Abu Sa`id, whoever cheerfully accepts Allah as his Lord, Islam as his religion and Muhammad as his Apostle is necessarily entitled to enter Paradise. He (Abu Sa`id) wondered at it and said: Messenger of Allah, repeat it for me. He (the Messenger of Allah) did that and said: There is another act which elevates the position of a man in Paradise to a grade one hundred (higher), and the elevation between one grade and the other is equal to the height of the heaven from the earth. He (Abu Sa`id) said: What is that act? He replied: Jihad in the way of Allah! Jihad in the way of Allah!
Narrated by It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Sa`id al-Khudri that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said (to him):
Context
In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasizes the significance of faith and acceptance of Allah as the Lord, Islam as the religion, and Muhammad as the Prophet. Abu Sa`id al-Khudri expresses his astonishment at the promise of Paradise for those who sincerely embrace these beliefs. The Prophet (ﷺ) further highlights the merit of jihad in the way of Allah, which elevates a believer's status in Paradise significantly.
Modern Application
This principle encourages individuals to reflect on their beliefs and commitment to their faith. In everyday life, it can inspire Muslims to engage in acts of kindness, community service, or personal development as forms of 'jihad' that strengthen their faith and contribute positively to society.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Paradise and Jihad because it promises Paradise to those who accept Allah, Islam, and Muhammad, and highlights jihad as a means to elevate one's status in the afterlife.
Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah, so they kill and are killed. [It is] a true promise [binding] upon Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'an. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah? So rejoice in your transaction which you have contracted. And it is that which is the great attainment.
These are the limits [set by] Allah, and whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger will be admitted by Him to gardens [in Paradise] under which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein; and that is the great attainment.
Indeed, those who have said, "Our Lord is Allah " and then remained on a right course - the angels will descend upon them, [saying], "Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised.
And those who believed and did righteous deeds will be admitted to gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein by permission of their Lord; and their greeting therein will be, "Peace!"
This hadith is #4744 from Sahih Muslim, in the Book of The Book on Government. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Sa`id al-Khudri that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said (to him):.
