—that is, “a pair” means two different kinds: he might donate silver dirhams together with gold dinars, or dirhams along with other goods, or horses together with camels, and so forth. The Almighty says, “And you will be in three kinds” (56:7), meaning three categories.

The Messenger then listed the gates of Paradise. His words, “He will be called from the gates of Paradise, ‘Servant of Allah, this is good!’” mean that the angels will summon him from every gate, repeating, “This is good, this is good, this is good.” This underscores the excellence of spending in the cause of Allah.

It also proves that whoever excels in prayer will be called from the Gate of Prayer; whoever excels in charity will be called from the Gate of Charity; and whoever excels in fasting will be called from al-Rayyān, a gate reserved exclusively for them. Al-Rayyān, “the Quencher,” is so named because those who fast suffer thirst—especially during the long, hot days of summer—and will therefore be rewarded with entry through a gate whose very name reflects their special distinction.

His statement, “Whoever is among the people of charity … the people of jihad … the people of fasting,” refers to the one who frequently performs those deeds. It does not mean that someone who merely fasts yet never prays will enter Paradise; such a person is a disbeliever. Rather, the intent is Muslims who abound in prayer will be called from the Gate of Prayer, and those who abound in charity will be called from the Gate of Charity.

In any case, once a person is destined for Paradise he will enter it through whichever gate he is invited. Paradise has eight gates, whereas Hell has seven. Concerning Hell, Allah says: “It has seven gates, and for each gate is an allotted portion of them” (15:44). As for the eight gates of Paradise