Questioner:
One of the callers of Jamā'at ut-Tablīgh says, "We have caused the people to be lost in the name of Tawhīd and have encouraged them upon sinning. And this is due to the statement that the Muwahhid (person of Tawhīd) will enter Paradise regardless of his sins other than Shirk. Tawhīd, Tawhīd and Tawhīd. So how will we respond to Allāh عز وجل regarding the existence of these sinners?" So the question is, what is your Excellency's opinion regarding this statement.
Shaykh Sālih bin Fawzān bin 'Abdullāh al-Fawzān:
This is the statement of an ignoramus or a misguided one. Either he is an ignoramus and does not know the speech regarding the issues of knowledge, or he knows yet is misguided and desires misguidance of the people.
So there is no doubt that Shirk is the greatest of the sins and that its committer will not enter Paradise, period. And as for the committer of sins, even if they be major and not Shirk, then forgiveness and entrance to Paradise will return to him. And this is something which is not from us.
Allāh جل وعلا says, "Verily, Allāh forgives not that partners should be set up with Him in worship, but He forgives that (anything else) to whom He pleases" (An-Nisā' 4: 48).
And in the Hadīth [the Messenger ﷺ said, that Allāh will say,] "Remove from the Fire whosoever has in his heart īmān equivalent to the weight of mustard seed" [Narrated by Abī Sa'īd and reported by Bukhārī & others].
So Tawhīd guarantees for its possessor Paradise, either in the beginning or in the end, even if he is punished (in Hell). As for the Mushrik then there is no security for him ever.
"It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allāh and worship none but Him alone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong i.e. by worshipping others besides Allāh)... " (Al-An'ām: 6: 82) meaning by Shirk. "...for them (only) there is security and they are the guided" (Al-An'ām: 6: 82).
So the people of Tawhīd have security, those who do not cover their īmān with Zulm meaning Shirk have security, either completely or in the end. As for the Mushrik then he has no security, period. And he is eternally in the Fire.
So this one who says that Tawhīd caused the people to be lost, then this - and Allāh's Refuge is sought - is atrocious speech. This is atrocious speech, false speech. Tawhīd is what rectified the people and it is what will save the people on the Day of Resurrection from the Fire. So, it (Tawhīd) is the basis, and it is the foundation. And there is no comparison between the (ordinary) sin and Shirk. Shirk is the greatest of sins, and there is no salvation alongside of it. As for the sins then they are under the will (of Allāh). If Allāh Wills He can punish their committer and if He Wills He can forgive him. And if he is punished then his final outcome will (eventually) be Paradise. Na'am.
[Translation: salafitalk.net]
