Q. A certain scholar has mentioned that Abdul Mutalib is in jahannum. His proof is a hadith in Muslim Shareef. He also said that the parents of our Nabi Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) are in jahannum, quoting a hadith in Abu Dawood shareef. What is the view of the ulema on this?
A: Indeed, that scholar is quite brazen and bold to use such strong terms for the grandfather and parents of Our Beloved Rasool (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). It is true that these ahadith appear in the books cited above, but the Uleme-e-Haqq have differed on this mas'ala. Some Scholars, such as Mulla Ali Qaari, have accepted these ahadeeth on its apparent meaning and maintain that the parents and grandparents of our beloved Rasool (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) were not blessed with iemaan since they passed away on the religion of the Pagan Arabs. On the other hand, Scholars such as Allama Suyooti and others are of the opinion that the parents of Our Nabi Muhammad (sallallaha alayhi wasallam) were indeed granted iemaan and died as Muslims. The matter is a delicate one and certainly not an issue that we will have to answer for on the Day of Judgment, nor a matter that we shall be called upon to give verdict. We leave the matter to Allah, for He Knows Best. Due to its sensitivity, Ulema say we should not delve too much into this issue, least of all make bold and audacious statements.