5) The Prophetic Fountain

Al-Hafiz As-Siytiti said, "The Fountain was mentioned in narrations reported on the authority ofmore than fifty Companions among whom are the Four Rightly­ Guided Caliphs, the Oft-Narrating Companions 24, and others; may Allah be pleased with them all:' Al-BukMri, Muslim and other compilers of Hadith related that' Abdullah Ibn 'Arnr Ibnul-' &. (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said: "My fountain is (so large that it takes) a month's journey to cross it. Its water is whiter than milk, and its smell is nicer than musk, and its drinking cups are (as numerous) as the (number of) stars ofsky; and whosoever drinks from it will never ever be thirsty." Imam Muslim related in his S.ahib. that Anas Ibn MAlik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "One day, Allah's Messenger (PBUH) dozed off. He then raised his head smilingly and said, 1\ surah hasjust been revealed to me. and then recited, 'In the Name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. Indeed, We have granted you, [0 Muhammad], Al-Kawthar. So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him AloneJ.Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off. (Quran: Al-Kawthar:l) Then, he (the Prophet) said, 'Do you know what Al-Kawthar is?' They (the Companions) said, 1\llah and His Messenger know best: The Prophet (PBUH) said, 'It (Al-Kawthar) is a river which my Lord has endowed me, and there is an abundance ofgood in it and my nation will come to it on the Day ofResurrection. Its drinking cups are equal to the number ofstars. A servant would be turned awayfrom it. Upon this, I would say, 'My Lord, he is one ofmy nation: so it would be said to me, 'You do not know what he innovated (in religion) after you: » Al-Qurtuhi said: "Our scholars say, 'Whosoever apostatizes from the religion ofAllah, or innovates in its matters something which Allah cannot be pleased with and has not permitted, will be one ofthose who will be turned awayfrom thefountain. The ones who will be thrown out in the severest manner are those who haveforsaken the Muslim unity, like AI-Khawarij (Kharijites 25 i.e., the Seceders), Ar-Rawajid and Al Mu'tazilah (Mutazilites) with their different sects. Such groups have innovated in religion. The same is applied to oppressors who go too far in trespassing, oppressing, effacing the truth and humiliating its people. This also can be said about those who commit grievous sins in public and consider committing acts of disobedience as not being a serious matter as well as people who deviate from and alter the religion. Turning away from the fountain can be temporary, then such people will be drawn close after beingforgiven, if their alteration was in deeds not in beliefs.' " The Mu' tazilah have deviated, as they claim that the fountain is not a well-established fact, although clear authentic b.adiths prove it. Whosoever has disagreed regarding its verification is an innovator in religion and it is most likely that he will be turned away from it.