155 Page Notes

07 Surah Al-Araf (continued)

Page 155 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

7:38

7:39

7:40

7:41

7:42

7:43

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 155 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 155 of the Quran covers Surah Al-A'raf (The Heights), verses 38 through 43.

This profoundly moving page transitions from the chaotic arguments between different generations of the people of the Fire into the serene, timeless joy of the people of Paradise. The text contrasts the mutual cursing of the misguided with the removal of all hidden malice from the hearts of the righteous.

The Sunnah and authentic Hadiths provide rich, multi-layered descriptions of these dialogues and states of being.

1. The Blame Game in the Hellfire

“He will say, 'Enter among nations which had passed before you of jinn and mankind into the Fire.' Every time a nation enters, it curses its sister [nation]... The first of them will say to the last of them, 'Then you had not over us any preferred status, so taste the punishment for what you used to earn.'” — Surah Al-A'raf (7:38-39)

These verses describe how corrupt leaders and their blind followers, or successive generations of misguided people, will turn on each other in the afterlife, casting blame rather than showing solidarity.

A. Misleading Others Carries a Double Burden

The Sunnah explains why these groups argue over who deserves a worse punishment: those who initiate or invite others to evil bear the spiritual weight of everyone who follows them.

• Hadith: Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah said:
  "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward like the rewards of those who follow him, without that detracting from their rewards in the slightest. And whoever calls to misguidance will bear a sin like the sins of those who follow him, without that detracting from their sins in the slightest." (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2674)

2. The Gates of Heaven Closing & The Camel Through the Eye of a Needle

“Indeed, those who deny Our verses and are arrogant toward them - the gates of Heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel enters into the eye of a needle...” — Surah Al-A'raf (7:40)

This verse establishes two distinct realities: the spiritual locking of the gates of Heaven for the arrogant soul, and a linguistic expression highlighting the utter impossibility of their entry into Paradise.

A. The Soul Trapped at the Gates of Heaven

The Sunnah provides a literal, chronological explanation of Verse 40, detailing the exact moment the arrogant soul is rejected at the celestial gates during its ascent after death.

• Hadith: Returning to the foundational narration of Al-Bara' bin 'Azib, the Prophet explained that when the angels carry the foul soul of a deceased disbeliever up toward the heavens:
  "...They do not bring it past any group of angels without them asking, 'Who is this evil soul?' They reply, 'Such and such, the son of such and such,' using the worst names he was called in the world. When they reach the lowest heaven and ask for it to be opened for him, it is not opened." Then the Messenger of Allah recited this exact verse: “The gates of Heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel enters into the eye of a needle.” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 18534 / Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 4753; graded Sahih)

3. The Purification of Hearts Entering Paradise

“And We will have removed whatever is within their breasts of resentment, [while] flowing beneath them are rivers. And they will say, 'Praise to Allah, who has guided us to this...'” — Surah Al-A'raf (7:43)

This is one of the most beautiful verses describing the psychological environment of Paradise. Human beings inherently experience minor grievances, jealousy, or misunderstandings in this life. Allah promises that before stepping into Paradise, all negative emotional baggage is permanently erased.

A. The Archway (Qantarah) of Purification

The Sunnah clarifies the exact mechanism of this verse, revealing that there is a specific cosmic checkpoint between the Day of Judgment and the gates of Paradise where this emotional cleansing takes place.

• Hadith: Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allah said:
  "When the believers safely cross the Sirat (the bridge over Hell), they will be stopped at a bridge (Qantarah) between Paradise and Hell. There, they will settle any injustices or grievances that existed between them in the world. Once they are completely purified and cleansed of all resentment, they will be granted permission to enter Paradise..." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2440)

B. The Internal Peace of the People of Paradise

Because of this divine cleansing (Verse 43), the dwellers of Paradise live in absolute emotional harmony, a state the Prophet described beautifully:

• Hadith: Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet, when describing the first groups to enter Paradise, noted:
  "...Their hearts are as one single heart. There is no dispute between them and no mutual hatred. Everyone will have two wives from the houris, the marrow of whose leg-bones will be visible through the flesh due to their extreme beauty." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3245 / Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2834)