The Companions of the Prophet whom he (peace and blessings be upon him) gave the glad tidings of entering Paradise, they are many but ten of them are mentioned in one hadith. These ten companions are: Abu Bakr, `Umar ibn al-Khattaab, `Uthman ibn `Affaan, `Ali ibn Abi Talib, Az-Zubayr ibn al- `Awwam, `Abdur-Rahman ibn `Awf, Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas, Sa`id ibn Zayd, Talhah ibn `Ubaydillah, and Abu `Ubaydah ibn al-Jarraah (may Allah be pleased with them all).
At-Tirmidhi reports from `Abdul-Rahman ibn `Awf, that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Abu Bakr will be in Paradise, `Umar will be in Paradise, `Uthman will be in Paradise, `Ali will be in Paradise, Talhah will be in Paradise, Al-Zubayr will be in Paradise, `Abdul-Rahman ibn `Awf will be in Paradise, Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas will be in Paradise, Sa`id ibn Zayd will be in Paradise and Abu `Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah will be in Paradise.” Its isnad (chain of transmitters) is sahih (authentic). [Sahih al-Jami` as-Saghir, 1/70, no. 50]
The Qur`an and Sunnah, however, have referred to certain righteous men and women who are promised by Allah to enter Paradise. For example, the Qur`an promises those who dedicate their lives to the Sake of Allah and do righteous deeds to enter Gardens underneath which rivers flow. Allah Almighty says: “And give glad tidings (O Muhammad) unto those who believe and do good works; that theirs are Gardens underneath which rivers flow; as often as they are regaled with food of the fruit thereof, they say: This is what was given us aforetime; and it is given to them in resemblance. There for them are pure companions; there for ever they abide.” (Al-Baqarah: 25)
Moreover, we learn from the Sunnah that some of the Prophet’s wives, such as `A’ishah and Khadijah will be his wives in Paradise. On the other hand, we cannot ignore that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave glad tidings of entering Paradise to other Companions like `Ukashah (may Allah be pleased with him). Therefore, it is our duty to study the biographies of these great companions of the Prophet, reflect on their merits and conduct, and do our best to imitate them so that we will accompany them in the Hereafter.