Question
Is this Hadith authentic?
‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said [regarding the lowest Jannati], he will go forward then a hallowed out pearl made up of green emerald will be opened in which there are 70 doors, each door will have a wife sitting upon cushions and female slaves. The lowest among them will be hur ‘ayn which will be wearing 70 different colours of garment.
‘Umar said to Ka’b (radiyallahu ‘anhuma), O Ka’b do you hear what Ibn Mas’ud is saying about lowest Jannati, what will be then for highest Jannati. Ka’b replied, for the highest Jannati is what no eye has seen no ears have heard, Allah has placed in highest Jannah as many fruits, wives and bounties in it and then sealed it.
Answer
This is part of a lengthy Hadith recorded in Sifatul Jannah of Imam Ibn Abid Dunya, Al Mu’jamul Kabir and other sources which describes the events of the Day of Qiyamah as well as the condition of the person who barely gains salvation across the bridge of Sirat. When he finally gains entry into Jannah, he will then be shown his palace, part of which is described in your question.
The part in question is as follows:
“He will proceed and a palace will be opened for him. It will be in a hallowed pearl. The roof, doors, locks and keys will be made of pearls. He will then come to a green emerald, studded with [rubies]. Each gem leads leads to a different coloured gem and each one contains wives and servants. The lowest among them will be a hur ‘ayn which will be wearing seventy garments and the marrow of her shin will be visible through her garments….”
Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) then said, ‘O Ka’b, Do you not hear what [Ibn Mas’ud] is reporting to us regarding the rank of the lowest ranked person in Jannah, what will be then for highest ranked person in Jannah. Ka’b replied: ‘O Leader of the believers, [The highest ranked person in Jannah] will get what no eye has seen no ears have heard. Allah has a place, and placed as many wives, fruits and drink as He wished and then sealed it…’”
(Sifatul Jannah, Hadith: 31, Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 9763)
‘Allamah Mundhiri (rahimahullah) states, ‘Ibn Abid Dunya and Tabarani have reported this narration with several chains, one of these chains is authentic.’ ‘Allamah Haythami (rahimahullah) has also declared the narrators of one chain authentic (sahih).
(Targhib, vol. 4 pg. 395, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 10 pg. 342-343. Also see: Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 4 pg. 589-592)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar