I need a simple explanation of the prophetic Hadeeth which is mentioned in Saheeh Al-Bukhaari: “Amongst my Companions there would be twelve hypocrites, among whom eight would not enter Paradise, until a camel enters into the eye of a needle.” Please explain this Hadeeth. May Allaah Reward you.

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 ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

This Hadeeth is mentioned in Saheeh Muslim and Saheeh Al-Bukhari. The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Amongst my Companions there would be twelve hypocrites, among whom eight would not enter Paradise until a camel enters into the eye of a needle."

An-Nawawi said in his commentary on Saheeh Muslim, “Amongst my Companions” means those people who claim to be my Companions as the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said in another narration “amongst my Ummah”. This Hadeeth means that it is impossible for them to enter Paradise as it is impossible for a camel to pass through the hole of a needle.”

Those twelve hypocrites intended and planned to kill the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, on his way back from one of his battles.

Al-Haafith Ibn Katheer mentioned their story in his Tafseer in his commentary on the verse in which Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {They swear by Allaah that they did not say [anything against the Prophet] while they had said the word of disbelief and disbelieved after their [pretense of] Islam and planned that which they were not to attain.} [Quran 9:74] After mentioning two narrations by Ahmad and Al-Bayhaqi interpreting this verse, Ibn Katheer, May Allaah Have Mercy upon him, said another narration:

The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordered people (after returning from a battle) to take the way of the valley and he accompanied Huthayfah and ‘Ammaar and ascended uphill. Consequently, those wicked men who were masked followed them and wanted to go uphill. Allaah The Almighty Informed His Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, about the intention of those people. So, the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordered Huthayfah to go back to them and beat the faces of their animals. So, they became scared and returned with curses. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, told Huthayfah and ‘Ammaar about those people’s names and their plot to kill him. Moreover, he ordered them not to expose them.

Then Ibn Katheer said that the Hadeeth mentioned by Muslim is a witness to the soundness of this story and then he mentioned this Hadeeth.

Allaah Knows best.