The Prophet (ﷺ) once came out to us and said, "Some nations were displayed before me. A prophet would pass in front of me with one man, and another with two men, and another with a group of people. and another with nobody with him. Then I saw a great crowd covering the horizon and I wished that they were my followers, but it was said to me, 'This is Moses and his followers.' Then it was said to me, 'Look'' I looked and saw a big gathering with a large number of people covering the horizon. It was said, "Look this way and that way.' So I saw a big crowd covering the horizon. Then it was said to me, "These are your followers, and among them there are 70,000 who will enter Paradise without (being asked about their) accounts. " Then the people dispersed and the Prophet (ﷺ) did not tell who those 70,000 were. So the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) started talking about that and some of them said, "As regards us, we were born in the era of heathenism, but then we believed in Allah and His Apostle . We think however, that these (70,000) are our offspring." That talk reached the Prophet (ﷺ) who said, "These (70,000) are the people who do not draw an evil omen from (birds) and do not get treated by branding themselves and do not treat with Ruqya, but put their trust (only) in their Lord." then 'Ukasha bin Muhsin got up and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Am I one of those (70,000)?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Yes." Then another person got up and said, "Am I one of them?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, " 'Ukasha has anticipated you."
Medicine - Sahih al-Bukhari 5752
The Prophet (ﷺ) once came out to us and said, "Some nations were displayed before me. A prophet would pass in front of me with one man, and another with two men, and another with a group of people. and another with nobody with him. Then I saw a great crowd covering the horizon and I wished that they were my followers, but it was said to me, 'This is Moses and his followers.' Then it was said to me, 'Look'' I looked and saw a big gathering with a large number of people covering the horizon. It was said, "Look this way and that way.' So I saw a big crowd covering the horizon. Then it was said to me, "These are your followers, and among them there are 70,000 who will enter Paradise without (being asked about their) accounts. " Then the people dispersed and the Prophet (ﷺ) did not tell who those 70,000 were. So the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) started talking about that and some of them said, "As regards us, we were born in the era of heathenism, but then we believed in Allah and His Apostle . We think however, that these (70,000) are our offspring." That talk reached the Prophet (ﷺ) who said, "These (70,000) are the people who do not draw an evil omen from (birds) and do not get treated by branding themselves and do not treat with Ruqya, but put their trust (only) in their Lord." then 'Ukasha bin Muhsin got up and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Am I one of those (70,000)?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Yes." Then another person got up and said, "Am I one of them?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, " 'Ukasha has anticipated you."
Commentary on the Vision of Nations
This profound hadith reveals the spiritual hierarchy among prophets and their followers. The vision shows prophets passing with varying numbers of followers, demonstrating the different levels of success in their missions. The large crowd following Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) indicates his great following, while the even greater multitude following Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) signifies the universality and ultimate success of his message until the Day of Judgment.
The Special Group of 70,000
The 70,000 who will enter Paradise without reckoning represent the highest level of believers. Their exemption from accounting indicates their purity of faith and complete submission to Allah. The companions' initial speculation that these might be their children shows their humility and recognition that future generations raised in Islam might achieve higher spiritual states.
Characteristics of the Blessed 70,000
The Prophet (ﷺ) clarified three distinguishing marks of these special believers: They avoid taking evil omens from birds (a pre-Islamic superstition), reject cauterization as treatment (relying instead on permissible remedies), and avoid improper Ruqya (seeking only legitimate spiritual healing). Most importantly, they place complete trust in Allah alone, demonstrating perfect tawakkul (reliance on God).
Spiritual Lessons
This hadith teaches us to purify our faith from innovations and pre-Islamic practices. It emphasizes that true spiritual excellence comes from complete reliance on Allah while using permissible means. The incident with 'Ukasha shows that this high station is attainable, but requires sincere effort in purifying one's beliefs and practices from all forms of shirk and superstition.