The Hadith of the Seventy Thousand: Entering Paradise Without Reckoning
In Islamic tradition, hadiths—recorded sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)—serve as a vital source of guidance alongside the Quran. One particularly inspiring hadith, found in authentic collections like Sahih Muslim and Sahih al-Bukhari, speaks of a blessed group from the Prophet’s ummah (community) who will enter Paradise without facing judgment or punishment (bypassing trials like those of [Munkar and Nakir]). This narrative not only highlights divine mercy but also emphasizes key virtues like unwavering trust in God (tawakkul). The hadith provided in the query is a concise version narrated by Abu Hurayrah, but fuller accounts in major sources offer deeper context and explanations. Below, we explore the hadith’s text, authenticity, meanings, and significance to provide a comprehensive understanding. For broader context on the Hereafter, readers may also explore the narration describing how [Death is a spotted ram that will be slaughtered](https://islam-revealed.com/death-is-a-spotted-ram-that-will-be-slaughtered-on-the-day-of-resurrection-before-the-people/).
The Full Text of the Hadith
The query references a version from Sahih Muslim’s Book of Faith (Kitab Al-Iman), Hadith 317 (based on older numbering schemes). A more detailed narration, which aligns closely and expands on it, comes from Sahih Muslim 220a, transmitted through a chain including Husain b. ‘Abd al-Rahman and ultimately from Ibn Abbas relating the Prophet’s words. Here’s the complete English translation:
“Husain b. ‘Abd al-Rahman reported: I was with Sa’id b. Jubair when he said: Who amongst you saw a star shooting last night? I said: It was I; then I said: I was in fact not (busy) in prayer, but was stung by a scorpion (and that is the reason why I was awake and had a glimpse of the shooting star). He said: Then what did you do? I said: I practised charm. He said: What urged you to do this? I said: (I did this according to the implied suggestion) of the hadith which al-Shu’ba narrated. He said: What did al-Shu’ba narrate to you? I said: Buraida b. Husaib al-Aslami narrated to us. The charm is of no avail except in case of the (evil influence) of an eye or the sting of a scorpion. He said: He who acted according to what he had heard (from the Holy Prophet) acted rightly, but Ibn ‘Abbas narrated to us from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that he said: There were brought before me the peoples and I saw an apostle and a small group (of his followers) along with him, another (apostle) and one or two persons (along with him) and (still another) apostle having no one with him. When a very large group was brought to me I conceived as if it were my Ummah. Then it was said to me: It is Moses and his people. You should look at the horizon, and I saw a very huge group. It was again said to me: See the other side of the horizon, and there was (also) a very huge group. It was said to me: This is your Ummah, and amongst them there were seventy thousand persons who would be made to enter Paradise without rendering any account and without (suffering) any torment. He then stood up and went to his house. Then the people began to talk about the people who would be admitted to Paradise without rendering any account and without (suffering) any torment. Some of them said: They may be those who (have had the good fortune of living) in the company of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and some of them said: They be those who were born in Islam and did not associate anything with Allah. Some people mentioned other things. Thereupon came forth the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) before them and he said: What was that which you were talking about? They informed him. He said: They are those persons who neither practise charm, nor ask others to practise it, nor do they take omens, and repose their trust in their Lord. Upon this ‘Ukkasha b. Mihsan stood up and said: Supplicate for me that He should make me one among them. Upon this he (Messenger of Allah) said: Thou are one among them. Then another man stood up and said: Supplicate before Allah that he should make me one among them. Upon this he said: ‘Ukkisha has preceded you.”
A variant narrated by Abu Hurayrah in Sahih al-Bukhari (e.g., Hadith 5811) echoes the core message: “From among my followers, a group of 70,000 will enter Paradise…” Another from Imran ibn Husain in Sahih Muslim 218a specifies: “Seventy thousand people of my Ummah would be admitted into Paradise without rendering any account… ‘Ukkasha then stood up and said: Supplicate (before) Allah that He should make me one among them. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Thou art one among them… ‘Ukkasha has preceded you.”
The Arabic text for the key portion includes: “يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ مِنْ أُمَّتِي سَبْعُونَ أَلْفًا بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ” (Seventy thousand of my Ummah will enter Paradise without reckoning).
Authenticity and Chain of Narration
This hadith is classified as sahih (authentic) by major scholars, including Imam Muslim and Imam al-Bukhari. It appears in Sahih Muslim under the Book of Faith, in chapters discussing evidence for groups entering Paradise without reckoning or punishment. The chain (isnad) varies slightly across versions:
- In the Abu Hurayrah narration (query’s source): Transmitted through reliable companions and scholars.
