Imagine being told, while still alive and walking the streets of Madinah, that you will enter Paradise. Ten men heard exactly that, named together in one hadith by the Prophet ﷺ. They are known as the Ashara Mubashshara, "the ten given glad tidings": Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman, 'Ali, Talhah, az-Zubayr, 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn 'Awf, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, Sa'id ibn Zayd and Abu 'Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah. Below is the hadith, the life of each one, and what we learn from them.
Who are the Ashara Mubashshara and why are they called that?
'Asharah means ten, and mubashsharah means those given good news, bushra. The phrase is a title scholars gave to this group because the Prophet ﷺ gave all ten the good news of Jannah in a single statement.
All ten were from Quraysh, all accepted Islam in the early years in Makkah, and all migrated for the sake of Allah. Four of them became the rightly guided caliphs.
Which hadith names the ten promised Jannah?
The best-known narration comes from one of the ten himself, 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn 'Awf. It is recorded by Imam at-Tirmidhi in his Jami':
A similar narration comes from Sa'id ibn Zayd, also one of the ten, recorded in Sunan Abi Dawud and Jami' at-Tirmidhi. He mentioned it in Kufah to defend 'Ali when someone spoke ill of him. Belief in their virtue is part of the creed of Ahl as-Sunnah. To understand how scholars weigh such reports, see our guide to hadith terms explained.
Who were the ten Companions promised Jannah?
Here is each of the ten in the order of the hadith, with how he came to Islam, what he did, his virtues from authentic sources, and how he died.
1. Abu Bakr as-Siddiq
His name was 'Abdullah ibn 'Uthman, known as Abu Bakr, from the clan of Taym. The Prophet's close friend before Islam, he was the first free adult man to accept Islam, and through him 'Uthman, az-Zubayr, 'Abd ar-Rahman, Sa'd and Talhah came to the faith. He freed tortured slaves such as Bilal. He was given the title as-Siddiq, the one who affirms the truth, for believing the Night Journey without hesitation.
He was the Prophet's companion in the Cave of Thawr during the Hijrah, the "second of two" in Surah At-Tawbah (9:40). The Prophet ﷺ said that if he were to take a khalil, an intimate friend, other than his Lord, he would take Abu Bakr (Sahih al-Bukhari). He led the prayer in the Prophet's final illness, became the first caliph, held the ummah together in the wars against apostasy, and had the Qur'an gathered into one collection. He died in Jumada al-Akhirah 13 AH, aged sixty-three, and is buried beside the Prophet ﷺ. Read more in our free Abu Bakr as-Siddiq sheet.
2. 'Umar ibn al-Khattab
'Umar was of the clan of 'Adi, a strong and feared man who at first opposed Islam fiercely. Around the sixth year of prophethood he set out angry, entered the house of his sister Fatimah and her husband Sa'id ibn Zayd, heard them reciting Surah Ta-Ha, and his heart softened. He went straight to the Prophet ﷺ and accepted Islam, and from then on the Muslims prayed openly at the Ka'bah. He was called al-Faruq, the one who separates truth from falsehood.
The Prophet ﷺ told him that whenever Shaytan met him on a path, Shaytan took a different path (Sahih al-Bukhari 3683). Several of his opinions were later confirmed by revelation. As the second caliph (13 to 23 AH) he became a model of justice: Jerusalem, Iraq, Persia and Egypt came under Muslim rule, he founded the Hijri calendar, and he walked the streets at night to check on the poor. He was stabbed while leading Fajr in Dhul-Hijjah 23 AH and is buried beside Abu Bakr. See our free 'Umar ibn al-Khattab sheet.
3. 'Uthman ibn 'Affan
'Uthman, of the clan of Umayyah, was a wealthy and famously modest man who accepted Islam early through Abu Bakr. He married the Prophet's daughter Ruqayyah, and after her death married her sister Umm Kulthum, earning the title Dhun-Nurayn, "possessor of the two lights". He and Ruqayyah were among the emigrants to Abyssinia. He missed Badr only because the Prophet ﷺ told him to stay and nurse Ruqayyah in her final illness, and he was given a share of its reward.
In Madinah he bought the well of Rumah for the Muslims and equipped much of the army for the expedition to Tabuk. The Prophet ﷺ said of him, "Should I not feel shy before a man the angels feel shy before?" (Sahih Muslim 2401). As the third caliph (24 to 35 AH) he sent standard copies of the Qur'an to the main cities (see how the Qur'an was compiled). Besieged by rebels, he forbade anyone to fight for him, and was martyred in Dhul-Hijjah 35 AH while reading the Qur'an. See our free 'Uthman ibn 'Affan sheet.
4. 'Ali ibn Abi Talib
'Ali was the Prophet's cousin, raised in his household, and the first child to accept Islam, at about ten years old. On the night of the Hijrah he slept in the Prophet's bed to deceive the assassins waiting outside, then stayed behind to return the trusts people had left with the Prophet ﷺ. He married Fatimah, and through their sons al-Hasan and al-Husayn came the Prophet's descendants.
