بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله ، وبـعـد
Allaah تعالى says
about the gates of Hell:
﴿وَسِيقَ
الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ زُمَرًا ۖ
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءُوهَا فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا﴾
{And those who
disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups, till, when they reach it, the
gates thereof will be opened…} [Surah al-Zumar (39): 71]
And He تعالى says
about the gates of Paradise:
﴿وَسِيقَ
الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا ۖ
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا﴾
{And those who
kept their duty to their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups, till, when
they reach it, and its gates will be opened…} [Surah al-Zumar (39): 73]
Introduction and Summary:
Over the years, I have heard
many people (who are not scholars) trying to explain in different ways how the
gates of Hell and Paradise will open; the main reason being that a lot of Mufassireen
differed in their interpretation of the second verse. Their difference largely revolved
around the meaning of the letter واو in وفتحت (in the
second verse).
Although all of the exegesis agree
that when the people of Hell will be brought to it, all its seven gates will
open upon them suddenly and without any delay. The difference is about how the
gates of Paradise will open. Some are of the view that the gates of Paradise
will be already opened even before the people of Paradise reach it, as how a
host would open the gate for an important
guest even before he arrives so that he doesn’t have to wait.
This interpretation which is
even found in some of the english translations - that the gates of Paradise
will already be opened before their arrival - goes against the established and
authentic Ahaadeeth that the gates of Paradise will only be opnened after the
people go to different Prophets requesting for them to interced on their behalf
to Allaah to allow them entry into Paradise; all of them will refuse till they
reach Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and he will intercede with Allaah تعالى and Allaah تعالى
will accept his
intercession and the gates of Paradise will be opened.
What follows is the evidences
on what has been said. [For those who are unaware of the `Arabic grammer can
skip directly to the section from Tafseer Ibn Katheer.]
Explanation of the terminologies used:
Before proceeding, the
following is brief explanation of the three terminologies in regards to the
letter واو.
1. Waaw al-Haal (circumstantial conjunction
- واو الحال): Some of the Mufassireen say
that the “waaw” here is to define the circumstance that when the people
of Paradise will reach Paradise, they will find its gates already opened for
them in their honor. But as for the people of Fire, then its gates will only
open after they have reached it, driven and humiliated. This is what al-Fakhr
al-Raazee (who was Ash`aree in `Aqeedah) said in his Tafseer “al-Tafseer
al-Kabeer” alternatively known as “al-Miftaah al-Ghaib”. This stance goes against the evidences of the
Sunnah on the issue.
In al-Tafseer al-Muyassar,
the scholars commented:
“And those who kept their
duty to their Lord through worshiping Him alone and being obedient to Him will
be led to Paradise in groups, till, when they reach it, and (the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم)
intercedes for their entrance into it, its gates will be opened, and the Angels
in charge of Paradise will be welcoming them, greeting them and giving them glad
tidings because they have been cleansed of the sins. The Angels will be saying
to them: ‘Peace be upon you from every harm, for you have been purified, so
enter the Paradise abiding therein forever.’”
[Al-Tafseer
al-Muyassar, by the elite scholars, King Fahad complex for printing the Glorious
Qur’aan]
(التفسير الميسر ، نخبة من
العلماء ، مجمع الملك فهد لطباعة المصحف الشريف)
This will be further
explained with evidences from the Sunnah from Tafseer Ibn Katheer.
2. Waaw al-Thamaaniyah (conjunction of eight -واو الثمانية ): (A conjunction letter that joins
the eighth item in a series of different countable items to the previous seven
in the Qur’aanic verses). It is said that it was from the habit of Quraish,
that whenever they started the counting from one, they will say: five, six,
seven and eight, nine… For them, seven meant that the counting was complete
(i.e. eight onwards was an addition to the counting).
Some sight the evidence for
this the saying of Allaah تعالى:
﴿سخرها عليهم سبع ليال وثمانية
أيام﴾
{Which Allaah
imposed upon them for seven nights and eight days} [Surah al-Haaqah (69):7]
They also sight as evidence
the verse in which Allaah تعالى mentions some of the characteristics of the Believers in
series:
﴿التائبون العابدون﴾
{(The believers
whose lives Allaah has purchased are) the repentant, the worshippers, the
praisers…}
[Surah al-Tawbah (9): 112]
…and about the eight
characteristic He تعالى says:
﴿والناهون عن المنكر﴾
{and
forbid what is wrong}
[Surah al-Tawbah (9): 112]
So according to some, since
the gates of Paradise are eight that is the reason why the واو is
used here in reference to the eight gates of Paradise; but since the gates of
Hell are only seven that is why the واو is not
used in reference to them.
Imaam al-Qurtobee رحمه الله said in
his Tafseer: “This (logic) can be (easily) repelled by the saying of Allaah تعالى:
﴿هو الله الذي لا إله إلا هو
الملك القدوس السلام المؤمن المهيمن العزيز الجبار المتكبر﴾
{He is Allaah
than Whom there is La ilaaha illaa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped
but He) the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of
security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme.
