from some people on behalf of others. This settling of accounts is different from the reckoning that took place on the plain of Resurrection. The purpose of this second requital—Allah knows best—is to purge the hearts of all rancor, hatred, and malice, so that they may enter Paradise in the finest possible state. For even when a person has been compensated for a wrong committed against him, something of resentment toward the aggressor often remains in his heart. The people of Paradise, however, will not be admitted until full restitution has been made to them, after which they will enter in the best of conditions. Once they have been refined and purified, they will be permitted to approach Paradise. Yet the gate of Paradise will not be opened for anyone before the Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

Accordingly, he will intercede personally for the people of Paradise to be allowed in, just as he earlier interceded for all creatures so that judgment would be concluded and they could be relieved of the terrors, anxieties, and grief that had befallen them on the plain of Resurrection. These two intercessions are unique to the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him: his intercession for those awaiting judgment so that the matter may be decided, and his intercession for the inhabitants of Paradise so that they may enter it. Thus he—peace be upon him—has two distinct intercessions: the first secures deliverance from the overwhelming fears and worries; the second secures the desired outcome—the opening of the gates of Paradise, which will then be opened.

The very first human being to enter Paradise will be the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—preceding all others. The first community to enter will be the community of the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him. As for the inhabitants of the Fire—Allah’s refuge is sought—they will be driven toward Hell in crowds, entering it one nation after another: “Whenever one nation enters, it will curse its sister” (Qur’an 7:38). The later nation will curse the earlier one, and so on, each disavowing the other. We ask Allah for well-being. When they arrive at Hell they will find its gates already open, so that they may be engulfed in its punishment.