He was a great warrior, judge and scholar. At Khaybar the Prophet ﷺ said he would give the banner to a man who loved Allah and His Messenger and whom Allah and His Messenger loved, and gave it to 'Ali (Sahih al-Bukhari). He also said to him, "You are to me as Harun was to Musa, except that there is no prophet after me" (Sahih Muslim 2404). He became the fourth caliph in 35 AH, in a time of great trial. He was struck by a Kharijite while going to Fajr in Kufah and died in Ramadan 40 AH.
5. Talhah ibn 'Ubaydullah
Talhah was from the clan of Taym, the same as Abu Bakr, and accepted Islam through him while still a young man. He is counted among the first eight to enter Islam, and he was tied up and mistreated in Makkah for his faith. He missed Badr because the Prophet ﷺ had sent him to gather news of the Quraysh caravan, and he was given his share.
His greatest day was Uhud. When the Muslim lines broke and the Prophet ﷺ was exposed, Talhah stood in front of him and took the blows himself. Qays ibn Abi Hazim said he saw Talhah's hand, paralysed, the hand with which he had shielded the Prophet ﷺ (Sahih al-Bukhari 3724). His generosity earned him names such as Talhah al-Khayr, "Talhah of goodness". He was killed in 36 AH at the Battle of the Camel, a sad event of the first fitnah, and some reports say he was already withdrawing from the fighting when he was struck.
6. Az-Zubayr ibn al-'Awwam
Az-Zubayr was the son of Safiyyah bint 'Abd al-Muttalib, the Prophet's paternal aunt, so he was the Prophet's cousin. He accepted Islam as a youth through Abu Bakr and was tortured for it by his own uncle, who rolled him in a mat and smoked him, yet he did not turn back. He married Asma', daughter of Abu Bakr, and migrated to both Abyssinia and Madinah.
He is remembered as the first to draw a sword for Islam, and he fought at Badr, Uhud and every major battle. On the day of the Trench, the Prophet ﷺ said, "Every prophet has a hawari (a devoted helper), and my hawari is az-Zubayr" (Sahih al-Bukhari 2846). He was one of the six on 'Umar's council. At the Battle of the Camel in 36 AH he withdrew from the fighting after being reminded of the Prophet's words, and was killed while praying on his way home.
7. 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn 'Awf
'Abd ar-Rahman, of the clan of Zuhrah, accepted Islam through Abu Bakr before the Muslims began meeting in the house of al-Arqam. He made both migrations, to Abyssinia and to Madinah. In Madinah the Prophet ﷺ joined him in brotherhood with Sa'd ibn ar-Rabi' of the Ansar, who offered him half his wealth. 'Abd ar-Rahman thanked him, declined, and asked only to be shown the market (Sahih al-Bukhari). He traded honestly and Allah blessed his business greatly.
He used that wealth for Allah, giving large sums to the army, to the widows of the Prophet ﷺ and to the poor. On the expedition to Tabuk the Prophet ﷺ once joined the prayer behind him when he had already begun leading it, an honour reported in Sahih Muslim. After 'Umar's death he managed the council of six and guided the choice of 'Uthman. He died in Madinah in about 32 AH and was buried in al-Baqi'.
8. Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas
Sa'd, also of Zuhrah, the clan of the Prophet's mother, accepted Islam at about seventeen. His mother swore she would not eat or drink until he left Islam. He refused with respect, and verses were revealed teaching that parents are to be treated kindly but not obeyed in associating partners with Allah (Surah Luqman, 31:14-15).
He said he was the first Arab to shoot an arrow in the path of Allah (Sahih al-Bukhari). At Uhud the Prophet ﷺ handed him arrows and said, "Shoot, may my father and mother be your ransom," words 'Ali said he never heard the Prophet use for anyone else (Sahih al-Bukhari). He was known for duas that were answered. Under 'Umar he commanded the Muslims at the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah against Persia and founded the city of Kufah. In the later fitnah he stayed away from the fighting. He died at his estate of al-'Aqiq near Madinah around 55 AH, the last of the ten to pass away.
9. Sa'id ibn Zayd
Sa'id was the son of Zayd ibn 'Amr ibn Nufayl, a man who rejected idols and sought the religion of Ibrahim before Islam came. Sa'id accepted Islam very early, together with his wife Fatimah bint al-Khattab, 'Umar's sister. It was in their house that 'Umar heard the Qur'an and his heart turned, so Sa'id was both 'Umar's cousin and his brother-in-law.
Like Talhah, he missed Badr because the Prophet ﷺ had sent him to scout, and he received his share. He fought in the later battles and in the conquest of Syria. A woman once falsely claimed part of his land. He reminded people of the Prophet's warning that whoever takes even a hand-span of land unjustly will have it hung around his neck on the Day of Judgement (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim), and he prayed against her; the matter ended as he had asked. He narrated the hadith of the ten himself. He died around 51 AH at al-'Aqiq and was buried in Madinah.
