Part 120

Saalim ibn ‘Abdullah related from his father that the Messenger of Allah x said, “The gate of my nation, which they will go through to enter Paradise, is in width, three traveling days for the good rider. ‘then they will press against it until their shoulders will almost be done away with.” (Related by Ya’qoob ibn Sufyaan) At-Tirmidhee related it and said, “I asked Muhammad ibn Ismaa’eell AlBukhaaree about this hadith, and he did not know it’ AlBaihagee said that the hadeeeth of ‘Utbah ibn Ghazwaan — “Forty years” — is more authentic.

Abu Sa’eed related that the Messenger of Allah # said, “Verily, the Hellfire has seven gates. In regards to each of its gates, the rider travels between the two of them (perhaps this means from one gate to the next, and Allah 4% knows best) for seventy years.” (Related by ‘Abd ibn Hameed in his Musnad)

It is a Mashoor hadith, and some scholars have said that it is referring to the distance between each gate and the next gate, and not to the distance between two sides of one gate, so that it does not contradict the previously mentioned narrations. And Allah 3 knows best.

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Al-Qurtubee claimed that Paradise has 13 gates, but he did not support that with any stronger proof than his saying, “From among, that which proves it has more than 8 is the hadith of ‘Umar 4: “Whoever makes ablution and says, I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (until the end of it), eight gates from'the gates of Paradise are opened for him. He can enter from whichever of them he wishes.’” (At-Tirmidhee and others related it) In Kitaab An-Nasechah, Abu Hurairah . related the following, which he ascribed to the Prophet 3%: “Verily, in Paradise there is a gate that is called Ad-Duha. A caller will call out, ‘Where are the ones who would consistently perform the Ad-Duha prayer? This is your gate, so enter.”

The Names Of The Gates Of Paradise

Al-Haleemee said, “Among the gates of Paradise are these: the gate of Muhammad #%, and it is the gate of repentance; the gate of the prayer; the gate of Fasting; the gate of Zakaat (compulsory charity); the gate of charity; the gate of Hajj; the gate of ‘Umrah (smaller pilgrimage); the gate of Jikaad; the gate of Silah (Le. of joining ties with relatives),” and others have added, “The gate of Al-Kaadhimeen (those who control their anger); the gate of Ar-Raadeen (i.e., those who are pleased with Allah and His Divine Decree); and the gate of Al-Aiman (extreme tight) — those will enter through it that have no accountability upon them.’”

As for the gate that in width is the distance of three days for the good rider (as is related by At-Tirmidhee), AL-Qurtubee mentioned that it is the 13 gate. And Allah #% knows best.

The Key To Paradise Is The Testimony Of “None Has The Right To Be Worshipped But Allah And Muhammad Is The Messenger Of Allah,” And Righteous Deeds Are The Teeth Of That Key

Mw’aadh ibn Jabal & reported that the Messenger of Allah 2 said, “The key to Paradise is the testimony of ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah (Laailaaha illallah).” (Related by Al-Hasan ibn “Arafah)

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In sahih Al-Bukhaaree, it was said to Wahb ibn Munabbah, “Ts not, ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah (Laailaaha illallgh) the key to Paradise?’” He said, “Yes, but if you come witha key that has teeth, it will be opened for you; otherwise, it will not be opened for you.” This means that along with tawhid (Islamic Monotheism) one must also come with good deeds — the performance of dets of

obedience and the avoidance of forbidden acts.

The Mention Of Different Places In Paradise As Well As Of Their Elevation And Vastness

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“But for him who fears the standing before his Lord there will be two Gardens (i.e., itt Paradise). Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? With spreading branches, Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both Ginn and

Book of The End: Great Trials and Tribulations 625

men) deny? In them (both) will be two springs flowing (free). Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? In therm (both) will be every kind of fruit in pairs. Then which of blessings of your Lord will you both (Ginn and men) deny? Redlining upon the couches lined with silk brocade, and the fruits of the two Gardens will be near at hand. Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? Wherein both will be Qasirat-ut-Tarf (chaste females (wives) restraining their glances, desiring none but their husbands), with whom no man or jinn has had Tamth (.e., opening their hymens with sexual intercourse) before them. Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? (In beauty) they are like rubies and coral. Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? Is there any reward for good other than good? Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? And besides these two, there are two other Gardens (i.e. Paradise), Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? Dark green (in color). Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? In them (both) will be two springs gushing forth. Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? In them (both) will be fruits, and date palins and pomegranates. Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both Ginn and men) deny? Therein (Gardens) will be Khairatun Hisan (fair (wives) good and beautiful). Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you boiit Ginn and men) deny? Hoor (beautiful, fair females) guarded in pavilions; Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? With whom no man or jinni has had Tamth (ie, opened their hymens with sexual intercourse) before them. Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and imen) deny? Reclining on green cushions and rich | beautiful mattresses. Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? Blessed be the name of your Lord (Allah), the Owner of Majesty and Honor’) Abu Bakr ibn Moosa Al-Ash’aree related from his father that the Messenger of Allah 2% said, “Two Gardens (in Paradise) are from gold, including their utensils and that which is in them. And two Gardens are from silver, including their utensils and that which is in

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them. And there is nothing between the people and between them looking at their Lord ‘Azza Wa-Jall (To Him belongs Might and Majesty) except for the robe of Al-Kibriyaa (Grandeur and Glory) on His Countenance in the Garden of ‘Adan (Eden).” (Bukhaatee and

In another narration, Abu Moosa Al-Ash’aree 4 related that the Messenger of Allah 3% said, “Two Gardens (in Paradise) are of gold for the Saabigeen (those who are foremost in the Islamic faith of Monotheism and in performing righteous deeds in the life of this world on the very first call for them to embrace Islam), and two Gardens are of silver for the Ashaabul-Yameen (those on the Right, ie, the pious true believers of Islamic Monotheism).” (Related by Al-Baihaqee)

Anas Ibn Maalik #¢ related that Umm Haaritha 4 went to the Messenger of Allah ##, after Haaritha we (her son) died on the Day of Badr. A Gharb arrow hit him (.e., it was not known who released the arrow that killed him; a stray arrow). She % said, “O Messenger of Allah, you indeed know the place that Haaritha has in my heart. If he is in Paradise, | will not cry over him; otherwise, you will indeed see what I will do.” He 2% said to her, “Is it one Garden (in Paradise) or is it many Gardens (in Paradise)? And verily, he is in Al-Firdaus Al-’Alaa (The highest station in Paradise). (Bukhaaree)

Few Deeds In The Way Of Allah Are Better Than The World And That Which Is In It, And The Smallest Thing In Paradise Is Better Than The

World And That Which Is In It

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And in another narration from Qataadah, he #% said, “Al-Firdaus is the elevated land of Paradise, and (it is) its middle area, and its best area.” At-Tabaraanee related this from the hadith of Sa’eed Ibn Bishr.

And Allah 8 said: GW ees 436 xe gp “tn a lofty Paradise’) And Allah # said:

eae vee end eee Pr es GON E5550 A LSE csyal Je BEE sl tsb “For such are high ranks (in the Hereafter)’ And Allah #¢ said:

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“And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the Al-Muttaqun (the pious)"?) And Allah 4 said: Ate wap ote am oer his oe ANG Tal oS be Be OS oat Are

“Race with one another in hastening towards forgiveness from your Lord (Allah 8%), and Paradise the width whereof is as the width of the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah ¥& and his Messengers. That is the Grace of Allah $8, which he bestows on whom He is pleased with. And Allah 38 is the Owner of Great Bounty.)