Aslam

Praise be to Allah.

If one spouse is admitted to Paradise, that does not

necessarily mean that the other will also be admitted. The fate of the wives

of Nooh and Loot (peace be upon them) is sufficient to prove that this view

is mistaken, because they both went to Hell even though their husbands were

Prophets.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Allaah sets forth an example for those who disbelieve:

the wife of Nooh (Noah) and the wife of Loot (Lot). They were under two of

our righteous slaves, but they both betrayed them (their husbands by

rejecting their doctrine). So they [Nooh (Noah) and Loot (Lot)] availed them

(their respective wives) not against Allaah and it was said: ‘Enter the Fire

along with those who enter!’”

[al-Tahreem 66:10]

Ibn Katheer said: “Allaah

says, ‘Allaah sets forth an example for those who disbelieve’

meaning, the fact that they may mix with Muslims or live among them will be

of no avail to them and will not benefit them before Allaah, if faith does

not enter their hearts. Then Allaah mentions the example and says, ‘the

wife of Nooh (Noah) and the wife of Loot (Lot). They were under two of our

righteous slaves’ meaning, two Prophets and Messengers; they were with

them and in their company night and day, eating with them, being intimate

with them, and interacting with them in the closest way; ‘but they both

betrayed them’ means, with regard to faith and belief, because they did

not share their faith or believe that they were Messengers of Allaah. So

that did not help them at all and it did not ward off harm from them. Hence

Allaah says, ‘So they [Nooh (Noah) and Loot (Lot)] availed them (their

respective wives) not against Allaah’ meaning, because of their kufr.

And it was said to both wives, ‘Enter the Fire along with those who

enter!’”

(Tafseer Ibn Katheer,

4/394).

But there is the hope

that if one of the spouses enters Paradise and is of a higher status than

his spouse or children, Allaah may cause them to join him.

Children may benefit

from the righteousness of their parents by being raised in status to join

them in Paradise, if they enter it. Allaah says (interpretation of the

meaning):

“And those who

believe and whose offspring follow them in Faith, —  to them shall We join

their offspring, and We shall not decrease the reward of their deeds in

anything. Every person is a pledge for that which he has earned”

[al-Toor 52:21]

And Allaah knows best.