Encyclopedia of Translated Hadiths (HadeethEnc) · Virtues and Manners
Number: 3581
Paradise is nearer to one of you than his shoelaces, and so is Hellfire
عن ابن مسعود رضي الله عنه قال: قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: «الْجَنَّةُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَى أَحَدِكُمْ مِنْ شِرَاكِ نَعْلِهِ، وَالنَّارُ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ».
Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Paradise is nearer to one of you than his shoelaces, and so is Hellfire."
Translation by HadeethEnc.com
Grade[Authentic][Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
Explanation
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs that Paradise and Hellfire are so close to people like their shoelaces, which lie above their feet. This is because a person may perform a good deed that pleases Allah Almighty and causes him to enter Paradise or commit a sin that leads him to Hellfire.
Benefits of the hadith
- This encourages us to do good, even if it's a little, and warns us against evil, even if it's a little.
- In his life, a Muslim should combine hope and fear and constantly implore Allah Almighty to make him steadfast to the truth, so that he can be safe and keep away from self-conceit.
HadeethEnc.com · English edition v1.25.0, updated 2026-05-10 · Open on HadeethEnc.com