The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "None will enter Paradise but will be shown the place he would have occupied in the (Hell) Fire if he had rejected faith, so that he may be more thankful; and none will enter the (Hell) Fire but will be shown the place he would have occupied in Paradise if he had faith, so that may be a cause of sorrow for him."
Hadith Text
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "None will enter Paradise but will be shown the place he would have occupied in the (Hell) Fire if he had rejected faith, so that he may be more thankful; and none will enter the (Hell) Fire but will be shown the place he would have occupied in Paradise if he had faith, so that may be a cause of sorrow for him."
Context and Significance
This profound hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari 6569 appears in the Book "To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq)" and addresses the ultimate justice and wisdom of Allah's divine decree.
Commentary on the First Part
For the people of Paradise, being shown their potential place in Hell serves as a powerful reminder of Allah's mercy. This vision increases their gratitude (shukr) exponentially, making them appreciate their salvation more deeply. It demonstrates that their entry into Paradise was not by their deeds alone, but primarily through Allah's grace and guidance.
Commentary on the Second Part
For the inhabitants of Hell, being shown their potential abode in Paradise serves as the ultimate regret and punishment. This eternal "what could have been" multiplies their torment, as they realize they brought this fate upon themselves through their rejection of faith. This constitutes an additional layer of punishment beyond the physical torments of Hell.
Divine Wisdom
This arrangement manifests Allah's perfect justice and wisdom. It completes the experience of both groups - perfecting the joy of the blessed with increased gratitude, and perfecting the punishment of the damned with increased regret. Both outcomes serve as eternal testimonies to the consequences of human choice regarding faith.
Spiritual Lessons
This hadith should soften hearts toward greater consciousness of Allah. It reminds believers that salvation is ultimately through divine mercy, encouraging humility. Simultaneously, it warns against complacency in faith, as the consequences of rejection are eternal and compounded by the knowledge of what was lost.