While we were in the company of the Prophet (ﷺ) in a tent he said, ''Would it please you to be one fourth of the people of Paradise?" We said, "Yes." He said, "Would It please you to be one-third of the people of Paradise?" We said, "Yes." He said, "Would it please you to be half of the people of Paradise?" We said, "Yes." Thereupon he said, "I hope that you will be one half of the people of Paradise, for none will enter Paradise but a Muslim soul, and you people, in comparison to the people who associate others in worship with Allah, are like a white hair on the skin of a black ox, or a black hair on the skin of a red ox."
The Hadith of the White Hair
Narrated by Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri in Sahih al-Bukhari 6528, this profound hadith from the Book "To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq)" offers immense spiritual insight into the relative scarcity of believers destined for Paradise compared to the multitude of disbelievers.
The Gradual Revelation of Proportions
The Prophet's (ﷺ) method of beginning with "one-fourth," then "one-third," then "half" demonstrates his profound pedagogical wisdom. This gradual approach prepares the companions' hearts to receive the momentous news that Muslims would constitute half of Paradise's inhabitants.
Each increasing proportion brought greater joy and anticipation to the companions, culminating in the ultimate glad tidings that they would form half of Paradise's population - a testament to their exalted status among all humanity.
The Exclusive Nature of Paradise
"None will enter Paradise but a Muslim soul" establishes the fundamental Islamic doctrine that ultimate salvation is reserved exclusively for those who die in a state of Islamic monotheism. This emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining correct belief and avoiding shirk throughout one's life.
The Powerful Simile of the White Hair
The comparison of Muslims to "a white hair on the skin of a black ox, or a black hair on the skin of a red ox" serves multiple purposes. It visually illustrates the extreme numerical minority of true believers compared to disbelievers throughout human history.
This imagery also highlights the distinctiveness and visibility of believers - just as the single contrasting hair stands out clearly, so too do the people of faith stand distinct in their beliefs and practices amid the overwhelming majority.
Spiritual Implications for Believers
This hadith should cultivate both humility and gratitude in the believer's heart - humility in recognizing how few will attain salvation, and gratitude for being among those guided to Islam.
It also serves as a powerful reminder of the tremendous value of faith and the grave responsibility that comes with being among the chosen few. The rarity of believers should motivate us to cherish our faith and strive to maintain it until death.