Gates of Paradise, Their Number, For Whom They Are, and Their Names and Vastness

In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.

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Introduction

Paradise (Jannah), from an Islamic perspective, is the eternal abode of the righteous. Numerous narrations (ahadith) and scholarly opinions discuss the number of its gates, their names, and the deeds that grant believers entry. This article explores these reports, highlights different scholarly views, and cites authentic evidence from the Qur’an and the Sunnah.

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The Eight Gates of Paradise

Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an:

“Until, when they reach it, and its gates have been opened…” (Qur’an 39:73)

(“Wa-futtihat abwabuha”)

Some scholars note that the letter “و” (waw) in “وفتحت” (and its gates have been opened) indicates eight (sometimes referred to as the “Waw of eight”), suggesting that Paradise has eight gates. They support this view with the following hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):

“None of you makes wudu (ablution) carefully, reaching every part, then says, ‘I testify that there is no god but Allah Alone, with no partner, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger,’ except that the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him to enter by whichever he wishes.”

(Recorded in various collections of hadith)

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Specific Gates Mentioned in Hadith

In another narration found in Al-Muwatta’, Sahih al-Bukhari, and Sahih Muslim, Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:

“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: ‘Whoever spends a pair (two items) in the way of Allah will be called from the gates of Paradise: ‘O servant of Allah, this is good.’ So whoever was among the people of prayer will be called from the Gate of Prayer; whoever was among the people of jihad will be called from the Gate of Jihad; whoever was among the people of charity will be called from the Gate of Charity; and whoever was among the people of fasting will be called from the Gate of Ar-Rayyan.’ Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, it would not matter if one was called from any of these gates, but will anyone be called from all of them?’ He (peace be upon him) replied: ‘Yes, and I hope that you will be among them.’”

Imam al-Qadi ‘Iyad explains that Muslim’s narration mentions four gates: Prayer, Jihad, Charity, and Ar-Rayyan (for those who fast). Other sources add further gates, including:

 

• • Gate of Repentance (باب التوبة)

• • Gate for those who suppress their anger (باب الكاظمين الغيظ)

• • Gate for those who are content (باب الراضين)

• • The Rightmost Gate (الباب الأيمن) for those who enter without being brought to account

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More Than Eight Gates?

Some scholars mention even more gates. At-Tirmidhi al-Hakim Abu ‘Abdullah, in Nawadir al-Usul, lists the following doors:

 

1. 1. The Gate of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) — also called the Gate of Mercy and the Gate of Repentance. This gate, according to some narrations, remains open from the time Allah created it and will not close until the sun rises from the west, after which it will remain shut until the Day of Resurrection.

1. 1. Gate of Prayer

1. 1. Gate of Fasting

1. 1. Gate of Zakah and Charity

1. 1. Gate of Hajj (Pilgrimage)

1. 1. Gate of Jihad

1. 1. Gate of Maintaining Family Ties (صلة الرحم)

1. 1. Gate of ‘Umrah

According to this view, there are eleven gates. Additional narrations reference even more:

The Gate of Duha (Mid-Morning Prayer)

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“In Paradise, there is a gate called the Gate of Duha. On the Day of Resurrection, a caller will cry out, ‘Where are those who consistently performed the Duha prayer? Enter through this gate.’”

It has also been narrated in some sources (e.g., Kitab an-Nasihah) that there may be yet another gate, sometimes leading scholars to suggest the possibility of twelve or thirteen gates.

A Special Gate for the Ummah of Muhammad

There is a hadith reported by Salim ibn ‘Abdullah from his father (‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar) stating:

“The gate for my Ummah to enter Paradise is as wide as a rider traveling for three nights. Yet they will still be pressed together when they enter.”

While Imam at-Tirmidhi discussed this narration, Imam al-Bukhari reportedly found it unfamiliar through the narrator chain, considering some of its transmitters as problematic. Nevertheless, it appears in various collections discussing the expanse of Paradise’s entrances.

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Hadith Indicating Eight Gates

Despite narrations suggesting more than eight, several authentic hadith affirm there are eight gates as well:

“Whoever performs wudu (ablution) thoroughly, saying, ‘I testify that there is no god but Allah alone with no partner, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger,’ sincerely from the heart, eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he may enter through whichever he wishes.”

(Related by at-Tirmidhi and others)

Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr comments in at-Tamhid that some narrations read:

“Eight gates of Paradise will be opened,”

while others read:

“From (among) the gates of Paradise, eight will be opened,”

indicating at least eight gates, though not necessarily negating the existence of more.

