“Whoever dies knowing that there is no God but Allah will enter Paradise.”
Hadith Text and Reference
"Whoever dies knowing that there is no God but Allah will enter Paradise."
Source: Musnad Ahmad 498, from Musnad Uthman ibn Affan
Scholarly Commentary
This noble hadith, transmitted through the chain of Musnad Ahmad, highlights the profound mercy of Allah towards His servants. The phrase "knowing" (ʿāliman) encompasses both intellectual recognition and heartfelt conviction - it is not mere utterance without understanding.
The scholars explain that this knowledge must be accompanied by acceptance and submission to what this testimony entails. As Imam al-Nawawi states in his commentary on Sahih Muslim, true knowledge of La ilaha illa Allah necessitates acknowledging Allah's exclusive right to worship and following the prophetic guidance.
This promise applies to those who die upon this pure tawhid, free from nullifiers of Islam. The great Hanbali scholar Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali clarifies in Jami' al-Ulum wal-Hikam that this hadith indicates Allah's immense generosity, but does not negate the necessity of fulfilling other Islamic obligations.
Conditions and Understanding
The classical scholars, including Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn al-Qayyim, have elaborated that the testimony of faith requires seven conditions: knowledge, certainty, acceptance, submission, truthfulness, sincerity, and love. Mere verbal affirmation without these conditions does not suffice.
This hadith offers immense hope while reminding us that true knowledge transforms one's heart and actions. As the righteous predecessors taught, knowledge without practice is like a tree without fruit.