The Problem of the Paths to Jannah

The challenge of this topic is to classify the bewildering array of teachings on the topic into a coherent narrative. You might or might not agree with my system, but I think it’s the one that is closest to the texts involved.

Everyone dying a Muslim goes to Heaven, Irrespective

This “atom’s weight” verse gets picked up and elaborated on in the hadith which we shall also see:

Q4:40 “Indeed, Allah does not do injustice, [even] as much as an atom’s weight; while if there is a good deed, He multiplies it and gives from Himself a great reward.”

Everything can be Okayed, except non-Muslimness, if it is to be agreed that Trinitarianism comes under “shirk”, which can be contentious, however the case might be made for it from the “Jesus is not Allah” verse and “Say not Three” etc., that this is indeed the intent:

“Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly gone far astray.” (Q 4:116)

The Hadith are quite unequivocal in their assertion that all Muslims go to Heaven, even should they have done not a single good deed, merely the act of considering oneself a Muslim.

(Note on the Christian version of death-bed Salvation: This is different from being saved by accepting the love of Jesus on their death-bed, also possibly not having performed not a single good deed. The difference, apart from the fact that Jesus is real, is that this acceptance itself is a good deed. How so? To state a basic difference, without going into the entire concept of Christian Atonement- in accepting that someone died for you, , (in this case God himself), one performs an inherently good act- that of gratitude. Death-bed conversion is a special case and is a vanishingly rare occurrence, more of a conversation point than anything. The “conversion” necessitates a genuine repentance, so it is not an unconditional acceptance into the Kingdom. This is a condition that applies not only to the death-bed convert, but to any Christian- a Christian guilty of serious sin and unrepentant of that sin is in real danger of damnation, Scripture is quite clear about this. This is different from Islam in which universal Salvation is seemingly the rule. There is no verse in which a Muslim goes to Hell forever).

Narrated Anas that the prophet said: “Whoever says Laa ilaaha ill-Allah and has in his heart goodness the weight of a grain of barley will be brought out of Hell, then whoever says Laa ilaaha ill-Allah and has in his heart goodness the weight of a grain of wheat will be brought out of Hell, then whoever says Laa ilaaha ill-Allah and has in his heart goodness the weight of an atom (or a small ant) will be brought out of Hell.” (Bukhari 44, Muslim 193)

This one’s confusing, because it states that those with a speck of pride are not admitted to Paradise, If we were taking this seriously it would imply that literally everyone goes to Hell. For the sake of continuing the discussion lets just say that this is in a different context:

“”The Messenger of Allah said: ‘Whoever has a speck of pride (arrogance) in his heart, shall not be admitted into Paradise. And whoever has a speck of faith in his heart, shall not be admitted in to the Fire.'(…)” (At-Tirmidhi (1999), Abu Dawood (4091), Muslim (91) and Ibn Maajah (59), graded “Sahih” in all these three references)

“Then the bridge will be laid across Hell.” We, the companions of the Prophet said, “O Allah’s Messenger! What is the bridge?’…He said, “It is a slippery (bridge) on which there are clamps and (Hooks like) a thorny seed that is wide at one side and narrow at the other and has thorns with bent ends. Such a thorny seed is found in Najd and is called As-Sa’dan. Some of the believers will cross the bridge as quickly as the wink of an eye, some others as quick as lightning, a strong wind, fast horses or she-camels. So some will be safe without any harm; some will be safe after receiving some scratches, and some will fall down into Hell (Fire). The last person will cross by being dragged (over the bridge).” The Prophet said, “You (Muslims) cannot be more pressing in claiming from me a right that has been clearly proved to be yours than the believers in interceding with Almighty for their (Muslim) brothers on that Day, when they see themselves safe. They will say, ‘O Allah! (Save) our brothers (for they) used to pray with us, fast with us and also do good deeds with us.’ Allah will say, ‘Go and take out (of Hell) anyone in whose heart you find faith equal to the weight of one (gold) Dinar.‘ Allah will forbid the Fire to burn the faces of those sinners. They will go to them and find some of them in Hell (Fire) up to their feet, and some up to the middle of their legs. So they will take out those whom they will recognize and then they will return, and Allah will say (to them), ‘Go and take out (of Hell) anyone in whose heart you find faith equal to the weight of one half Dinar.’ They will take out whomever they will recognize and return, and then Allah will say, ‘Go and take out (of Hell) anyone in whose heart you find faith equal to the weight of an atom (or a smallest ant), and so they will take out all those whom they will recognize.” Abu Sa’id said: If you do not believe me then read the Holy Verse:–‘Surely! Allah wrongs not even of the weight of an atom (or a smallest ant) but if there is any good (done) He doubles it.’ (4.40) The Prophet added, “Then the prophets and Angels and the believers will intercede, and (last of all) the Almighty will say, ‘Now remains My Intercession. He will then hold a handful of the Fire from which He will take out some people whose bodies have been burnt, and they will be thrown into a river at the entrance of Paradise, called the water of life. They will grow on its banks, as a seed carried by the torrent grows. You have noticed how it grows beside a rock or beside a tree, and how the side facing the sun is usually green while the side facing the shade is white. Those people will come out (of the River of Life) like pearls, and they will have (golden) necklaces, and then they will enter Paradise whereupon the people of Paradise will say, ‘These are the people emancipated by the Beneficent. He has admitted them into Paradise without them having done any good deeds and without sending forth any good (for themselves).’ Then it will be said to them, ‘For you is what you have seen and its equivalent as well.‘”