} [Surah
al-Hashr (59): 23]
He تعالى did not mention the واو after
the eight Name.” --end of quote from Tafseer
al-Qurtobee.
Ibn Katheer رحمه الله said: “Whoever
thinks that the واو in the saying of Allaah تعالى:
﴿وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا﴾
{And its gates
will be opened}
is the “waaw
al-thamaaniyah” and using this tries to establish that the gates of
Paradise are eight, then he has (gone) further away from being beneficial and has
drowned in his analogy. Rather the existence of the eight gates of Paradise are
proved from the authentic Ahaadeeth (and thus there is no need for such analogy).”
--end of quote from Tafseer Ibn Katheer.
[Note:
More from Tafseer
Ibn Katheer will be mentioned later on.]
3. Waaw Zaaidah (extra letter - واو زائدة): It is also said that this واو is an
extra letter without having any significance on the verse.
All these three
points have been rejected by the scholars including Shaikh Ibn Baaz, Ibn
al-Qayyim and Ibn Katheer رحمهم الله.
*******
Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله:
The following is from one of the
letters of Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله discussing
the issue with some other scholar:
From `Abdul-`Azeez Ibn
`Abdullaah Ibn Baaz to our honorable brother, his Eminence Shaikh Allaah guide
him to good, Aameen:
Assalaam `alaikum
warahmatullaah wabarakaatuh:
My beloved brother, your
honored inquiry dated 2 Muharram, 1388 was received - Allaah guide you -
referring to the opinion that clarifies the weakness in claiming that the “Waaw”
in His تعالى saying
in Surah al-Zumar concerning the rights of the people of Jannah (Paradise): {Hattaa idhaa jaa’ooha Wa futihat Abwaabuha} {...till, when they reach it, and its gates
will be opened} is the “Waaw al-thamaaniyah” (a conjunction
letter that joins the eighth item in a series of different countable items to
the previous seven in the Qur’aanic verses), this is an already known opinion,
and I would like to inform your Eminence that what you have mentioned is right.
I also pointed this out while I was commenting on the Aayah, and also mentioned
that the knowledgeable scholar Ibn Al-Qayyim رحمه الله considered confirmed the weakness
of this opinion as it was deemed so by the knowledgeable scholar Ibn Katheer رحمه الله.
However, both had likely considered it to be “Waaw Atf”
(coordinating conjunction) but perhaps your Eminence has not noticed this;
however it is very clear, and the opinion that it is “Waaw al-thamaaniyah”
cannot be correct by any means, either from the Sharee’ah (Islaamic Law) or the
linguistic perspective. As for the opinions of some exegetes such as the author
of “Rawh Al-Ma`aanee”, deeming it to be “Waaw Haal” (circumstantial
conjunction), they are not sound. The correct opinion is what has been
previously mentioned, that it is a coordinating conjunction and the complement
is omitted after His تعالى
Aayah: {Fadkhuloohaa Khaaledeen} {...so enter here to abide therein.} And would
hypothetically- and Allaah knows best - run as their becoming happy and glad
with this, thus will say: “Al-Hamdulillaah” (Praise be to Allaah)...Etc.
Furthermore, the great scholar Ibn Al-Qayyim رحمه الله elaborated on this in his
book “Haadee al-Arwaah” حادي الارواح when
discussing the doors of Heaven, and you will find attached a copy of this book
for further perusal.
I would like to thank your
Eminence for your vigilance and concern for knowledge, as well as adopting the
most preponderant opinion with respect to this disputable opinion. Allaah grant
me, you and all our brothers profound and useful knowledge, and guide us to
virtuous acts, for He is Most Bountiful and Generous.
As-salamu `alaykum
warahmatullaah .
Source:
Arabic:
English:
*******
Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله:
Chapter
Nine: The number of gates of Paradise.
Allaah
تعالى says:
﴿وَسِيقَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا
رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ زُمَراً حَتَّى إِذَا جَاءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ
أَبْوَابُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ
فَادْخُلُوهَا خَالدِين﴾
{And those who
kept their duty to their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups, till, when
they reach it, and its gates will be opened and its keepers will say: “Peace be
upon you; you have become pure; so enter it to abide eternally therein”} [Surah al-Zumar (39): 73]
And
He تعالى said
about the Fire:
﴿حَتَّى إِذَا جَاءُوهَا
فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا﴾
{And those who
disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups, till, when they reach it, the gates
thereof will be opened…}
without the “waaw”.
A group said that this is “waaw
al-Thamaaniyah” which is included with the gates of Paradise because it has
eight gates. But as for the gates of Fire, then they are only seven, therefore
the “waaw” is not included. This is a weak opinion and there is no
evidence for it, nor did the (common) `Arabs mentioned it (in their language)
nor did the `Arab scholars. Rather this (opinion) was formed by some of the
later (people).
Another group said that this
is “waaw al-Zaaidah” (extra “waaw”) and that the complement (the
reaction of the people of Paradise in this regards) is mentioned in the next
verse. But this saying is also weak because the “additional waaw” is
unknown in the language of the `Arabs and it is not befitting the most eloquent
speech (the Qur’aan) to have an additional letter which has no meaning and no
benefit.
The third group said that the
complement is omitted and that (the “waaw”) in the saying of His تعالى: {and its gates will be opened}, is
coordinating conjunction which connects with His تعالى saying: {when
they reach it}. And this is the opinion which Abu `Ubaidah,
al-Mubrad, al-Zujaaj and other than them chose.
Al-Mubrad said: “(the opinion
that) the complement is omitted is more acknowledged by the people of
knowledge.”
Abu al-Fath said: “Our
companions used to push away (the opinion) that the “waaw” is an extra
letter and they did not deem it permissible (to have such an opinion) and they were
of the view that the complement is omitted.”
The issue: What is the secret
about omitting the complement of the people of Paradise whereas it is mentioned
about the people of Fire?
The Answer: It is clear in
both the instances. As for the people of Fire, the Angels will drive them
towards it and its gates will be closed till they reach it. Upon reaching it,
its gates will be opened in their faces suddenly, and all of the sudden the torment
will overtake. So once they reach it, its gates will open without any delay.
This is their recompense, for it is a place of humiliation and disgrace, they
will not be kept waiting for the permission to be granted to enter it (rather
they will be driven into it).
As for the Paradise, then it
is House of dignity and a place for His special ones and the Auliyaa’. So when
they will reach it, they will find that its gates are closed. They will wish
that its Owner opens its gates for them. They will seek the intercession of the
Ulul-`Azm from His Messengers and all of them will recommend to approach the
one after them till it is brought to the Final Messenger, their leader and the
best of them (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم). He صلى الله عليه وسلم will say: “I am for that.”
Then he صلى الله عليه وسلم will go beneath Allaah’s Throne and fall in prostration and
will supplicate whatever Allaah Wills him to supplicate. Then he صلى الله عليه وسلم will be
asked to raise his head and to ask whatever he wishes. The Allaah تعالى will
accept his intercession and will open the door in his honor and to show the noble
position of His Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) and
His favors upon him.
The similitude of this House
(Paradise) – which is the House of the King of kings and Lord of the worlds –
He تعالى will
allow the people to enter after going through the great hardships (like
crossing over the bridge beneath which is the Hellfire, the closeness of the
Sun etc.) and after He تعالى grants
the permission for His final Prophet and Messenger to intercede and He تعالى will
open the gates for him.
This is the most obvious (from
what has been transmitted in the Ahaadeeth) and the greatest way of bestowing
the favors (by Allaah); and (also) in attaining the joy and pleasure (by its
inhabitants) in oppose to those ignorant so that they should not think that
anyone can enter Paradise. Verily! The Paradise of Allaah is lofty and
priceless. Only those attain it, those who are victorious after going through
all the hardships and dangers.
Imagine how the two groups
(people of Paradise and Hell) will be driven to their respective places in groups.
(The people of Paradise) will be joyous among themselves with their brothers,
and each one of them will be in groups with the likes of those who did the same
deeds (Prophets with Prophets, the martyrs with martyrs etc.), receiving glad
tidings and having strong (and clean) hearts.
But the people of the other
house (Hellfire) will be driven towards it in groups, cursing one another and
hurting one another – the obvious reward, which is more humiliating and
disgraceful than being driven alone.
--end of quote from
Haadee al-Arwaah (1/51-52).
حادي
الارواح (52-51/1)
*******
Imaam Ibn Katheer رحمه الله:
{And those who
disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups till when they reach it, the gates
thereof will be opened. And its keepers will say: “Did not the Messengers come
to you from yourselves, reciting to you the Aayaat of your Lord, and warning
you of the meeting of this Day of yours” * They will say: “Yes,” but the Word
of torment has been justified against the disbelievers! It will be said: “Enter
you the gates of Hell, to abide therein. And what an evil abode of the arrogant!”}
Allaah tells us how the
doomed disbeliever will be driven to Hell by force, with threats and warnings.
This is like the Ayah:
﴿يَوْمَ يُدَعُّونَ إِلَى نَارِ
جَهَنَّمَ دَعًّا﴾
{The Day when
they will be pushed down by force to the fire of Hell, with a horrible, forceful
pushing} [Surah
al-Toor (52):13] which means, they will be pushed and forced towards it, and
they will be extremely thirsty, as Allaah says:
﴿يَوْمَ
نَحْشُرُ الْمُتَّقِينَ إِلَى الرَّحْمَـنِ وَفْداً - وَنَسُوقُ الْمُجْرِمِينَ
إِلَى جَهَنَّمَ وِرْداً ﴾
{The Day We
shall gather those who have Taqwa unto the Most Gracious, like a delegation.
And We shall drive the criminals to Hell, in a thirsty state.} [Surah Maryam (19):85-86]
While they are in that state, they will also be blind, dumb and deaf, and some
of them will be walking on their faces:
﴿وَنَحْشُرُهُمْ
يَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ عَلَى وُجُوهِهِمْ عُمْيًا وَبُكْمًا وَصُمًّا مَّأْوَاهُمْ
جَهَنَّمُ كُلَّمَا خَبَتْ زِدْنَاهُمْ سَعِيرًا﴾
{and We shall
gather them together on the Day of Resurrection on their faces, blind, dumb and
deaf; their abode will be Hell; whenever it abates, We shall increase for them
the fierceness of the Fire} [Surah al-Israa’ (17):97].
﴿حَتَّى
إِذَا جَآءُوهَا فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَبُهَا﴾
{till when they
reach it, the gates thereof will be opened.} means: as soon as they arrive, the gates will be opened
quickly, in order to hasten on their punishment. Then the keepers of Hell, who
are stern angels, severe and strong, will say to them by way of rebuking and
reprimanding:
﴿أَلَمْ
يَأْتِكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّنكُمْ﴾
{Did not the
Messengers come to you from yourselves,} meaning: `of your own kind, so that you could
have spoken to them and learned from them,’
﴿يَتْلُونَ
عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَـتِ رَبِّكُمْ﴾
{reciting to
you the Aayaat of your Lord,} means, `establishing proof against you that what they brought to
you was true,’
﴿وَيُنذِرُونَكُمْ
لِقَآءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَـذَا﴾
{and warning
you of the meeting of this Day of yours} means, `warning you of the evil of this Day.’
The disbeliever
will say to them:
﴿بَلَى﴾
{Yes} meaning, `they did come to us and warn us and establish proof and
evidence against us,’
﴿وَلَـكِنْ
حَقَّتْ كَلِمَةُ الْعَذَابِ عَلَى الْكَـفِرِينَ﴾
{but the Word
of torment has been justified against the disbelievers!} means, `but we
rejected them and went against them, because we were already doomed, as it was
decreed that we would be, because we had turned away from the truth towards
falsehood.’ This is like the Ayah:
﴿كُلَّمَا
أُلْقِىَ فِيهَا فَوْجٌ سَأَلَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَآ أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَذِيرٌ * قَالُوا
بَلَى قَدْ جَاءَنَا نَذِيرٌ فَكَذَّبْنَا وَقُلْنَا مَا نَزَّلَ اللَّهُ مِنْ
شَيْءٍ إِنْ أَنْتُمْ إِلا فِي ضَلالٍ كَبِيرٍ * وَقَالُوا لَوْ كُنَّا نَسْمَعُ
أَوْ نَعْقِلُ مَا كُنَّا فِي أَصْحَابِ السَّعِيرِ ﴾
{Every time a
group is cast therein, its keeper will ask: “Did no warner come to you” They
will say: “Yes, indeed a warner came to us, but we denied him and said: `Allaah
never revealed anything; you are only in great error.”‘ And they will say: “Had
we but listened or used our intelligence, we would not have been among the
dwellers of the blazing Fire!”} [Surah al-Mulk (67):9-10] which means, they
will feel regret and will blame themselves.
﴿فَاعْتَرَفُواْ
بِذَنبِهِمْ فَسُحْقًا لاًّصْحَـبِ السَّعِيرِ﴾
{Then they will
confess their sin. So, away with the dwellers of the blazing Fire!} [Surah al-Mulk
(67):11] means, they are lost and doomed.
Allaah says:
﴿قِيلَ ادْخُلُواْ أَبْوَبَ
جَهَنَّمَ خَـلِدِينَ فِيهَا﴾
{It will be
said (to them): “Enter you the gates of Hell, to abide therein...”} means everyone
who sees them and the situation they are in, will testify that they deserve the
punishment. These words are not attributed to any specific person, but they are
said as an indication that the entire universe will bear witness that they
deserve what they are suffering, in accordance with the judgment of the Most
Just, the All-Knowing. Allaah says:
﴿قِيلَ
ادْخُلُواْ أَبْوَبَ جَهَنَّمَ خَـلِدِينَ فِيهَا﴾
{It will be
said (to them): “Enter you the gates of Hell, to abide therein...”} meaning, `to
stay there forever; you will never leave or depart.’
﴿فَبِئْسَ
مَثْوَى الْمُتَكَـبِّرِينَ﴾
{And (indeed)
what an evil abode of the arrogant!} means: `what an evil destiny and what an
evil place to stay, because of your arrogance in this world and your refusal to
follow the truth; this is what has led you to this, what an evil state and what
an evil final destination!’