- In Muslim 220a: From Husain b. ‘Abd al-Rahman → Hushaym → Husain b. ‘Abd al-Rahman, incorporating sub-narrations from al-Shu’ba, Buraida b. Husaib al-Aslami, and Ibn Abbas from the Prophet.
- In Muslim 218a: From Yahya b. Khalaf al-Bahili → al-Mu’tamir → Hisham b. Hassan → Muhammad (Ibn Sirin) → Imran.
These chains consist of trustworthy narrators, upholding the hadith’s reliability. Cross-references in Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Musnad Ahmad, and others further confirm its status.
Explanation and Key Concepts
The hadith unfolds in a visionary context where the Prophet sees past prophets and their followers, culminating in his vast ummah. The “seventy thousand” refers specifically to those entering Jannah (Paradise) “without reckoning” (bila hisab) or punishment—meaning they bypass the detailed accounting of deeds on Judgment Day due to their exceptional faith and purity. This does not limit Paradise’s total inhabitants to 70,000; it’s a subset of the blessed, and other hadiths expand it exponentially (e.g., “with every thousand, another seventy thousand, plus three handfuls from Allah”). Scholars like Ibn Baz clarify this highlights divine grace, not a cap on salvation.
The Prophet identifies their defining traits:
- Do not practice or seek ruqyah (charms/recitations for healing): While ruqyah is permissible (e.g., for evil eye or stings), these individuals avoid relying on others for it, preferring patience and direct supplication to Allah.
- Do not take omens (tatayyur): They reject superstitions like bad luck from birds or days, which border on shirk (associating partners with God).
- Do not cauterize (branding for treatment): They forgo painful remedies like fire cauterization, enduring trials with trust.
- Repose trust in their Lord (tawakkul): Complete reliance on Allah, submitting affairs to Him after taking lawful means.
These qualities embody pure monotheism (tawhid) and surrender, earning them swift entry to Paradise.
Who is ‘Ukkashah ibn Mihsan?
‘Ukkashah ibn Mihsan al-Asadi was a prominent companion (sahabi) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Born into the Banu Asad tribe, he embraced Islam early and pledged allegiance before the Hijrah (migration) to Madinah. He emigrated with the third group, including Uthman ibn Affan. Known for bravery, he fought in key battles like Badr (where his sword broke, and the Prophet gave him a stick that miraculously became a sword), Uhud, the Trench, and others. He led expeditions, such as against the tribes of Udhrah and Bali in 630 CE. ‘Ukkashah died around age 24 during the Wars of Apostasy under Caliph Abu Bakr, or possibly later in battles against the Persians. His request in the hadith exemplifies humility and eagerness for righteousness, securing his place among the seventy thousand.
Significance and Lessons
This hadith inspires hope, illustrating Allah’s boundless mercy amid the trials of Judgment Day. It counters misconceptions that only 70,000 Muslims will enter Paradise overall—scholars emphasize it’s about an elite group, with countless others entering after accounting or purification. The emphasis on tawakkul encourages Muslims to prioritize faith over superstitions, while permitting medical treatments as a last resort.
Related hadiths in Sunan al-Tirmidhi and others describe these entrants’ faces shining like the moon, entering together. It serves as a reminder to cultivate trust in Allah, avoid prohibited practices, and seek His favor through sincere dua (supplication).
In summary, this hadith from Sahih Muslim encapsulates themes of divine promise, exemplary character, and eternal reward (including wonders like [flying ruby horses](https://islam-revealed.com/in-paradise-there-is-a-horse-made-of-red-ruby-that-flies-with-the-muslim-wherever-he-wishes/)), urging believers to emulate the virtues that earned ‘Ukkashah and others their honored status. May Allah include us among those who enter Paradise with ease, protecting us from the Day when [Allah seals the mouth and body parts speak](https://islam-revealed.com/allah-seals-the-muslims-mouth-on-the-day-of-resurrection-his-thighs-bones-and-flesh-will-speak/). Additionally, it is encouraging to reflect on the promise that [if a Muslim dies and two Muslims testify for him, he enters Paradise](https://islam-revealed.com/if-a-muslim-dies-and-two-muslims-testify-for-him-he-enters-paradise/). For more details on the descriptions of the afterlife, you might also be interested in [The Strange Beauty of the Houris of Paradise](https://islam-revealed.com/the-buttocks-of-a-houri-virgin-of-paradise-is-a-mile-wide/) or the narration mentioning that [In Paradise There Are Wet Nurses](https://islam-revealed.com/in-paradise-there-are-wet-nurses/).
