart will not remain in the Hell forever which is the fate of the disbelievers as they reject the Truth out of their stubbornness. We are told about disbelievers in the Quran;

“Thus will Allah show them their deeds to be intense regret to them, and they shall not come forth from the fire.” (Quran 2:167)

The Hell will be eternal abode only for the disbelievers who reject the true message of Islam in their crookedness.

But the person who not only professes but also practices Islam to his utmost will never taste Hell.

The general criterion of success has been set in the Holy Quran, Surah (chapter) 103, where ALLAH says;

“By (the Token of) Time (through the ages), Verily Man is in loss, Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.”    (Quran 103:1-3}

This chapter lays down the ultimate criteria of success. One who will have all these qualities will NEVER enter Hell as he is a True Believers. See Quran 49:14-15 above.

One who lacks one or two is in loss to that degree. Truly the importance is of the order of narration here.

So we see that the Ahadith which say that those who says “La Ilaha Illa Allah” and spend their entire lives keeping in mind all the implications of such a vow will never taste Hell.

The first few Ahadith quoted by Shameless Sham Shamoun are in this context.

While those who merely believe in it as a creed but do not uphold to it all their lives will go through the punishment of Hell fire according to their deeds and will be taken out after their punishment. But as an eternal abode Hell fire is strictly forbidden for them as well.

The last Ahadith quoted are in this context.

LET ME TURN THE TABLES

After showing his ignorance about Ahadith, Sham Shamoun has quoted some verses of the Bible to give an impression that a Christian only needs to have faith in Christ. But this is nothing more than a blatant lie. If you visit his page you will find that he has not quoted any unequivocal statement of his own “LORD” Jesus (PBUH).

Jesus (PBUH) clearly says in contradiction to his quoted verses.

According to Jesus (PBUH) keeping the Law is must for Salvation. See what Jesus (pbuh) said;

"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20)

Further we read in the Bible;

"And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”  (Matthew 19:16-17)

This is not all. The Insane Writer has even hidden the statements of James, ‘the Brother of the Lord’ about the issue. See the following of his words recorded in the Bible;

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?"(James 2:14)

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." (James 2:17)

"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (James 2:24)

Can these statements of Bible be anyway reconciled with what he quoted. Is there anything in the Bible to clarify ‘the difference between a faith professed and a faith practiced?’

If these people can ever try to understand Islam in an objective manner, they will find Islamic rubric the most composed one and full of blessings for humanity. But only if they try !!!

Indeed Allah knows the best!