The student reading a research paper on the levels of Paradise and the Shaykh’s comments on it
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The student: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon the noblest of the prophets and messengers, our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.
As for what follows:
This is a research paper I have written on the number of levels of Paradise, in which I have gathered some of the narrations I have come across.
First: Al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Yahya ibn Salih narrated to us, saying: Fulayh narrated to us, from Hilaal ibn Ali, from Ata ibn Yasar, from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih al-Bukhari 2790.
The Shaykh : Allah is the Greatest!
The student:Sahih al-Bukhari 2790. Al-Bukhari narrated it in the Book of Jihad, in the chapter on the levels of those who strive in the cause of Allah, in al-Fath, volume 6, page 14, number 2790. He also narrated it in the Book of Tawhid, in the chapter: “And His Throne was over the water, and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne,” in al-Fath, volume 13, page 415, number 7423.
Al-Nasa'i also narrated it in his Sunan al-Sughra, volume 6, page 20, from the hadith of Abu al-Darda with the wording:Sunan an-Nasa'i 3132Hasan (Darussalam), and he also narrated it in his Sunan al-Kubra, volume 3.
The Shaykh : Okay, does Paradise have one hundred levels?
The student: Yes.
The Shaykh : And what comes after that?
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : Because it varies. If one says, “Paradise has one hundred levels,” and stops there, it means that the levels of Paradise are one hundred. But if one says:Sahih al-Bukhari 7423, it does not imply exclusivity.
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : Yes. That is fine.
The student: He also narrated it in his Sunan al-Kubra, volume 3, page 14, from the hadith of Abu al-Darda with the wording:As-Sunan al-Kubra lil-Nasa'i 17:47.
The Shaykh : One hundred.
The student: One hundred levels. And al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar said regarding the phrase:: “It is not explicitly stated in its context that the number mentioned is all the levels of Paradise without addition, because there is nothing in it that negates that. This is supported by the marfu' hadith of Abu Sa'id, which Abu Dawud narrated and al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah graded as authentic: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2914Hasan (Darussalam). And the number of verses in the Qur'an is more than 6200.
And Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his book Hadi al-Arwah ila Bilad al-Afrah: “.
The Shaykh : That it, that it.
The student: “It is established in the two Sahihs that”
The Shaykh : Listen, whenever “in” (inna) comes in reported speech, it is broken (kasrah). Remember this, remember it in the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Maryam 19:30], whenever “inna” comes in reported speech, it must be broken, yes.
The student: “It is established in the two Sahihs from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2531Sahih (Darussalam), and this indicates that it is at the highest point. The hadith has two wordings, this is one of them, and the second is: Sunan al-Bayhaqi 16:1087”.
And he said: “As for his Shaykh, he prefers the second wording, the second wording”.
The Shaykh : The wording, the wording.
The student: “The second wording, and this does not contradict that the levels of Paradise may be more than that. The parallel to this is his saying in the authentic hadith:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3508Sahih (Darussalam)”.
The Shaykh : Hamzat al-wasl.
The student: “Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3508Sahih (Darussalam) Meaning: Among His names is this amount, so the statement is a single sentence in both places”.
This, and may Allah send peace and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.
The Shaykh : Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) benefited us by stating that the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):As-Sunan al-Kubra lil-Nasa'i 17:47 does not contradict that there may be more, because there is no negation that there are more, but there is something in the mind about this.
The student: May Allah reward you, ... the mujahideen ...
The Shaykh : But he did not quote the hadith; if he had quoted the hadith, it might have become clear. But Ibn Hajar mentioned that Paradise has one hundred levels, that Paradise is one hundred levels.
The student: Does this hadith not indicate, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : Which one?
The student:
The Shaykh : It does not indicate that Paradise is one hundred levels.
The student: We say more than that.
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.
The student: His citation regarding the recitation of the Qur'an, every verse.
The Shaykh : Yes, a strong citation, no doubt about it.
The student: ...
The Shaykh : Who?
The student: Khalid al-Nazal.
The Shaykh : Khalid al-Nazal. What do you have? Come on.
The student: ...
The Shaykh : Huh? Is the time running out?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : By Allah, it has not been clarified yet. If the wording of al-Nasa'i that the brother Ashraf quoted had been there, it might have become clear.
The student: Based on the existing context.
The Shaykh : What?
The student: Based on the existing context that he mentioned.
The Shaykh : It does not indicate; the existing context implies exclusivity.
The student: More than one hundred?
The Shaykh : ..., yes.
The student: How do we reconcile the other hadith, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : Which one?
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : Perhaps these levels are not the levels of the dwellings, meaning, for example, a large dwelling has steps, but the dwellings do not exceed one hundred. For example, we can say we consider these dwellings like floors; the first floor has steps, the second floor has steps, and so on, yes.
