replied: “Because the deliverance of that individual from Hell and his entry into Paradise is certain.”^[1]

Dear Islamic brothers! These are the righteous bondsmen of Allah. Consider for a moment how deeply they feared the hidden plan of Allah. Would that we, too, were granted the fear of the hidden decree of Allah; would that we were blessed with the concern for our final end.

No One Has the Guarantee of Departing with Faith

It is an immeasurable favour of Allah that He created us as humans, blessed us with Islam, and granted us the sanctuary of the mercy of His final Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. While there is no doubt that we are Muslims, none of us possesses a guarantee that we shall remain upon Islam until our final breath. Just as countless non-believers are fortunately guided to Islam, it is also established that many unfortunate Muslims—مَعاذ َاللہ—depart from this world having lost their faith. Whosoever turns away from faith (i.e., becomes an apostate) and dies in that state shall remain in Hell for eternity. Allah Almighty declares in Part 2, Surah al-Baqarah, Verse 217:

وَ مَنْ یَّرْتَدِدْ مِنْكُمْ عَنْ دِیْنِهٖ فَیَمُتْ وَ هُوَ كَافِرٌ فَاُولٰٓىٕكَ حَبِطَتْ اَعْمَالُهُمْ فِی الدُّنْیَا وَ الْاٰخِرَةِۚ-وَ اُولٰٓىٕكَ اَصْحٰبُ النَّارِۚ-هُمْ فِیْهَا خٰلِدُوْنَ(۲۱۷)

And whosoever renounces his faith from among you then dies in the very state of disbelief, so all their deeds have become void in this world and in the Hereafter; and they are the people of the Fire; they will remain therein forever.^[2]

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                          صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Who Knows What Our End Will Be!

It is stated in a hadith: