THE COMPANIONS OF MUHAMMAD WHO INTRODUCED INNOVATIONS IN RELIGION WILL BE CAST INTO HELL

 THE COMPANIONS OF MUHAMMAD WHO INTRODUCED INNOVATIONS IN RELIGION WILL BE CAST INTO HELL.

IF HIS COMPANIONS, WHO WERE CLOSE TO HIM, ARE DESTINED FOR HELL, WHAT WILL BE YOUR FATE AS A MODERN-DAY MUSLIM?

You will be resurrected and gathered before Allah barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised. The first to be clothed will be Ibrahim (Abraham). However, some of my companions will be taken to the left (towards Hell), and I will say, "Oh Lord, these are my companions!" Then I will be told, "Indeed, you do not know what they introduced after you." I will respond as 'Isa (Jesus) said:

"I was a witness over them while I was among them. When You caused me to die, You were the Observer over them, and You are a Witness over all things. If You punish them, they are Your servants; if You forgive them, You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." (Qur'an 5:117-118)

It will be said to me, "They continued to apostatize and turn back on their heels after you departed from them."

The Hadith Narration:

Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Prophet (ﷺ) stood among us and delivered a sermon, saying:
"O people! Indeed, you will be resurrected and assembled before Allah barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised, just as We began the first creation, We shall repeat it. It is a promise binding upon Us. Truly, We shall do it." (Qur'an 21:104)

He continued:
"The first to be clothed on the Day of Resurrection will be Ibrahim. Then, some men from my Ummah will be brought and taken to the left (towards Hellfire). I will say, 'O my Lord, these are my companions!' It will be said, 'You do not know what they introduced after you.' I will then say as the righteous servant [i.e., 'Isa] said:
'And I was a witness over them while I was amongst them. When You caused me to die, You were the Watcher over them, and You are a Witness to all things. If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.'
It will then be said to me: 'They continued to turn on their heels since you parted from them.'" (Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

Source: Riyad as-Salihin, Chapter 10, Hadith No. 165.

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Reflection on the Day of Judgment:

On the Day of Judgment, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) will admit that he is unaware of what occurred after his passing. Allah remains the ultimate Witness, Guardian, and Overseer until the Day of Judgment.

Likewise, the Prophet explains the words of 'Isa (Jesus), confirming their meaning:
"I was a witness over them while I was among them. When You caused me to die, You were the Observer over them."
This statement clarifies that 'Isa (Jesus) had no knowledge of what his followers did after his departure, whether they worshiped him or innovated in the religion. Similarly, after Muhammad's passing, Allah remained the sole Guardian and Witness over the actions of his followers.

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Contemporary Misinterpretations:

It is astonishing that some Muslims today invoke Muhammad directly in their prayers, as seen in the Tashahhud during Salah:
"As-Salaamu 'Alaika Ayyuha-Nabiyyu" ("Peace be upon you, O Prophet").

Yet, according to this hadith, Muhammad himself will declare that he is unaware of the actions or innovations of his followers after his death. This raises questions about practices introduced posthumously and the authenticity of their origins.

Understanding these teachings underscores the importance of adhering strictly to the original message of Islam and avoiding innovations (bid’ah) that deviate from the Prophet’s guidance.