Entering Paradise in Chains

📖Sahih al-Bukhari 3010
Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Allah marvels at people who enter Paradise in chains.”

This hadith means that during battles, when two armies fought, some fighters who came to kill Muslims were captured in chains. But later, while in captivity, they heard the truth of Islam, accepted it sincerely, and became believers. Those very chains, once a sign of war, became the means through which Allah guided them to Paradise.

Quranic Context:

📖Quran 8:70
O Prophet, say to those captives who are in your hands: If Allah knows any goodness in your hearts, He will give you something better than what was taken from you and He will forgive you. And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

📖Quran 9:6
And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah. Then deliver him to a place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know.

This fits perfectly with the hadith – even if an enemy came with the intention to fight, once he is captured or seeks protection, Islam commands Muslims to give him safety, let him hear the message, and guide him, not harm him.