Heaven and hell

Heaven and hell

In connection with criticism by respected Islamic scholar
Nurcholis Madjid (The Jakarta Post, April 20, 1998), I herewith
would like to add a few expressions said by noted Ali bin
Abutholib, Prophet Mohammad's aide, which are relevant to
Nurcholis Madjid's criticism.

Ali bin Abutholib said: "Allah will salvage a just country,
even if it is ruled by infidels, and Allah will destroy an unjust
society, even if it is ruled by Moslems."

Another expression by Ibn Taimyah (Kompas, Feb. 7, 1997): "A
just leader, although he is an infidel, will be beloved by Allah
better than a Moslem leader that is corrupt and unjust."

Surat Al Baqarah, paragraph 62, also implicitly declared that
whether someone went to hell or heaven did not depend on what
religion or belief he/she embraced, but rather depended on
his/her conduct in the real world.

If someone believes in God and in doomsday and also behaves
oneself, he/she is ensured of a place in heaven. And a false
Moslem would be certain of a place in hell.

MOECHAROR

Jakarta