(“shin hadith”- Bukhari 7439. This bridge is called “Sirat” and some hold that it is the “straight path” the first Qur’anic verse “sira”)

“Narrated Abu Dhar: Allah’s Messenger said, “Someone came to me from my Lord and gave me the news (or good tidings) that if any of my followers dies worshipping none (in any way) along with Allah, he will enter Paradise.” I asked, “Even if he committed illegal sexual intercourse (adultery) and theft?” He replied, “Even if he committed illegal sexual intercourse (adultery) and theft.” (Bukhari 1237)

Muslims with no Good deeds at all will get in? Or not?

The last section of the “shinallah hadith” (Bukhari 7539) quoted above, speaks of those who have done no good deeds at all in their lives entering Heaven:

“He has admitted them into Paradise without them having done any good deeds and without sending forth any good (for themselves).’ Then it will be said to them, ‘For you is what you have seen and its equivalent as well.‘”

This seems to contradict Qur’an 6:158 which says that those that have not done any good deeds inspite of having faith (iman), it will not go to Paradise if they only change their ways on the last Day and is also corroborated in Bukhari 7121 (which also quotes 6:158 as its premise). This actually makes more sense than the shinallah hadith, but I believe the shinallah hadith is muttawatur. Ibn Kathir confirms this interpretation of 6:158:

“no good will it do to a person to believe then, if he believed not before,) means, when the disbeliever believes then, it will not be accepted from him. As for those who were believers before, if they earned righteous deeds, they will have earned a great deal of good. If they had not done good nor repented before then, it will not be accepted from them, according to the Hadiths that we mentioned. This is also the meaning of Allah’s statement,”

The Limits of Allah’s Mercy

The supposedly “Most- Merciful most Beneficent” only forgives a few sins, and that, only if you don’t fart while repenting. This is a real difficulty in Islam:

“The repentance accepted by Allah is only for those who do wrong in ignorance [or carelessness] and then repent soon after. It is those to whom Allah will turn in forgiveness, and Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.” (Q 4:17)

And Allah’s mercy is not given if you fart during your prayers. Other things invalidate prayers too, like- passing urine or stool:

“Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger said, “The prayer of a person who does Hadath (passes urine, stool or wind) is not accepted till he performs the ablution.” A person from Hadaramout asked Abu Huraira, “What is ‘Hadath’?” Abu Huraira replied, ” ‘Hadath’ means the passing of wind.” (Bukhari 135, 176, 214, 6954, Tirmidhi 76, 408, ibn Majah 1222, 1023, Tirmidhi 3689 )

Even the angels stop praying for a person at the moment that he farts:

Abu Hurairah narrated that : Allah’s Messenger said: “One of you does not cease to be in Salat as long as he is waiting for it. And the angels do not cease praying for one of you as long as he remains in the Masjid (saying): ‘Allah! Forgive him. O Allah! Have mercy upon him’ – as long as he does not commit Hadath.” A man from Hadramawt said: “And just what is Hadath Abu Hurairah?” He said: “Breaking wind, or passing gas.” (Tirmidhi 330, Bukhari 445, 659, 2119, Ibn Majah 799)

