Article Surah 82 · Ayah 13
The Delights of the people of Paradise - I
The Delights of the people of Paradise - I
The Superiority of the Delights of Paradise over the Pleasures of this World
The pleasures of this world are tangible and present, “here and now,” whilst the delights of Paradise are as yet unseen promises. People are readily influenced by what they can see and know instantly. It is hard enough for them to forgo something that is in front of them for the sake of something else that is in the future, so how much harder it is if the promise will not be attained until after death! So, Allah, the Glorified, drew a comparison between the pleasures of this world and the joys of Paradise, and explained that the delights of Paradise are far superior to this world’s pleasures. The Quran speaks at length denouncing this world and extolling the virtues of the Hereafter, to encourage man to strive hard for success in the next world.
Many passages in the Quran dismiss this world of instant, fleeting pleasures and state that the rewards of Allah Almighty are far better.
For example, Allah Says (what means):
• {But those who feared their Lord will have gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein, as accommodation from Allah. And that which is with Allah is best for the righteous.} [Quran 3: 198]
• {And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring.} [Quran 20: 131]
• {Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire-of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return [i.e. Paradise]. Say, 'Shall I inform you of [something] better than that? For those who fear Allah will be gardens in the presence of their Lord beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and purified spouses and approval from Allah. And Allah is Seeing [i.e. aware] of [His] servants. } [Quran 3: 14-15]
• {... Say, “The enjoyment of this world is little, and the Hereafter is better for he who fears Allah... } [Quran 4: 77]
There are many reasons why the delights of Paradise are superior to the pleasures of this world.
In the following Hadeeth (narration), the Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention), illustrated the inferiority and fleeting nature of the pleasures of this world in comparison with the delights of Paradise:
“By Allah, this world in comparison with the Hereafter is nothing more than as if one of you put his finger” - and he gestured with his forefinger - “in the sea: let him see how much water he would retrieve.” [Muslim]
A finger dipped in the ocean would not even pick up one drop; this is how little this world is worth when compared with the Hereafter.
Because the pleasures of this world are so insignificant, Allah, the Most Exalted, rebuked those who prefer the pleasures of this world to the joys of the Hereafter, as in the following verse; Allah Says (what means):
{O you who have believed, what is the matter with you that, when you are told to go forth in the cause of Allah, you adhere heavily to the earth? Are you satisfied with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But what is the enjoyment of worldly life compared to the Hereafter except a [very] little.} [Quran 9: 38]
The pleasures of this world are fleeting:
We have already quoted texts that indicate the inexhaustible abundance of the blessings and joys of the Hereafter.
The Hereafter is much better from the point of view of quality:
The clothing, food, drink, jewellery and palaces of the people of Paradise will be far superior to their counterparts in this world. There is in fact no room for comparison, as even the smallest space in Paradise is better than this world and all that is in it. The Messenger of Allah said: “The space of a whip in Paradise is better than this world and everything that is in it.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Also, Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet said: “The space of the bow of any one of you in Paradise is better than all that the sun rises upon.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The comparison between the women of Paradise and the women of this earth serves to demonstrate the superiority of that which is in Paradise. Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, quoted the Messenger of Allah saying: “If a woman of the people of Paradise were to look at this earth, she would light up everything in between and fill it with her fragrance; the veil on her head is better than this world and all that is in it.” [Al-Bukhari]
Paradise is free from all the impurities and disappointments of this world:
Eating and drinking in this life results in the need for excretion and its associated unpleasant odours. If a person drinks wine in this world, he loses his mind. Women in this world menstruate and give birth, which are sources of pain and hurt. Paradise is free from all of these discomforts: its people will not urinate, defecate, spit or suffer from catarrh. The wine of Paradise is as described by its Creator in the verse (which means):
{Crystal-white, delicious to those who drink [thereof], free from intoxication, nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom.} [Quran 37: 4647]
The water of Paradise does not become brackish, and its milk never changes in flavor, as stated in the verse (which means): {…Rivers of water unaltered, rivers of milk the taste of which never changes...} [Quran 47: 15]
The women of Paradise are pure and free from menstruation, postnatal bleeding, and all the other impurities suffered by women in this world, as Allah Almighty Says (what means):
{… And they will have therein purified spouses, and they will abide therein eternally.} [Quran 2: 25]
The hearts of the people of Paradise will be pure, their speech will be good, and their deeds will be righteous. There will be no hurtful, upsetting, offensive or provocative talk there, for Paradise is free from all worthless words and deeds. The only speech that is heard there is good, sincere and pure, free from all the shameful shortcomings of earthly speech; Allah Says (what means): {... no ill speech or commission of sin.} [Quran 52: 23] Allah Says (what means): {... They will not hear therein any ill speech — only [greetings of] peace...} [Quran 19. 62]
To be continued…
Link: http://www.islamweb.net/en/article/183049/the-delights-of-the-people-of-paradise-i
The Delights of the people of Paradise - II
The pleasures of this world are transient whilst the joys of the Hereafter are lasting and eternal:
This is why Almighty Allah calls the pleasures of this world “temporary conveniences” because they are enjoyed for a short while, then they come to an end, but the joys of the Hereafter have no end; there are many verses in this regard, Allah Says (what means): { Whatever you have will end, but what Allah has is lasting.} [Quran 16: 96]
{Indeed, this is Our provision; for it there is no depletion.} [Quran 38: 54]
{.... The example [i.e. description] of Paradise, which the righteous have been promised, is [that] beneath it rivers flow. Its fruit is lasting, and its shade.} [Quran 13: 35]
Allah, the Most Exalted, gave an example of how quickly this world will pass away in the verse (which means): {And present to them the example of the life of this world, [its being] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability. Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life.
{But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one’s] hope.} [Quran 18: 45-46]
Allah likened this life to the rain that falls from the sky and causes plants to grow, flower and bear fruit. This lasts for only a short time before they shrivel and are blown away by the wind. Such are the luxuries of this life, such as youth, wealth, sons, land and fields. All of this passes away; youth fades, health and vitality are replaced by sickness and old age, wealth and children may disappear, a person may be taken from his family and wealth, but the Hereafter will never vanish or go away.
