What is the fate of the remaining Muslims, numbering nearly a billion, and will those who are described as "they do not seek ruqyah, nor do they believe in omens, nor do they cauterize, and they rely on their Lord" not be held accountable, and what is the meaning of "three handfuls from His handfuls"?
Multiple hadiths have been reported indicating that the promise of entering Paradise without reckoning or punishment is not limited to merely seventy thousand. Rather, with every thousand, there are another seventy thousand, in addition to other promises of entering Paradise, and those who increase through intercession or through handfuls [of people]. Scholars have clarified that the mentioned number (seventy thousand) may be for emphasis of multitude rather than a specific count, and that the "handfuls" are a metaphor for extreme abundance. Some hadiths state that there are additional increments with the seventy thousand, such as the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah, which states: "I asked my Lord, and He promised me that seventy thousand of my Ummah would enter Paradise, appearing like the moon on a full night. I asked for more, and He granted me an additional seventy thousand with every thousand." It was also reported: "Then every thousand will intercede for seventy thousand, then my Lord will throw three handfuls with His palms," and that Allah will grant the seventy thousand the right to intercede for their fathers, mothers, and relatives. It is hoped that the least of the Ummah will be among those handfuls. The most important thing is to act upon what Allah has promised, to believe in it and affirm it, and to strive to attain the mentioned qualities.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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