This is the one at whose death the Throne shook; the gates of heaven were opened for him; and seventy thousand angles attended his funeral. He was squeezed once then was released

This is the one at whose death the Throne shook; the gates of heaven were opened for him; and seventy thousand angles attended his funeral. He was squeezed once then was released

Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "This is the one at whose death the Throne shook; the gates of heaven were opened for him; and seventy thousand angles attended his funeral. He was squeezed once then was released."

[Authentic hadith] [An-Nasaa’i]

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) praised in this Hadīth the venerated Companion Sa‘d ibn Mu‘ādh (may Allah be pleased with him). The Throne of the Most Merciful was shaken out of pleasure for Sa‘d's advent to heaven. The gates of heaven were opened for him in order for Allah's mercy to descend and the angels to go down. They were opened to adorn themselves in reception of his soul, because the destination of the believers' souls is Paradise above the seventh heaven. Another virtue of this Companion is that his funeral was attended by seventy thousand angels as a way of showing great veneration to him. Yet, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned that in spite of those great virtues and prestigious status of Sa‘d ibn Mu‘ādh, the grave squeezed him, but then Allah released him. Thus, no one will ever escape the squeeze of the grave. If anyone were to escape it, Mu‘ādh would have been that one, as mentioned by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).

Categories

The Angels, Merit of the Companions