Paradise 3 of 15

Those who will enter Paradise before the Day of Judgment

The first human being ever to enter Paradise was the father of mankind, Adam (as)

But Adam disobeyed Allah by eating from the tree which Allah (swt) had forbidden him to eat from, so Allah (swt) sent him down from the Garden of Paradise to this world of distress and misery: “We had already, before hand, taken the covenant of Adam, but he forot, and We found on his part no firm will-power. When We said to the angels, “Prostrate yourselves to Adam”. They prostrated themselves but not Iblis, he refused. Then we said, “O Adam! Verily, this is an enemy to you and your wife. So let him not get you both out of the Garden, so that you are landed in misery. There is in it [enough provision] for you not to go hungry nor to go naked, Nor to suffer from thirst nor from the sun’s heat.”

Allah continues..

“But Shaytan whispered evil to him, he said, “O Adam, Shall I lead you to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that never decays?” As a result they both ate of the tree and so their nakedness appeared to them, and they began to sew together leaves from the Garden for their covering. Thus did Adam disobey his Rabb and allow himself to be seduced. But his Rabb chose [for His Grace]; He turned to him with forgiveness, and gave him guidance. He [Allah] said, “Get you down, both of you –all together- from the Garden, with enmity one to another. [Q 20:115-123]

The Messenger of Allah (saws) also saw Paradise. Al-Bukhari reports from Imran ibn Husayn that the Prophet (saws) said

“I have seen Paradise and I saw that its inhabitants are the poor” [Sahih Bukhari]

Among those who will enter paradise before the Day of Resurrection are the ash-Shuhada [the martyrs]. 

Muslim reports that Masruq said, “We asked Abdullah ibn Mas’oud about this ayah:

“Think not of those who are slain in Allah’s way as dead. Nay they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Rabb” [Q 3:169]

Ibn Masood said:

He said, “We asked about that too and the Prophet (saws) said,

“Their souls are in the bellies of green birds, and they have lights suspended from the Throne. They wander about in Paradise wherever they wish, then they take shelter in those lights. Their Rabb will suddenly come to them and ask, “Do you desire anything?” They will say, “What thing could we wish for when we can wander wherever we wish in Paradise?” Allah will come and ask this 3 times. When they see that they will not be allowed to give no reply they will say, “O Rabb, would that we could return our bodies and be killed for Your sake one more time.” When Allah (swt) sees that they have no wants or needs, they will be left alone.” (Mishkat al-Masabih)

Also whoever dies will be shown his position in Paradise or Hell mornings and evening. Muslim reports from Ibn Umar (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said:

“When anyone one of you dies, he will be shown his position morning and evening. If he is one of the people of Paradise then he will be one of the people of Paradise, and if he is one of the people of Hell then he will be one of the people of Hell and he will be told, “This is your position until Allah (swt) resurrects you to it on the day of Resurrection.”

The believers will enter Paradise through gates

And [Eden – everlasting gardens] of Paradise, whose doors will open for them” [Q 38:50]

“And angels shall enter unto them from every gate [with the salutation]: “Peace be unto you for that you persevered in patience! How excellent is the final home!” [13:23-24]

Allah (swt) has told us that these gates will be opened when the believers reach them, and they will be welcomed by the angels with greetings of peace:

“..til, when they reach it, its gates will be opened, and its keepers will say, “Salamun Alaykum! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein.” [39:73]

The number of gates in Paradise is 8, one of which is called Ar-Rayan which is exclusively for those who fast. Al-Bukhari and Muslim report from Sahl ibn Saidi that the Messener of Allah (saws) said:

“In Paradise there are 8 gates, one of which is called ar-Payan. No one will enter it except those who fast and when they have entered it will be locked behind them and no one else will enter it.”

In addition to Ar-Rayan there are also gates for those who pray much, those who give in charity and those who fight in jidad; Abu Hurayrah (ra) reported that the Prophet (saws) said:

Whoever spends a pair of [anything] from his wealth for the sake of Allah (swt) will be called from the gates of Paradise, and Paradise has 8 gates. Whoever used to pray [regularly and properly ] will be called from the gate of prayer; whoever used to give in charity will be called from the ate of charity whoever used to fight in jihad will be called from the gate of jihad and whoever used to fast [regularly] will be called from the gate of fasting.” 

Abu Bakr (ra) said, “By Allah, it would not matter if a person was called from any of them but will anyone be called from all of them, O Messenger of Allah (saws)? He said, “Yes and I hope that you will be one of them.” [Sahih Ibn Kathir]

Also

Whoever performs wudu and does it properly then lifts his gaze to the sky and says “Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah, wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abdahu wa rasuluh, the 8 gates of Paradise will be opened to him and he will enter it through whichever one he wishes.” [Muslim]

For the forerunner who will not be held to account there is a special gate for them:

Allah (swt) will say, “O Muhammad, admit those of your ummah who do not need to be brought to account through the right hand gate and the others will enter through the other gates like the rest of the people.”

In the same hadith the Prophet (saws) described the width of the gates of Paradise:

“By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, the distance between two panels of the gates of Paradise or between the two gateposts is like the distance between Makkah and Hajar, or between Makkah and Basra” [an-Nihayah 2/221]

The gates of Paradise are opened every year during Ramadan

“When the month of Ramadan comes the gates of heaven are opened” [Muslim]

In some reports it is stated that the distance between the two gate panels when they are open is that of a forty year journey. The Messenger of Allah (saws) said:

“The distance between the two gate panels of one of the gates of Paradise is the distance of 40 years walking but there will come a time when it is very crowded.” [Ahmad in al-Musnad]