The People of Paradise: The Leaders of the People of Paradise

[bamalli]

*The People of Paradise: The Leaders of the People of Paradise*

**

*(i)* The Leaders of the Men

A number of the Sahaabah, including 'Ali ibn Abi Taalib, Anas ibn Maalik,
Abu Hudhayfah, Jaabir ibn 'Abdullaah, and Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri reported that
the Messenger (saw) said, "Abu Bakr and 'Umar will be the leaders of men of
Paradise from the earlier and later generations. "* [Silsilat al-Hadith
as-Saheehah, 12/487, no. 824]*

*(ii)* The Leaders of the Youth

at-Tirmidhi, al-Haakim, at-Tabaraani, Ahmad and others reported that Abu
Sa'eed al-Khudri said, that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "Hasan and
Husayn are the leaders of the youth of Paradise". This is proven by so many
reports that reach the level of tawatur. *[see also the narration from
Hudhayfah and from 'Abdullaah ibn 'Umar in Ibn 'Asaakir - Silsilat al-Hadith
as-Saheehah, no. 797]*

*(iii)* The Leaders of 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) drew 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 Khadeejah bint Khuwaylid, Faatimah bint Muhammad,
Maryam bint 'Imraan and Aasiyah bin Muzahim, the wife of Fir'awn" *[Silsilat
al-Hadith as-Saheehah, 4/13, no. 1508, from Ahmad at-Tahhaawi, al-Haakim
from Ibn 'Abbaas, saheeh]*

Maryam and Khadeejah are the best of the four - "The best of its women is
Maryam and the best of its women is Khadeejah" *[from 'Ali in al-Bukhaari,
Kitaab Manaaqib al-Ansaar, Fath al-Baari, 7/133]* - and Maryam is the "First
Lady" - "The leaders of the women of Paradise, AFTER Maryam bint 'Imraan
will be.." *[Silsilat al-Hadith as-Saheehah, 3/410, no. 1424, from Jaabir in
at-Tabaraani, saheeh]*. The reason why Maryam is considered the best of all
women is clearly stated in the Qur'an:

"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]*

These four women are beautiful examples of perfect, righteous women. Maryam,
the daughter of 'Imraan, is praised by Allah in the Qur'an:

"And Maryam, daughter of Imraan, who guarded her chastity; and We breather
into [the sleeve of her shirt/garment] through Our Ruh [i.e. Jibreel] and
she testified to the truth of the Words of her Rabb, and [also believed in]
His Scriptures and she was one of the Qaaniteen [obedient to Allah]" *
[66:12]*

Khadeejah as-Siddeeqah 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-Bukhaari, Kitaab al-Manaaqib, Fath al-Baari, 7/133]
*

Aasiyah 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 Allah 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 Dhaalimoon [those that
do wrong]" *[66:11].*

Faatimah az-Zahraa, the daughter of the Prophet (saw) was patient and
forbearing, and feared Allah. She was a branch from the pure tree, brought
up by the educator of humanity.

Compiled from various sources.