On the authority of Tāriq ibn Shihāb, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “A man entered Paradise because of a gnat, while another man entered Hell because of a gnat.” They asked, “How could that be, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “Two men passed by a people who possessed an idol (ṣanam) which no one was allowed to pass without first offering it something in sacrifice. They said to the first man, ‘Make an offering.’ He answered, ‘I have nothing to offer.’ They said, ‘Offer even a single gnat.’ So he offered a gnat and they let him go on his way—and he entered the Fire. They then said to the second man, ‘Make an offering.’ He replied, ‘I would never offer anything to anyone other than Allah.’ So they struck off his head, and he entered Paradise.” (1) Related by Aḥmad.

Tāriq ibn Shihāb al-Bajalī al-Aḥmasī saw the Prophet ﷺ but did not hear directly from him, so his report is classified as mursal, even though he is counted among the Companions. Tāriq died in 83 AH.

“Because of a gnat” (fī dhubāb) means: on account of a mere gnat.

“Idol” (ṣanam): an image carved into a likeness.

“He cannot pass it” (lā yajawzuhu): no one may go by it or proceed beyond it.

“To offer” (yuqarrib): to slaughter something in sacrifice.

General meaning of the hadith: the Prophet ﷺ warns of the grave danger of shirk (associating partners with Allah).