Allah Says (what means): {For those who do good in this world is good; and the home of the Hereafter is better. And how excellent is the home of the righteous. Gardens of perpetual residence, which they will enter, beneath which rivers flow. They will have therein whatever they wish. Thus does Allah reward the righteous.} [Quran 16: 30-31]
Seeking to enjoy the pleasures of this world and neglecting the Hereafter will be followed by regret and sorrow when one enters the Fire of Hell:
Regarding this, Allah, Glory be to him, Says (what means): {Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.}
[Quran 3. 185]
The Food and Drink of the People of Paradise
The trees and ripe fruits of Paradise hang within easy reach, so that the people of Paradise may pick whatever fruits they desire. The people will also have whatever food and drink they desire; Allah Says (what means):
{And fruit of what they select And the meat of fowl, from whatever they desire.} [Quran 56: 20-21]
{And therein is whatever the souls desire and [what] delights the eyes, and you will abide therein eternally.} [Quran 43: 71]
Allah, the Most High, will grant them with whatever they want of the good food and drink of Paradise, as in the verse (which means): {[They will be told]. “Eat and drink in satisfaction for what you put forth in the days past.”} [Quran 69: 24]
In Paradise, there will be a sea of water, a sea of wine, a sea of milk and a sea of honey, and the rivers of Paradise will flow out of these seas. There will also be many springs in Paradise, and its people will drink from these seas, rivers and springs. Allah, the Most Exalted, Says (what means):
{Indeed, the righteous will drink from a cup [of wine], whose mixture is of Kaafoor (camphor). A spring of which the [righteous] servants of Allah will drink; they will make it gush forth in force [and abundance].} [Quran 76: 5-6]
{And they will be given to drink there of a cup [of wine] mixed with Zanjabeel [ginger], a spring there, called Salsabeel.} [Quran 76: 17-18]
{It [that wine] will be mixed with Tasneem, a spring whereof drink those nearest to Allah.} [Quran 83: 27-28]
The wine of the people of Paradise:
One of the drinks that Allah Almighty will bestow upon the people of Paradise will be wine. The wine of Paradise is free from all the troubles and problems that characterize the wine of this world, which makes people lose their mind, causes headaches, stomachaches and other physical disorders, or which may have something wrong in the way it is made, or its colour, etc. But the wine of Paradise is free from all such faults; it is pure and beautiful, as described in the verse (which means): {There will be circulated among them a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring. White and delicious to the drinkers. No bad effect is there in it, nor from it will they be intoxicated.} [Quran 37: 45-47]
Besides, Allah Almighty described the beauty of its white colour then explained that its drinkers enjoy it very much, without it affecting their minds; Allah Says (what means): {Rivers of wine delicious to those who drink.} [Quran 47: 15]
And they will never be adversely affected by drinking it; Allah Says (what means): {No bad effect is there in it, nor from it will they be intoxicated.} [Quran 37:47]
Elsewhere in the Quran, Almighty Allah describes the wine of Paradise, Saying (what means): {There will circulate among them young boys made eternal. With vessels, pitchers and a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring. No headache will they have there from, nor will they be intoxicated .} [Quran 56: 17-19]
Commenting on this passage, Ibn Katheer, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “It does not cause their heads to ache or their minds to be fogged; it is pure, although it still contains the ingredients that make it a delight to the drinker. Adh-Dhahhaak, may Allah have mercy upon him, narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “Wine produces four things: drunkenness, headache, vomit and urine. Allah has mentioned the wine of Paradise, and He has purified it of all these things.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 6/514]
Link: Link
The Delights of the people of Paradise- III
The food and drink of the people of Paradise does not produce any impure excrement:
It might come to one’s mind that the food and drink of Paradise might produce the same as the food and drink of this world, namely excrement, urine, mucus, saliva, and so on. But this is not the case. Paradise is a place that is free from all impurities, and its people are free from all the blemishes of people of this world. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated a Hadeeth which clearly rejects such a notion. The Prophet Muhammad (may Allah exalt his mention) said: “The first group to enter Paradise will be as beautiful as the full moon; they will not spit or blow their noses.” Al- Bukhari and Muslim]
This does not apply only to the first group to enter Paradise; all those who will enter it, will be similarly pure. The Messenger of Allah said: “The first group of my Ummah (Nation) to enter Paradise will be as beautiful as the full moon, and those that come after them will be like the brightest shining star, and those that follow them will be ranked according to their status. They will not defecate or urinate or blow their noses or spit.” [Muslim]
It might be asked: where will the waste products from their food and drink go? Indeed, this question was posed to the Prophet by his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, and he replied that part of these waste products will be turned into sweat like musk that will come out of their bodies; other parts will be turned into burps, but these burps will produce a fragrant scent. Jaabir Ibn ‘Abdullaah, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah saying: “The people of Paradise will eat and drink therein, but they will not spit, excrete or blow their noses.” They (the companions) asked, “What will happen to the waste matter from their food?” He said: “(It will come out as) burps which are like musk.” [Muslim]
Why will the people of Paradise eat and drink and comb their hair?
If the people of Paradise are to abide there forever, and Paradise is free from all discomfort, pain and sickness, and there is no hunger or thirst there, nor are there any impurities or dirt, then why will the people of Paradise eat and drink, and use perfume and comb their hair?
