Hadith: So when you ask Allah, ask Him for Al-Firdaws

عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ رَضيَ اللهُ عنهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ:
«فِي الجَنَّةِ مِائَةُ دَرَجَةٍ مَا بَيْنَ كُلِّ دَرَجَتَيْنِ كَمَا بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ، وَالْفِرْدَوْسُ أَعْلاَهَا دَرَجَةً وَمِنْهَا تُفَجَّرُ أَنْهَارُ الجَنَّةِ الأَرْبَعَةُ، وَمِنْ فَوْقِهَا يَكُونُ العَرْشُ، فَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُ اللَّهَ فَسَلُوهُ الفِرْدَوْسَ».
[صحيح] - [رواه الترمذي] - [سنن الترمذي: 2531]

‘Ubādah ibn as-Sāmit (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"In Paradise, there are a hundred degrees; the distance between each two degrees is like the distance between the heavens and the earth. The highest of them in degree is Al-Firdaws, and from it flow the four rivers of Paradise, and above it is the Throne. So when you ask Allah, ask Him for Al-Firdaws."
[Authentic hadith] - [Narrated by At-Termedhy] - [Sunan At-Termedhy - 2531]

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed that in the Paradise of the Hereafter, there are one hundred degrees and ranks. The distance between each two degrees is like the distance between the heavens and the earth. The highest of these gardens is that of Al-Firdaws, from which the four rivers of Paradise flow, and above Al-Firdaws is the Throne. So when you ask Allah, ask Him for Al-Firdaws, as it is above all the other gardens.

Benefits from the Hadith

1. The people of Paradise have various ranks depending on their Imān and righteous deeds.
2. Encouraging the act of asking Allah for the highest level of Al-Firdaws in Paradise.
3. Al-Firdaws is the highest and best part of Paradise.
4. A Muslim should have high aspirations and strive and seek the highest and best ranks with Allah Almighty.
5. The four rivers of Paradise are those of water, milk, wine, and honey that are mentioned in the Qur’an in the statement of Allah Almighty: {The likeness of Paradise promised to the righteous is that of a [garden which has] rivers of fresh water; rivers of milk the taste of which never changes; rivers of wine delicious to drink; and rivers of pure honey.} [Surat Muhammad: 15]