The student: May Allah reward you ... .
The Shaykh : What?
The student: The hadith ... that he mentioned ...
The Shaykh : Yes, yes.
The student: Citing it as evidence, does this not indicate exclusivity?
The Shaykh : He cited it as evidence for the lack of exclusivity; he cited it as evidence that it is not limited to one hundred.
The student: Does this hadith not indicate, O Shaykh, that there is nothing in Paradise greater than one hundred?
The Shaykh : That is it, that is what he cited as evidence.
The student: ...
The Shaykh : One hundred levels?
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : From what?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : Who narrated it?
The student: Al-Tirmidhi and al-Hakim narrated it ... .
The Shaykh : What is its wording? Its wording?
The student: In Paradise are one hundred levels, between ... .
The Shaykh : Yes.
The student: In another hadith:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2529Sahih (Darussalam) Al-Tirmidhi narrated it, and said: “A good, authentic hadith”.
The Shaykh : This is clear..
And upon you be peace.
This is clear; the exclusivity in it is clear. And it is said regarding this: The levels are varied; the major, great levels are limited to one hundred, and those below them may be limited to one hundred for the mujahideen. The reciter of the Qur'an also has specific levels, just as the levels between floors, for example, each floor has twenty levels between it and the other, yes.
The student: Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes. Come on.
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : The research is finished.
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : Perhaps this is what Mazen said; it is clear in it.
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon the noblest of the prophets and messengers, our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.
As for what follows:
This is a research paper I have written on the number of levels of Paradise, in which I have gathered some of the narrations I have come across.
First: Al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Yahya ibn Salih narrated to us, saying: Fulayh narrated to us, from Hilaal ibn Ali, from Ata ibn Yasar, from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Whoever believes in Allah and His Apostle, offer prayer perfectly and fasts the month of Ramadan, will rightfully be granted Paradise by Allah, no matter whether he fights in Allah's Cause or remains in the land where he is born.
من آمن بالله وبرسوله وأقام الصلاة وصام رمضان كان حقا على الله أن يدخله الجنة جاهد في سبيل الله أو جلس في أرضه التي ولد فيهاThe Shaykh : Allah is the Greatest!
The student:
or remains in the land where he is born." The people said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ! Shall we acquaint the people with the is good news?" He said, "Paradise has one-hundred grades which Allah has reserved for the Mujahidin who fight in His Cause, and the distance between each of two grades is like the distance between the Heaven and the Earth. So, when you ask Allah (for something), ask for Al-firdaus which is the best and highest part of Paradise." (i.e. The sub-narrator added, "I think the Prophet also said, 'Above it (i.e. Al-Firdaus) is the Throne of Beneficent (i.e. Allah), and from it originate the rivers of Paradise.")
أو جلس في أرضه التي ولد فيها. فقالوا: يا رسول الله أفلا نبشر الناس؟ قال: إن في الجنة مائة درجة أعدها الله للمجاهدين في سبيل الله، ما بين الدرجتين كما بين السماء والأرض، فإذا سألتم الله فاسألوه الفردوس الأعلى، فإنه أوسط الجنة وأعلى الجنة، وفوقه عرش الرحمن، ومنه تفجر أنهار الجنةAl-Nasa'i also narrated it in his Sunan al-Sughra, volume 6, page 20, from the hadith of Abu al-Darda with the wording:
In Paradise there are one hundred levels
إن للجنة مائة درجةThe Shaykh : Okay, does Paradise have one hundred levels?
The student: Yes.
The Shaykh : And what comes after that?
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : Because it varies. If one says, “Paradise has one hundred levels,” and stops there, it means that the levels of Paradise are one hundred. But if one says:
There are one-hundred degrees in Paradise which Allah has prepared for those who carry on
إن للجنة مائة درجة أعدها الله للمجاهدينThe student: ... .
The Shaykh : Yes. That is fine.
The student: He also narrated it in his Sunan al-Kubra, volume 3, page 14, from the hadith of Abu al-Darda with the wording:
Indeed, Paradise is one hundred levels.
إن الجنة مائةَ درجةThe Shaykh : One hundred.
The student: One hundred levels. And al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar said regarding the phrase:
One hundred degrees
مائة درجةIt shall be said - meaning to the one who memorized the Qur'an - 'Recite, and rise up, recite (melodiously) as you would recite in the world. For indeed your rank shall be at the last Ayah you recited.'
يقال لصاحب القرآن اقرأ وارق ورتل كما كنت ترتل في الدنيا، فإن منزلتك عند آخر آية تقرأهاAnd Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his book Hadi al-Arwah ila Bilad al-Afrah: “.
