68- Forbidding the earth to eat the prophets' corpses is specifically for the prophets, not for all righteous people
Q: Our Muslim brother from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Amman, and who works in the Education Department says in his question: "It is known that Allah (Exalted be He) has forbidden the earth to eat the corpses of the prophets and martyrs. Do the corpses of the righteous persons enjoy the same special treatment? Who are the righteous people according to the Islamic standards and in the sight of Allah (Glorified be He)? Is Allah's unsheathed sword, Khalid Ibn Al-Walid regarded as one of the righteous persons? Is it forbidden for the earth to decay his corpse though he did not die as a martyr, but he was more valuable than martyrs? Also, Allah (Exalted be He) says in the Noble Qur`an after one seeks refuge with Allah against the Accursed Satan: And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham) (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) except him who befools himself? Truly, We chose him in this world and verily, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous. In another Ayah (Qur`anic verse) of the Noble Qur`an, Allah (Glorified be He) says: (Verily, Ibrahim (Abraham) was an Ummah (a leader having all the good righteous qualities), or a nation, obedient to Allah, Hanif (i.e. to worship none but Allah), and he was not one of those who were Al-Mushrikun (polytheists, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, and those who joined partners with Allah). (He was) thankful for His (Allah's) Favours. He (Allah) chose him (as an intimate friend) and guided him to a Straight Path (Islamic Monotheism - neither Judaism nor Christianity). And We gave him good in this world, and in the Hereafter he shall be of the righteous.} Then, We have sent the revelation to you (O Muhammad ﷺ ): "Follow the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham) Hanif (Islamic Monotheism - to worship none but Allah) and he was not of the Mushrikun (polytheists, idolaters and disbelievers). Allah is Most Truthful. Allah (Glorified be He) mentions in those two Ayahs that Ibrahim (ﷺ) was of the righteous; was Ibrahim (ﷺ) a prophet as we all know or a righteous person as mentioned in the Noble Qur`an? I would be grateful if you could explain this point. May Allah reward you best for what you do for all Muslims!
A: It was authentically reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Allah has forbidden the earth to decay the corpses of the prophets. As for the righteous martyrs, nothing was reported that the earth has been forbidden to decay their corpses. The Hadith mentioned above mentions the prophets only. There is no doubt that all Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) were righteous. Accordingly, Khalid ibn Al-Walid (may Allah be pleased with him) was one of the righteous persons. Similarly, all the prophets and messengers were righteous. Even though they were prophets, describing them as righteous is considered a general description. The word "righteous" is used to describe prophets, messengers and all believing servants who adhere to Allah's religion and observe the rights of Allah and His servants. They can all be described as righteous people. As such, Allah (Glorified be He) describes Ibrahim as one of the righteous as he used to observe the rights of Allah and His servants. Thus, Allah (Exalted be He) says: And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham) (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) except him who befools himself? Truly, We chose him in this world and verily, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous.. Ibrahim was one of those whom Allah (Exalted be He) chose for His Missions. He was taken by Allah as Khalil (beloved, close elect). He was the best and the most perfect of all the prophets after our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as our Prophet is the master of the children of Adam. Ibrahim was the second in preference with Allah (Exalted be He). Ibrahim and Muhammad were the two Khalils of Allah. It is a fact that Ibrahim was Muhammad's grandfather and Muhammad ﷺ ), and the martyrs, the righteous become an independent category, as in Allah's saying: And whoso obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad ﷺ ) and His servants. Someone is described as righteous when they observe the rights of Allah by doing what is enjoined and avoiding what is forbidden as well as the rights of people by not wronging them and observing their rights such as the right of neighborhood, the right of a believer towards another believer, the right of parents, the right of maintaining ties of kinship, and so on. A righteous person is the one who observes the rights of Allah, seeks His reward, and worships Him sincerely. Also, a righteous person is the one who observes people's rights by not wronging them or transgressing against their rights. This person can be described as a righteous person, a believer, a Muslim, a pious person and a dutiful person. Thus, the righteous are the dutiful, the pious, the believers and the Muslims. All these...
