Talha ibn ‘Ubaydallah (radhiallahu `anhu) reported that two men came to the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) who had accepted Islam at the same time. One of them used to partake in Jihad more-so than the other, and so (one day) he fought in a battle and was martyred therein. The other remained behind him for another year, and then he passed away.
Talha said, ‘I saw in my dream that I was at the door of Paradise when behold, I was with both of them (the two men). Someone came out of Paradise and allowed the man who passed away later to enter first. Then he came out again and allowed the martyred one to enter. Then he returned and said to me, ‘Go back, for your time has not come yet.’
Talha woke up and began to inform others about this and they were all surprised. This reached the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) and when they informed him of it, he said:
من أي ذلك تعجبون؟ قالوا: يا رسول اللهّ هذا كان أشد الرجلين اجتهاداً ثم استشهد ودخل هذا الآخر الجنة قبله فقال رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وسلم) : أليس قد مكث هذا بعده سنة؟ قالوا: بلى. قال: أدرك رمضان فصام وصلى كذا وكذا من سجدة في السنة؟ قالوا: بلى. قال رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وسلم): فما بينهما أبعد مما بين السماء والأرض
He (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘What are you surprised about?’ They said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Out of them both, this one strove harder (in Jihad) then he was martyred but this other one was entered into Paradise before him.’ The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘Did he not remain behind him for one year?’ They said, ‘Yes (he did).’ He said, ‘Did he not reach Ramadan, fast and pray with such and such number of prostrations in the year?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘So the difference between them is greater than what is between the heavens and the earth.’
– Sahih narration from Ibn Majah (2/345, 346) and al-Albani’s ‘al-Silsilah al-Sahihah’
Make the most of Ramadan, we seriously don’t realise its greatness, worth and reward.
Early Ramadan Mubarak to all 🙂
subhanAllaahil ‘adhim! May Allaah help us to reach ramadan and spend it in a deserving manner, ameen!
Jazaakillaah khayr ukhtil karimah!
walekum salaam wa rahmatuallahi wa barakatuhu
Mashallah
Jazakallahu khair ukhtee
Also i’d like to add few points
Abu bakr [radiallatala anhu] died before the death of Omar [radiallatala anha] but still Abu bakr [radiallatala anhu] is the number one after the Prophets [alai salaam] in greatness.Omar [radiallatala anhu] is number two.
The hadith has its importance & the above point has value too.
was’salaam.
Barakallahu feeki sis
I agree 🙂
Also a point to note: The two men spoken of in the narration had accepted Islam at the same time so although their deeds were similar, what distinguished between them was the latter having an extra opportunity to witness Ramadan and in effect another year of worship etc. Abu Bakr’s deeds have surpassed everyone else’s in the Ummah and he was also from the first to accept Islam, radhiallahu `anhu. There are also examples of people who didn’t live long lives but they shall surpass the righteous ‘ubbad on the Day of Judgement simply due to the greatness of their deeds and sincerity etc (e.g. shuhada’).
A nice hadith from Rasulullah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) which relates to all this is:
When he was asked ‘Who is the best from amongst the people?’ He replied:
من طال عمره وحسن عمله
‘He who’s life is long and his deeds are righteous.’
When asked ‘Who is the worst from amongst the people?’ He said,
من طال عمره و ساء عمره
‘He who’s life is long and his deeds are wretched.’
[Ahmad, al-Tirmidhi; Hasan sahih]
I too agree ukhti 🙂
Just sharing …
Fatima [may Allah be pleased with her] lived a short life but she is the number one .
Saa’d ibn Muadh lived for 7 years after accepting Islam & Allah’s throne shook at his death due to commotion of Angels.
Some people are so great Mashallah!
Allahuakbar!
JazakiAllahu khairan. 🙂 May Allah subhanna wa ta’aala allow us to reach and benefit from Ramadaan. Ameen.
Assalamulaikum,
Masha Allah………… May Allah subhanna wa ta’aala allow us to reach and benefit from Ramadaan. Ameen.
Regards,
Faziya
Ramadhan Mubarak, May Allah grant us the tawfique to attain his mercy this month and accept our prayers and deeds. Nice article.
Ramadan Mubarak brother, I pray you and your family are doing well! Jazakallahu khayran, amin to the du’a. Please give my salams and Ramadan greetings to sister Umm Mu’adh, taqabbal’Allahu minna wa minkum salih al-a’mal.