The Shaykh : That it, that it.
The student: “It is established in the two Sahihs that”
The Shaykh : Listen, whenever “in” (inna) comes in reported speech, it is broken (kasrah). Remember this, remember it in the saying of Allah the Exalted:
[Jesus] said, "Indeed, I am the servant of Allah
قال إني عبد اللهThe student: “It is established in the two Sahihs from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:
In Paradise, there are a hundred levels, what is between every two levels is like what is between the heavens and the earth
الجنة مائةُ درجة، ما بين كل درجتين كما بين السماء والأرضIndeed, in Paradise there are one hundred degrees, and the distance between every two degrees is like the distance between the sky and the earth, which Allah has prepared for those who strive in His cause.
إن في الجنة مائة درجة ما بين كل درجتين كما بين السماء والأرض، أعدها الله للمجاهدين في سبيلهAnd he said: “As for his Shaykh, he prefers the second wording, the second wording”.
The Shaykh : The wording, the wording.
The student: “The second wording, and this does not contradict that the levels of Paradise may be more than that. The parallel to this is his saying in the authentic hadith:
Indeed, Allah has ninety-nine Names, whoever counts them shall enter Paradise.
إن لله تسعة وتسعين إسماً من أحصاها دخل الجنةThe Shaykh :
Ninety-nine names.
تسعة وتسعين اسماThe student: “
Indeed, Allah has ninety-nine Names, whoever counts them shall enter Paradise.
إن لله تسعة وتسعين اسماً من أحصاها دخل الجنةThis, and may Allah send peace and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.
The Shaykh : Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) benefited us by stating that the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Indeed, Paradise is one hundred degrees.
إن الجنة مائة درجةThe student: May Allah reward you, ... the mujahideen ...
The Shaykh : But he did not quote the hadith; if he had quoted the hadith, it might have become clear. But Ibn Hajar mentioned that Paradise has one hundred levels, that Paradise is one hundred levels.
The student: Does this hadith not indicate, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : Which one?
The student:
Indeed, the mujahideen.
إن المجاهدينThe Shaykh : It does not indicate that Paradise is one hundred levels.
The student: We say more than that.
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.
The student: His citation regarding the recitation of the Qur'an, every verse.
The Shaykh : Yes, a strong citation, no doubt about it.
The student: ...
The Shaykh : Who?
The student: Khalid al-Nazal.
The Shaykh : Khalid al-Nazal. What do you have? Come on.
The student: ...
The Shaykh : Huh? Is the time running out?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : By Allah, it has not been clarified yet. If the wording of al-Nasa'i that the brother Ashraf quoted had been there, it might have become clear.
The student: Based on the existing context.
The Shaykh : What?
The student: Based on the existing context that he mentioned.
The Shaykh : It does not indicate; the existing context implies exclusivity.
The student: More than one hundred?
The Shaykh : ..., yes.
The student: How do we reconcile the other hadith, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : Which one?
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : Perhaps these levels are not the levels of the dwellings, meaning, for example, a large dwelling has steps, but the dwellings do not exceed one hundred. For example, we can say we consider these dwellings like floors; the first floor has steps, the second floor has steps, and so on, yes.
The student: May Allah reward you ... .
The Shaykh : What?
The student: The hadith ... that he mentioned ...
The Shaykh : Yes, yes.
The student: Citing it as evidence, does this not indicate exclusivity?
The Shaykh : He cited it as evidence for the lack of exclusivity; he cited it as evidence that it is not limited to one hundred.
The student: Does this hadith not indicate, O Shaykh, that there is nothing in Paradise greater than one hundred?
The Shaykh : That is it, that is what he cited as evidence.
The student: ...
The Shaykh : One hundred levels?
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : From what?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : Who narrated it?
The student: Al-Tirmidhi and al-Hakim narrated it ... .
The Shaykh : What is its wording? Its wording?
The student: In Paradise are one hundred levels, between ... .
The Shaykh : Yes.
The student: In another hadith:
In Paradise, there are a hundred levels, between every two levels is (the distance of) a hundred years.
الجنة مائة درجة ما بين كل درجتين مائة عامThe Shaykh : This is clear.
Paradise is one hundred degrees.
الجنة مائة درجةAnd upon you be peace.
This is clear; the exclusivity in it is clear. And it is said regarding this: The levels are varied; the major, great levels are limited to one hundred, and those below them may be limited to one hundred for the mujahideen. The reciter of the Qur'an also has specific levels, just as the levels between floors, for example, each floor has twenty levels between it and the other, yes.
The student: Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes. Come on.
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : The research is finished.
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : Perhaps this is what Mazen said; it is clear in it.