38/22. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2561 — Paradise and Fire Debate
What Has Been Related About the Debate Between Paradise and the Fire
Paradise and Fire Debate: Mercy, Pride, and Humility
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2561
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2561
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَةُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " احْتَجَّتِ الْجَنَّةُ وَالنَّارُ فَقَالَتِ الْجَنَّةُ يَدْخُلُنِي الضُّعَفَاءُ وَالْمَسَاكِينُ . وَقَالَتِ النَّارُ يَدْخُلُنِي الْجَبَّارُونَ وَالْمُتَكَبِّرُونَ . فَقَالَ لِلنَّارِ أَنْتِ عَذَابِي أَنْتَقِمُ بِكِ مِمَّنْ شِئْتُ . وَقَالَ لِلْجَنَّةِ أَنْتِ رَحْمَتِي أَرْحَمُ بِكِ مَنْ شِئْتُ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: "Paradise And The Fire Debated. Paradise Said: 'The Weak And The Poor Shall Enter Me,' And The Fire Said: 'The Tyrants And The Proud Shall Enter Me.' So He Said To The Fire: 'You Are My Punishment, I Take Vengeance Through You From Whom I Will,' And He Said To Paradise: 'You Are My Mercy I Show Mercy Through You To Whom I Will.'"
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2561In-book reference : Book 38, Hadith 39English translation : Vol. 4, Book 12, Hadith 2561
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2561
This Hadith about Paradise and Hell shows a clear contrast between two groups of people. Paradise mentions the weak and the poor, while the Fire mentions tyrants and the proud. The lesson is not that poverty alone saves a person, or that power alone destroys a person. The text points to humility, weakness before Allah, and freedom from pride as qualities connected with Paradise. It also warns that tyranny and arrogance are linked with the Fire. Allah describes Paradise as His mercy and the Fire as His punishment. So the Hadith teaches believers to ask for Allah's mercy, stay humble, and keep away from oppression and pride.
What we learn from this hadith
- Paradise is described as a mercy from Allah.
- The Fire is described as a punishment through which Allah takes vengeance as He wills.
- Weakness and poverty are mentioned with Paradise, while tyranny and pride are mentioned with the Fire.
- The text warns against arrogance and oppression.
