I heard it from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying: A group of my Ummah consisting of seventy thousand persons would enter Paradise; their faces would be as bright as the brightness of the full moon. Abd Huraira said: 'Ukkasha b. Mihsan al-Asadi then stood up wrapping the blanket around him and said: Messenger of Allah, supplicate (before) Allah that He should make me one among them. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: O Allah, make him among them. Then stood up a man from the Ansa and said: Messenger of Allah, pray to Allah that He should make me one among them. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Ukkasha has preceded you in this matter.
The Book of Faith - Sahih Muslim 216 c
This narration from Sahih Muslim describes a special group of seventy thousand from the Prophet's Ummah who will enter Paradise without reckoning, their faces radiant like the full moon. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) identified them as those who do not practice cauterization, seek ruqya (incantations), or believe in evil omens, but place complete trust in their Lord.
Scholarly Commentary
The distinguished status of these seventy thousand individuals lies in their pure tawhid (monotheism) and complete reliance upon Allah. They avoid prohibited forms of treatment that indicate weakness in faith, such as cauterization which was commonly practiced in pre-Islamic ignorance, and ruqya that involves shirk.
Their bright faces symbolize the illumination of their hearts with true faith and their freedom from the spiritual diseases of superstition and dependence on created beings rather than the Creator.
The Incident with 'Ukkasha
When 'Ukkasha immediately stood up to request this privilege, he demonstrated exemplary zeal for goodness. The Prophet's quick supplication for him indicates the acceptability of his request and his worthy character.
The Ansari's subsequent request, though noble, came after 'Ukkasha had already secured the blessing, teaching us the importance of hastening to virtuous deeds and not delaying in seeking spiritual excellence.
Spiritual Lessons
This hadith encourages Muslims to purify their faith from all innovations and superstitions, to develop complete trust in Allah, and to compete righteously in attaining high spiritual stations in the Hereafter.
It also demonstrates the Prophet's compassion in responding to sincere requests from his companions and the importance of being proactive in seeking goodness rather than being passive.