Al-Qurtubi answered this question in At-Tathkirah [Page 475], saying: “The luxuries and clothing of the people of Paradise will not be for the purpose of warding off potential pains; they will not eat because of hunger, or drink because of thirst, or use perfume because of some offensive odour. Paradise is a never-ending succession of delight and joy. Do you not remember the words of Allah to Aadam (which mean): {Indeed, it is [promised] for you not to be hungry therein or be unclothed. And indeed, you will not be thirsty therein or be hot from the sun.} [Quran 20: 118-119]
The vessels and cups of the people of Paradise:
The vessels from which the people of Paradise will eat and drink will be of gold and silver. Allah Almighty Says (what means): {Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them…} [Quran 43: 71], i.e., cups of gold. Allah also Says (what means): {And there will be circulated among them vessels of silver and cups having been [created] clear [as glass]. Clear glasses [made] from silver of which they have determined the measure.}[Quran 76: 15-16], i.e. it will combine the purity of crystal with the whiteness of silver. The Prophet Muhammad said: "The believer in Paradise will have a tent made of a single hollowed-out pearl… and two gardens of silver, their vessels and everything in them, and two gardens of gold, their vessels and everything in them." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Among the vessels from which they will drink will be cups, jugs and glasses, as Allah Almighty Says (what means): {There will circulate among them young boys made eternal. With vessels, pitchers and a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring.} [Quran 56: 17-18]
The “cup” (koob) is something that has no handle or spout, the ‘jug” (ibreeq) has a handle and a spout, and the “glass” (ka‘s) is a cup that is filled with drink. The Clothing, Jewellery and Incense-burners of the People of Paradise
The people of Paradise will wear the most luxurious clothes and adorn themselves with jewellery of gold, silver and pearls. They will wear, amongst other things, garments of silk and bracelets of gold, silver and pearls. Almighty Allah Says (what means): {And will reward them for what they patiently endured [with] a garden [in Paradise] and silk [garments].} [Quran 76: 12]
Allah also Says (what means): {Indeed, Allah will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearl, and their garments therein will be silk.} [Quran 22: 23]
Their clothes will be colourful, including garments of green silk and brocade, as in the verse (which means): {They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and brocade, reclining therein on adorned couches.} [Quran 18:31]
Their clothing will be far superior to any man-made garment. Al-Barra’ Ibn ‘Aazib, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “A silken garment was brought to the Messenger and we admired its beauty and softness.” The Messenger of Allah said: “The handkerchiefs of Sa’d Ibn Mu’aadh in Paradise are better than this.” [Al-Bukhari]
The Prophet also told us that the people of Paradise will have combs of gold and silver, and that they will perfume themselves with ‘Ood At-Teeb (excellent kind of perfume), even though the scent of musk will be emanating from their pure bodies. The Prophet said about those who will enter Paradise: “Their vessels will be of gold and silver, their combs will be of gold and the coals of their incense-burners will be of aloe- wood(Abu’l-Yamaan said: of ‘Ood At-Teeb) and their sweat will be musk.” [Al-Bukhari]
Their jewellery will include crowns. At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah reported from Al-Miqdaam Ibn Ma’dikarb, may Allah be pleased with him, that among the honors bestowed upon the martyr will be: “...crown of dignity will be placed upon his head, one ruby of which is better than this world and all that is in it.” [Mishkaatul- Masaabeeh, 3/358]
By: Umar Sulaymaan Al-Ashqar
Link: Referenced Link
Is Paradise of different levels? Will the people of the lower levels visit the people of the higher levels?
Question
People in Paradise will be of varying status; some of them will be of high status, and some of them will be lower in status, and so on. Will the one who is in a lower status be able to attain the same as the one who is above him will attain?
Answer
Similar Answers
Praise be to Allah.
Firstly:
One of the things that Muslims believe is that Paradise is of different levels, and that Allah has promised those who obey Him places to dwell in Paradise in return for their acts of obedience. The difference among the people of Paradise in status and levels is only due to the difference among them in terms of acts of obedience and righteousness in this world.
Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Look how We have favored [in provision] some of them over others. But the Hereafter is greater in degrees [of difference] and greater in distinction”
[al-Israa’ 17:21]
“And for all are degrees from what they have done. And your Lord is not unaware of what they do”
[al-An‘aam 6:132].
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
Paradise is of different levels, that vary greatly, and the pious, believing friends of Allah will be in those different levels according to the level of their faith and piety.
Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa (11/188). See also: Tafseer as-Sa‘di (p. 274).
In the answer to question no. 27075, we have discussed the deeds by means of which the Muslim may attain high levels in Paradise.
Secondly:
One of the matters concerning which there can be no doubt is the fact that the people of Paradise will vary in the bliss they enjoy in Paradise, according to the levels they attain. The one who dwells in al-Firdaws (the highest level of Paradise) will not be like one who dwells in lower levels of Paradise.
Allah, may He be exalted, has described the gardens of Paradise that will be granted to the one who fears the standing before Him, may He be glorified and exalted. He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“But for he who has feared the standing before his Lord are two gardens –
So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny? –
Having [spreading] branches…”
[ar-Rahmaan 55:46-48].
Then He describes them, then He says:
“And below them both [in excellence] are two [other] gardens”
[ar-Rahmaan 55:62].
Thus it is clear that the gardens of Paradise differ from one another according to the good deeds of their occupants and their status before their Lord.
It was narrated from Abu Sa‘eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The people of Paradise will see the people of the highest places in Paradise above them as you see a brilliant star far away on the horizon in the east or the west, because of the difference in status between them.” They said: O Messenger of Allah, is that the status of the Prophets that no one else will attain? He said: “No, by the One in Whose hand is my soul. They are men who believed in Allah and believed in the Messengers.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3083) and Muslim (2831).
According to another report, “The people of the highest degrees of Paradise will be seen by those beneath them as a star is seen on the horizon. Abu Bakr and ‘Umar will be among them, and how blessed they are!”
Narrated and classed as hasan by at-Tirmidhi (3658). Also narrated by Ibn Maajah (96), from the hadith of Abu Sa‘eed. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh at-Tirmidhi.
Al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
It should be understood that these high places will vary in elevation and description, in accordance with the differences between their occupants in terms of righteous deeds. So some of them will be higher than others, and more elevated.
With regard to the phrase “a brilliant star far away on the horizon in the east or the west”, what is meant is that the star, when it is rising or setting, is far from people’s vision, so it appears small because it is so far away.
At-Tadhkirah fi Ahwaal al-Mawta wa’d-Daar al-Aakirah (p. 398).
Thirdly:
What has been mentioned above clearly indicates that it is not possible for those who are in the lower levels of paradise to attain what is in the highest levels, because they did not do that which makes them deserving of attaining those levels. If all the people of Paradise were to share in the bliss that Allah has prepared for those who are above them, then there would be no wisdom in the variation of status and degree! By Allah’s perfect justice, those who are deserving of Paradise will not all be the same in degree or level of bliss. Variation between people in this world in terms of faith and obedience leads to variation in their status and standing before Him, may He be glorified and exalted.
