Is Dajjaal among the children of Aadam?

The eminent Shaykh al-‘Uthaymeen was asked: Is Dajjaal among the children of Aadam?

He replied: Dajjaal is among the children of Aadam. Some scholars said he is a devil while others said his father is a human being and his mother is a jinn. These sayings are not correct. What is apparent is that dajjaal is from among the children of Aadam; he needs food, drink and so on. That is why Prophet Eesaa will kill him in a customary manner just as human being is killed.

Source: Fataawaa al-Aqeedah, pp. 212 by Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Uthaymeen

Location of Hell Fire

The noble Shaykh al-‘Uthaymeen was asked: Is Hell Fire in the heaven or on earth?

He replied: It is on the earth. However, some of the people of knowledge said it is [under] the sea. Yet others said it is in the interior of the earth. What is apparent is that it is in the interior of the earth. However, we do not know where it is on earth. We believe that it is on the earth and not in the heaven; but we do not know the specific place it is. The proof that Hell Fire is on the earth is the following:

Allaah the most High said: “No! Indeed, the record of the wicked is in sijjeen” [Al-Muttaffeen: 7]. The word sijjeen refers to the lower earth. In addition, it is recorded in the hadeeth that those who die among the disbelievers, the gates of heaven will not be open for them; and Allaah the most High will say: ‘Write the record of My slave in sijjeen and return him to the earth.’

If Hell Fire were to be in the heaven, the gates of heaven would have been opened for them in order to enter it, for the Prophet saw his Companions being punished therein. So if it were to be in the heaven, it would have been necessary for them (that is, the disbelievers) to enter the Hell Fire that is in the heaven or the gates of heaven be opened for them.

However, some people are doubtful, saying: How can the Messenger see Hell Fire on the night he ascended to heaven while it is on earth? I am amazed at this doubt. When we are in the plane, we can see and grasp the earth beneath us and far away; so how can the Prophet not see Hell Fire while in the heaven?

In summary, it is on the earth. There are a number of ahaadeeth reported concerning this but they are weak. Some Aathaar have been related from the pious predecessors like Ibn Abbaas and Ibn Mas’ood in regard to this, and it is the apparent meaning of the Qur’aan: “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. And thus do We recompense the criminals.” [Soorah al-A’raaf: 40] There is no doubt that those who deny the verses and arrogant towards them will go to Hell Ffire.

Source: Fataawaa al-‘Aqeedah, pp. 242-243 by Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him)

Many Jamaa'aat and Du'aat but little Impact, why?

Question no 16: Today there are a lot of jamaa’aat (groups) and callers to Allaah, but the acceptance [of the call] is little. What is the secret behind such?

Response: We say:

Firstly, we do not support [the formation] of numerous jamaa’aat in da’wah and other than it. We want one true Jamaa’ah inviting unto Allaah with sure knowledge. As for the multiplicity of jamaa’aat and manaahij (methodologies), it is one of the causes of failure and dispute as Allaah the most High said: “And do not dispute (with one another) lest you lose courage and your strength depart.” [Soorah al-Anfaal: 46] He also said: “And be not as those who divided and differed among themselves.” [Soorah Aal-Imraan: 105] Allaah further stated: “And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allâh (i.e. this Qur'aan), and be not divided among yourselves.” [Soorah Aal-Imraan: 103]

Therefore, we want one jamaa’ah that will be upon the correct manhaj and correct da’wah so much so that even if it differs in countries, its reference point is one (that is, the Qur’aan and Sunnah upon the understanding of the righteous salaf). And it will consult each other and support one another. This is what is desired. As regards the large number of groups that are not upon one manhaj, the consequence is disagreement.

Secondly, there is no doubt that the sincerity of the caller has effect on the one being called. If the caller is sincere in his intention, invites upon the correct manhaj and sure knowledge and knows what he is inviting to, such will have effect on the one being called. But if he is not sincere in his da’wah, rather he invites to himself or to his group or to a perverted group or to partisanship – even if he calls it Islaam – such will be of no benefit and it will be of no consequence towards the call to Islaam.

In addition, if a caller invites people to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, but he does not act upon what he invites unto, this will also make people to flee from him. Allaah the most High knows what is in the hearts and He knows what a person will do in every place. So if he does the opposite of what he displays to Allaah when he is alone, but when he appears to the people, he invites them to goodness while he is not like that, such a caller will have no effect and people will not accept from him. This is because Allaah has not put blessing in his da’wah.

Source: Al-Ajwibah al-Mufeedah pp. 42-44 by Shaykh Saalih bin Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him)

Performing Witr Prayer After Dawn

Al-Aghar al-Muznee (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that a man came to Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and said: “O Prophet of Allaah, I woke up this morning without performing witr prayer.” Thereupon the Prophet said: “Witr can only be performed in the night.” The man repeated: ““O Prophet of Allaah, I woke up this morning without performing witr prayer.” The Prophet then said, ‘Then perform the witr prayer.” at-Tabaraanee recorded it in al-Kabeer (891).

This timing of witr prayer is similar to the timing of the five daily prayers for one who slept through the time or forgot it; so he should perform the witr prayer whenever he wakes up if he did not wake up during its time, even if it is after fajr.

Source: Silsilah as-Saheehah (4/289)