Narrated Qais bin 'Ubada: I was sitting in a gathering in which there was Sa`d bin Malik and Ibn `Umar. `Abdullah bin Salam passed in front of them and they said, "This man is from the people of Paradise." I said to `Abdullah bin Salam, "They said so-and-so." He replied, "Subhan Allah! They ought not to have said things of which they have no knowledge, but I saw (in a dream) that a post was fixed in a green garden. At the top of the post there was a handhold and below it there was a servant. I was asked to climb (the post). So I climbed it till I got hold of the handhold." Then I narrated this dream to Allah's Apostle. Allah's Apostle said, "`Abdullah will die while still holding the firm reliable handhold (i.e., Islam).
Explanation & Benefits
Maulana Dawood Raz
Hadith Commentary:
That is, their end will be upon Islam; by "garden" is meant Islam, and by "peg" as well, what is intended is the religion of Islam.
Source: Sahih Bukhari: Commentary by Maulana Dawood Raz, Page: 7010
Shaykh Abdul Sattar al-Hammad
Hadith Commentary:
1.
In one narration, Khursha bin Har says that I was sitting in a group in the blessed mosque of Madinah. In that gathering, a Sheikh of beautiful appearance and form was narrating hadiths in the best manner. When he finished his sermon and left, the people said regarding him: “Whoever wishes to see a person of Paradise, let him look at him.” (Sahih Muslim, Fada’il al-Sahabah, Hadith: 6383(2484))
These two different narrations have been reconciled in this way: Abdullah bin Salam radi Allahu anhu was delivering a sermon in one gathering, as is mentioned in Khursha’s narration. Then, as he was leaving, he passed by a group in which Sa’d bin Malik radi Allahu anhu and Ibn Umar radi Allahu anhu were present, as is mentioned in the narration of Qais bin ‘Abad. Then both Khursha and Qais went to his house and questioned him, and he answered them. (Fath al-Bari: 12/497)
2.
Regarding the “firm handhold” (urwat al-wuthqa), the Noble Qur’an states that whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. In this dream, there was an indication that Abdullah bin Salam radi Allahu anhu would die upon Islam, just as the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam had said regarding him.
3.
Abdullah bin Salam radi Allahu anhu expressed amazement and, displaying humility and modesty, denied what the people said so that people would not point fingers at him, which could lead to pride and arrogance. Abdullah bin Salam radi Allahu anhu did not deny being among the people of Paradise, but his intention was that such matters should not be stated with certainty and assurance. This is the hallmark of humble people.
And Allah knows best.
Source: Hidayat al-Qari: Commentary on Sahih Bukhari, Urdu, Page: 7010