38/9. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2541 — Sidrat al-Muntaha and Paradise Fruits
What Has Been Related Concerning the Description of the Fruits of Paradise
Sidrat al-Muntaha Hadith: Vast Shade and Fruits
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2541
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2541
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يُونُسُ بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ عَبَّادِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَسْمَاءَ بِنْتِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ، قَالَتْ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ وَذُكِرَ لَهُ سِدْرَةُ الْمُنْتَهَى قَالَ " يَسِيرُ الرَّاكِبُ فِي ظِلِّ الْفَنَنِ مِنْهَا مِائَةَ سَنَةٍ أَوْ يَسْتَظِلُّ بِظِلِّهَا مِائَةُ رَاكِبٍ شَكَّ يَحْيَى فِيهَا فَرَاشُ الذَّهَبِ كَأَنَّ ثَمَرَهَا الْقِلاَلُ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ .
Asma' bint Abu Bakr Narrated from:
I Heard The Messenger Of Allah (S.A.W) While Mentioning The Lote-Tree Of The Utmost Boundary, Saying: 'A Rider Will Travel In The Shade Of One Of Its Branches For A Hundred Years,' Or 'A Hundred Riders Will Seek To Shade Themselves With Its Shade'-(One Of The Narrators) Yahya' Was In Doubt- 'In It Are Butterflies Of Gold, It Is As If Its Fruits Are Qilal.
[1] See no. 67. Qilāl is plural of Qullah which is a large measure. Here, it means that its fruits are like Qilāl in size.Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2541In-book reference : Book 38, Hadith 19English translation : Vol. 4, Book 12, Hadith 2541
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2541
This hadith describes Sidrat al-Muntaha, the Lote-Tree of the Utmost Boundary, with words that point to the amazing scale and beauty of Paradise. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم mentions that a rider could travel in the shade of one of its branches for a hundred years, or that a hundred riders could find shade beneath it. The narrator notes doubt in the exact wording, so the explanation should keep that care. The hadith also mentions butterflies of gold and fruits that are like qilal, meaning large vessels. The main lesson is not to imagine Paradise as something small or ordinary. Its blessings are far beyond the normal things people see in this world.
What we learn from this hadith
- Paradise contains blessings greater than ordinary worldly experience.
- The narration teaches care when a narrator is unsure about wording.
- Sidrat al-Muntaha is described with great shade, beauty, and fruit.
- The hadith invites hope in the vast gifts Allah has prepared.
