How many degrees are there in Paradise, and what is difference between Al-Firdaws and Al-Waseelah (a degree that is attained only by our Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, Allaah willing)? Is Al-Waseelah in Al-Firdaws.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger. 

There are many degrees in Paradise. Regarding the hadeeth that reads, “There are one hundred levels in Paradise,” [narrated by Al-Bukhari, Ahmad, and others], scholars of Hadeeth said that the hadeeth is not meant to indicate a specific number but rather merely indicates abundance. As-Suyooti wrote:

“Al-Qurtubi stated that the level is the refined status in Paradise and refers to the chambers of Paradise, the highest of which is Al-Firdaws. The hadeeth does not indicate that the number of the levels of Paradise is one hundred only; there are much more levels; only Allaah knows their number. The hadeeth that reads, ‘The Quran reciter is told: Recite and ascend for your rank (in Paradise) is at the last verse you recite,’ clearly proves that there are more than one hundred levels in Paradise, since the number of the verses of the Quran is more than 6000...” [Sharh Muslim]

Ibn Al-Qayyim wrote, “The hadeeth that reads, ‘Your rank (in Paradise) is at the last verse you recite,’ clearly proves that there are more than one hundred levels in Paradise...” [Haadi Al-Arwaah]

As for your question about Al-Firdaws and Al-Waseelah, you should know that Al-Waseelah is a better rank because it is the highest rank in Paradise and it is prepared for one person only. Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, said, “When you invoke peace upon me, ask Allaah to grant me Al-Waseelah.” He was asked, “O Messenger of Allaah, what is Al-Waseelah?” He, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, said, “It is a rank in Paradise fitting for only one of the servants of Allaah, and I hope that I may be that one.” [At-Tirmithi and Ahmad]

It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Saʻeed Al-Khudri that the Prophet, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, said, “Al-Waseelah is a rank with Allaah above which there is no rank. So ask Allaah to bless me with it.” [Ahmad and At-Tabaraani]

It seems that Al-Waseelah is not separate from Al-Firdaws; rather, it is the highest rank in Al-Firdaws. Anas ibn Maalik narrated that Faatimah said upon the death of the Prophet, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, “O my father, the Paradise of Al-Firdaws is his abode...” [Al-Bukhari, Ahmad, An-Nasaa'i and others] This clearly indicates that the Prophet, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, is in Al-Firdaws.

Ibn ʻUthaymeen wrote, “Her words, ‘O my father, the Paradise of Al-Firdaws is his abode’ is because he will attain the highest rank in Paradise, as he, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, said, ‘Ask Allaah to grant me Al-Waseelah. It is a rank in Paradise that only one servant of Allaah will attain, and I hope that I am him.’ There is no doubt that he, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, shall be in Al-Firdaws, which is the highest level in Paradise...”

Al-Munaawi wrote, “Al-Firdaws is the highest level in Paradise; it has many levels as well, the highest of which is Al-Waseelah. There is no objection to saying that each level of Paradise has sub-levels, some of which are higher than the others...” [Faydh Al-Qadeer]

Allaah knows best.