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Fatwa CenterHadeeth about status of Bilaal and Luqmaan in Paradise
Question
Is there a hadith that says that Bilaal, Luqmaan, and one other are the chiefs of Paradise?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
It was narrated on the authority of Ibn 'Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said, “Employ the black men, for three of them are among the chiefs of the people of Paradise: Luqmaan the wise; Negus (An-Najaashi); and Bilaal, the Caller to Prayer.” [cited by Ibn Hibbaan in his book Adh-Dhu‘afaa' and by At-Tabaraani and Ibn ‘Asaakir]
The chain of narration of this hadeeth was declared weak by Al-Haythami and Al-Albaani 
.
However, it has been clearly stated in the Quran that Allah granted Luqmaan wisdom. Allah, The Exalted, says (what means): {And We had certainly given Luqmaan wisdom (and said), "Be grateful to Allah." And whoever is grateful is grateful for (the benefit of) himself. And whoever denies (His favor) - then indeed, Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.} [Quran 31:12]
As for Bilaal, it has been reported that the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, asked him, “O Bilaal, tell me of the best deed that you did after embracing Islam, for I heard your footsteps in front of me in Paradise.” Bilaal replied, “I did not do anything more hopeful than that whenever I performed ablution during the day or night, I prayed after that ablution as much as was written for me.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] A narration cited by Muslim reads, “I was shown Paradise, and I saw the wife of Abu Talhah (Umm Sulaym), then I heard the sound of footsteps before me, and it was Bilaal.” [Muslim]
Another hadeeth reads, “The best of the blacks are three: Bilaal, Luqmaan, and Mihja', the freed slave of the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.” [narrated by Al-Haakim; declared inauthentic by Ath-Thahabi and Al-Albaani. At-Tabari narrated it and attributed it to Sa‘eed ibn Al-Musayyib]
Allah knows best.
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