Unless the person re-performs the ablutions, of course, then the gates of mercy are once again open to him:

“Amr bin Amir Al-Ansari narrated that he heard Anas bin Malik saying: “The Prophet would perform Wudu for every Salat.” I said, “So what about you, what would you do?” He said I wouId pray all of the prayers with one Wudu, as long as we had not committed Hadath (anything that invalidates Wudu).” (Tirmidhi 60, An-Nasa’i 130, 131)

Every Non-Muslim goes to Hell

Non-Muslims (apart from the contradiction in verse Q2:62) go to Hell forever. This is indicated by a great deal of evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah. 

“Verily, those who disbelieve and did wrong; Allah will not forgive them, nor will He guide them to any way. Except the way of Hell, to dwell therein forever” [Q 4:168-169]

“Verily, Allah has cursed the disbelievers, and has prepared for them a flaming Fire wherein they will abide for ever” [Q 33:64] 

“and whosoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, then verily, for him is the fire of Hell, he shall dwell therein forever” [Q 72:23] 

“This, because you took the Revelations of Allah in mockery, and the life of the world deceived you. So this Day, they shall not be taken out from there, nor shall they be returned to the worldly life” [Q 45:35] 

“Surely, those who disbelieved in Our Ayaat (signs), We shall burn them in Fire. As often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for other skins that they may taste the punishment” [Q 4:56] 

“but he whom He sends astray, for such you will find no Awliyaa’ (helpers and protectors) besides Him, and We shall gather them together on the Day of Resurrection on their faces, blind, dumb and deaf; their abode will be Hell; whenever it abates, We shall increase for them the fierceness of the Fire.That is their recompense, because they denied Our Ayaat (signs) and said: “When we are bones and fragments, shall we really be raised up as a new creation?”[Q 17:97] 

“But those who disbelieved and denied Our Ayaat (signs), they will be the dwellers of the Fire, to dwell therein forever. And worst indeed is that destination” [Q 64:10] 

“and whosoever disobeys Allaah and His Messenger, then verily, for him is the fire of Hell, he shall dwell therein forever” [Q 72:23] 

“Verily, the Mujrimoon (criminals, sinners, disbelievers) will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever. (The torment) will not be lightened for them, and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein. We wronged them not, but they were the Zaalimoon (polytheists, wrongdoers). And they will cry: ‘O Malik (Keeper of Hell)! Let your Lord make an end of us.” He will say: “Verily, you shall abide forever.’ Indeed We have brought the truth to you, but most of you have a hatred for the truth” [Q 43:74] 

“And of mankind are some who take (for worship) others besides Allah as rivals. They love them as they love Allah. But those who believe, love Allah more (than anything else). If only, those who do wrong could see, when they will see the torment, that all power belongs to Allah and that Allah is Severe in punishment. When those who were followed disown those who followed (them), and they see the torment, then all their relations will be cut off from them. And those who followed will say: ‘If only we had one more chance to return (to the worldly life), we would disown them as they have disowned us.’ Thus Allah will show them their deeds as regrets for them. And they will never get out of the Fire” [Q 2:165-167] 

“Verily, those who belie Our Ayaat (signs) and treat them with arrogance, for them the gates of heaven will not be opened, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of the needle . Thus do We recompense the Mujrimûn (criminals, polytheists, sinners). Theirs will be a bed of Hell (Fire), and over them coverings (of Hell-fire). Thus do We recompense the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers)” [Q 7:40-41] 

“But those who disbelieve for them will be the fire of Hell. Neither will it have a complete killing effect on them so that they die nor shall its torment be lightened for them. Thus do We requite every disbeliever! Therein they will cry: “Our Lord! Bring us out, we shall do righteous good deeds, not (the evil deeds) that we used to do.” (Allah will reply:) “Did We not give you lives long enough, so that whosoever would receive admonition could receive it? And the warner came to you. So taste you (the evil of your deeds). For the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers) there is no helper” [Q 35:36] 