Al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
With regard to the words “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, there are men who believed in Allah and believed the Messengers”, he did not mention any righteous deeds or anything else, except faith and belief in the Messengers. That is so that it would be understood that he was referring to complete faith and belief in the Messengers without asking for a sign and without hesitation. Otherwise, how could these high levels be attained by merely believing and accepting the Messengers, which ordinary Muslims do. If that were the case, then all those who affirm the Oneness of Allah would be in the highest levels and degrees of Paradise, and this is impossible.
At-Tadhkirah (p. 398).
Fourthly:
There will be no envy or resentment in Paradise. Concerning that, Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And We will remove whatever is in their hearts of resentment, [so they will be] brothers, on thrones facing each other”
[al-Hijr 15:47].
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The first group to enter Paradise will look like the moon when it is full. They will not spit or blow their noses or defecate therein. Their vessels there will be of gold, and their combs will be of gold and silver, their incense burners will be of aloeswood and their sweat will be musk. Each of them will have two wives, the marrow of whose calves will be visible from beneath the flesh because of their beauty. There will be no dissent or enmity among them and their hearts will be as one, and they will glorify Allah morning and evening.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3073) and Muslim (2834).
Think about this hadith:
It was narrated from Ibn Mas‘ood (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “ The last one to enter Paradise will be a man, who will walk a little, then fall on his face, then the Fire will touch his face and leave its mark on it, then when he has passed it, he will turn back to look at it and will say: Blessed be the One Who has saved me from you; Allah has given me something that He has not given to any of the first and the last.”
Narrated by Muslim (274).
This is the state of the last of the people of Hell to be brought forth from the Fire, and the last of the people of Paradise to be admitted to Paradise; he will think that he has attained something that no one else, of the first and the last, has attained, and he has not even entered Paradise yet, so how about when he does enter it?!
Ibn ‘Atiyyah al-Andalusi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
Everyone in it will be granted contentment with his situation, and he will not believe that anyone has been given something better than him. We know from the religious texts that the people of Paradise will vary in status, commensurate with their good deeds, and commensurate with the grace of Allah to whomever He wills.
Al-Muharrar al-Wajeez fi Tafseer al-Kitaab al-‘Azeez (2/91)
See also: al-Jannah wa’n-Naar (available in English under the title Paradise and Hell) by Shaykh ‘Umar Sulaymaan al-Ashqar (154-163).
Fifthly:
There by the grace of Allah, may He be exalted, to His believing slaves, He will not deprive any person of his status in Paradise and put him in a lower level (than he deserves), but He may bestows His grace upon whomever He wills of His slaves, and raise his status in Paradise. The means of being raised in status in this manner include the following:
⦁ The intercession of the intercessors
There are two hadiths which speak of this:
⦁ It was narrated that Abu Moosa (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) … raised his hands and said: “O Allah, forgive ‘Ubayd Abu ‘Aamir,” until I could see the whiteness of his armpits. Then he said: “O Allah, on the Day of Resurrection make him above many of Your creation.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (4067) and Muslim (2498).
Abu ‘Aamir is al-Ash‘ari; he is the paternal uncle of Abu Moosa (may Allah be pleased with him).
⦁ It was narrated that Umm Salamah said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) entered upon Abu Salamah and his eyes were fixed open. He closed them, then he said: “When the soul is taken, the gaze follows it.” Some of his family wailed and he said: “Do not pray against yourselves except for good things, for the angels says ameen to whatever you say.” Then he said: “O Allah, forgive Abu Salamah and raise him in status among those who are guided, and take care of his family who are left behind. Forgive us and him, O Lord of the Worlds, and make his grave spacious for him, and illuminate it for him.”
Narrated by Muslim (920).
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
The second type (of intercession): The intercession of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) for increased reward and higher status for some of the believers.
Haashiyat Ibn al-Qayyim ‘ala Mukhtasar Sunan Abi Dawood (13/56).
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said, explaining the types of intercession:
The third type: intercession for high status for the believers. This may be understood from the du‘aa’ (supplication) of the believers for one another, as the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said when he prayed for Abu Salamah…
Majmoo‘ Fataawa ash-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (9/326).
⦁ A child’s supplication and prayer for forgiveness for his parent
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “A man will be raised in status on Paradise and will say, Where did this come from? And it will be said: From your son’s praying for forgiveness for you.” Narrated by Ibn Maajah (3660); classed as hasan by al-Albaani in as-Silsilah as-Saheehah (1598).
⦁ Parents being raised to the status of their children and vice versa.
Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And those who believed and whose descendants followed them in faith - We will join with them their descendants, and We will not deprive them of anything of their deeds. Every person, for what he earned, is retained”
[at-Toor 52:21].
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: Verily Allah will raise the offspring of the believer to his level (in Paradise), even if they were lower than him in terms of righteous deeds, so that he may delight in them being with him. This is a saheeh report and may be deemed marfoo‘. See: as-Silsilat as-Saheehah (2490).
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “And those who believed and whose offspring followed them in faith - We will join with them their descendants” [at-Toor 52:21]. The offspring whose faith follows that of their parents are small children (minors). So Allah is saying, “We will join with them their offspring” i.e., We will cause their offspring to join them in their levels (in Paradise).
As for adult children who have got married, they will be in their own levels in Paradise, and will not join their parents, because they have offspring of their own, so they will be in their own abodes. As for small children who followed their parents, they will be lifted up to be with their parents. This lifting up does not imply any detraction from the reward and status of the parents, hence Allah says: “and We will not deprive them of anything of their deeds” [at-Toor 52:21]. The word translated here as deprived means detract or take away. In other words, their offspring will join them, but He did not say that the parents’ level will be demoted commensurate with the degree by which the offspring are raised in status; rather He says, “and We will not deprive them of anything of their deeds.”
Tafseer al-Qur’an min al-Hujuraat ila al-Hadeed (p. 187).
