Learning Islam: The Last Person to Enter Paradise

The following is a hadith from Sahih Muslim which describes the last man to enter Paradise. It is one of my favourite hadiths and one that gives me hope of entering Paradise myself one day In Sha Allah, with the Mercy and Grace of Allah.

‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’oud reported that the Messenger of Allaah (Saw) said:

“The last person to enter paradise will be a man who will alternately walk, stagger and be touched by the Fire. Once he has passed out of the Fire, he will turn to face it and say, “Blessed be He Who has saved me from you. Allaah (swt) has given me something that He did not give to the earlier and later generations.

Then a tree will be raised up for him, and he will say, “O my Rabb, bring me closer to this tree so that I may enjoy its shade and drink of its water”. Allaah (swt) will say, “O son of Aadam perhaps if I grant you this, you will ask Me for something else?” He will say, “No, O Rabb, I promise that I will not ask for anything else”. Allaah (swt) will excuse him because he is seeing something that he has no patience to resist so he will bring him closer and he will enjoy its shade and drink its water.

Then another tree, better than the first, will be raised up for him and he will say, “O my Rabb, bring me near to this tree so that I may drink its water and enjoy its shade, then I will not ask you for anything more”. Allaah (swt) will say, “O son of Aadam did you not promise Me that you would not ask me for anything else? Perhaps if I bring you closer to this tree you will ask for more?” So the man will promise not to ask for any more, and Allaah will excuse him because he is seeing something that he has no patience to resist, so He will bring him closer and he will enjoy its shade and drink its water.

Then a third tree will be raised up at the gate of paradise, and it will be better than the first two. The man will say, “O My Rabb, bring me closer to this [tree] so that I may enjoy its shade and drink its water, and I will not ask for anything more.” Allaah will say, “O son of Aadam, did you not promise Me that you would not ask Me for anything more?” He will say, “Yes, O Rabb, I will not ask you for anything more.” His Rabb, may He be glorified, will excuse him because he is seeing something which he has no patience to resist, so He will bring him closer.

When he is brought close, he will hear the voices of the people of Paradise, and will say, “O my Rabb, admit me to it.” Allaah (swt) will say, “O son of Aadam what do you want so that you will never ask Me for anything else? Will it please you if I give you the world and as much again?” He will say, “O Rabb, are You making fun of me when You are the Rabb al-Aaalameen?”

Ibn Mas’oud smiled and said, “Why do you not ask me why I am smiling?” They asked, “Why are you smiling?” He said, “Because the Messenger of Allaah (saw) smiled”. They asked, “Why are you smiling, O Messenger of Allaah (saw)?” He said, “Because the Rabb of the Worlds will smile when He is asked, “Are You making fun of me when You are the Rabb of the Worlds?” He will say, “I am not making fun of you, but I am able to do whatever I will”””. [Muslim, no. 187, Kitaab al-Imaan, Baab aakhir an-Naar khurujan]

And in the version of Abu Sa’eed, he adds, “Allaah (swt) will tell him, “ask for such and such” and when he has stated his wishes, Allaah (swt) will say, “You will have them and ten times more”. Then he will enter his house [in Paradise] and his two wives from among al-hoor al-‘eeyn will enter and say, “Praise be to Allaah (swt) who has created you for us and created us for you”. He will say, “No one has ever been given anything like that which I have been given.” [reported by Muslim, no.188 Kitaab al-Imaan, Baab adna Ahl al-Jannah manzilatan]

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Stories of the Prophets – Idris (as)

Prophet Idris (as) – also known as Enoch – was the first of the children of Adam (as) to be given prophethood after Adam (as) and Seth (as). He was mentioned in the Qur’an and so I am therefore mentioning him as well.

Stories Of The Prophets By Ibn Kathir

The following is from the book, the Stories of the Prophets, as written by the renowned scholar (masha’Allah), Ibn Kathir and translated by Sheikh Muhammad Mustafa Geme’ah (Office of the Grand Imam, Sheikh Al-Azhar). I hope you will find it beneficial, insha’Allah.

Allah has praised Enoch, describing him as being a prophet and truthful:

“Mention in the Book (Quran) Idris (Enoch). Verily! He was a man of truth (and) a prophet. We raised him to a high station”. (Ch 19:56-57 Quran).

Birth and Teachings
Enoch was born and raised in Babylon following the teachings and religion of Prophet Adam (pbuh) and his son Seth (pbuh). Enoch was the 5th generation of the Prophet Adam. He called the
people back to his forefathers religion, but only a few listened to him, while the majority turned away. Prophet Enoch and his followers left Babylon for Egypt. There he carried on his mission, calling people to what is just and fair, teaching them certain prayers and instructing them to fast on certain days and to give a portion of their wealth to the poor.

