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The Gates of Paradise

Dr. ʿAbdullāh al-Shimirī

Descriptions of the Gates of Paradise and who will enter into it from them; all taken from the Book of Allāh and the authentic narrations of the Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam).

The gates of Paradise will be opened on Mondays and on Thursdays, and every servant [of Allāh] who associates nothing with Allāh will be forgiven, except for the man who has a grudge against his brother.

Related in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 

“Gardens of perpetual bliss – they shall enter them, as well as the righteous among their fathers, their spouses and their offspring. And angels shall enter upon them every gate.”
[Ṣūrah al-Ra`d, 13:23]

“This is a reminder. Verily, for the righteous is a beautiful place of [final] return – gardens of eternity, whose doors will [always] be open to them.”
[Ṣūrah al Saʿd, 38:49-50]

“And those who feared their Lord will be led to the Garden in crowds, until behold, they arrive there. Its gates will be opened, and its keepers will say, ‘Peace be upon you!’ Well have you done, do enter it, abiding [in it] eternally.”
[Al-Zumar, 39:73]

Sahl ibn Saʿd reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Paradise has eight gates, and one of them is called al-Rayyān, through which none will enter but those who observe fasting.” [al-Bukhārī]

Abū Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever spends two things in the way of Allāh will be called from the gates of Paradise and will be addressed, ‘Oh slave of Allāh, here is prosperity!’ So whoever was among the people who used to offer their prayers will be called from the gate of the prayer; and whoever was among the people who used to participate in jihād will be called from the gate of jihād; and whoever was among those who used to observe fasts will be called from the gate of al-Rayyān; and whoever was among those who used to give charity will be called from the gate of charity.” Abū Bakr said, “Let my parents be sacrificed for you, oh Allāh’s Apostle! No distress or need will befall him who will be called from those gates. Will there be anyone who will be called from all these gates?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, “Yes, and I hope you will be one of them.” [al-Bukhārī]

ʿUqba ibn ʿĀmir said:

“We were entrusted with the task of tending the camels. On my turn, when I came back in the evening after grazing them in the pastures, I found Allāh’s Messenger (peace be upon him) stand and address the people. I heard these words of his, ‘If any Muslim performs ablution well, then stands and prays two rakʿahs, setting about them with his heart as well as his face, Paradise will be guaranteed to him.’ I said, ‘What a fine thing this is!’ A narrator who was before me said, ‘The first was even better than this.’ When I cast a glance, I saw that it was ʿUmar who said, ‘I see that you have just come and observed. If anyone among you performs the ablution, completes the ablution well and says, “I testify that there is no god but Allāh and that Muḥammad is the servant of Allāh and His Messenger,” then the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him and he may enter by whichever of them he wishes.” [Muslim]

Abū Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger (peace be upon him) said:

“The gates of Paradise will be opened on Mondays and on Thursdays, and every servant [of Allāh] who associates nothing with Allāh will be forgiven, except for the man who has a grudge against his brother. [About them] it will be said, ‘Delay these two until they are reconciled. Delay these two until they are reconciled. Delay these two until they are reconciled.'” [Muslim, Mālik, Abū Dāwūd]

Published: May 28, 2007
Edited: August 7, 2022