The ten to whom Paradise was promised facts for kids

The Ten Promised Paradise (in Arabic, al-ʿashara al-mubashsharūn) refers to ten early followers of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. According to a special tradition in Sunni Islam, Prophet Muhammad (who lived from about 570 to 632 CE) promised these ten individuals that they would enter Paradise.

There are a few slightly different lists of who these ten people were. However, most lists include the first four leaders of the Muslim community, known as the Rashidun caliphs. These were Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali. The lists also usually include members of a special committee that chose Uthman as a leader. These members were Talha, Zubayr, Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf, and Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas.

The most widely accepted list, which became common from the 800s onwards, also names Sa'id ibn Zayd and Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah. This tradition is very important in Sunni Islam. It shows great respect for these early companions of the Prophet. However, Shi'i scholars have a different view. They do not accept this tradition as authentic.

Who Were These Special Companions?

The idea of "The Ten Promised Paradise" became well-known after the 800s. However, a list of ten important people was found on an old inscription. This inscription might have been from the palace of Khalid al-Qasri, an official who served as governor of Iraq under Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik (r. 724 – 743). In this very early list, the tenth person was Mu'awiya. He was the first leader of the Umayyad dynasty (r. 661 – 680). Some people might have wanted to show Mu'awiya as a close companion of Prophet Muhammad. But later traditions usually replaced Mu'awiya with either Prophet Muhammad himself or Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah (c. 581–639). Abu Ubayda was an important early Muslim.

Most of what we know about this list comes from collections of hadith. Hadith are sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad. These collections were put together in the 800s by Sunni scholars. They often contain a saying from Muhammad like "Ten will be in Paradise," followed by the names of his companions.

There are eight names that appear in almost all versions of this special list. These include the four Rashidun caliphs. They also include the members of a special committee, called a shūra (shūra). This committee was set up by Umar ibn al-Khattab to choose the next leader after him.

The Four Rashidun Caliphs

• Abu Bakr (c. 573–634): He was the first caliph, leading from 632 to 634 CE. Abu Bakr was one of the very first people to become Muslim. He was Prophet Muhammad's closest friend and trusted advisor.
• Umar ibn al-Khattab (born c. 583–593, died 644): He was the second caliph, leading from 634 to 644 CE. Umar became Muslim a bit later. However, he was a brave fighter in important battles like Badr and Uhud. He helped organize the early Islamic state in Medina.
• Uthman ibn Affan (died 656): He was the third caliph, leading from 644 to 656 CE.
• Ali ibn Abi Talib (c. 600–661): He was the fourth caliph, leading from 656 to 661 CE. Ali was one of the earliest converts to Islam. He was also Prophet Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law.

Members of the Shura Committee

These companions were part of the committee that chose Uthman as the third caliph.

• Talha ibn Ubayd Allah (c. 593–656)
• Zubayr ibn al-Awwam (born c. 592–602, died 656)
• Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf (c. 577–c. 652): He was an early convert to Islam. He was a wealthy merchant and a friend of Abu Bakr.
• Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (born c. 600, died c. 670–678)

Other Important Companions

There is also one companion on the list who was highly respected for being one of the first to accept Islam. He was not part of the shūra committee, but he supported Uthman's election.

• Sa'id ibn Zayd (c. 600–670/671)

The tenth person on the list varies. It could be Mu'awiya (c. 600–680), Prophet Muhammad (c. 570–632), or Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah (c. 581–639). Abu Ubayda was an early Muslim who helped in the election of Abu Bakr. Umar also considered him as a possible future leader.

Sometimes, Abd Allah ibn Mas'ud (died c. 652–654) was also included among the ten. He was an early convert and Prophet Muhammad's personal assistant. He was known for his deep knowledge of the Quran.

Why Are These Ten Important?

This list of ten special companions is very important in Islamic history and faith. It helps us understand how different groups of Muslims view the early days of Islam.

What Sunni Muslims Believe

Many important Sunni scholars from the 800s, like Ahmad ibn Hanbal and al-Tirmidhi, collected hadiths about these ten companions. The accepted Sunni list usually leaves out Mu'awiya. Instead, it includes Prophet Muhammad or Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah.

This tradition is very meaningful for Sunni Muslims. It shows that these companions were highly honored by Prophet Muhammad. Even if some of them had disagreements or were involved in conflicts later, this promise of Paradise suggests they were forgiven. It highlights the great respect Sunni Muslims have for the Prophet's companions. Books were even written just to praise the good qualities of these ten individuals.

• al-Zamakhshari (died 1144), Khaṣā⁠ʾiṣ al-ʿashara al-kirām al-barara ('The Special Characteristics of the Ten Noble and Pious Ones')
• Muhibb al-Din al-Tabari al-Makki (died 1295), al-Riyāḍ al-Naḍira fī Manāqib al-Aṣḥāb al-ʿAshara ('The Blooming Gardens in the Virtues of the Ten Companions')

What Shi'i Muslims Believe

Shi'i scholars have a different perspective on this tradition. They generally do not accept the hadiths about the ten promised Paradise as authentic.

This is because Shi'i Muslims believe that Ali ibn Abi Talib should have been the first leader of the Muslim community. They believe the first three caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman) took Ali's rightful place. Since many of the people on this list supported the election of Uthman instead of Ali, Shi'i scholars do not validate the list.

See also

• Manaqib (Islamic genre of laudatory biography)