“Truly, Hell is a place of ambush — A dwelling place for the Taaghoon (those who transgress the boundary limits set by Allaah, like polytheists, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah, hypocrites, sinners, criminals), They will abide therein for ages. Nothing cool shall they taste therein, nor any drink. Except boiling water, and dirty wound discharges —An exact recompense (according to their evil crimes). For verily, they used not to look for a reckoning. But they belied Our Ayaat (signs) completely. And all things We have recorded in a Book. So taste you. No increase shall We give you, except in torment” [Q 78:21-30] 

A contrary verse: “2:62 (Dawood) Believers, Jews, Christians, and Sabaeans- whoever believes in God and the last day and does what is right- shall be rewarded by their Lord; they have nothing to fear or to regret.”

These are hadith related to those who go to Hell:

Jaabir narrated: A man came to the Prophet and said: O Messenger of Allah, what are the two deeds that make entering Paradise or Hell inevitable? He said: “Whoever dies not associating anything with Allah will enter Paradise, and whoever dies associating anything with Allah will enter Hell.” (Muslim 135)

And again: “Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases, and whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin” [an-Nisa’ 4:48]. The one who does not pray at all, either in his house or in the mosque, and does not attend Jumu‘ah or prayers in congregation, has also rendered his good deeds invalid and has falling into kufr by not praying at all. The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The covenant that stands between us and them – i.e., the characteristic that separates the Muslims from the disbelievers – is the prayer. Whoever does not pray has disbelieved.” Narrated by at-Tirmidhi, 2545; an-Nasaa’i, 459. classed as saheeh by al-Albaani.

Christians and Jews go to Hell in place of Muslims!

This is odd because Muslims routinely reprove Christians saying “no one can pay for you sins”, as a refutation of the doctrine of Christ’s Sacrifice for sinful humanity.

“From Chapter 8: The Acceptance Of The Repentance Of The One Who Kills, Even If He Has Killed A Great Deal”: “Abu Musa’ reported that Allah’s Messenger said: When it will be the Day of Resurrection Allah would deliver to every Muslim a Jew or a Christian and say: That is your rescue from Hell-Fire. (b) Muslim Abu Burda reported on the authority of his father that Allah’s Apostle said: No Muslim would die but Allah would admit in his stead a Jew or a Christian in Hell-Fire. ‘Umar b. Abd al-‘Aziz took an oath: By One besides Whom there is no god but He, thrice that his father had narrated that to him from Allah’s Messenger. (c) This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of ‘Aun b. Utba. (d) Muslim Abu Burda reported Allah’s Messenger as saying: There would come people amongst the Muslims on the Day of Resurrection with as heavy sins as a mountain, and Allah would forgive them and He would place in their stead the Jews and the Christians. (As far as I think), Abu Raub said: I do not know as to who is in doubt. Abu Burda said: I narrated it to ‘Umar b. ‘Abd al-‘Aziz, whereupon he said: Was it your father who narrated it to you from Allah’s Apostle? I said: Yes.” (Muslim 2767 a to d)

Mohammed then Doth Intercede…

Where does the doctrine of intercession come from?:

Among religions, it is only Christians that even have a custom of the intercession of the dead, and that only the Catholic and Orthodox churches, which is exactly what was present at the time of Mohammed. A search of Wikipedia on Intercession of Saints turns up only one other tribe that has such a practice: “In the religion of the Serer people of Senegal, the Gambia and Mauritania, some of their ancient dead are taken as, in an analogy, holy saints, called Pangool in the Serer language. These ancient ancestors act as interceders between the living world and their supreme deity Roog…”

Outside of this there is the practice of “ancestor worship/veneration” which is found in various ancient religions like the Chinese, Buddhist and native American Indian and African religions. None of this is “intercession” in the sense of the persons being prayed to interceding with a Supreme Deity for favors for their clients.

It seems the most obvious ploy were one to seek a means to gain a hold upon one’s followers. Not a single Roman Catholic used this a means of manipulating their followers while they were alive. Its a Mohammed “special”, the man who told his own followers they would not get into Heaven without his putting in a word for them. But like everything else in the Qur’an, there are contradictions in it:

These are the verses in the Quran that speak of the availability of Intercession:

In the context of Islamic Judgement Day, which is being described in the preceding verses:

“On that Day shall no intercession avail except for those for whom permission has been granted by (Allah) Most Gracious and whose word is acceptable to Him” (Q 20:109)

“No intercession can avail in His Presence, except for those for whom He has granted permission” (Q:34:23).