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Clarifying the “Waw” of Eight

Imam al-Qurtubi references a discussion on whether the phrase in the Qur’an:

“…and its gates have been opened…” (39:73)

implies exactly eight gates. He notes that in another verse:

“He is Allah: there is no god but He, the King, the Holy One, the Source of Peace, the Inspirer of Faith, the Protector, the Mighty, the Compeller, the Majestic…” (Qur’an 59:23)

the eighth name (The Majestic, المتكبر) does not come with a preceding “و” — suggesting that the idea of “Wa of eight” is not necessarily a solid proof for limiting the gates of Paradise to exactly eight.

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The Vastness of the Gates of Paradise

Among the famous narrations describing the width of these gates is a hadith from Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) in the context of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) intercession:

“By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, the distance between the two panels of a gate of Paradise is as far as that between Makkah and Hajar, or between Makkah and Busra.”

There is also the narration from Sahl ibn Sa‘d that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Seventy thousand (or seven hundred thousand) from my Ummah will enter Paradise, holding onto one another, so that the first does not enter until the last does, and their faces will shine like the moon on a full-moon night.”

Some scholars infer that because these narrations mention gates beyond the well-known four or eight, the total number could be higher.

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Good Character and Additional Gates

Imam Abu al-Qasim ‘Abd al-Karim al-Qushayri relates a hadith in Kitab at-Tahbir:

“Good character (husn al-khuluq) is like a collar of divine pleasure around the neck of its possessor, and that collar is tied to a chain of mercy, which is attached to a ring on one of the doors of Paradise. Wherever good character goes, the chain follows and brings its owner through that gate into Paradise. Conversely, bad character is a collar of Allah’s wrath, tied to a chain of punishment, attached to a door of Hell; wherever bad character leads, that chain follows and brings its owner to Hell.”

The compiler of Al-Firdaws mentions on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“There is a gate of Paradise called ‘Al-Farh’ (Joy), which only those who bring joy to children will enter.”

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Who Enters Through These Gates?

Spending in the Way of Allah

The phrase “Whoever spends a pair (زوجين) in the way of Allah…” is explained by al-Hasan al-Basri as giving two of everything for the sake of Allah: two dinars, two dirhams, two garments, and so on. Others say it could mean simply two different forms of charity, such as a dinar and a dirham, or a garment and a pair of shoes. The essential point is the consistency and generosity in spending for righteous causes.

Abu Bakr’s Example

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) recounted a famous instance:

“The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked his companions one morning: ‘Who among you is fasting today?’ Abu Bakr said: ‘I am.’ He asked, ‘Who among you has followed a funeral procession today?’ Abu Bakr said: ‘I have.’ He asked, ‘Who among you has fed a needy person today?’ Abu Bakr again said: ‘I have.’ He asked, ‘Who among you has visited an ill person today?’ Abu Bakr replied: ‘I have.’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘These (deeds) do not come together in a person but that he will enter Paradise.’”

The Virtue of Lending (Qard) Over Charity (Sadaqah)

Abu Dawud at-Tayalisi narrates in his Musnad from Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him):

“A man was brought to the door of Paradise and raised his head. On the door was written: ‘Charity (Sadaqah) is rewarded tenfold, while a loan (Qard) is rewarded eighteen-fold.’ Then it was said to him: ‘Because the beggar may ask when he already has something, whereas the borrower only borrows due to real need.’”

Ibn Majah also reports from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw, on the night of Isra’ (the Night Journey), the same inscription about charity and lending on the door of Paradise, reinforcing the principle that a loan given to someone in need can sometimes carry a greater reward than a simple donation.

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Conclusion

From these evidences, it is clear that:

 

1. 1. The Gates of Paradise Are Many: Most narrations mention eight major gates, yet various hadith suggest there could be more.

1. 1. Gates Are Linked to Righteous Deeds: Prayer, fasting, charity, jihad, maintaining family ties, good character, and other virtuous acts grant entry.

1. 1. Vastness of Paradise: The doors are extremely wide, but the multitudes of believers will still fill them.

1. 1. Eternal Mercy and Forgiveness: A special “Gate of Repentance” (or “Gate of Mercy”) remains open for those who turn back to Allah, closing only near the end of time.

In essence, Paradise (Jannah) in Islam is vast and filled with blessings, and its multiple gates emphasize the many paths of righteousness. Whether the exact number of gates is eight or more does not detract from the core message: attaining Paradise depends on one’s faith and good deeds, combined with Allah’s boundless mercy. As believers, we strive to perform virtuous deeds—prayer, fasting, charity, good character—so that we may be called from any of these blessed gates and enter our eternal abode.

May Allah guide us to the paths leading to His pleasure and grant us entry through whichever gate He wills. Ameen.