Who will be the last person to enter Jannah (paradise)?

Introduction to the Last Person to Enter Jannah (Paradise) The concept of the last person to enter Jannah (paradise) is a topic of theological discussion in Islamic tradition. It is rooted in Islamic eschatology, which explores the events of the Hereafter. While there are various interpretations and Hadiths (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) on this subject, it is important to approach it with a nuanced understanding. Background and Sources The idea of the last person to enter Jannah is derived from Hadith literature, specifically from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, two of the most respected collections of Hadith. These Hadiths narrate the Prophet Muhammad's descriptions of the events of the Hereafter, including the process of entering paradise. Content and Structure Breakdown The Hadiths that mention the last person to enter Jannah provide a narrative structure for this concept. While the details may vary in different narrations, a common framework can be outlined: The Last Person's Difficult Journey: The Hadiths describe a person who has lived a life filled with difficulties, trials, and hardships. This individual may have endured suffering, poverty, or illness throughout their earthly existence. Seeking Admission to Jannah: After enduring a long and challenging life, this individual finally arrives at the gates of paradise. They have faith in Allah's mercy and hope to be admitted to Jannah despite their life's difficulties. Humble Entry: When the last person approaches the gates of Jannah, they find them closed. They knock and seek permission to enter. The gatekeeper informs them that the gates have already been closed, and it seems there is no more admission to paradise. Divine Intervention: However, in response to the last person's sincere supplication and faith, Allah's mercy intervenes. Allah instructs the gatekeeper to allow this person's entry as a special act of divine grace. Entering Jannah: The last person finally enters Jannah, grateful to Allah for His mercy and forgiveness. Despite their challenging life, they are rewarded with eternal bliss in paradise. The answer to this question was originally posed by the companions, and answered in a number of ahadith: The last person to enter paradise will be a man who will walk once, stumble once and be burned by the Fire once. Once he gets past it, he will turn around and face it saying, 'Blessed be the One Who has saved me from you. God has given me something that He has not given to the first and the last.' (Sahih al-Muslim) The Messenger (saw) said: I know the person who will be the last to come out of the (Hell) Fire, and the last to enter Paradise. He will be a man who will come out crawling and Allah will say to him, 'Go and enter Paradise.' He will go to it, but he will imagine that it had been filled, and then he will return and say, 'O Lord, I have found it full.' Allah will say, 'Go and enter Paradise, and you will have what equals the world and ten times as much (or, you will have as much as ten times the like of the world).' On that, the man will say, 'Do you mock at me (or laugh at me) though You are the King?' I saw Allah's Messenger (saw) (while saying that) smiling that his premolar teeth became visible. It is said that will be the lowest in degree amongst the people of Paradise. (Sahih al-Bukhari) When Allah has finished his judgment of the people, He will take whomever He will out of Hell through His mercy. He will then order the angels to take out of the Fire all those who used to worship none but Allah from among those whom Allah wanted to be merciful to and those who testified (in the world) that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah. The angels will recognize them in the Fire by the marks of prostration (on their foreheads), for the Fire will eat up all the human body except the mark caused by prostration as Allah has forbidden the Fire to eat the mark of prostration. They will come out of the Fire, completely burnt and then the water of life will be poured over them and they will grow under it as does a seed that comes in the mud of the torrent. Then Allah will finish the judgments among the people, and there will remain one man facing the (Hell) Fire and he will be the last person among the people of Hell to enter Paradise. He will say, 'O my Lord! Please turn my face away from the fire because its air has hurt me and its severe heat has burnt me.' So he will invoke Allah in the way Allah will wish him to invoke, and then Allah will say to him, 'If I grant you that, will you then ask for anything else?' He will reply, 'No, by Your Power, I will not ask You for anything else.' He will give his Lord whatever promises and covenants Allah will demand. So Allah will turn his face away from Fire. When he will face Paradise and will see it, he will remain quiet for as long as Allah will wish him to remain quiet, then he will say, 'O my Lord! Bring me near to the gate of Paradise.' Allah will say to him, 'Didn't you give your promises and covenants that you would never ask for anything more than what you had been given? Woe on you, O Adam's son! How treacherous you are!' He will say, 'O my lord,' and will keep on invoking Allah till He says to him, 'If I give what you are asking, will you then ask for anything else?' He will reply, 'No, by Your Power, I will not ask for anything else.' Then he will give covenants and promises to Allah and then Allah will bring him near to the gate of Paradise. When he stands at the gate of Paradise, Paradise will be opened and spread before him, and he will see its splendor and pleasures whereupon he will remain quiet as long as Allah will wish him to remain quiet, and then he will say, O my Lord! Admit me into Paradise.' Allah will say, 'Didn't you give your covenants and promises that you would not ask for anything more than what you had been given?' Allah will say, 'Woe on you, O Adam's son! How treacherous you are! ' The man will say, 'O my Lord! Do not make me the most miserable of Your creation,' and he will keep on invoking Allah till Allah will laugh because of his sayings, and when Allah will laugh because of him, He will say to him, 'Enter Paradise,' and when he will enter it, Allah will say to him, 'Wish for anything.' So he will ask his Lord, and he will wish for a great number of things, for Allah Himself will remind him to wish for certain things by saying, '(Wish for) so-and-so.' When there is nothing more to wish for, Allah will say, 'This is for you, and its equal (is for you) as well." Ata' bin Yazid added: Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri who was present with Abu Hurairah, did not deny whatever the latter said, but when Abu Hurairah said that Allah had said, "That is for you and its equal as well," Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri said, "And ten times as much, O Abu Hurairah!" Abu Hurairah said, "I do not remember, except his saying, 'That is for you and its equal as well.'" Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri then said, "I testify that I remember the Prophet (saw) saying, 'That is for you, and ten times as much.' ' Abu Hurairah then added, "That man will be the last person of the people of Paradise to enter Paradise." (Sahih al-Bukhari) Misconceptions about the Last Person to Enter Jannah Misconception: The Last Person is the Worst Sinner: It is a misconception to assume that the last person to enter Jannah is necessarily the worst sinner. The Hadiths emphasize the importance of faith, sincere supplication, and Allah's mercy in this context. Misconception: Everyone Has an Equal Chance: While the last person's story highlights Allah's boundless mercy, it does not imply that everyone will have an equal chance to enter Jannah. Islamic theology maintains that accountability for one's deeds remains a crucial factor in the Hereafter. Conclusion The concept of the last person to enter Jannah serves as a reminder of Allah's infinite mercy and the importance of faith, humility, and perseverance in the face of life's challenges. It encourages believers to have hope in Allah's forgiveness and to strive for a righteous life. FAQs about the Last Person to Enter Jannah Does every Islamic tradition mention the last person to enter Jannah? The concept of the last person to enter Jannah is derived from specific Hadiths, primarily found in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. It is not a central theme in the Quran but is a part of Islamic eschatology. What is the significance of the last person's story in Islam? The story emphasizes Allah's mercy and the importance of sincere supplication and faith. It serves as a reminder that Allah's grace can encompass even those who faced significant challenges in life. Is the last person to enter Jannah considered a saint or a special category of believer? While the last person's story highlights Allah's mercy, it does not categorize them as a saint or place them in a distinct category of believers. All believers hope for Allah's mercy and forgiveness in the Hereafter.