“The unbelievers say: ‘This man is a skilled enchanter.’ Yet your Lord is God…None has the power to intercede for you, except him who has received his sanction.” (Q 10:3)

“None will have [power of] intercession except he who had taken from the Most Merciful a covenant.” (19:87)

From the Hadith:

“The Prophet said, “You (Muslims) cannot be more pressing in claiming from me a right that has been clearly proved to be yours than the believers in interceding with Almighty for their (Muslim) brothers on that Day, when they see themselves safe…The Prophet added, “Then the prophets and Angels and the believers will intercede, and (last of all) the Almighty (Allah) will say, ‘Now remains My Intercession.” (Bukhari 7439, the shin hadith)- This is a scene from Islamic Judgement Day, when everyone- the prophets, the angels and even Allah seem to get in on the intercession act. Allah intercedes with who?

“He (Muhammed) said to me: “Ubayy, a message was sent to me to recite the Qur’an in one dialect, and I replied: Make (things) easy for my people. It was conveyed to me for the second time that it should be recited in two dialects. I again replied to him: Make affairs easy for my people. It was again conveyed to me for the third time to recite in seven dialects And: You have got a seeking for every reply that I sent you, which you should seek from Me. I said: O Allah! forgive my people, forgive my people, and I have deferred the third one for the day on which the entire creation will turn to me, including even Ibrahim (for intercession).” (Muslim no.820)

“The Messenger of Allah said: Allah would gather people on the Day of Resurrection and they would be concerned about it, and Ibn Ubaid said. They would get a Divine inspiration about it, and would say: If we could seek intercession with our Lord, we may be relieved from this predicament of ours. (here there is a lengthy narrative about how they try unsuccessfully to obtain the intercession of the other prophets like Adam, Ibrahim, Moses “with whom God spoke directly” and even Isa “Allah’s Word and a soul created by him”)…The Messenger or Allah observed: So they would come to me and I would ask the permission of my Lord and it would be granted to me, and when I would see Him, I would fall down in prostration, and He (Allah) would leave me thus as long as He would wish, and then it would be said: O Muhammad, raise your head, say and you would be heard; ask and it would be granted; intercede and intercession would be accepted. Then I would raise my head and extol my Lord with the praise which my Lord would teach me. I shall then inter- cede, but a limit would be set for me I would bring them out from the Fire and make them enter Paradise (according to the limit). I shall return then and fall down in prostration and Allah would leave me (in that position) as long as He would wish to leave me it would be said: Rise, O Muhammad, say and you would be heard; ask and it would be conferred; intercede and intercession would be granted. I would raise my head and extol my Lord with praise that He would teach me. I would then intercede and a limit would be set for me. I would bring them out of the Fire (of Hell) and make them enter Paradise. He (the narrator) said: I do not remember whether he (Muhammed) said at the third time or at the fourth time: O my Lord, none has been left in the Fire, but those restrained by the Holy Qur’an, i e. those who were eternally doomed. Ibn Ubaid said in a narration: Qatada observed: whose everlasting stay was imperative”. (Bukhari 7410)

“Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah: The Prophet said, “I have been given five things which were not given to any one else before me. -1. Allah made me victorious by awe, (by His frightening my enemies) for a distance of one month’s journey. -2. The earth has been made for me (and for my followers) a place for praying and a thing to perform Tayammum, therefore anyone of my followers can pray wherever the time of a prayer is due. -3. The booty has been made Halal (lawful) for me yet it was not lawful for anyone else before me. -4. I have been given the right of intercession (on the Day of Resurrection). -5. Every Prophet used to be sent to his nation only but I have been sent to all mankind.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 335)

“Anas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “My intercession is for the people of major sins among my nation.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2435 Graded Sahih by Tirmidhi himself)

Qur’anic verses that contradict this:  This topic has been fully dealt with in the “Contraditions…” article.