Sixthly:
There are some hadiths which indicate that when the people in the higher levels want to visit those who are lower than them, they will go down to them, but the people of the lower levels will not ascend to the higher levels. But these reports are not saheeh. Examples of that include:
⦁ It was narrated that Abu Salaam al-Aswad said: I heard Abu Umaamah say: A man asked the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him): Will the people of Paradise visit one another? He said: “Yes, the people of the higher level will come down to the people of the lower level, and they will welcome them and greet them with salaam, but the people of the lower level will not be able to ascend to the higher levels, because their good deeds fell short of that.”
Narrated by Ibn Abi Haatim in his Tafseer (10/3371).
There is some weakness in it, because its isnad includes Sa‘eed ibn Yoosuf.
Yahya ibn Ma‘een said: He is da‘eef in hadith; he is not strong.
Ad-Du‘afa’ wa’l-Matrookeen by Ibn al-Jawzi (1/327)
⦁ It was narrated that Abu Umaamah said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The people of Paradise will visit one another on saddled camels. The people of the higher levels will visit those who are lower than them, but those who are lower than them will not visit those who are in the higher levels, except two who loved one another for the sake of Allah; they will visit one another in Paradise wherever they wish.”
Narrated by at-Tabaraani in al-Mu‘jam al-Kabeer (8/240).
Its isnad includes Bishr ibn Numayr, who is matrook (rejected); he was accused of fabricating reports.
Al-Haythami (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Its isnad includes Bishr ibn Numayr, who is matrook (rejected).
Majma‘ az-Zawaa’id (10/496)
⦁ A similar, marfoo‘, report was narrated by Abu Na‘eem al-Asbahaani in Sifat al-Jannah (no. 421) via Ja‘far ibn az-Zubayr and Bishr ibn Numayr, from al-Qaasim, from Abu Umaamah.
But Ja‘far ibn az-Zubayr is matrook (rejected), and was accused of fabricating reports.
Bishr ibn Numayr is also matrook, as noted above.
⦁ “When the people of Paradise enter Paradise, and brethren miss one another, the couch of one will travel to the couch of another, and so on, until they are all gathered together, then they will recline, and one of them will say to the other: Do you know when Allah forgave us? And his companion will say: Yes, the day when we were in such and such a place, and we prayed to Allah, and He forgave us.”
This is a da‘eef (weak) hadith. See: as-Silsilah ad-Da‘eefah (5029).
The most that can be understood from the words of the scholars concerning this issue is what was narrated by Abu Na‘eem al-Asbahaani in Sifat al-Jannah (422) from Humayd ibn Hilaal, who said: We heard that among the people of Paradise, the one who is in a higher level will visit the one who is in a lower level, and the one who is in the lower level will not visit the one who is in the higher level.
Humayd was one of the Taabi‘een; the isnad going back to him is saheeh (sound). Allah knows best what the truth is concerning this matter.
And Allah knows best.
Link: https://islamqa.info/en/answers/126349/is-paradise-of-different-levels-will-the-people-of-the-lower-levels-visit-the-people-of-the-higher-levels
THE PEOPLE OF JANNAH
I was requested to speak about the characteristics of ‘The People of Paradise’ on earth. I pray to Allah Azza wa Jal that He makes you and I amongst those who would enter Paradise! Researching the subject was mind blowing simply because I had thought that okay, I am going to talk about 3 or 4 deeds and characteristics that would allow a person to be among the people of Jannah, and I found more than 214 and stopped counting. If we go on talking about this subject, the time from now until Fajr would not be sufficient! However, we will try to have a holistic idea, something that will draw us closer to Jannah, with the Grace of Allah Azza wa Jal, and I hope we succeed in reminding one another of these characteristics and trying to implement them in our lives. Without a doubt, Paradise is everyone’s objective, this is what we live for and if this is not your objective, then you are in the wrong place and actually, you are living a wrong life. Because you are depriving yourself of so many things just to be a Muslim, yet you are not doing the right things that would entitle you to go to Jannah! Therefore, it is each and every-one’s objective. For the sake of Jannah, we quit sins; we have done things that are not so likable to ourselves. We wake up early in the morning, it is so cold sometimes, still we perform Wudu and pray, and we go to the Masjid. We fast, we deprive ourselves from eating, drinking and doing things that are usually done by us, if we were not fasting, we do not listen to music, we do not go to nightclubs; we do not watch things that would anger Allah and I know a lot of you might say, “Well, we do that!” Well, then I came to the wrong place! You should not be doing that because you are Muslims.
So Jannah, as described by the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, is surrounded by things that are not preferred by each and every one of us. In order to enter it you have to do the things that we do not prefer and like. Whereas Hell is the opposite; it is surrounded by lusts and desires, so the minute you fall into these lusts and desires, you will enter Hell {May Allah save us all from it}. Now Paradise is Allah’s Mercy, and whomever He wishes to allow, to enter it means that He has bestowed His Mercy upon this person. If you like to talk about the things that allow you to enter Paradise, among the very first that comes to mind is Allah’s saying, “And those who believe and do righteous good deeds, they are dwellers of Paradise” {may Allah make us amongst them}. Now Allah’s generosity is overwhelming! Allah did not restrict the things, did not limit the acts that will entitle you to go to Jannah; so, those who can fast, Allah made for them a separate gate to enter Paradise. How many gates are there in Paradise? ‘8’ you should know, this is where you are going, In Shaa Allah! Moreover, how many gates are there in Hell? ‘7’! There are eight gates in Paradise and one of them is called ‘Ar Rayyan’: Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam told us that this is the gate for the people who fast. There is another gate for those who pray Salah, another one for those who give charity etc. If you are able to fast, voluntary fasts, Allah will make you enter Paradise. Some people say, “I can’t stay away from food and water for so long, I am so tempted, but I can pray night prayer for 3 hours every night.” Masha Allah, this is good. The other one would say, “I can’t pray night prayers and I can’t fast, but I have lots of money to give in charity, for Da’wah, for building Masjids etc”; Masha Allah Tabarakal Allah, you are on the right track. Therefore, Allah has diversified the means for us to get to Paradise. Now there are deeds that you do from the heart, if you believe in it, there are things that you say, words, and there are deeds that you actually do, physically. There are deeds that only benefit the individual, there are deeds that benefit others, and there are deeds that if you do not do them then you will enter Paradise. If you look at these divisions, you would be amazed at Allah’s Mercy: It is as if Allah wants you to enter Paradise, He is making it easy for you to choose deeds that would help you in entering Jannah. This is exactly true, Allah the Almighty created Paradise for you! Now it is up to you whether you want to enter it or not.
The Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said, “All of my Ummah will enter Paradise, except those who disobey.” You know that the Ummah, is divided into two types. 1)Ummah that includes the Believers and the disbelievers and they are called the ‘Ummah of Da’wah’ (the ‘Ummah of Call’); so even the Christians, the Jews and all other denominations are considered to be part of this Ummah, they are not the part of the Ummah of Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam but they are ‘Ummah of Da’wah’. 2) And there is a particular part which is the Ummah of those who responded to the call of the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam and followed him. Therefore, the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam says, “All of my Ummah (which includes both parties) will enter Paradise except those who refuse.” The Companions said, “Who refuses to enter Paradise?!” He said, “Whoever obeys me enters Paradise and whoever disobeys me is refusing, he has chosen his destiny!” therefore, this is the greatest means of entering Jannah; you have to go through your life, you have to scrutinize ‘Belief’, you have to look at the way you live. Are you following the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, are you obeying him in every single thing? If yes, then, In Shaa Allah, you are among those who would enter Paradise!
If we look at many Muslims nowadays, it is not a good picture! I was talking with one of the brothers yesterday and we were discussing how people flip sides. There are so many people who used to be students of knowledge; callers to Islam; who used to be on the righteous path, following Qur’an and Sunnah strictly and suddenly they flipped sides, as they say, ‘They chose the other side of the force’! If you look at this, you would be shocked; these people were considered as potential Scholars, what happened to them? This shows you that ‘the hearts are indeed between two fingers of Allah and He flips them as He wishes,’ as the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said. The Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said, “Whoever says ‘La ilaha illa Allah,’ sincerely for the sake of Allah and this concludes his life, {meaning that this is the last thing he does before dying}, Allah will put him in Paradise!”Therefore, it is very essential to encourage the people who are dying to say ‘La ilaha illa Allah’. If they say it once, leave them; do not speak with them, because if they pass away in this condition, In Shaa Allah this part of the good signs that they will go to Paradise.
The Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam says, “Whoever fasts for the sake of Allah and he dies and this is the last thing he did, he will enter Jannah.” And whoever gives money in charity and if this was the last thing he did, the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam says that he would be admitted into Paradise, which means that every deed we do, it depends on the conclusion, the last hour, the last minute. That is why you cannot ‘pick and choose’ and say, “Ok, I will divide my day into prayers, fasting, giving charity and then there is portion of my day that I reserved for fun. Overall, I am Ok but only one night of the week I would like to party! I may get wasted {get drunk}, I may go on a date with my girlfriend!” The other day a brother came to me, {he is Masha Allah a revert.} He has a girlfriend and has three kids with her, they are not married, she is not even a Christian or a Jew and this person is a practicing Muslim! Now she is expecting, the brother is now asking me what to do! He is living with the woman who is not his wife and he is asking me what to do! It shows that all our deeds depend on the conclusion.
There are many things that make you eligible to enter Paradise; the following Hadith shows how generous Allah is!! The Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said, “Anyone of you who performs Wudu and he washes his limbs thoroughly and then after concluding his Wudu says: ‘Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasooluhu’, all the 8 gates of Paradise will be opened for him to enter from any gate he wishes.” Who says this while contemplating its meaning, and not just, because it is a habit? Only a few of us!! Just imagine Allah’s mercy: giving us this beautiful reward for just one act of saying this Kalimah after doing Wudu. After knowing that these gates are open for you for performing Wudu, Wallahi you will perform Wudu for every Salah you make, just anticipating this reward so that whenever you die you are ready!
The Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam was approached by one of his Companions, Rabi’ah ibn Ka’b {may Allah be pleased with him}. He used to serve the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam. The Prophet salla Allahu alaihi said, “Ask me what you want from me.” If I was in his shoes, I would have said, “O Prophet of Allah, I want a house in the best place on earth,” and stuff like that but this Companion did not ask for such worldly things. Look at what they wanted, he said, “O Prophet of Allah, I ask for your companionship in Paradise.” This is what they lived and worked hard for!! the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said, “Anything else?” The Prophet was giving him room to ask and the Companion said, “No, that’s it.” At this the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said, “Help me by offering as many Sujood as you can.” It means offer prayers as much as you can because you cannot offer Sujood {prostrations} on their own outside of the prayer unless it is prostration of ‘Forgetfulness’, prostration of ‘Gratefulness’ to Allah or prostration whenever there is prostration for reciting the Qur’an (‘Sajda Tilawa’). Going in Sajda for no reason {like so many people do; when you ask them, “Why did you just go into Sajda?” They say, “I was making dua’a!” this is a biddah; Innovation} Therefore this above mentioned Hadith is an indication that the more you pray the closer you are to Paradise and to the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam.
A’ayat Al Kursi is the greatest A’ayah in the Qur’an. There is no comparison to any other A’ayahs and the greatest Surah in the Qur’an is Al Fatiha, chapter no.1. A’ayat Al Kursi is so great that the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said, “Whoever maintains reciting A’ayat Al Kursi at the end of (after) his every Fard Prayer, nothing prevents him from entering Jannah except death.” Meaning that if you die now and you had recited A’ayat Al Kursi after your last Fard prayer, you would go to Paradise, In Shaa Allah, by reciting this great A’ayah! Yet, some Muslims tend not to memorize it by heart, not only in Britain but also in Saudi Arabia. I used to teach in High School, the students were mostly Saudis and Arabs and out of around 300 students that I taught in one year, I made a survey: ‘Who knows A’ayat Al Kursi by heart?’ The result was shocking; only 5% knew it by heart! This indicates our negligence towards our Deen. We know a lot of things by heart: the top 40 songs, top 10 movies, Footballers, Cricketers, Rugby players so on and so forth but when it comes to Islam, something seems to be keeping us away from it; this thing that is keeping us away from Islam, is keeping us away from Paradise.