﴿وَسِيقَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْاْ
رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى الّجَنَّةِ زُمَراً حَتَّى إِذَا جَآءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ
أَبْوَبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَـمٌ عَلَيْكُـمْ طِبْتُمْ
فَادْخُلُوهَا خَـلِدِينَ - وَقَـالُواْ الْحَـمْدُ للَّهِ الَّذِى صَدَقَنَا
وَعْدَهُ وَأَوْرَثَنَا الاٌّرْضَ نَتَبَوَّأُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ نَشَآءُ
فَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ الْعَـمِلِينَ ﴾
{And those who
had Taqwa will be led to Paradise in groups till when they reach it, and its
gates will be opened and its keepers will say: “As-Salam `Alaikum (peace be
upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein forever.” * And
they will say: “All the praises and thanks be to Allaah Who has fulfilled His
promise to us and has made us inherit the land. We can dwell in Paradise where
we will; how excellent a reward for the workers!”}
Allaah تعالى tells us about the blessed believers, who will be taken to
Paradise in groups, one group after another, starting with the best of them:
those who are closest to Allaah, then the most righteous, then the next best
and the next best. Each group will be with others like them, Prophets with Prophets,
the true believers with their peers, the martyrs with their counterparts, the
scholars with their colleagues, every group composed of people of the same
kind.
﴿حَتَّى
إِذَا جَآءُوهَا﴾
{till when they
reach it,} means, when they arrive at the gates of Paradise, after passing
over al-Siraat (the bridge), they will be detained on Qantarah (a place)
between Paradise and Hell, and any injustices that existed between them in this
world will be settled until they have all been purified from sin through this
trial. Then permission will be granted for them to enter Paradise. It was
recorded in the Hadeeth about the Trumpet that when the believers reach the
gates of Paradise, they will consult one another as to who should ask
permission for them to enter. They will ask Aadam, then Nooh, then Ibraaheem,
then Moosaa, then `Isaa, then Muhammad عليهم الصلاة والسلام.
This is akin to what will happen in the arena of judgment, when they will ask
for someone to intercede for them with Allaah when He تعالى
comes
to pass judgment. This is to show the noble position of Muhammad above the rest
of mankind in all situations.
In Saheeh Muslim, it is reported that Anas رضي الله عنه
said: “The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
أَنَا
أَوَّلُ شَفِيعٍ فِي الْجَنَّة
“I will be the
first intercessor in Paradise.” [Saheeh Muslim (393)]
According to the other wording of Muslim:
وَأَنَا
أَوَّلُ مَنْ يَقْرَعُ بَابَ الْجَنَّة
“I will be the
first one to knock at the gates of Paradise.” [Saheeh
Muslim (392)]
Imaam Ahmad recorded that Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه
said: “The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم
said:
آتِي
بَابَ الْجَنَّةِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَأَسْتَفْتِحُ فَيَقُولُ الْخَازِنُ: مَنْ
أَنْتَ؟ فَأَقُولُ: مُحَمَّدٌ قَالَ: فَيَقُولُ: بِكَ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ لَا أَفْتَحَ
لِأَحَدٍ قَبْلَك
“I will come to
the gate of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection and will ask for it to be
opened. The gatekeeper will say: “Who are you?” I will say: “Muhammad.” He will
say: “I was told about you and that I was not to open the gate for anyone
before you.”” [Musnad
Ahmad (12397) and also in Saheeh Muslim (394)]
Imaam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه said: “The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم
said:
أَوَّلُ
زُمْرَةٍ تَلِجُ الْجَنَّـةَ، صُوَرُهُمْ عَلَى صُورَةِ الْقَمَرِ لَيْلَةَ
الْبَدْرِ، لَا يَبْصُقُونَ فِيهَا، وَلَا يَمْتَخِطُونَ فِيهَا، وَلَا
يَتَغَوَّطُونَ فِيهَا، آنِيَتُهُمْ وَأَمْشَاطُهُمُ الذَّهَبُ وَالْفِضَّةُ،
وَمَجَامِرُهُمُ الْأَلُوَّةُ وَرَشْحُهُمُ الْمِسْكُ، وَلِكُلِّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمْ
زَوْجَتَانِ، يُرَى مُخُّ سَاقِهِمَا مِنْ وَرَاءِ اللَّحْمِ مِنَ الْحُسْنِ، لَا
اخْتِلَافَ بَيْنَهُمْ وَلَا تَبَاغُضَ، قُلُوبُهُمْ عَلى قَلْبٍ وَاحِدٍ،
يُسَبِّحُونَ اللهَ تَعَالَى بُكْرَةً وَعَشِيًّا
“The first
group to enter Paradise will enter looking like the moon on the night when it
is full. They will not spit there, or blow their noses, or defecate. Their
vessels and combs will be of gold and silver, their censers will be of aloes
wood and their sweat will be musk. Each of them will have two wives, the marrow
of whose shin bones will be visible from beneath the skin because of their
beauty. There will be no disputes between them and there will be no hatred; their
hearts will be as if one heart. They will glorify Allaah morning and evening.” [Musnad Ahmad (8198), Saheeh
al-Bukhaaree (3245), Saheeh Muslim (6797)]
Al-Haafidh Abu Ya`laa
recorded that Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه said: “The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
أَوَّلُ
زُمْرَةٍ يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ عَلى صُورَةِ الْقَمَرِ لَيْلَةَ الْبَدْرِ،
وَالَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ عَلى ضَوْءِ أَشَدِّ كَوْكَبٍ دُرِّيَ فِي السَّمَاءِ
إِضَاءَةً، لَا يَبُولُونَ، وَلَا يَتَغَوَّطُونَ، وَلَا يَتْفِلُونَ، وَلَا يَمْتَخِطُونَ،
أَمْشَاطُهُمُ الذَّهَبُ، وَرَشْحُهُمُ الْمِسْكُ، وَمَجَامِرُهُمُ الْأَلُوَّةُ،
وَأَزْوَاجُهُمُ الْحُورُ الْعِينُ، أَخْلَاقُهُمْ عَلى خُلُقِ رَجُلٍ وَاحِدٍ،
عَلى صُورَةِ أَبِيهِمْ آدَمَ، سِتُّونَ ذِرَاعًا فِي السَّمَاء
“The first
group to enter Paradise will look like the moon on the night when it is full.
