Chapters on the description of Paradise

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Sulaiman ibn Buraydah reported from his father: ‘A man asked the Prophet, “Messenger of Allah, are there horses in Paradise?” He replied, “If Allah admits you to Paradise, whenever you wish to be carried on a red ruby horse that flies with you wherever you wish in Paradise, that will be yours.” Another man asked, “Messenger of Allah, are there camels in Paradise?” The Prophet did not answer him as he had answered the first man, but said, “If Allah admits you to Paradise, you will have whatever your soul desires and your eyes delight in.”’ A second chain reports a similar meaning, and the source says this is more accurate than the report through al-Masudi.

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Abu Ayyub reported that a Bedouin came to the Prophet and said, ‘Messenger of Allah, I love horses. Are there horses in Paradise?’ The Messenger of Allah replied, ‘If you are admitted to Paradise, you will be brought a ruby horse with two wings, carried upon it, and flown wherever you wish.’ Abu Isa said that this report’s chain was not strong and that he knew it from Abu Ayyub only through this route. He said Abu Thawrah, the nephew of Abu Ayyub, was considered weak in hadith; Yahya ibn Main strongly criticized him. Abu Isa also reported that Muhammad ibn Ismail called Abu Thawrah’s reports from Abu Ayyub munkar and said they were not corroborated.

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Muadh ibn Jabal reported that the Prophet said, ‘The people of Paradise will enter it without body hair, beardless, and with kohl-darkened eyes, at thirty or thirty-three years of age.’ Abu Isa graded this hadith hasan gharib. He noted that some of Qatadah’s students transmitted it as mursal, without an uninterrupted chain.

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Ibn Buraydah reported from his father that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘The people of Paradise will be in one hundred and twenty rows: eighty from this community and forty from the other communities.’ Abu Isa graded this hadith hasan. He noted that it was also transmitted from Alqamah ibn Marthad, from Sulaiman ibn Buraydah, as a mursal report; some transmitters instead included Sulaiman’s father. He described the report of Abu Sinan from Muharib ibn Dithar as hasan and identified this Abu Sinan as Dirar ibn Murrah. He distinguished him from Abu Sinan al-Shaybani, whose name was Saeed ibn Sinan and who was a Basran, and Abu Sinan al-Shami, whose name was Isa ibn Sinan al-Qas mali.

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Abdullah ibn Masud reported: ‘We were with the Prophet in a tent, about forty of us, when he asked, “Would you be pleased to make up a quarter of the people of Paradise?” We said, “Yes.” He asked, “Would you be pleased to make up a third of the people of Paradise?” We said, “Yes.” He asked, “Would you be pleased to make up half of the people of Paradise? Only a Muslim soul will enter Paradise. Compared with the people of idolatry, you are like a single white hair on the hide of a black bull, or a single black hair on the hide of a red bull.”’ Abu Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih and noted related reports from Imran ibn Husayn and Abu Saeed al-Khudri.

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Salim ibn Abdullah reported from his father that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘The gate through which my community will enter Paradise is as wide as the distance a swift rider travels in three. Yet they will be pressed together at it until their shoulders nearly come apart.’ Abu Isa described this hadith as gharīb. He said that when he asked Muhammad about it, Muhammad did not know it and said that Khalid ibn Abi Bakr had munkar reports from Salim ibn Abdullah.

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Sa‘id ibn al-Musayyab met Abu Hurairah, who said, ‘I ask Allah to bring us together in the market of Paradise.’ Sa‘id asked, ‘Is there a market there?’ Abu Hurairah said, ‘Yes. The Messenger of Allah told me that when the people of Paradise enter it, they will settle there according to the merit of their deeds. Then they will be permitted, for a period like a Friday in the days of this world, to visit their Lord. He will display His Throne to them and appear to them in one of the gardens of Paradise. Pulpits of light, pearl, ruby, peridot, gold, and silver will be set out for them. The least among them—and none is low—will sit on mounds of musk and camphor, and they will not think that those seated on chairs have a better place.’ Abu Hurairah asked, ‘Messenger of Allah, will we see our Lord?’ He replied, ‘Yes. Do you doubt seeing the sun and moon on a full-moon night?’ They said, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Likewise, you will not doubt seeing your Lord. No one will remain in that gathering without Allah speaking with him personally. He will say to a man, “So-and-so, son of so-and-so, do you remember the day you said such-and-such?” He will remind him of some of his betrayals in this world. The man will say, “My Lord, did You not forgive me?” He will say, “Indeed. By the vastness of My forgiveness you have reached this station.” While they are in this state, a cloud will cover them from above and rain down a fragrance unlike anything they have ever smelled. Our Lord, Blessed and Exalted, will say, “Rise to the honor I have prepared for you, and take whatever you desire.” We will then come to a market surrounded by angels, containing things no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no heart has imagined. Whatever we desire will be brought to us. Nothing is bought or sold there, and the people of Paradise will meet one another in that market. A man of high rank will approach and meet someone below him in rank—though none among them is low. He will be struck by the garments he sees on the other man, and before their conversation ends he will imagine garments more beautiful for himself, since no one should feel sorrow there. Then we will return to our homes, and our wives will welcome us, saying, “Welcome! You have returned more beautiful than when you left us.” We will reply, “Today we sat with our Lord, the Almighty, and it is right that we should return as we have.”’ Abu Isa described this hadith as gharīb, known only through this route, and noted that Suwayd ibn Amr transmitted part of it from al-Awzai. The source page labels it Da'if (Darussalam).

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Ali reported that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘In Paradise there is a market where nothing is bought or sold except forms of men and women. When a man desires a form, he enters it.’ Abu Isa described this hadith as gharīb.

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Jarir ibn Abdullah al-Bajali reported: ‘We were sitting with the Prophet when he looked at the full moon and said, “You will be brought before your Lord and see Him as you see this moon, without difficulty. If you can avoid being overcome by missing a prayer before sunrise and a prayer before sunset, then do so.”’ Then he recited: ‘Glorify your Lord with praise before sunrise and before sunset.’ Abu Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih.

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Suhaib reported this explanation of Allah’s words, ‘For those who do good is the best reward and more’ (Qur’an 10:26). The Prophet said: ‘When the people of Paradise enter Paradise, a caller will announce, “You have a promise with Allah.” They will say, “Has He not brightened our faces, saved us from the Fire, and admitted us to Paradise?” They will be told, “Yes.” Then the veil will be lifted. By Allah, nothing He gives them will be more beloved to them than looking at Him.’ The source page labels this report sahih. Abu Isa said that only Hammad ibn Salamah transmitted it with a connected chain and attributed it to the Prophet; Sulaiman ibn al-Mughira and Hammad ibn Zayd transmitted it from Thabit al-Bunani, from Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Layla, as the latter’s own statement.

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Thuwair reported from Ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘The lowest-ranking person in Paradise will be able to see his gardens, wives, blessings, servants, and couches across a distance of a thousand years. The noblest of them in Allah’s sight is the one who looks upon His Face morning and evening.’ Then the Messenger of Allah recited: ‘Some faces on that day will be radiant, looking toward their Lord’ (Qur’an 75:22–23). Abu Isa noted that the report was transmitted through several routes from Israil, from Thuwair, from Ibn Umar, as a Prophetic report. Abd al-Malik ibn Abjar transmitted it from Thuwair, from Ibn Umar, as Ibn Umar’s own statement. Ubaydullah al-Ashjai transmitted it from Sufyan, from Thuwair, from Mujahid, from Ibn Umar, also as Ibn Umar’s statement and not as a Prophetic report. The source page labels it Da'if (Darussalam).

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Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘Do you crowd one another to see the moon on a full-moon night? Do you crowd one another to see the sun?’ They replied, ‘No.’ He said, ‘You will see your Lord as you see the moon on a full-moon night, without crowding or difficulty in seeing Him.’ Abu Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih gharib. He noted that Yahya ibn Isa al-Ramli and others transmitted it through al-A‘mash, Abu Salih, and Abu Hurairah. Abdullah ibn Idris transmitted a version through al-A‘mash, Abu Salih, and Abu Saeed, but Abu Isa said that chain was unpreserved and that the version through Abu Hurairah was sounder. Suhayl ibn Abi Salih also transmitted it from his father, from Abu Hurairah. A similar sahih report was transmitted from Abu Saeed through another route.

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Abu Saeed al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘Allah will say to the people of Paradise, “People of Paradise!” They will reply, “At Your service, our Lord; we answer Your call.” He will ask, “Are you pleased?” They will say, “How could we not be pleased, when You have given us what You have given no one else in Your creation?” He will say, “I will give you something greater than that.” They will ask, “What could be greater?” He will say, “I will grant you My enduring pleasure, and I will never be displeased with you.”’ Abu Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih.

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Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet said: ‘The people of Paradise will see those in the upper chambers as you see a bright star in the east or a star setting at the far edge of the western horizon, or rising there, because of the differences in their ranks.’ They asked, ‘Messenger of Allah, are those the Prophets?’ He replied, ‘Yes, by the One in whose hand is my soul—and also groups who believed in Allah and His Messengers and affirmed the Messengers.’ Abu Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih.

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Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘Allah will gather people on the Day of Resurrection on one plain. Then the Lord of the worlds will appear to them and say, “Let each person follow what he used to worship.” The cross will be presented to the one who worshipped the cross, images to the one who worshipped images, and fire to the one who worshipped fire. They will follow what they used to worship, and the Muslims will remain. Their Lord will appear to them and ask, “Will you not follow the people?” They will say, “We seek refuge in Allah from You, we seek refuge in Allah from You. Allah is our Lord; this is where we will remain until we see our Lord.” He will command and steady them. Then He will withdraw and appear again, and ask, “Will you not follow the people?” They will answer as before, “We seek refuge in Allah from You. Allah is our Lord; this is where we will remain until we see our Lord.” He will command and steady them.” They asked, “Messenger of Allah, will we see Him?” He said, “Do you have difficulty seeing the full moon?” They said, “No, Messenger of Allah.” He said, “You will have no difficulty seeing Him at that time.” Then He will withdraw and appear again, making Himself known to them, and say, “I am your Lord, so follow Me.” The Muslims will rise, the Bridge will be set over Hell, and they will cross it like fine horses and camels, saying, “Grant safety, grant safety.” The people of Hell will remain. Groups will be thrown into it, and it will be asked, “Are you full?” It will say, “Is there more?” More groups will be thrown in, and again it will be asked, “Are you full?” It will reply, “Is there more?” When they have all been put into it, the Most Merciful will place His foot in it, and its parts will draw together. Then He will say, “Enough.” It will say, “Enough, enough.” When Allah has admitted the people of Paradise into Paradise and the people of Hell into Hell, Death will be brought bound by the neck and stood on the wall between Paradise and Hell. It will be said, “People of Paradise!” They will look out fearfully. Then it will be said, “People of Hell!” They will look out joyfully, hoping for intercession. Both groups will be asked, “Do you recognize this?” They will reply, “Yes, we know him. He is Death, who was appointed over us.” Death will be laid down and slaughtered on the wall between Paradise and Hell. Then it will be said, “People of Paradise, everlasting life—no death! People of Hell, everlasting life—no death!” Abu Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih.

There are many reports from the Prophet like this, describing the vision of Allah and that people will see their Lord, as well as the Foot and similar matters. The position of the imams of knowledge—including Sufyan al-Thawri, Malik ibn Anas, Ibn al-Mubarak, Sufyan ibn Uyaynah, Waki, and others—is that they transmit these reports and say: ‘We report them as they are, believe in them, and do not ask how.’ This is the approach chosen by hadith scholars: to transmit these matters as they have come, believe in them, not explain or imagine them, and not ask how. Abu Isa explains the phrase ‘He will make Himself known to them’ to mean that He manifests Himself to them.

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Abu Sa'id reported, attributing it to the Prophet: ‘On the Day of Resurrection, Death will be brought in the form of a black-and-white ram. It will be made to stand between Paradise and the Fire, then slaughtered while they look on. If anyone could die of joy, the people of Paradise would die of joy; and if anyone could die of grief, the people of the Fire would die of grief.’

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Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘Paradise is surrounded by things that are difficult, and the Fire is surrounded by desires.’ Abu ‘Isa said: ‘This hadith is hasan gharīb sahīh through this chain.’

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Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘When Allah created Paradise and the Fire, He sent Gabriel to Paradise and said, “Look at it and at what I have prepared there for its inhabitants.” Gabriel went and looked at it and at what Allah had prepared there for its inhabitants. Then he returned and said, “By Your might, no one will hear of it without entering it.” So He ordered that it be surrounded by hardships, then said, “Go back and look at it and at what I have prepared there for its inhabitants.” Gabriel returned and found it surrounded by hardships. He went back to Him and said, “By Your might, I fear that no one will enter it.” He said, “Go to the Fire and look at it and at what I have prepared there for its inhabitants.” Gabriel found its parts piled over one another. He returned and said, “By Your might, no one will hear of it and then enter it.” So He ordered that it be surrounded by desires, then said, “Go back to it.” Gabriel returned and said, “By Your might, I fear that no one will be saved from it without entering it.”’ Abu ‘Isa said: ‘This hadith is hasan sahih.’

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Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘Paradise and the Fire disputed with one another. Paradise said, “The weak and the poor will enter me,” and the Fire said, “The tyrants and the arrogant will enter me.” Allah said to the Fire, “You are My punishment; through you I punish whomever I will.” And He said to Paradise, “You are My mercy; through you I show mercy to whomever I will.”’ Abu ‘Isa said: ‘This hadith is hasan sahih.’

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Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘The lowest-ranking person among the people of Paradise will have eighty thousand servants and seventy-two spouses. A dome of pearl, chrysolite, and ruby will be erected for him, as vast as the distance between al-Jabiyah and Sana’a.’ With the same chain, the Prophet also said: ‘Whoever among the people of Paradise dies, whether young or old, will be restored there at the age of thirty and will never grow older. The same applies to the people of the Fire.’ With the same chain, he said: ‘They will wear crowns; the smallest pearl in one of them will illuminate the distance between the East and the West.’ Abu ‘Isa said: ‘This hadith is gharīb; we know it only through the narration of Rushdayn ibn Sa‘d.’