BENEFIT 517: Is One Who Dies as a Disbeliever Judged to be in Hell?

Questioner: Is a person who dies as a disbeliever to be judged as destined for the Fire in a specific and definite sense? Sheikh Yahya Al-Hajoori ḥafidhahullāh: Whoever dies while disbelieving in Allāh, having departed from the fold of Islam, is judged to be destined for the Fire, just as Allāh and His Messenger have ruled concerning him. This was the path followed by the early generations, may Allāh be pleased with them. Allāh, Exalted and Majestic, says: “Those who disbelieve will have the Fire of Hell; it will not be decreed for them that they should die, nor will its punishment be lightened for them. Thus do We recompense every persistent disbeliever.” And He says: “So remind, if the reminder benefits. He who fears will take heed, while the most wretched will avoid it—he who will enter the greatest Fire; then he will neither die therein nor live.” And Allāh, Exalted and Majestic, says: “Indeed, those who disbelieve from among the People of the Book and the polytheists will be in the Fire of Hell, abiding therein forever. Those are the worst of creatures.” And He says: “Indeed, whoever comes to his Lord as a criminal—surely for him is Hell, wherein he will neither die nor live. But whoever comes to Him as a believer, having done righteous deeds—those will have the highest ranks.” And the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever dies while associating anything with Allāh will enter the Fire.” And there are many other evidences besides these. Our brother, Shaykh Saʿīd Daʿās (may Allāh have mercy on him), also wrote on this issue when it was discussed in a lesson and answered there; he expanded upon it further and compiled a beneficial treatise on the subject. May Allāh have mercy on him.