They will be followed by a group which looks like the brightest star shining in
the sky. They will not urinate or defecate or spit or blow their noses. Their
combs will be of gold, their sweat will be musk and their censers will be of aloes
wood. Their wives will be Al-Hoor Al-`eeyn, and they will all look the same, as
if they are one person in the image of their father Adam, sixty cubits tall.” [Musnad Abu Ya`laa (6084),
Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3327), Saheeh Muslim ()]
It was reported
that Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه
said: “The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم
said:
يَدْخُلُ
الْجَنَّةَ مِنْ أُمَّتِي زُمْرَةٌ، هُمْ سَبْعُونَ أَلْفًا،تُضِيءُ وُجُوهُهُمْ
إِضَاءَةَ الْقَمَرِ لَيْلَةَ الْبَدْر
“A group of my
Ummah, seventy thousand, will enter Paradise with their faces shining like the
moon on the night when it is full.” `Ukkashah bin Mihsan stood up and said: `O
Messenger of Allaah, pray to Allaah to make me one of them.’ He صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
اللْهُمَّ
اجْعَلْهُ مِنْهُم
“O Allaah, make
him one of them.” Then one of the Ansaar stood up and said: `O Messenger of Allaah,
pray to Allaah to make me one of them.’ He صلى الله عليه وسلم
said:
سَبَقَكَ
بِهَا عُكَّاشَة
“Ukkashah has
beaten you to it.” [Saheeh
al-Bukhaaree (5705, 5752, 5811, 6541, 6542) and Saheeh Muslim (428, 429, 430)]
Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim also
reported this Hadeeth with the wordings: “would
be admitted into Paradise without rendering any account.” from Ibn `Abbaas, Jaabir bin `Abdullaah, `Imran bin
Husayn, Ibn Mas`ood, Rifa`ah bin `Arabah Al-Juhani and Umm Qays bint Mihsan رضي الله عنهم اجمعين.
And also from Abu Haazim from
Sahl bin Sa`d رضي الله عنه
who said that
the Messenger of Allaah صلى
الله عليه وسلم said:
لَيَدْخُلَنَّ
الْجَنَّةَ مِنْ أُمَّتِي سَبْعُونَ أَلْفًا أَوْ سَبْعُمِائَةِ أَلْفٍ آخِذٌ
بَعْضُهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ، حَتْى يَدْخُلَ أَوَّلُهُمْ وَآخِرُهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ،
وُجُوهُهُمْ عَلى صُورَةِ الْقَمَرِ لَيْلَةَ الْبَدْر
“Seventy
thousand or seven hundred thousand of my Ummah will surely enter Paradise,
holding on to one another, such that the first and last of them will enter
Paradise together, with their faces looking like the moon on the night when it
is full.)” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and
Saheeh Muslim]
Abu Umaamah al-Baahilee رضي الله عنه said: I
heard the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه
وسلم saying:
وعدني
ربي، عز وجل، أن يدخل الجنة من أمتي سبعون ألفا، مع كل ألف سبعون ألفا، ولا حساب
عليهم ولا عذاب، وثلاث حَثَيَات من حثيات ربي عز وجل
“My Lord has promised
me that seventy thousand of my nation
will enter Paradise without being brought to account or punished. With every
Thousand there will be (another) seventy thousand and three Handfuls of my
Lord, the Glorified.”
[Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2437) and Sunan Ibn Maajah (4286) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]
In the narration of
al-Tabaraanee on the authority of `Uthbah that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
ثم
يشفع كل ألف في سبعين ألفا
“then every
Thousand will intercede for (another) seventy thousand” [al-Mu`jam al-Kabeer (312)]
And His تعالى saying:
﴿حَتَّى إِذَا جَآءُوهَا
وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَـمٌ عَلَيْكُـمْ طِبْتُمْ
فَادْخُلُوهَا خَـلِدِينَ﴾
{Till when they
reach it, and its gates will be opened and its keepers will say: “Salam
`Alaykum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide
therein forever.”} This is a conditional sentence that is not complete. What it
implies is that when they come to the gates of Paradise the gates will be
opened for them as a sign of honor, and the angelic gatekeepers will meet them
with glad tidings, greetings of peace and praise. Unlike the gatekeepers of
Hell who will meet the disbelievers with rebuke and reprimand, the believers
will be filled with happiness and joy, each according to his degree of luxury
and delights. What happens after this is not mentioned; it is left for the
imagination to think of its dearest wishes and be filled with hope.