The Wise Sayings of Prophet Enoch
He was the first of the Children of Adam to be given prophethood after Adam and Seth (peace upon them). It is reported that he was the 1st to invent the basic form of writing. Some of his wise
sayings are:

“Happy is he who looks at his own deeds and appoints them as pleaders to his Lord.”
“None can show better gratitude for Allah’s favors than he who shares them with others.”
“Do not envy people for what they have as they will only enjoy it for a short while.”
“He who indulges in excess will not benefit from it.”
“The real joy of life is to have wisdom.”

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Stories of the Prophets – Adam (as)

The Story of Prophet Adam (as) is probably one of the most fundamental and important stories for, not only the Muslims, but for all mankind. We are told by Allah, about the Creation of the first man and woman, our purpose and how Shaytaan (also known as the devil or satan) caused the two of them to be expelled from Paradise and placed upon the earth, fulfilling the role that Allah Had Ordained for Adam and his wife, Hawa (Eve). We also learn about the fact that each and every one of us – Muslim and non-Muslim alike – have already born witness that Allah is our Lord alone. We learn that Shaytaan, or the devil (as he is referred to in Christian sources), was not one of the angels. Rather that he was of the Jinn and was elevated to a high status but was exposed for his pride and arrogance.

Stories Of The Prophets By Ibn Kathir

The following are some snippets of the Stories of the Prophets as written by the renowned scholar (masha’Allah), Ibn Kathir and translated by Sheikh Muhammad Mustafa Geme’ah (Office of the Grand Imam, Sheikh Al-Azhar). I hope you will find them beneficial, insha’Allah.

Almighty Allah Revealed:
“And surely, We created you (your father Adam) and then gave you shape (the noble shape of a human being), then We told the angels, “Prostrate to Adam”, and they prostrated, except Iblis, he refused to be those who prostrate. Allah said: “What prevented you (O Iblis) that you did not postrate when I commanded you?”

Iblis said: “I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire and him You created from clay.”

Allah said: “O Iblis get down from this (Paradise), it is not for you to be arrogant here. Get out for you are of those humiliated and disgraced.”

Iblis said: “Allow me respite till the Day they are raised up (Day of Resurrection).”

Allah said: “You are of those allowed respite.”

Iblis said: “Because You have sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight Path. Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left and You will not find most of them as thankful ones (they will not be dutiful to You).”

Allah said: “Get out from Paradise, disgraced and expelled. Whoever of them (mankind) will follow you, then surely I will fill Hell with you all.”

“And O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in Paradise, and eat thereof as you both wish, but approach not this tree otherwise you both will be of the Zalimeen (unjust and wrongdoers).”

“Then Satan whispered suggestions to them both in order to uncover that which was hidden from them of their private parts before, he said:” Your Lord did not forbid you this tree save you should become angels or become of the immortals.” Satan swore by Allah to them both saying: “Verily I am one of the sincere well wishers for you both.” So he misled them with deception. Then when they tasted of the tree, that which was hidden from them of their shame (private parts) became manifest to them and they began to stick together the leaves of Paradise over themselves (in order to cover their shame). Their Lord called out to them saying “Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you, Verily Satan is an open enemy unto you?”

They said: “Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers.” Allah said: “Get down one of you an enemy to the other (i.e. Adam, Eve, and Satan etc). On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment, for a time.” He said: “therein you shall live, and therein you shall die, and from it you shall be brought out (resurrected).” (Chapter 7:11-25 Qur’an)

We imagine when Allah the Almighty decided to create Adam: He addressed His angels and told them to prostrate before him. He did not mean to ask their opinion or take their advice, for He is
above that. Allah the Exalted told them that He was going to create a vicegerent on the earth who would have children and grandchildren who would corrupt the earth and shed each other’s blood. That is why the angels said to Allah the Almighty: “Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood!” (Chapter 2:30 Quran).

There are old traditions about the angels before the creation of Adam. According to Ibn Qatadah, it was said that the angels were informed about the creation of Adam and his progency by the jinn who lived before Adam. Abdullah Ibn Umar said that the jinn had existed for about 2000 years before Adam and then shed blood. Therefore Allah sent on them an army of angels that drove them out to the depths of the seas.

Ibn Abi Hatim narrated from Ali jafar Al Baqer that the angels were informed that man would cause wickedness and shed blood on earth. It was also said that they knew that no one would be
created on earth who would not be wicked and shed blood.

Whether or not these traditions are correct, the angels did understand that Allah would create a vicegerent on earth. Allah the Almighty announced that HE was going to create a human being
out of clay, that HE would mould him and blow His spirit into him and then the angels should prostrate before him.

Abi Musa al Sha’arai narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Allah created Adam from a handful of dust taken from different lands, so the children of Adam have
been created according to the composition of the land. Therefore from mankind we have white, red, black and yellow ones; we have good and evil, ease and sorrow, and what comes in between
them.” (Sahih al Bukhari).

Download the book and read more about the Story of Adam (as) and other Prophets in the Stories Of The Prophets By Ibn Kathir

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