Scholars on Post-mortem Intercession

This hadith is narrated by Imam al-Bazzār:

حَياتِي خير لكم وموتي خير لكم، أما حَياتِي فأسن لكم السّنَن وأشرع لكم الشَّرَائِع. وَأما موتِي فَإِن أَعمالكُم تعرض عَلّي فَمَا رَأَيْت مِنْهَا حسنا حمدت الله عَلَيْهِ، وَمَا رَأَيْت مِنْهَا سَيِّئًا استغفرت الله تَعَالَى لكم

‘My life is good for you and my death is good for you. As for my life, I set sunnas and legislate laws for you. As for my death, your deeds are presented to me; I praise Allah for the good I see of them, and ask Allah to forgive you for the bad that I see.’ Some experts considered all the narrators to be sound, whereas others disagreed (al-ʿIraqi, Mughni al-Asfar). The least that can be said of the hadith is that it is a well authenticated, ḥasan, hadith. The Life of Prophets After Death Yes, this narration is a strong proof for the life of the Messenger of Allah, and the other prophets (Allah bless them and grant them all peace), although the nature of their life in the Barzakh is different to what we perceive as life. Imam Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti has a work dedicated to this topic, Inbaʾ al-adhkiya bi hayat al-anbiyaʾ (Apprising the Intelligent of the Life of the Prophets). In it he states, ‘The life of the Prophet [Muhammad] in his grave and the other prophets (Allah bess them all and grant them peace) is known to us with certainty due to many proofs and mass-transmitted (mutawatir) narrations. He then proceeds to cite various proofs such as the narration of Sahih Muslim which describes the prophet Musa praying in his grave on the night of the Isra.

and check this for a further discussion: https://seekersguidance.org/articles/general-artices/tawwasul-hamza-yusuf/?fbclid=IwAR1qQdusVb7NM2xHQygiYhz1KxtFquk_uVizX3iEWg1J2Lzv3cdAQpWVKdY

Assorted accessory Pathways

Memorizing the “99 Names of Allah”

“The Prophet said: “Allah has 99 names. Whoever memorizes them will enter Paradise”” (Bukhari 2736, Muslim 2677)

Yemeni corner, Black Stone and Qur’an itself!

“Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allah said concerning the Black Stone: “By Allah, Allah will raise it on the Day of Resurrection with two eyes with which to see and a tongue with which to speak, and it will testify for those who touched it with due respect.” (Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh at-Tirmidhi (961) The commentators on al-Musnad said: Its isnaad is qawiy (strong) (2796))

“Ibn ‘Umar used to push his way through the crowd to reach the two corners [of the Ka‘bah, the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone Corner], in a manner that I never saw from any of the other Companions of the Prophet. I said: O Abu ‘Abd ar-Rahman, why do you push your way through the crowd to reach the two corners in a manner that I never saw from any of the other Companions of the Prophet? He said: The reason I do that is that I heard the Messenger of Allah say: “Touching them is an expiation for sins.” (Classed as Saheeh by al-Albani in Saheeh at-Tirmidhi 959)

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: I heard the Messenger of Allah say: “Touching them both [the Black Stone and al-Rukn al-Yamani] is an expiation for sins.” (classed as hasan by al-Tirmidhi (959) and as saheeh by al-Haakim (1/664). Al-Dhahabi agreed with him).

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allaah said concerning the Stone: “By Allah, Allah will bring it forth on the Day of Resurrection, and it will have two eyes with which it will see and a tongue with which it will speak, and it will testify in favour of those who touched it in sincerity.”  (hasan by al-Tirmidhi (961), and as qawiy (strong) by al-Haafiz ibn Hajar in Fath al-Baari, 3/462, Ibn Maajah, 2944)  

Mohammad’s Black Stone-related habits (repeat):

It was narrated from Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allah that when the Messenger of Allah came to Makkah, he came to the Black Stone and touched it, then he walked to the right of it and ran three times and walked four times [around the Ka’bah]. (Muslim, 1218).

 It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allah said: “The Black Stone came down from Paradise.” (classed as sahih by al-Tirmidhi, 877; al-Nasaa’i, 2935).

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allah said: “When the Black Stone came down from Paradise, it was whiter than milk, but the sins of the sons of Adam made it black.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 877; Ahmad, 2792. Classed as saheeh by Ibn Khuzaymah, 4/219. Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar classed it as qawiy (strong) in Fath al-Baari, 3/462).

