Introduction
I have been following Pastor Reno Omokri’s posts for some years now and did not suspect that he harbors a sinister motive aimed at tactically relegating Islam and its principles to the background until now. He has studied Islam deeply and has defended it and its followers with a view to scheme his way into the hearts of the Muslims and ultimately reduce it to rubble. Any wise Muslim who reads the numerous Omokri’s posts in the defense of Islam and the Muslims would become pessimistic that there is definitely an ulterior motive lurking in the background if only one can be analytical and not naïve.
About 5 months ago I wrote a 2-part series, extolling what I perceived at the time as the uncommon virtues of Omokri titled ‘Pastor Reno Omokri – A Bridge Builder Between Muslims & Christians’ only for me to later encounter his other posts that subtly and cleverly cast aspersions on prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), Muslims and Islam as a whole. He is on a mission to hide under his knowledge of Islam to distort established and fundamental aspects of Islam such that average Muslims may not notice anything fishy in his posts at all. Follow me on this part 3 of the expose on Reno Omokri in which I will be reproducing my comment on Omokri’s post dated 24 September 2023 where he cleverly and mischievously postulated that the final abode of prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) and his followers in the hereafter is uncertain despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
Reno Omokri’s Post:
Dear @Ishaqor,
Thank you for your feedback. Perhaps you are not aware, but I have read al-Quran. And my wife speaks flawless Arabic. I respect prophet Muhammad, Salla Allahu Alayhi Wasalaam. But the reason I follow Yeshua Hamashiach (Jesus Christ) rather than Nabi Muhammad (SAW) is because when asked where He was taking His followers, Yeshua told them clearly that if we believe in Him, we shall have everlasting life with Him in His Father’s Kingdom. And I believe Him.
However, I am not sure that the holy prophet Muhammad (SAW) told his followers, with certainty, what would happen to both him and them in the afterlife. However, if this is not true, then I apologise. But I am reasonably certain that it is.
Let me make this clear, because it seems some people are conflating issues.
My quarrel is with those who have distorted the pure message of Isa al-Masīḥ, whom God sent to reconcile man to Himself. My conflict is not with al-Masīḥ (Jesus Christ). I believe in Him as the only Way to God. I trust Him fully. I preach Him globally. But I don’t believe in Him as God Himself because He never claimed to be, and that is an adulteration of His message. And I am very content to live and die this way.
Thanks again, and may God bless you.
#TableShaker
My Response:
Pastor Omokri is definitely wrong in the above post when he claimed that Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) did not tell his followers with certainty about what would happen to him and them in the afterlife.
On the rewards of the afterlife for those who believed in Allah, His prophets, and do good deeds, Allah says.
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ سَنُدْخِلُهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍۢ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًۭا ۖ لَّهُمْ فِيهَآ أَزْوَٰجٌۭ مُّطَهَّرَةٌۭ ۖ وَنُدْخِلُهُمْ ظِلًّۭا ظَلِيلًا ٥٧
” As for those who believe and do good, We will admit them into Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow, to stay there for ever and ever. There they will have pure spouses, and We will place them under a vast shade.” Qur’an 4:57.
وَبَشِّرِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍۢ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۖ كُلَّمَا رُزِقُوا۟ مِنْهَا مِن ثَمَرَةٍۢ رِّزْقًۭا ۙ قَالُوا۟ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى رُزِقْنَا مِن قَبْلُ ۖ وَأُتُوا۟ بِهِۦ مُتَشَـٰبِهًۭا ۖ وَلَهُمْ فِيهَآ أَزْوَٰجٌۭ مُّطَهَّرَةٌۭ ۖ وَهُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ ٢٥
” Give good news ˹O Prophet˺ to those who believe and do good that they will have Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow. Whenever provided with fruit, they will say, “This is what we were given before,” for they will be served fruit that looks similar ˹but tastes different˺. They will have pure spouses, and they will be there forever.” Qur’an 2:25.
These are just a few of the many Quranic verses that support the Prophet’s (S.A.W.) teachings about what will be the rewards of the believers in the afterlife. Hence, it is wrong to say that Muhammad (SAW) did not tell his followers with certainty what would happen to him and them in the afterlife.
In addition, the following Hadiths also buttress the Qur’anic verses above, the Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
“Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger, and establishes prayer, and pays the zakat, he will have his two gardens (Paradise).” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
“Whoever dies upon the testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, and that Jesus is the servant and Messenger of Allah, and that he was created by His Word and His spirit, he will enter Paradise, whatever his actions may have been.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
The Prophet (SAW) also told his followers that he would be interceding for them on the Day of Judgment. He said:
“I will be the first intercessor on the Day of Judgment.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
The Prophet’s (S.A.W.) teachings about the afterlife are a source of comfort and hope for Muslims. They believe that if they follow the Prophet’s (S.A.W.) teachings, they will be rewarded with Paradise in the afterlife.
* Salihu Lukman is an assistant professor of civil engineering at the University of Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia
