What is the preponderant interpretation of the word "people" in the hadith: "So whoever loves to be moved away from the Fire and enter Paradise, then let his death come to him while he believes in Allah and the Last Day, and let him come to the people with that which he loves to be come to him with," is it general as Al-Nawawi said, or specific to rulers as Al-Qurtubi said?

The aforementioned Hadith is authentic, reported by Muslim in his "Sahih." In it, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, mentions what saves one from Hellfire and admits one into Paradise. Among these is his saying: "So whoever wishes to be saved from the Fire and admitted into Paradise, let his death overtake him while he believes in Allah and the Last Day, and let him treat people as he would love to be treated." Scholars have differed regarding the meaning of "people" (الناس) in the Hadith. Al-Qurtubi held that it refers to rulers and imams, while the majority of scholars, such as Qadi Iyad, An-Nawawi, Ibn Taymiyyah, and Ibn Uthaymeen, held that it refers to people in general. The preponderant view is that of the majority, as the wording is general, and the legal principle states that a Hadith is interpreted according to its generality and apparent meaning unless there is evidence that specifies it. What further confirms this generality is the statement of Abdullah ibn Mas'ud: "Whoever wishes to be just with Allah regarding himself, let him treat people as he would love to be treated." In summary, the Hadith is general, applying to all people, and a Muslim should treat them as he would love to be treated.