If you ask people who have not performed Hajj yet, “When do you want to perform your mandatory Hajj?” Majority of them will say. “After I have finished my graduation, after my Masters, after my PHD, after I get married, after my children are grown up so that we can all go along as a ‘whole happy family’!” and so many fail to achieve this. Yet the Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam tells us, “A perfect Hajj has no reward at the Sight of Allah except Jannah.” Now what do you want, a hundred million good deeds? This would not be enough. Maybe you want Allah to forgive your sins. Yes, but you might do more sins later on in life. Therefore, what does Allah tell you? ‘There is no reward except Paradise for an accepted Hajj!’ Subhan Allah! This should be an encouragement for you to save a little bit so that you may plan to go for Hajj whenever you have the means, or will you always keep Allah’s instructions at the end of the list? Your answer will show whether you are a strong or a weak Muslim!
Umm Habeeba, the wife of the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam narrated a hadith. I know a lot of you are wondering, “Who is this, never heard of her before!” I did another survey in school, where I was teaching, {that is why I left teaching!} I asked about the names of the wives of the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam and I got strange names: Fatimah! Asma! They were the wives of the Prophet?! Subhan Allah! I asked them about the ‘10 heaven-bound companions’, one student said, “Amr ibn Khattab” {I never knew Umar radi Allahu anhu had a brother!} The list can go on and on, it is sad though! It is a shame! Imagine if Allah admits us to Paradise and we do not know anybody there! If we ask “Who is this?” “This is Abu Bakr”. “Oh! Who is he?” “He is a Companion of the Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam.” “Masha Allah, nice to meet you” “Who is this?” “This is Uthman; he married 2 of the Prophet’s (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) daughters”. Imagine we would not be able to recognize these people of Jannah! If you ask to peek at the people of Hell, you might be like, “Ohhh, I know everybody here!” Is not it a shame that we have this ignorance about our history, our heritage? We claim to love our Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, we get really sentimental and say that we are ready to do this and that for him, we are ready to fight for the Sake of Allah with the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam!” Do you know anything about Islam, about its history, about its legacy, about Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam’s Seera, his wives, his sons, his daughters, his Companions? ‘No.’ What kind of love, are you then proclaiming about if you even fail to do this?
I will give you another example, if you love the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam and I am certain that you do. However, this life cracks you down and you need someone to slap you on your face {but slapping on the face is Haraam!}, so maybe a slap on your back just to wake you up every now and then! Umm Habeeba said that the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said, “Whoever prays 12 Rakahs during the day and night (every day and night), Allah will build him a palace in Paradise.” The Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said in another Hadith about these 12 Rakahs: 2 before Fajr, 4 {2 and then 2} before Zuhar, 2 after Zuhar, 2 after Maghrib and 2 after Isha {12 rakahs in all}; this is it, get this in your system and, In Shaa Allah, you will get your palace in Jannah! Therefore, these deeds are things that will benefit the individual to enter Paradise.
However, there are deeds that are transferable; things that would benefit others. Allah mentioned that in the Qur’an and Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam mentioned that in the authentic Sunnah. Among the deeds that are beneficial to others are: acquiring knowledge, knowledge of the Qur’an, knowledge of the Sunnah, Fundamentals of Fiqh etc, so this does not benefit me alone, it benefits others as well if I sit down and teach that to others, like I am doing now and benefiting you {at least I hope!} Therefore, if I do this, I will get the reward of everyone who applies in their lives what I taught them. For example, when I go home and sleep and if someone says, “Tonight I am going to offer night prayers because the Sheikh said that this will lead me to Paradise.” Therefore, while I am sleeping, I am getting the reward. Therefore, this is one of the greatest deeds through which you can get closer to Allah and to Paradise: by benefitting others!!
The Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said, “Whoever walks a path seeking knowledge, Allah will pave him a way to Paradise.” Subhan Allah, this is of course the knowledge of the Shariya, knowledge of the Qur’an and Sunnah. If someone says, “I am doing engineering, would this count?” No, this would not count; this Hadith only includes those who are seeking true Islamic knowledge! But if your intention in doing engineering or Medicine or anything, is to benefit the entire Muslim Ummah, to benefit humanity, to do well, to be a role model for the people who would say, “Look, he is a Muslim and yet he is successful. He is truthful; he is honest, he looks okay”, then In Shaa Allah, you will be rewarded; but you would not be included in this Hadith but other Hadiths.
The Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam also tells us about a man who was walking on the road and he saw a tree, an obstacle in the way, with thorns that would harm the people and thought, ‘I am going to remove this obstacle, this tree, so that it would not harm others.” The Hadith goes that Allah forgave his sins and admitted him into Jannah. Why? Because he removed a harmful thing from people’s way! Now compare this with someone who plants landmines or compare this with a suicide bomber, or compare this with someone who intimidates people, who harms or kills people; if the former would go to Paradise, then the latter would go to Hell because this is not part of Islam, neither from the Qur’an nor from the Sunnah.
I receive millions of E-mails from people all over the world complaining about their offspring, complaining about their children that they are disrespectful to their parents. That they are disobedient, that they do not go out of their way to be kind to them and these are all major sins, they are not minor. You can find someone attending classes of knowledge, attending classes with the Shuyukh, listening to the Qur’an, travelling to a foreign country to learn Arabic, and these are all good deeds. However, he is not obedient and polite to his parents. This is a major sin, that will erase every good thing he did, and it would prove to us that the deeds are by their conclusion and that Allah did not choose to conclude this person’s deeds with good deeds. The Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said, “The most major sins in Islam are:-
1) Associating others in worship with Allah.
2) Being disrespectful or unkind to your parents.”
He associated the two, first, Shirk, and then being disobedient and being rude to your parents. One of the Companions came to the Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam and said, “O Prophet of Allah, I would like to fight in the cause of Allah, and I seek your advice.” The Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam asked, “Do you have a mother?” He said, “Yes I have a mother.” The Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said, “Stay with her, because Paradise is under her feet.” Subhan Allah. He wants to fight for the Sake of Allah, to die in the Cause of Allah! But the Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam told him to stay with his mom, be kind to her, serve her, bring her the days that bring joy to her soul, make her happy, make her laugh, make her joyful, and this is the way to Paradise. What about the father? “I’d like to smack him, he is drunk, he is rude, he doesn’t make money, and he does not support me.” Well, even your father. Even if he is this evil, the Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said to one of his Companions, “The father is the middle gate of Paradise.” Therefore, the Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam is saying to either preserve this gate or lose it, meaning that you will not enter Paradise from the middle, which is the easiest way to go in, unless you are kind and obedient to your father. Even if he is a non-muslim, even if he is rude, even if he is abusive, even if he does not support you, even if he is not kind to you, even if he does not love you. You have to obey your father and respect him, as long as he does not instruct you to sin.
