would not take place in this world (1), but rather in the Hereafter.
Ibn Hajar stated that some commentators on al-Masābīh understood it to mean the gathering from the graves. They cited several considerations in support of this:
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In Shariah usage, when “gathering” is mentioned without qualification, it means the gathering from the graves, unless specific evidence indicates otherwise.
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The division given in the report does not apply to the gathering toward the Levant, because anyone who migrates must be drawn by hope, driven by fear, or combine both qualities.
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The claim that the remainder will be gathered in the manner described, that the fire will force them toward that region, and that it will remain with them without ever leaving them is unsupported by revealed evidence. We may not assert, without revealed evidence, that fire will be unleashed upon the wretched in this world.
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Hadiths explain one another. A hadith of Abū Hurayrah recorded in the al-Hisān section was also transmitted by al-Bayhaqī through another chain, from Alī ibn Zayd, from Aws ibn Abī Aws, from Abū Hurayrah, with the wording: “Three will be on riding animals, three will hasten on foot, and three will be on their faces.” This division in the report corresponds to that mentioned in Surah al-Wāqiah, in the words of Allah Most High: “And you will be divided into three groups” (2) [al-Wāqiah: 7].