Whoever thinks that the واو in the
saying of Allaah تعالى:
﴿وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا﴾
{and its gates
will be opened}
is the “waaw
al-thamaaniyah” and using this tries to establish that the gates of
Paradise are eight, then he has (gone) further away from being beneficial and
has drowned in his analogy. Rather the existences of the eight gates of
Paradise are proven from the authentic Ahaadeeth (and thus there is no need for
such analogy).”
Imam Ahmad
recorded that Abu Hurairah رضي
الله عنه said: “The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
مَنْ
أَنْفَقَ زَوْجَيْنِ مِنْ مَالِهِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ تَعَالَى دُعِيَ مِنْ
أَبْوَابِ الْجَنَّةِ، وَلِلْجَنَّةِ أَبْوَابٌ، فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ
الصَّلَاةِ دُعِيَ مِنْ بَابِ الصَّلَاةِ، وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصَّدَقَةِ
دُعِيَ مِنْ بَابِ الصَّدَقَةِ، وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجِهَادِ دُعِيَ مِنْ
بَابِ الْجِهَادِ، وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصِّيَامِ دُعِيَ مِنْ بَابِ
الرَّيَّان
“Whoever spends
a pair of something from his wealth for the sake of Allaah, will be called from
the gates of Paradise. Paradise has (several) gates. Whoever is among the
people of prayer, will be called from the gate of Prayer; whoever is among the
people of charity, will be called from the gate of Charity; whoever is among
the people of Jihad, will be called from the gate of Jihad; whoever is among
the people of fasting, will be called from the Gate of Ar-Rayyan.” Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah, it does not matter from which gate
one is called, but will anyone be called from all of them?’ He صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
نَعَمْ،
وَأَرْجُو أَنْ تَكُونَ مِنْهُم
“Yes, and I
hope that you will be one of them.” [Musnad Ahmad (7633, 9800); something
similar also reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2841, 3216, 3666) and Saheeh
Muslim (1027)]
It was reported
from Sahl bin Sa`d رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
إِنَّ
فِي الْجَنَّةِ ثَمَانِيَةَ أَبْوَابٍ، بَابٌ مِنْهَا يُسَمَّى الرَّيَّانَ، لَا
يَدْخُلُهُ إِلَّا الصَّائِمُون
“In Paradise
there are eight gates; one of them is called Ar-Rayyan, and no one will enter
it except those who fast.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3257)]
In Saheeh Muslim,
it is recorded that `Umar bin Al-Khattaab رضي الله عنه
said: “The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
مَا
مِنْكُمْ مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَتَوَضَّأُ فَيُبْلِغُ أَوْ فَيُسْبِغُ الْوُضُوءَ، ثُمَّ
يَقُولُ: أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ
وَرَسُولُهُ، إِلَّا فُتِحَتْ لَهُ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ الثَّمَانِيَةُ، يَدْخُلُ
مِنْ أَيِّهَا شَاء
“There is no
one among you who performs Wudhoo’ and does it well, or -- amply --, then he
says: “I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that
Muhammad is His servant and Messenger,” but the eight gates of Paradise will be
opened for him and he will enter through whichever one he wishes.” [Saheeh Muslim
(234)]
We ask Allaah تعالى to make us among its people.
In the Two Saheehs,
it is reported from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه
in the lengthy Hadeeth about intercession (that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said):
فَيَقُولُ
اللهُ تَعَالَى: يَا
مُحَمَّدُ، أَدْخِلْ مَنْ لَا حِسَابَ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أُمَّتِكَ مِنَ الْبَابِ
الْأَيْمَنِ، وَهُمْ شُرَكَاءُ النَّاسِ فِي الْأَبْوَابِ الأُخَرِ، وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ
بِيَدِهِ إِنَّ مَا بَيْنَ الْمِصْرَاعَيْنِ مِنْ مَصَارِيعِ الْجَنَّةِ مَا
بَيْنَ عِضَادَتَيِ الْبَابِ لَكَمَا بَيْنَ مَكَّةَ وَهَجَرٍ أَوْ هَجَرٍ وَمَكَّةَ
وفي رواية مَكَّةَ وَبُصْرَى
“Allaah will
say: {O Muhammad, admit those of your Ummah who are not to be brought
to account, through the right-hand gate, and they will be counted among those
who will enter from other gates as well.} By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of
Muhammad, the distance between the two gateposts of the gates of Paradise is
like the distance between Makkah and Hajar -- or Hajar and Makkah.” According to
another report: “between Makkah and Busra.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (4712) and Saheeh Muslim (327)]
It was recorded
in Saheeh Muslim from `Utbah bin Ghazwaan رضي الله عنه that (the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم)
gave them a speech in which he told them that the distance between the two
gateposts of Paradise was the distance of a forty-year journey, but there would
come a day when they would be packed with crowds of people. [Saheeh Muslim
(2967)]
Allaah تعالى says,:
﴿وَقَالَ
لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَـمٌ عَلَيْكُـمْ طِبْتُمْ﴾
{and its
keepers will say: “Salam `Alaykum (peace be upon you)! You have done well,”} meaning, `your
deeds and words were good, and your efforts were good, and your reward is good.’
