"No man will enter the Fire who weeps for fear of Allah, Most High, until the milk goes back into the udders. And the dust (of Jihad) in the cause of Allah, and the smoke of Hell will never be combined."
Hadith Text & Reference
"No man will enter the Fire who weeps for fear of Allah, Most High, until the milk goes back into the udders. And the dust (of Jihad) in the cause of Allah, and the smoke of Hell will never be combined."
Source: Sunan an-Nasa'i 3108 | The Book of Jihad
Meaning & Explanation
This noble hadith contains two profound promises from Allah's Messenger ﷺ regarding divine protection from Hellfire. The first part concerns the one who weeps out of genuine fear and awe of Allah's majesty and punishment. Such tears indicate sincere faith and humility before the Creator.
The phrase "until the milk goes back into the udders" is an Arabic expression denoting impossibility, similar to saying "when hell freezes over." Just as milk naturally flows outward and cannot return to its source, so too is it impossible for one with such heartfelt devotion to enter the Fire.
The Two Protections
Spiritual Protection: Tears of God-consciousness (khashyah) demonstrate a heart alive with faith. Scholars explain this weeping must stem from genuine piety, not mere emotional display. This state reflects the quality of the "first foremost" believers mentioned in the Quran.
Physical Protection: The dust acquired in legitimate jihad—fighting solely for Allah's cause with proper intention—becomes a shield against Hellfire. This refers to both the spiritual struggle (jihad al-nafs) and physical defense of the Muslim community when necessary.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam an-Nawawi comments that such weeping manifests when one contemplates Allah's greatness, one's own shortcomings, or the terrors of the Hereafter. This hadith complements the Quranic verse: "Do they not reflect upon the Quran, or are there locks upon their hearts?" (47:24).
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali notes that combining these two states—fear of Allah and jihad—represents the perfection of faith. The "dust" symbolizes the external struggle for Allah's word to be supreme, while the "tears" represent the internal struggle against the soul's desires.
Practical Implications
This teaching encourages Muslims to cultivate both inward piety and outward action. True faith must manifest in both spiritual sensitivity (tears of fear) and physical sacrifice (dust of jihad). Neither alone is sufficient for the complete Islamic character.
The hadith offers tremendous hope while establishing a balanced path. It reassures believers that Allah's mercy encompasses those who sincerely strive in both spiritual and physical domains of worship and service.