The Last Person to Enter Jannah: An Authentic Hadith

This profound narration, reported by the venerable companion Abu Hurairah (RA), details a story told by the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), about the incredible journey of the last person to enter Jannah. It is a powerful account that illustrates Allah’s (SWT) boundless mercy, even for a believer who must first face retribution for their misdeeds in the Fire.

The First Plea for Relief from the Fire

His journey begins in the depths of Hellfire (Jahannam). Overwhelmed by the scorching flames consuming his body, he will cry out to Allah (SWT), his voice filled with anguish, “Oh Allah! The flames of Hell and its intense heat are destroying me. Please, even if just for a moment, take me out of this Fire and set me on its edge. All I ask for is a single moment of relief.”

Allah the Almighty, who knows all that is in the hearts, will say to him, “If I grant you this, will you promise not to ask for anything else?”

The man will reply, “Oh Allah! I promise. Just take me out and place me there this one time. I will not ask for anything more.” The Most Merciful Allah will accept his plea and move him from the Fire to its edge.

The Lure of Paradise and a New Plea

After sitting on the edge of Hell for a while, a thought will cross his mind: “Let me try for just a little more.” He will turn to Allah (SWT) again and say, “Oh Allah! It is by Your grace and mercy that You have saved me from the Fire. But You have placed me in a spot where the heat still scorches me. Could You not move me to a place where the heat cannot reach me?”

Allah (SWT) will say to him, “Did you not promise me that you would ask for nothing more? And now you are breaking your promise?”

The servant will say, “Oh Allah! It is not much I ask. Just move me a little further from here. I will not say another word, nor will I ask for anything else.”

An Eager Glimpse at the Gates of Paradise

Once more, Allah (SWT) grants his request and moves him a little further away, to a place from which he can behold the breathtaking and enchanting sights of Paradise. After a while, he will say, “Oh Allah! By Your grace and favor, You have saved me from the Fire and placed me where the sights of Paradise are clearly visible. Please, grant me permission to go a little closer to the gates of Paradise so I can see it better.”

Allah (SWT) will say, “Oh, servant! Are you breaking your promise yet again?”

The man will plead, “Oh Allah! Since Your grace has brought me this far, please let me have just one glance at Paradise.”

Allah (SWT) will say, “If I let you have one glance, you will then ask for permission to enter.” The man will reply, “Oh Allah! Just one glimpse. I will ask for nothing more after that.”

The Final Plea and the Entry of the Last Person to Enter Jannah

Then, Allah (SWT) will grant him the opportunity to see Paradise for a moment. The instant he looks, he will be completely mesmerized. The cool, fragrant breeze of Paradise will touch his body and soul. His heart will begin to yearn for its blessings. He will think to himself, “Let me try just one more time!”

He will then turn his face towards Allah (SWT) and say, “Oh Allah! You are the Ocean of Mercy. If You will something, there is no one to question You. Oh, Most Merciful Allah! Since You have brought me this far, please be gracious enough to let me enter.”

This time, Allah (SWT) will say, “You see? I knew you would break your promise. But My Mercy is far greater than your promises. Go. Not only do I grant you entry into Paradise, but I also grant you a kingdom the size of this world and ten times more.”

Stunned by this immense proclamation, the man—now officially the last person to enter Jannah—will ask in disbelief, “Oh Allah! You are the Lord of all the Worlds. Are you jesting with an insignificant servant like me? How can I receive a Paradise so vast?”

The Almighty Allah will reply with ultimate affection, “I do not jest with anyone. I am All-Powerful and what I say, I do. Indeed, I have truly granted you this immense Paradise.”

A Tradition of Laughter: The Narration of a Special Hadith

It is mentioned in the hadith that when the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) narrated this story “last person to enter Jannah“, he smiled. After him, the companions who heard it would also smile when they narrated it to their students. In turn, those students would smile when they passed it down to theirs. In this way, from the time of the Prophet (PBUH) until today, the scholars of hadith (Muhaddithin) smile when they narrate this hadith, and those who hear it smile as well. For this reason, it is called the ‘Hadith Musalsal bid-Dihk‘—the sequentially narrated hadith of smiling. It serves as a beautiful, living tradition, echoing the joy and hope this story brings to believers throughout the ages.