Is there a Hadith in Tirmidhi saying the Martyr (Shaheed) gets 72 virgins in Paradise?
Quran
Hadith
Islamic Text
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah Most Merciful Most Kind
Short Answer
There is a Hadith in which it is mentioned that the Martyr (Shaheed) will be rewarded with 72 wives in paradise. The Hadith in Tirmidhi says wives not virgins.
Explanation
The Hadith is Sahih
عَنْ المِقْدَامِ بْنِ مَعْدِي كَرِبَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: لِلشَّهِيدِ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ سِتُّ خِصَالٍ: يُغْفَرُ لَهُ فِي أَوَّلِ دَفْعَةٍ، وَيَرَى مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ الجَنَّةِ، وَيُجَارُ مِنْ عَذَابِ القَبْرِ، وَيَأْمَنُ مِنَ الفَزَعِ الأَكْبَرِ، وَيُوضَعُ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ تَاجُ الوَقَارِ، اليَاقُوتَةُ مِنْهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا فِيهَا، وَيُزَوَّجُ اثْنَتَيْنِ وَسَبْعِينَ زَوْجَةً مِنَ الحُورِ العِينِ، وَيُشَفَّعُ فِي سَبْعِينَ مِنْ أَقَارِبِهِ. هَذَا حَدِيثٌ صَحِيحٌ غَرِيبٌ
(Sayidina) al-Miqdam bin Ma’dikarib narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “There are six rewards with Allah (Most High) for the martyr. He is forgiven with the first injury (he suffers). He observes his seat in paradise. He is protected from the punishment of the grave. He is saved from the greatest terror. The crown of dignity is placed upon his head. A single gem from it is better than the world and what is in it. He is married to seventy-two wives from the women of Paradise (al-Hur al-Ayn). He intercedes for seventy of his relatives.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 1663, Sahih).
The Hadith above was considered to be Sahih by Imam al-Tirmidhi. Other Hadith scholars quoted his Hadith grading and did not differ with it. The Hadith was also narrated in Sunan Ibn Maja (2799), Musnad Bazar (2696) and Musanaf Ibn Abi Shaybah (19467). The narration in the Musanaf was slightly different as it also mentioned that a door of paradise will be opened for the Shahid (Martyr).
Quoting Hadith correctly
Although there is only a subtle difference between saying 72 virgins and 72 women, it is still important to quote Hadith correctly. One could argue that the women of paradise are virgins, so ultimately it is all the same. You could say women of paradise, or virgins and it makes no difference. This approach lacks due reverence for the words of the blessed Prophet ﷺ.
Our love for the beloved Prophet ﷺ dictates that we take great care with regards to his blessed words. We must quote them correctly. We must also make sure the Hadith we are quoting is actually authentic. Too many Muslims do not observe this when narrating Hadith.
It is truly puzzling to see that those people who claim to love the blessed Prophet ﷺ the most, often take the least care when it comes to Hadith authenticity and accuracy. Sometimes they are challenged regarding the careless approach they have towards Hadith. They respond by saying ‘this is how their Shaykhs narrate Hadith.’ Unfortunately, they put their Shaykhs before reverence for the words of the beloved Prophet ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ comes first
Such people must be advised to follow different Shaykhs regarding the matter of Hadith. They cannot put their Shaykhs before the Mubarak Prophet ﷺ. It is an absolute disaster to put any person before the blessed Prophet ﷺ.
What is more astounding is that the same people are often deeply angered if their Shaykh is misquoted. Where is this coming from? Why the passionate response if their Shaykh is misquoted but indifference regarding the blessed Prophet ﷺ being misquoted. Their priorities must be reconsidered. Otherwise, they have lost one of the most important aspects of their Deen (religion).
And Allah Most High Knows Best.
–Answered by Shaykh Noorud-deen Rashid (12.02.24)
