Here’s how to safely cross the bridge of Sirat

The siraat is a bridge that will be set up over Hell – may Allah protect us from it – over which people will pass according to their deeds. Some will pass like the blink of an eye, or like lightning, or like the wind, or like swift horses.

Some will cross running, some walking, some crawling, and some will be snatched and thrown into the Fire, each according to his deeds.

Not a single person will be able to escape from walking over this bridge – neither the people of Paradise, nor the people of Hell. Allah says in the Qur’an: “And there is not one of you but shall come to it, this is an unavoidable decree of your Lord. And we will deliver those who guarded (against evil), and we will leave the unjust therein on their knees.”

In Saheeh al-Bukhaari (7439) and Muslim (183) it is narrated from Abu Sa‘eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) in a lengthy hadith: “……Then the bridge will be laid across Hell.’ We said, "O Messenger of Allah! What is the bridge?’ He said, ‘It is a slippery (bridge) on which there are clamps and (hooks like) thorns which are wide at one side and narrow at the other and have bent ends. A plant with such thorns is found in Najd and is called al-Sa'daan. Some of the believers will cross the bridge as quickly as the wink of an eye, some others as quick as lightning, a strong wind, or fast horses or she-camels. So some will be safe without any harm; some will be safe after receiving some scratches, and some will fall down into Hell (Fire). The last person will cross by being dragged (over the bridge).”

Muslim added: Abu Sa‘eed said: I heard that the bridge is narrower than a hair and sharper than a sword.

Here are some deeds that secure the crossing of the bridge:

Removing worry of Muslim

Allah’s apostle (pbuh) says ”The person who removes the worry of any Muslim, on the Judgement Day Allah Almighty will make for him two such branches of Noor on the Siraat Bridge by the light of which so many worlds will become bright which no one can count except Allah Almighty.”

 Giving Sadaqah

The messenger of Allah (pbuh) says: The person who gives Sadaqah in a proper manner in the world, he will cross the Siraat Bridge.”

Maintaining ties of kinship

He (pbuh) says: Entrustment and good treatment with relatives will be sent, they will stand on the right and left side of the Siraat Bridge.

Protecting the honor of a Muslim

Hakeem-ul-Ummat Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Na’eemi  (may Allah have mercy on him) has said:” The one who protects the honour of a Muslim who is being backbitten, an angel will cover him with its wings and will make him cross the Siraat Bridge so that the heat of the fire of Hell will not reach him.”

Making recommendation for an act of goodness

The messenger of Allah (pbuh) says:” The person who goes to take the plea of his Muslim brother to the king or to get respite for a poor person, Allah Almighty will help him cross the Siraat Bridge on the day when people [people’s feet] will be slipping.”