1. Leaders of the People of Paradise

2. There will be leaders amongst the men of Paradise and A number of companions report that the prophet said: ● Abû Bakr and 'Umar will be the leaders of men of Paradise from the earlier and later generations." ● [Silsilat al-Hadîth]

3. Also there will be leaders amongst the youth ● At-Tirmidhi, al-Hâkim, at- Tabarâni, Ahmad and others reported that Abû Sa'îd al-Khudri said, that the Messenger of Allâh (saw) said, ● "Hasan and Husayn are the leaders of the youth of Paradise".

4. There will also be leaders amongst the women ● The true female leader is the one with whom her Rabb is pleased and whose deeds He accepts. The best women are those who attain the Paradise of delights. ● The women of Paradise are of different levels, and the Messenger (saw) told us about their leaders: ● "The Messenger of Allah (saw) dew four lines and said, "Do you know what these are?" They said, "Allah and His Messenger know best." He said, "The best women of Paradise are Khadîjah bint Khuwaylid, Fâtimah bint Muhammad, Maryam bint 'Imrân and آsiyah bin Muzahim, the wife of Fir'awn" ● [Silsilat al-Hadîth as-Sahîhah]

5. The reason why Maryam is considered the best of all women is clearly stated in the Qur'ân: ● "Behold! the angels said, "O Maryam! Allah has chosen you and purified you, chosen you above the women of all nations." [3:42] ● How could she not be the best of women when Allah has clearly stated that, ● "..her Rabb accepted her with a goodly acceptance. He made her to grow in a good manner". ● [3:37]

6. These four women are beautiful examples of perfect, righteous women. Maryam, the daughter of 'Imrân, is praised by Allâh in the Qur'ân: ● "And Maryam, daughter of Imrân, who guarded her chastity; and We breather into [the sleeve of her shirt/garment] through Our Ruh [i.e. Jibrîl] and she testified to the truth of the Words of her Rabb, and [also believed in] His Scriptures and she was one of the Qânitîn [obedient to Allah]" ● [66:12]

7. Khadîjah as-Siddîqah believed in the Messenger (saw) without hesitation; she consoled him and supported him in every way. ● Her Rabb gave her the good news, during her lifetime, of a place in Paradise in which there would be no noise or exhaustion ● [al-Bukhâri]

8. Asiyah the wife of Fir'awn, despised the power and luxuries of this world and rejected Pharaoh and his false claims of divinity, so her husband tortured her until her soul departed to her Creator: ● "And Allâh sets forth an example for those who believe, the wife of Pharaoh, when she said, "My Rabb! Build for me a home with You in Paradise, and save me from Pharaoh and his works, and save me from the Dhâlimûn [those that do wrong]" ● [66:11].

9. Fâtimah az-Zahrâ, the daughter of the Prophet (saw) was patient and forbearing, and feared Allâh ● She was a branch from the pure tree, brought up by the educator of humanity.

10. In addition there are 10 companions who were given the good news of paradise during their lifetime: ● The Messenger (saw) clearly stated that ten of his Companions would be in Paradise: "Abû Bakr will be in Paradise, 'Umar will be in Paradise, 'Uthmân will be in Paradise, 'Ali will be in Paradise, Talhah will be in Paradise, az- Zubayr will be in Paradise, 'Abdur- Rahmân ibn 'Awf will be in Paradise, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqâs will be in Paradise, Sa'îd ibn Zayd will be in Paradise and Abû 'Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrâh will be in Paradise." ● - Tirmidhi

11. The Books of the Sunnah tell us that one day the Prophet (saw) was sitting at the well of 'Arîs, with Abû Musa al-Ash'ari acting as his gatekeeper. Abû Bakr as-Siddîq came and asked permission to see him, and the Messenger of Allâh (saw) said ● Let him in, and give him the glad tidings of Paradise". Then 'Umar came and he said, "Let him in and give him the glad tidings of Paradise". Then 'Uthmân came and he said, "Let him in, and give him the glad tidings of Paradise because of an affliction that will befall him" ● [al-Bukhâri, Muslim]

12. Ibn 'Asâkir reported with a sahîh isnâd from Ibn Mas'ûd that the Prophet (saw) said Ibn 'Asâkir reported with a sahîh isnâd from Ibn Mas'ûd that the Prophet (saw) said, ● My successor will be in Paradise, his successor will be in Paradise, and the third and fourth will be in Paradise." [namely, the Khulafâ Rashida] ● [Sahîh al-Jâmi]

13. Others were given the good news of Paradise as well: ● Abû Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allâh (saw) said ● "I saw Ja'far ibn Abi Tâlib flying like an angel with his two wings in Paradise" [at-Tirmidhi,] ● Ibn 'Abbâs narrated that the Prophet (saw) said ● "I entered Paradise yesterday and looked at it, and saw Ja'far flying with the angels, and I saw Hamzah reclining on a couch" [Sahîh al-Jâmi'] ● In a sahîh hadîth the Prophet (saw) said, ● "The leader of the martyrs is Hamzah ibn 'Abdul-Muttâlib" ● [Sahîh al-Jâmi']

14. Also Mu'ad tells us that the Prophet said: ● Abdullâh ibn Salâm is the tenth of the first ten to enter Paradise" [Sahîh al-Jâmi'] ● "I entered Paradise and I was welcomed by a young girl. I asked, "Who do you belong to?" She said, "To Zayd ibn Harithah" [Sahîh al- Jâmi] ● "I entered Paradise and I saw that Zayd ibn 'Amr ibn Nufayl had two levels." [Sahîh al-Jâm] ● I entered Paradise and I heard someone reciting. I asked, "Who is that?" They said, "Harithah ibn al- Nu'mân; this is the righteous man" ● [Sahîh al-Jâmi]

15. Also the Prophet said: ● “I entered Paradise, and heard footsteps ahead of me. I asked, "What is this sound?" I was told, "This is Bilâl, walking in front of you"" [Sahîh al-Jâmi'] ● "I entered Paradise on the night of Isrâ' and I heard an indistinct sound from the side. I asked "What is this, O Jibrîl?" He said, "Bilâl, the muadhin" [Sahîh al-jâmi'] ● The Messenger (saw) said, "How many bunches of dates are hanging for Abud-Dahdah in Paradise!" And Do not slander Waraqah ibn Nawfal for I have seen that he will have one or two gardens in Paradise" ● [Sahîh al-Jâmi]