Al-Wasilah- The Highest Rank In Jannah
The People of Faith in Later Times The narrations mention such people of faith in later times who will possess the true qualities of belief and Islam. Several narrations are cited in this regard. Hazrat Anas (RA) reports that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “The example of my Ummah is like that of rain; it is not known whether the beginning of it is better or the end.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2869) This means the example of my Ummah is like rain; it is uncertain whether its beginning or its end is better. This hadith uses the example of rain to describe a historical process. The revolution that took place through the Prophet and his companions was apparent at the beginning of its time. The historical process that followed represents an event of the future in terms of its ultimate outcomes. This future refers to the same historical manifestation that is also mentioned in other narrations in the context of the Prophet’s brothers (Ikhwan al-Rasul). Hazrat Malik al-Ash’ari (RA) reports that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Indeed, Allah has servants who are neither Prophets nor Martyrs, but the Prophets and Martyrs envy them for their positions and closeness to Allah on the Day of Judgment.” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 22894) This means there will be people who are neither Prophets nor Martyrs, yet the Prophets and Martyrs will envy them because of the rank and proximity to Allah they will attain on the Day of Judgment. These narrations likely refer to the people of faith who will emerge during the age of science, using opportunities discovered in nature for the propagation of religion. The Companions of the Prophet and the Prophet’s Brothers The matter of the Prophet’s Companions and his brothers is similar in one respect: the use of the opportunities available in their times. The Companions utilized the opportunities created by the complete Prophethood to develop a new civilization. The Prophet’s brothers, in later times, will utilize the opportunities of the scientific era for religious purposes. The forms in which these opportunities are likely to be used by the Prophet’s brothers are: 1. Using scientific discoveries in nature to generate rational arguments, e.g., proving the existence of God to philosophers and theologians using new evidence (argument from design). 2. Utilizing modern communication tools for global propagation, such as print media, electronic media, and other channels to spread the message worldwide. 3. Taking full advantage of the religious freedom achieved in later times, using peaceful efforts to propagate the truth universally.Kitabe muarifat page number 116