Can you please provide commentary on the following Hadith:
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “There are four who will be judged by Allah on the Day of Qiyamah; A deaf person who cannot hear at all, an insane person, an old [senile] person and a man who [lived and] died in a period wherein there were no Prophets.
As for the deaf one, he will say: ‘Islam came and I did not hear a thing.’ The mentally challenged one will say: ‘Islam came and children were pelting me with dung.’ The senile person will say: ‘Islam came and I did not comprehend a thing.’ As for the one who died in between the sending of the Messengers, he will say: ‘No Messenger came to me.’
Then a covenant will be taken from them that they will surely obey Allah. Then a Messenger will be sent to them commanding them to enter Jahannam [to test their obedience to Allah]. By Him in whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, if they enter it, they will not find it except cool and peaceful.’”
Answer
Imams Ahmad and Ibn Hibban (rahimahumallah) have recorded this Hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna Aswad ibn Sari’ (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 4 pg. 24 and Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 7357)
Allah Ta’ala mentions, ‘We never punish until We have sent a Messenger’ (Surah Bani Israil, Verse: 15).
Since these categories of people had an excuse for not accepting Islam, Allah Ta’ala will grant them an opportunity to redeem themselves in the Hereafter by testing them. Those who choose to disobey that command will enter Jahannam and those who obey it will be granted salvation. This is the justice of Allah Ta’ala.
Also see: Hashiyatus Sindhi ‘Ala Musnadil Imam Ahmad, vol. 4 pg. 40.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar