The Prophet will enter Paradise first

17-2-2010 | IslamWeb

Question:

We know that the first person to enter Paradise is Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. However, what about the people whom the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, saw in Paradise and Hell when he ascended to the heavens during his 'Israa' (Night Journey) and Mi‘raaj (ascension to Heavens)?

Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

 

The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) never stated in any Hadeeth (narration) that there would be someone who would enter Paradise before he does on the Day of Resurrection. However, the Hadeeths stressing that some people have entered Paradise speak about the migration of souls to the afterworld. For example, in a Hadeeth on the authority of Bilaal  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him when the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) heard the sound of his footsteps in Paradise, he asked Bilaal  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him about the deed he had done that admitted him into Paradise before him  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ). [Ibn ‘Asaakir]

According to Al-Haafith Al-‘Iraaqi  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) seeing Bilaal  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him in Paradise before him  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) was in his dreams and did not refer to the Day of Resurrection.

In reality, the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) will be the first to enter Paradise. There is no contradiction because the case of Bilaal  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him refers to the migration of his soul during his sleep.

 It should be noted that no one knows how this takes place, because it pertains to the Unseen and human senses are unable to perceive it. Therefore, we must believe in it and acknowledge it without trying to understand how. This is because our minds are too limited to comprehend such a matter. This is a true statement from the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) in which we must believe. May Allaah The Almighty guide us to what pleases Him.

Allaah Knows best.

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