Hadith Text

"O Abu Sa'eed! Whoever is content with Allah as Lord, Islam as his religion and Muhammad as Prophet, then he is guaranteed Paradise." Abu Sa'eed found this amazing and said: "Say it to me again, O Messenger of Allah." So he did that, then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "And there is something else by means of which a person may be raised one hundred degrees in Paradise, each of which is like that which is between the Heaven and the Earth." He said: "What is it, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "Jihad in the cause of Allah, Jihad in the cause of Allah."

Scholarly Commentary

This noble hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i establishes the three fundamental pillars of faith: acceptance of Allah's Lordship, Islam as the chosen religion, and Muhammad (ﷺ) as the final Prophet. This foundation guarantees Paradise, demonstrating Allah's immense mercy.

The repetition emphasizes the certainty of this promise, while Abu Sa'eed's request for repetition shows the Companion's awe at this tremendous glad tiding.

The second portion reveals jihad's exalted status - raising believers one hundred degrees in Paradise, with each degree spanning heaven to earth. This immense reward reflects jihad's difficulty and nobility in Allah's sight.

The Prophet's repetition of "Jihad in the cause of Allah" underscores its importance and encourages Muslims to undertake this noble endeavor with proper intention solely for Allah's pleasure.

Spiritual Dimensions

True contentment with these three fundamentals represents complete submission to Allah's will, which is the essence of Islam.

Jihad here encompasses both the greater jihad (struggle against one's desires) and the lesser jihad (righteous struggle in Allah's path). The immense reward indicates both forms' spiritual significance.

This hadith beautifully balances the promise of Paradise through basic faith with the opportunity for elevated stations through righteous action, showing Islam's comprehensive approach to spiritual development.