“it was narrated from Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah that when the Messenger of Allaah came to Makkaah, he came to the Black Stone and touched it, then he walked to the right of it and ran three times and walked four times [around the Ka’bah].  (narrated by Muslim, 1218).

 It was narrated that ‘Umar came to the Black Stone and kissed it, then he said: “I know that you are only a stone which can neither bring benefit nor cause harm. Were it not that I had seen the Prophet kiss you, I would not have kissed you.”  (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1520; Muslim, 1720)

“It was narrated that Naafi’ said: I saw Ibn ‘Umar touch the Stone with his hand then he kissed his hand. I said, I have never ceased to do this since I saw the Messenger of Allaah do it.” (Narrated by Muslim, 1268)

“It was narrated that Abu Tufayl  said: I saw the Messenger of Allaah performing Tawaaf around the House, touching the corner [where the Stone is] with a crooked staff which he had with him, then kissing the staff.” (Narrated by Muslim, 1275).

 “It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allaah performed Tawaaf on his camel, and every time he came to the corner [where the Stone is] he would point to it and say “Allaahu akbar.””(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4987).

Having Daughters/Children that die

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri: Some women requested the Prophet to fix a day for them as the men were taking all his time. On that he promised them one day for religious lessons and commandments. Once during such a lesson the Prophet said, “A woman whose three children die will be shielded by them from the Hell fire.” On that a woman asked, “If only two die?” He replied, “Even two (will shield her from the Hell-fire). (Bukhari 101)

Abu Huraira reported that Allah’s Messenger said to a woman of the Ansar:

In case anyone amongst you sees the sad demise of three children of (hers) and she resigns herself to the will of God hoping to get reward, she would be admitted to Paradise. A woman from amongst them said: Allah’s Messenger, even if they (the children who die) are two. Thereupon, he (the Holy Prophet, ) said: Even if they are two. (Muslim 2632c)

Uqbah ibn ‘Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever has three daughters and he is patient with them, he gives them food and drink, and he clothes them, then they will be his shield from the Hellfire on the Day of Resurrection.” Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 3669 Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, ‘If any member of my people has two children who die before him, Allah will cause him to enter Paradise on their account.’ Aisha asked, ‘Does it apply to a member of your people who has one child who dies before him?’ He replied, ‘It does, you who have been helped by Allah to ask this.’ She then asked, ‘What about a member of your people who has no children who die before him?’ He replied, ‘I am the one who dies before my people, and they will never suffer any loss to compare with the loss of me.'” [Hadith Al-Tirmidhi, 1735]

Qur’an’s intercession

Muslim (804) narrated that Abu Umaamah al-Baahili said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) say: “Read the Qur’aan, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection interceding for its companions.” 

Imam Ahmad (6589) narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Fasting and the Qur’an will intercede for a person on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say: O Lord, I kept him from his food and desires during the day; let me intercede for him. And the Qur’an will say: I kept him from sleeping during the night; let me intercede for him. And they will be allowed to intercede.”

Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami‘, 7329 

Pray “perfectly” and Fast

“Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Whoever believes in Allah and His Apostle, offer prayer perfectly and fasts the month of Ramadan, will rightfully be granted Paradise by Allah, no matter whether he fights in Allah’s Cause or remains in the land where he is born.” The people said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Shall we acquaint the people with the is good news?” He said, “Paradise has one-hundred grades which Allah has reserved for the Mujahidin who fight in His Cause, and the distance between each of two grades is like the distance between the Heaven and the Earth. So, when you ask Allah (for something), ask for Al-firdaus which is the best and highest part of Paradise.” (i.e. The sub-narrator added, “I think the Prophet also said, ‘Above it (i.e. Al-Firdaus) is the Throne of Beneficent (i.e. Allah), and from it originate the rivers of Paradise.” (Bukhari 2790, also 7423)

Ignore “PBUH Prayers” at Personal Peril

The summary of all this is that there is no ignoring Mohammed in Islam, and the way to not ignore him and thereby not be ignored is to say his name in the same breath as Allah’s in the Shahada, in the same prayers as the Salat, and to bless his name every time it is upon their lips. There are plenty other examples of how Mohamed is idolised and even deified in this manner in Islam and I cover other aspects in the essay on him.

