Allah says: `Then We made those who uphold the Book confirming what came
before, the one whom We have chosen from among Our servants. They are this
Ummah, who are divided into three types.' Allah says:
[فَمِنْهُمْ ظَـلِمٌ
لِّنَفْسِهِ]
(Then of them are some who wrong themselves,) these are the ones who are
careless about doing some obligatory actions, and who commit some forbidden
actions.
[وَمِنْهُمْ
مُّقْتَصِدٌ]
(and of them are some who follow a middle course,) these are the ones who
fulfill their obligations and avoid things that are forbidden, but they may
neglect some good deeds and do some things which are disliked.
[وَمِنْهُمْ سَابِقٌ
بِالْخَيْرَتِ بِإِذُنِ اللَّهِ]
(and of them are some who are, by Allah's leave, foremost in good deeds.)
these are the ones who do obligatory actions and things which are encouraged,
and who avoid doing unlawful and disliked actions, and avoid some actions which
are permissible. `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas commented on the
Ayah:
[ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا
الْكِتَـبَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنَا مِنْ عِبَادِنَا]
(Then We gave the Book as inheritance to such of Our servants whom We chose.
) "This refers to the Ummah of Muhammad . Allah caused it to inherit every Book
that He had revealed; those who wrong themselves will be forgiven, those who
follow a middle course will have an easy accounting, and those who are foremost
in good deeds will enter Paradise without being brought to account.'' Abu
Al-Qasim At-Tabarani reported from Ibn `Abbas that the Messenger of Allah said
one day:
«شَفَاعَتِي لِأَهْلِ
الْكَبَائِرِ مِنْ أُمَّتِي»
(My intercession will be for those among my Ummah who commit major sins.)''
Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "Those who are foremost in good
deeds will enter Paradise without being brought to account; those who follow a
middle course will enter Paradise by the mercy of Allah; and those who wrong
themselves and Ashab Al-A`raf will enter Paradise by the intercession of
Muhammad .'' It was also reported from a number of the Salaf that those among
this Ummah who wrong themselves are still among those whom Allah has chosen,
even though they are imperfect and fell short [by not adhering to the straight
path]. Others said that those who wrong themselves are not part of this Ummah
and are not among those whom Allah has chosen and who inherited the Book. The
correct view is that they are also part of this Ummah.