The Messenger of Allaah صلى
الله عليه وسلم issued commands
during some of his military campaigns that it should be shouted out to the
Muslims:
إِنَّ
الْجَنَّةَ لَا يَدْخُلُهَا إِلَّا نَفْسٌ مُسْلِمَةٌ وفي رواية
مُؤْمِنَة
“No one enters
Paradise except a Muslim soul” or, according to one report, “A believing
soul.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3062, 4203, 6606) and Saheeh Muslim (178,
377, 378)]
Allaah تعالى says:
﴿فَادْخُلُوهَا
خَـلِدِينَ﴾
{so enter here
to abide therein forever.} means, to dwell therein, never seeking any change.
﴿وَقَـالُواْ الْحَـمْدُ للَّهِ
الَّذِى صَدَقَنَا وَعْدَهُ﴾
{And they will
say: “All the praises and thanks be to Allaah Who has fulfilled His promise to
us...”} means, when the believers see the great reward and splendors,
blessing and grand generosity, they will say:
﴿الْحَـمْدُ للَّهِ الَّذِى
صَدَقَنَا وَعْدَهُ﴾
{All the
praises and thanks be to Allaah Who has fulfilled His promise to us} meaning, `the
promise which He made to us through His Messengers who called us to this in the
world.’
﴿رَبَّنَا
وَءَاتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَى رُسُلِكَ وَلاَ تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ
إِنَّكَ لاَ تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ ﴾
{Our Lord!
Grant us what You promised unto us through Your Messengers and disgrace us not
on the Day of Resurrection, for You never break (Your) promise} [Surah
aal-`Imraan (3):194]
﴿وَقَالُواْ
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِى هَدَانَا لِهَـذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِىَ لَوْلا
أَنْ هَدَانَا اللَّهُ لَقَدْ جَآءَتْ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِالْحَقِّ﴾
{and they will
say: “All the praises and thanks be to Allaah, Who has guided us to this, and
never could we have found guidance, were it not that Allaah had guided us! Indeed,
the Messengers of our Lord came with the truth.”} [Surah al-A`raaf
(7):43], and
﴿وَقَالُواْ
الْحَمْدُ للَّهِ الَّذِى أَذْهَبَ عَنَّا الْحَزَنَ إِنَّ رَبَّنَا لَغَفُورٌ
شَكُورٌ - الَّذِى أَحَلَّنَا دَارَ الْمُقَامَةِ مِن فَضْلِهِ لاَ يَمَسُّنَا فِيهَا
نَصَبٌ وَلاَ يَمَسُّنَا فِيهَا لُغُوبٌ ﴾
{And they will
say: “All the praises and thanks be to Allaah Who has removed from us (all)
grief. Verily, our Lord is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (good
deeds). Who, out of His grace, has lodged us in a home that will last forever,
where toil will touch us not, nor weariness will touch us.”} [Surah Faatir (35):34-35]
And
their saying:
﴿وَأَوْرَثَنَا الاٌّرْضَ
نَتَبَوَّأُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ نَشَآءُ فَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ الْعَـمِلِينَ﴾
{and has made
us inherit (this) land. We can dwell in Paradise where we will; how excellent a
reward for the (pious) workers!} Abu Al-`Aaliyah, Abu Saalih, Qataadah, As-Suddee
and Ibn Zayd said: “This means the land of Paradise.”
This is like the Aayah:
﴿وَلَقَدْ
كَتَبْنَا فِى الزَّبُورِ مِن بَعْدِ الذِّكْرِ أَنَّ الاٌّرْضَ يَرِثُهَا
عِبَادِىَ الصَّـلِحُونَ ﴾
{And indeed We
have written in al-Zaboor after Adh-Dhikr that My righteous servants shall
inherit the land.} [Surah al-Anbiyaa’ (21):105] they will say:
﴿نَتَبَوَّأُ
مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ نَشَآءُ﴾
{We can dwell
in Paradise where we will} meaning, `wherever we want, we can settle; how excellent a reward
for our efforts.’ In the Two Saheehs, it was reported in the story of the Mi`raaj
which was narrated by Anas bin Maalik رضي الله عنه
that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
أُدْخِلْتُ
الْجَنَّةَ، فَإِذَا فِيهَا جَنَابِذُ اللُّؤْلُؤِ، وَإِذَا تُرَابُهَا الْمِسْك
“I was admitted
into Paradise where I saw that its domes were pearls and its soil was musk.” [Saheeh
al-Bukhaaree (349, 3342) and Saheeh Muslim (263)]
--end of quote from Tafseer Ibn Katheer.
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