"Paradise and the Fire debated. Paradise said: 'The weak and the poor shall enter me,' and the Fire said: 'The tyrants and the proud shall enter me.' So He said to the Fire: 'You are My Punishment, I take vengeance through you from whom I will,' and He said to Paradise: 'You are My Mercy I show mercy through you to whom I will.'"
Hadith Text & Reference
"Paradise and the Fire debated. Paradise said: 'The weak and the poor shall enter me,' and the Fire said: 'The tyrants and the proud shall enter me.' So He said to the Fire: 'You are My Punishment, I take vengeance through you from whom I will,' and He said to Paradise: 'You are My Mercy I show mercy through you to whom I will.'"
Source: Jami' at-Tirmidhi, Hadith: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2561
Commentary on the Debate
This profound hadith establishes that Paradise and Hellfire are conscious creations that speak by Allah's permission. Their debate reveals the fundamental nature of each abode: Paradise is characterized by humility and poverty before Allah, while Hellfire is the destination of arrogance and tyranny.
Paradise's claim that the "weak and poor" enter her refers not merely to material poverty, but primarily to spiritual poverty - those who recognize their utter need for Allah and humble themselves before Him. The Fire's claim about "tyrants and the proud" encompasses both those who oppress others and those who arrogantly reject divine guidance.
Divine Decree & Justice
Allah's response establishes the ultimate authority of divine will. He addresses the Fire as "My Punishment" and Paradise as "My Mercy," demonstrating that both are instruments of His absolute judgment. This negates any notion of automatic entitlement or predetermined fate based solely on human categories.
The phrase "to whom I will" emphasizes that entry into either abode is ultimately by Allah's decree, which operates with perfect wisdom and justice. His mercy precedes His wrath, as established in other authentic texts, yet His punishment is justly deserved by those who persistently reject truth.
Spiritual Lessons
This narration teaches Muslims to cultivate spiritual poverty (faqr) and avoid arrogance (kibr). The characteristics mentioned are not incidental but essential - what makes one worthy of Paradise is humility before Allah, while what condemns one to Hell is arrogance against divine truth.
The hadith also comforts the believers that ultimate judgment rests with Allah alone, whose mercy encompasses all things. It encourages hope in divine mercy while maintaining fear of divine punishment, creating the balanced spiritual state that characterizes the successful believer.