10. Abu 'Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah
His name was 'Amir ibn 'Abdullah ibn al-Jarrah, of the clan of Fihr. He accepted Islam early through Abu Bakr, migrated to Abyssinia and then Madinah, and fought at Badr, where he is reported to have faced his own father fighting for Quraysh. At Uhud, reports in the seerah say, he pulled out with his teeth the rings of the helmet that had pierced the Prophet's cheek, losing his front teeth in doing so.
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Every ummah has a trustworthy one, and the trustworthy one of this ummah is Abu 'Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah" (Sahih al-Bukhari 3744). Under Abu Bakr and 'Umar he commanded the armies in Syria. When 'Umar visited him, he found almost nothing in his house but a sword, a shield and a saddle. He died in the plague of 'Amwas in 18 AH, having refused to leave his soldiers. He was the second of the ten to die, after Abu Bakr.
What do the ten Companions promised Jannah have in common?
- Early faith. All ten accepted Islam in Makkah when it cost them comfort, family ties and safety. According to the biographers, several of them came to Islam through the da'wah of Abu Bakr.
- Sacrifice. They gave their wealth, left their homes and stood in battle. Every one of them was at Badr or was counted as present, and the people of Badr hold a special rank.
- Closeness to the Prophet ﷺ. Several were related to him by blood or marriage, and all were among his trusted advisers.
They were human, and the trials after 'Uthman's death set some of them on opposite sides. Ahl as-Sunnah hold that they acted on their best judgement, and the Prophet's promise stands.
Were only ten Companions promised Jannah?
No. This is a common misunderstanding. The ten are a group named in one hadith, not a complete list. Many others were given the same good news by name in authentic narrations.
- Khadijah. Jibril brought her greetings of peace and the good news of a house in Jannah made of hollowed pearl (Sahih al-Bukhari).
- Fatimah, al-Hasan and al-Husayn. Fatimah is the leader of the women of Jannah, and al-Hasan and al-Husayn are the leaders of its youth (Jami' at-Tirmidhi).
- Bilal. The Prophet ﷺ heard his footsteps ahead of him in Paradise (Sahih al-Bukhari).
- Others named. 'Abdullah ibn Salam, Thabit ibn Qays, Ja'far ibn Abi Talib and 'Ukkashah ibn Mihsan are among those given glad tidings by name.
- Whole groups. The Qur'an says Allah was pleased with the believers who pledged under the tree at al-Hudaybiyyah (Surah Al-Fath, 48:18), and Allah promised the best reward to the early and later Companions who strove (Surah Al-Hadid, 57:10).
What do Ahl as-Sunnah believe about the Companions?
Loving and respecting all the Companions is part of the creed of Ahl as-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah, including the Hanafi scholars. Imam at-Tahawi, whose creed is taught across the Hanafi world, wrote that we love the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, do not go to excess in love for any one of them nor disown any of them, and mention them only with good. He also affirmed that we testify to Jannah for the ten whom the Prophet ﷺ named.
The four caliphs are ranked in virtue in the order of their caliphate: Abu Bakr, then 'Umar, then 'Uthman, then 'Ali. Speaking ill of any Companion is a serious wrong: through them the Qur'an and the Sunnah reached us. Allah praised them in many verses, among them Surah At-Tawbah (9:100), which says Allah is pleased with the first forerunners among the emigrants and the Ansar, and they are pleased with Him.
How can we learn from the ten promised Jannah?
Each of the ten offers a lesson you can carry into ordinary life. From Abu Bakr, sincerity and spreading good to friends. From 'Umar, justice and accountability. From 'Uthman, modesty and generous giving. From 'Ali, knowledge and courage. From Talhah, standing up for what matters at personal cost. From az-Zubayr, steadfastness under pressure. From 'Abd ar-Rahman, honest earning and spending for Allah. From Sa'd, honouring parents without disobeying Allah. From Sa'id, defending the honour of others. From Abu 'Ubaydah, trustworthiness and simplicity.
A practical start: learn one Companion a week with your family, read his story and pick one quality to work on.
Our free Brothers' Weekly series tells the stories of the men around the Prophet ﷺ, and the Sisters' Weekly series covers the great women of Islam, including those promised Jannah.
Sources
- Jami' at-Tirmidhi, hadith 3747: 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn 'Awf names the ten promised Jannah.
- The Qur'an, Surah At-Tawbah (9), verses 40 and 100; Surah Al-Fath (48), verse 18; Surah Al-Hadid (57), verse 10.
- Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith 3683, 3724, 2846 and 3744: virtues of 'Umar, Talhah, az-Zubayr and Abu 'Ubaydah.
- Sahih Muslim, hadith 2401 and 2404: virtues of 'Uthman and 'Ali.
- Imam at-Tahawi, al-'Aqidah at-Tahawiyyah: love for the Companions and testimony of Jannah for the ten.