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Fatwa CenterMan was not given choice to enter Paradise directly before living in this world
Question
Assalaamu alaykum. Is it true that Allah, the Exalted, asked each and every person before sending them to the world whether they want to go to the world and earn Paradise through their own deeds or rather they just pass and go to Paradise? Is there any reference of such thing in the Quran or Hadith?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
We have not found, after much research, any text in the Quran or Sunnah indicating that what is mentioned in the question is true. Rather, the texts (of Shariah) indicate the opposite; Allah, the Exalted, has created dwellers for Paradise and dwellers for Hellfire. He stated that Hellfire will be filled with its dwellers and that Paradise is earned by doing good deeds.
Allah, the Exalted, says (what means):
- {And that is Paradise which you are made to inherit for what you used to do.} [Quran 43:72]
- {as reward for what they used to do.} [Quran 56:24]
- {And if we had willed, We could have given every soul its guidance, but the word from Me will come into effect (that) "I will surely fill Hell with jinn and people altogether.} [Quran 32:13]
- {But the word of your Lord is to be fulfilled that, "I will surely fill Hellfire with jinn and men all together."} [Quran 11:119]
Ibn Katheer 
said, "Allah, the Exalted, informs that it is determined in His preordainment and decree, by virtue of His perfect knowledge and penetrating wisdom, that among His creation are those who deserve Paradise and those who deserve Hellfire, and that He will inevitably fill Hellfire from mankind and the jinn. His is the profound evidence and the perfect wisdom."
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said, "Paradise and Hellfire debated. Hellfire said, 'The haughty and proud are my inmates.' Paradise said, 'The modest and humble are my residents.' Thereupon, Allah, the Exalted, (addressing Paradise) said, 'You are My Mercy, through you I shall show mercy to those whom I wish.' Addressing Hellfire, He said, 'You are (the means) of My punishment by which I shall punish those of My slaves as I wish, and each of you would have its fill.'" [Ahmad and others - Al-Arnaa’oot graded it saheeh (sound)]
Allah knows best.
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