She reported on the authority of her paternal uncle: I asked the Prophet (ﷺ): Who are in Paradise? He replied: Prophets are in Paradise, martyrs are in Paradise, infants are in Paradise and children buried alive are in Paradise.
Hadith Text
She reported on the authority of her paternal uncle: I asked the Prophet (ﷺ): Who are in Paradise? He replied: Prophets are in Paradise, martyrs are in Paradise, infants are in Paradise and children buried alive are in Paradise.
Source Reference
Book: Jihad (Kitab Al-Jihad)
Author: Sunan Abi Dawud
Hadith: Sunan Abi Dawud 2521
Scholarly Commentary
This blessed hadith enumerates four categories of people who are granted Paradise without reckoning. The Prophets are the chosen messengers of Allah, purified from sins and granted the highest stations. The martyrs (shuhada') are those who sacrifice their lives in the path of Allah, particularly in jihad, and are granted immediate entry to Paradise without the trial of the grave.
Infants who die before reaching the age of discernment are included among the people of Paradise by Allah's mercy, as they have no sins recorded against them. The children buried alive refers to the pre-Islamic practice of female infanticide, where these innocent souls enter Paradise directly due to their unjust killing and purity from sin.
This narration demonstrates Allah's infinite mercy and justice, granting Paradise to those who die in states of innocence or while upholding truth. It serves as consolation for parents who lose children and encouragement for believers to strive for martyrdom through righteous jihad.