between a testimony that is given in the Prophet’s lifetime—peace and blessings be upon him—and one that is given after his death, for the narration of Abû al-Aswad with ʿUmar ibn al-Khattâb (Allah be pleased with him) occurred after the Prophet’s passing. The Prophet even went so far as to say that if two people bear good witness for someone, he is counted among the people of Paradise.

According to the creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wa-l-Jamâʿah, we do not certify anyone as being in Paradise or in Hell except those whom the Prophet himself has certified. Thus we affirm Paradise for whomever the Messenger affirmed Paradise, and we affirm the Fire for whomever he affirmed the Fire.

Among those whom he declared to be in Paradise are the four Rightly Guided Caliphs—Abû Bakr, ʿUmar, ʿUthmân, and ʿAlî—as well as the rest of the ten who were given glad tidings of Paradise. The Prophet said: “Abû Bakr is in Paradise, ʿUmar is in Paradise, ʿUthmân is in Paradise, ʿAlî is in Paradise, Saʿd ibn Abî Waqqâṣ is in Paradise, Saʿîd ibn Zayd is in Paradise, ʿAbd al-Raḥmân ibn ʿAwf is in Paradise, Abû ʿUbaydah ibn al-Jar­râḥ is in Paradise, and al-Zubayr ibn al-ʿAwwâm is in Paradise.” These ten were all designated by the Prophet as people of Paradise.

As for ʿUkâshah ibn Miḥṣan, when the Prophet informed that seventy thousand members of this community will enter Paradise without reckoning or punishment, he said, “Messenger of Allah, pray that I be among them.”