Muslims 5 times a day salat prayer-

At each of those 5, the above is stated twice, if only offering “farad” (giving a total of 10), or If praying “nafal” and “sunnah” prayers, the above is repeated from 22 to over 50 times a day “peace and God’s mercy and blessings be on you, prophet”

The dominant opinion is that conferring prayers, peace, and blessings on the Prophet is mandatory based on this hadith:

Abu Huraira narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “May the man before whom I am mentioned — and he does not send Salah upon me — be humiliated. And may a man upon whom Ramadan enters and then passes, before he is forgiven, be humiliated. And may a man whose parents reached old age in his presence, and they were not a cause for his entrance to Paradise, be humiliated.” (Jami-at Tirmidhi 3545, also narrated in Hanbal’s collection)

The hadith above is further endorsed by another hadith documented by At-Tirmidhi:

‘Ali bin Abi Tālib narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “The stingy person is the one before whom I am mentioned, and he does not send Salat upon me.”_— (Jani’at Tirmidhi 3546)

Since the literary device used in the verse in the Qur’an is that of emphasis, especially on the conferring of blessings, scholars are of the opinion that using a short form is not permitted: Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [ Allah to grant him] peace. _— (Q 33:56)

As- Suyuti documented what Ibn as-Salah said about this matter in his book Al-Muqaddimah (Introduction to the Science of Hadith): “Ninth. To preserve in writing the prayers and peace upon the Messenger of Allah when mentioned, and not to be bored from repeating when his mention is repeated; for this is one of the greatest benefits that students of hadith and its writers should rush to, and whoever overlooks doing so is deprived of a great fortune.”_— Tadrib ar-Rawi, Vol.1, p.503.

Among the most excellent of your days is Friday; so invoke many blessings on me on that day, for your blessing will be submitted to me. They (the Companions) asked: Messenger of Allah, how can our blessings be submitted to you, when your body has decayed? He said: Allah has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of Prophet (Sunan Abi Dawud 1531, graded Sahih, similar in 1047)

The Arabic for these hadith it really translated as “pray on me”, rather than “invoke blessings on me”, which makes sense in the context of these prayers being “submitted” to him.

Are Muslims certain they will go to Heaven?

Bear in mind there is also a Hadith where Muhammed states that those who obey him (obey Muhammed) do go to Heaven:

“Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “All my followers will enter Paradise except those who refuse.” They said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Who will refuse?” He said, “Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me is the one who refuses (to enter it).” (Bukhari 7280)

However these verses and traditions state otherwise:

“Say: ‘I am not an innovation among the Messengers, and I know not what shall be done with me or with you. I only follow what is revealed to me; I am only a clear warner.'” (Q 46:9)

“Narrated `Aisha: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and receive good news because one’s good deeds will not make him enter Paradise.” They asked, “Even you, O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)?” He said, “Even I, unless and until Allah bestows His pardon and Mercy on me.”” (Bukhari 6467)

Appendix: Christians believe in Eternality of Hell

Very briefly: Unlike Islam, Christians believe in the eternality of Hell, even for Christians. In Christianity, disbelief (in Jesus) is not a “finite offence”, because it is committed against a God who is infinite. God’s purity is infinite, so every sin (at least in Christianity) being against the purity of God, assumes infinite proportions. There is nothing else that defines what sin is apart from the purity of God. Any sin is deserving of infinite punishment however little. That is a measure of the purity of God. It doesn’t mean God punishes it infinitely- that is a measure of the Mercy of God. A Christian who commits what might be called a “mortal sin” (serious sin) that is unrepented, certainly puts himself at a real risk of final damnation. Jesus is clear about the eternality of Hell for those who simply profess to be Christians “but do not do the Will of my Father”. Among other verses, we can also see the passage where Jesus say to those about to be damned in the simplest of terms: “I was hungry and you did not give me food, I was thirsty and you did not give me to drink, I was naked and you did not clothe me…”. Charity is not an option in Christianity, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus the beggar has a similar theme wherein the accusation is stated: “…‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.” (Luke:16:25). This is no meant to be a detailed discussion of atonement in Christianity which can be had in the relevant section. I post this brief paragraph as a contrast.