What will happen to Abu Sufyan, Abul Bakhtari and Abu Talib? Did they not die as believers? They say that when Abu Talib vowed, he would say, "I swear by Allah". Is it not regarded as belief?

Dear Brother / Sister,

Abu Sufyan is among the Companions. According to Ahl as-Sunnah, there is no difference between him and the other Companions. We cannot know who entered the grave with belief except for the Companions who were given the glad tidings of Paradise. However, we have good thoughts about all Companions, righteous people and believers.

According to Ahl as-Sunnah scholars, Abu Talip did not die as a believer. Shi’a scholars hold the view that he died as an unbeliever.

Badiuzzaman Said Nursi states the following when he answers a question regarding the issue:

"You ask, ‘What is the most authentic narration concerning the faith of his uncle Abu Talib’

The Answer: The Shi’a agree that he believed, while most of the Sunnis do not agree. But what occurs to my heart is this:

Abu Talib loved most earnestly, not the Most Noble Messenger’s (Upon whom be blessings and peace) messengership, but his person and his self. That most earnest personal love and tenderness surely will not go for nothing. Yes, Abu Talib loved Almighty God’s Noble Beloved sincerely and protected and supported him; it was because of feelings like shame and tribal solidarity that he did not believe in him in acceptable fashion, not out of denial and obduracy. If due to this he goes to Hell, God Almighty may create a sort of particular Paradise for him, in reward for his good actions. As He sometimes creates the spring during winter, and for people in prison by means of sleep transforms the prison into a palace, so too He may turn a particular Hell into a sort of particular Paradise. Wal-ilmu indallah (The knowledge of it is with God alone). La ya'lamul-ghayba illallah (None knows the Unseen save God)." (Mektubat, p. 387)

Abul Bakhtari (Said b. Firuz) is a hadith narrator. Hadith narrators generally regard him as a "siqa-honest person". He tended to Shi’a a bit. He may have made mistakes like everybody. He is one of the normal believers. Allah knows the best about his end like the end of all believers. What we, believers, need to do is to have good thoughts about other believers. (For his life, see Ibn Hajar, Tahdhib, IV/72-73).

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