in the heavens and on earth, except those whom Allah wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.”

The exception includes the wide-eyed maidens in Paradise, for there is no death in Paradise, and it includes others as well. We cannot identify with certainty everyone whom Allah has excepted, for Allah has left this unspecified in His Book.

It is authentically reported that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“People will fall unconscious on the Day of Resurrection, and I will be the first to regain consciousness. I will find Moses holding onto one of the legs of the Throne, and I will not know whether he regained consciousness before me or was among those whom Allah excepted.”

It has been said that this striking down is a fourth occurrence, and it has also been said that it is one of those mentioned in the Quran. In either case, the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—withheld judgment as to whether Moses was included among those whom Allah excepted. If the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—did not identify with certainty everyone whom Allah excepted, then neither can we. This is therefore like knowing how near the Hour is, the identities of the prophets, and similar matters about which we have not been informed. Such knowledge can be attained only through revelation. And Allah knows best.

May Allah bless Muhammad, his family, and his Companions, and grant them abundant peace.