( ) From it we learn that sinful persons who nevertheless perform the prayer will not remain eternally in Hell; the same applies to a muwahhid (one who affirms pure monotheism) who neglects the prayer out of laziness—he, too, will not be consigned there forever. This ruling is sound; see al-Silsila al-Sahiha, no. 3054. (1) The passage is part of a long hadith on the Resurrection and intercession, narrated by Abu Hurayra—there is no harm in quoting it in full. He said: ‘The people once asked, “Messenger of Allah, shall we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection?” He replied, “Do you quarrel about seeing the full moon on a clear night when no cloud covers it?” They said, “No, Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Do you quarrel about seeing the sun when there is no cloud?” They said, “No.” He said, “You will see Him just as plainly. On the Day of Resurrection people will be gathered and it will be announced: ‘Whoever used to worship something, let him follow it.’ Some will follow the sun, others the moon, and others false deities, while this community will remain, with its hypocrites among them. Then Allah will come to them and say, ‘I am your Lord.’ They will reply, ‘We will stay here until our Lord comes; when He comes we shall recognise Him.’ Allah will come again and say, ‘I am your Lord.’ They will say, ‘You are our Lord.’ He will then summon them, and a bridge will be laid over the middle of Hell. I shall be the first of the messengers to cross it with my community. On that day no one will speak except the messengers, and the messengers’ plea will be: ‘O Allah, grant safety, grant safety.’ In Hell there are hooks like the thorns of the saadan plant—have you ever seen its thorns?” They said, “Yes.” He said, “They are like the thorns of saadan, but none knows how vast they are except Allah. They will seize people according to their deeds: some will be ruined by their deeds, others will be scratched and then released, until, when Allah wills to show mercy to whomever He wills among the inhabitants of Hell …” and he continued: “They will be brought out of the Fire charred like burnt charcoal; the water of life will be poured over them and they will sprout as a seed sprouts in the silt left by a flood. When Allah has finished judging between the servants, a man will remain between Paradise and Hell—the last of the people of Hell to enter Paradise—sitting with his face turned toward the Fire. He will say, ‘My Lord, turn my face away from the Fire; its breeze has stung me and its blaze has scorched me.’ Allah will say, ‘Perhaps, if I grant you that, you will ask for something else?’ He will reply, ‘No, by Your might!’ and he will pledge to Allah whatever covenants and promises He wishes. So Allah will turn his face away from the Fire. When the man is brought to the gate of Paradise and sees its splendour, he will remain silent for as long as Allah wills; then he will say, ‘My Lord! …’ ”