Regarding Surat As-Sajdah Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3198

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3198
Arabic hadith text
حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ مُطَرِّفِ بْنِ طَرِيفٍ، وَعَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ، وَهُوَ ابْنُ أَبْجَرَ سَمِعَا الشَّعْبِيَّ، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ الْمُغِيرَةَ بْنَ شُعْبَةَ، عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ يَرْفَعُهُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏"‏ إِنَّ مُوسَى عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ سَأَلَ رَبَّهُ فَقَالَ أَىْ رَبِّ أَىُّ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ أَدْنَى مَنْزِلَةً قَالَ رَجُلٌ يَأْتِي بَعْدَ مَا يَدْخُلُ أَهْلُ الْجَنَّةِ الْجَنَّةَ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ ادْخُلِ الْجَنَّةَ ‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ كَيْفَ أَدْخُلُ وَقَدْ نَزَلُوا مَنَازِلَهُمْ وَأَخَذُوا أَخَذَاتِهِمْ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ أَتَرْضَى أَنْ يَكُونَ لَكَ مَا كَانَ لِمَلِكٍ مِنْ مُلُوكِ الدُّنْيَا فَيَقُولُ نَعَمْ أَىْ رَبِّ قَدْ رَضِيتُ ‏.‏ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ فَإِنَّ لَكَ هَذَا وَمِثْلَهُ وَمِثْلَهُ وَمِثْلَهُ فَيَقُولُ رَضِيتُ أَىْ رَبِّ ‏.‏ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ فَإِنَّ لَكَ هَذَا وَعَشْرَةَ أَمْثَالِهِ فَيَقُولُ رَضِيتُ أَىْ رَبِّ ‏.‏ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ فَإِنَّ لَكَ مَعَ هَذَا مَا اشْتَهَتْ نَفْسُكَ وَلَذَّتْ عَيْنُكَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ ‏.‏ وَرَوَى بَعْضُهُمْ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ عَنِ الشَّعْبِيِّ عَنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ وَلَمْ يَرْفَعْهُ وَالْمَرْفُوعُ أَصَحُّ
Translation
Narrated Ash-Sha'bi

"While he was on the Minbar, I heard Al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah saying - and he attributed it to the Prophet (ﷺ) - 'Indeed Musa [peace be upon him] asked his Lord: "O Lord! Who is the lowest in rank among the people of Paradise?" He said: "A man who comes after the people of Paradise have been admitted to Paradise, and he is told to enter. He says: 'How can I enter when they have gotten all of their abodes, and all that is to be had?'" He said: "So it is said to him: 'Would you accept if you were to have what a king in the world?' He says: 'Yes, O Lord! I accept.' So it is said to him: 'Then for you is this and its like, and its like again, and its like again.' So he says: 'I accept, O Lord!' So it is said to him: 'Then for you is this and ten the like thereof.' So he says: 'I accept, O Lord!' So it is said: 'Indeed you shall have this, and whatever your soul desires, and whatever delights your eyes.'"

Commentary

Overview & Central Theme

This profound hadith, transmitted by Al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah from the Prophet ﷺ, unveils the magnificent reality of Allah's boundless generosity and the lowest rank in Paradise. It serves as a powerful reminder that even the least of Paradise's inhabitants will receive blessings beyond worldly imagination, demonstrating that Allah's mercy and reward infinitely surpass all human comprehension. The central theme is the absolute perfection of Allah's justice and grace—no soul will be deprived, and every believer will find complete satisfaction and joy in the eternal abode.

Context & Linguistic Insights

The hadith occurs in the context of Musa (AS) inquiring about the lowest station in Paradise, a question reflecting the Prophet Musa's deep concern for the well-being of his community. The Arabic term "adna" (أدنى) signifies the lowest or least in rank, while "yadkhul" (يدخل) emphasizes the act of entering after all others have been admitted. The phrase "qad istaqalla" (قد استقل) conveys the idea that the earlier inhabitants have fully taken possession of their abodes, making the newcomer feel unworthy. The repeated offer "wa mithlahu" (ومثله) highlights multiplication, and "ma ishtahat nafsuhu" (ما اشتهت نفسه) expresses the ultimate fulfillment of every desire, showing that Allah's generosity escalates beyond all expectations.

Key Scholarly Insights & Legal Benefits

  • Theological benefit: Affirms the reality of Paradise and the varying degrees within it, confirming that all believers will be granted immense reward, yet ranks differ according to deeds and divine wisdom.
  • Ethical principle: Teaches profound humility—even the lowest inhabitant initially feels unworthy, reflecting the believer's attitude of gratitude and awe before Allah's favors.
  • Jurisprudential ruling: Demonstrates that Allah's promises are true and that His reward is based on His pure grace, not merely on human merit, as the man receives far more than he ever requested or imagined.
"This hadith shows that the lowest of the people of Paradise will have ten times the world and more, and yet he will still be the lowest—so how great must be the reward of the highest? It instills hope and encourages striving for higher ranks." — Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Fath al-Bari

Daily Life & Spiritual Application

In our daily lives, this hadith cultivates profound optimism and trust in Allah's promise. It teaches us to never despair of Allah's mercy, no matter how insignificant our deeds may seem, for even the least station in Paradise surpasses all worldly pleasures. It encourages us to purify our intentions and increase our good deeds to attain higher ranks, while simultaneously reminding us to remain humble—never looking down upon others or underestimating the value of small acts of worship. When faced with worldly trials, we should remember that the smallest share of Paradise outweighs every worldly kingdom, making our struggles and sacrifices worthwhile. This hadith also inspires us to be generous in our own dealings, reflecting Allah's attribute of giving beyond what is asked, and to approach our Lord with hopeful supplication, knowing that He answers beyond our expectations.