Once, the Prophet (ﷺ) was sitting in a gathering with his Companions (Sahaba).
During this time, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Tonight, I saw Paradise and your statuses within it.” He then turned his attention towards Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) and said:
“I saw a man. Whichever main gate of Paradise he approached to enter, a voice would call out from there, ‘Marhaba! Marhaba!’ (Welcome! Welcome!).”
Every good deed has a specific, special gate in Paradise. Being welcomed from all the gates signified that this man excelled and stood outstanding in every form of righteous deed.
Hazrat Salman (RA) remarked, “O Messenger of Allah! Whoever possesses such a status must have indeed attained the highest position!” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, “That man is Abu Bakr.”
The Palace of Hazrat Umar (RA)
Thereafter, the Prophet (ﷺ) turned his attention towards Hazrat Umar (RA) and said:
“I saw a palace of white pearls in Paradise, studded with Yaqoot (precious rubies/gems). I inquired, ‘Whose palace is this?'”
“It was said to me, ‘This belongs to a young man from the Quraysh tribe.'”
“Beholding its boundless beauty, charm, radiance, and elegance, and thinking that since I am the Leader of the Prophets, this palace might belong to me, I was about to enter it. At that moment, it was told to me, ‘This belongs to Umar (RA).'”
Following this, the Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned the high statuses of Hazrat Uthman (RA), Hazrat Ali (RA), and several other Sahabas.
The Accountability of Hazrat Abdur Rahman ibn Awf (RA)
Finally, turning his attention towards Hazrat Abdur Rahman ibn Awf (RA), the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Among my companions, you were the last to reach me. I became worried about you, fearing that you might have fallen into some trial. Furthermore, you appeared drenched in sweat. I asked you, ‘Where was your time spent that caused such a delay in arriving here?'”
“To this, you replied, ‘I was held up in accountability due to the abundance of my wealth. That is, I was being interrogated regarding: How did you earn this wealth? And in what ways did you spend it?'”
Upon hearing this, Hazrat Abdur Rahman ibn Awf (RA) began to weep. He then said:
“O Messenger of Allah! Just yesterday, one hundred trade camels arrived for me from Egypt. I give them all as Sadaqah (charity) to the poor and orphans living in Madinah Munawwarah. Perhaps Allah, by virtue of this, will ease my accountability on that Day.”
— Targheeb
Purifying Wealth through Charity
In another Hadith, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“O Abdur Rahman! You are among the wealthy of my Ummah. Therefore, you will enter Paradise crawling (dragging your feet). Give a loan for the sake of Allah! By doing so, your feet will be untied (freed).”
Hazrat Abdur Rahman ibn Awf (RA) asked, “O Messenger of Allah! What wealth should I give as a loan for Allah’s sake?” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, “All of your wealth.”
Upon hearing this, Hazrat Abdur Rahman (RA) immediately stood up and left to bring all of his wealth to present it.
The Prophet (ﷺ) then sent someone behind him to call him back. When Hazrat Abdur Rahman returned, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Hazrat Jibrail (AS) has just visited me and said: ‘Tell Abdur Rahman to entertain guests, feed the poor, fulfill the needs of those who ask, and begin his charity with his close relatives.'”
The Prophet (ﷺ) concluded, “Jibrail informed me that these actions would be sufficient to purify his wealth.”
— Haakim