Amongst the causes that admit an individual to Paradise is upbringing 3 girls of your offspring. The Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said, “Whoever has 3 girls, and 1)he shelters them, 2)provides for them, and 3)has mercy over them, then definitely Paradise is his.” Contemplate these 3 points: ‘he shelters them’, “Yeah, they live with me, they are my daughters.” ‘He provides for them’, “Well, I buy food, they eat with me” ‘And he has mercy over them.’ Many of the parents do not have this mercy. “I am young, I am still in the prime of my life and I’m ‘blessed’ with these daughters. I cannot enjoy myself, I cannot travel, and I cannot do this and that. I am still young, I am 45 years old” (sarcasm intended). Ma Shaa Allah! You’re spent on your grave, my friend. You have to have mercy over these girls. You have to cuddle them, you have to love them, and you have to hug them and kiss them and show them mercy. This mercy will entitle you to be admitted into Paradise. In the hadith, one of the Companions asked, “What about 2 girls?” The Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said, “Even if you have 2 girls,” and another Companion said, “I think, I reckon that if I asked, ‘What about 1?’ he would have said, ‘Even 1.’” This is the Grace of Allah Azza wa Jal. In Arabia, unfortunately, many Arabs, who are not practicing Muslims, think of girls as a disgrace, because they do not know what the future might hold. If it was a boy, “Yeah, boys can do whatever they want, they get married fast.” However, girls are like glass; once it is broken, cannot be mended. Well, the Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam is fixing this, he is telling us how to treat girls, and he himself had 4 girls. So those who are blessed with girls, they are a blessing. Take care of them, up bring them in the way that Allah wants and likes, and Allah will admit you to Paradise with them.
Among the things that benefit others; building mosques or contributing in building mosques. Whoever builds a mosque or contributes in building a mosque, Allah will build him a palace in Paradise. Subhan Allah. However, this Hadith is directed to those who have money!! Therefore, if you have money and you find yourself tired, unable to fast voluntary fasts, or pray night prayers, the Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam is showing you the way to be admitted to Paradise. It also includes being kind to others, being tolerant, financially. The Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam tells us, “A man was brought in front of Allah on the Day of judgement, and Allah is asking him, ‘Do you have any good deeds?’ So the man says, ‘No, nothing.’ So Allah tells him, ‘Are you sure you have nothing at all of that which is good?’ and the man says, ‘Well, come to think of it, the only good deed that I would reckon would qualify is that I used to trade with people. I used to sell them the goods and not collect the money from them. Those who were wealthy and capable of paying, I would leave them until they pay. I would not immediately ask them to pay; I would let them pay whenever they want. And those who are unable to pay, because they are poor, they are disadvantaged,’ the man says, ‘I would forgive them, I would let them keep the money, it’s theirs, I don’t want it, I don’t call for it.’ Allah says, ‘Well, because you used to forgive others, We are more entitled to forgive you. I forgive your sins, and admit you into Paradise.’” Imagine this beautiful Hadith! How many people you have lent money and they are not paying it back. Unfortunately, this is widely spread among Muslims. If I make a survey now, I believe everybody would raise his hands (even those who borrowed money). Many of the Muslims are faced with this!! They, as a good gesture, give money to their friend, a thousand quid, for example and, as they say, when they come to collect money from you, they kiss your hand, but when you go to collect your money from them, you kiss their feet because they take ages before they give it back. Well, do not think of it as a bad thing, rather think of it as a positive thing. You have secured a place in Paradise if you forgive people, if you tolerate their injustices and the things that they do.
Now, among the great things that would admit you to Paradise: is to be a person with good character, with excellent moral ethics, with good conduct and behavior. This allows you to go to the top of Paradise. The Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said, “The closest of you to me on the Day of Judgement and Paradise are those who have the excellent character and moral ethics and perfect behavior.” The Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam says, “Guarantee 6 things for me and I guarantee Paradise for you.” If the Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam guarantees Paradise for you, this means that you will definitely be able to get what he promised. He Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam says:
1) Be truthful when you speak.
2) Fulfill your promise when you give a promise.
3) Give, what you were entrusted with to those, who entrusted you with it!!
4) Preserve your private parts (meaning; do not fornicate).
5) Lower your gaze.
6) Restrain from using your hand. (This can be interpreted in two ways!! either physically: do not extend your hand, do not abuse people, do not hit people and do not do something wrong with your hand, do not shake hands with the opposite sex, for example, this is Haram. It can also mean to hold back your hand from Haram money, do not take what is not lawfully yours.)
Six things and the Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam guarantees you Paradise. Regarding being truthful, it’s amazing how in this country and other countries you find the non-Muslims being truthful, being honest (generally speaking because we don’t want the stereotype saying, “Oh, Masha Allah, non-Muslims are this and Muslims are that”). They were brought up this way: to say the truth and not to lie!! On the other hand, it is so shameful and embarrassing that when our religion tells us that lying is a sin, you still find many of the Muslims lying. Not only that, but they also give lying different shades of color. They say, “This is grey, this is a white lie, this is purple.” This is amazing! The Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam tells us that lying is not a thing to be taken easily. He says that ‘you have to be truthful, because truth leads to Birr (righteousness), and Birr leads to Paradise. An individual would continue to be truthful until he is registered, at the Sight of Allah to be Siddiq!! (The man who goes out of his way to say the truth) Beware of lying because lying leads to Hell at the end. A man would continue to lie until he is registered as a liar at the Sight of Allah!!’
Among the major things that would allow you to enter, Paradise is repressing your anger. I know many brothers who complain of the rage they have, about the anger they have. Most of the brothers who write to me, unfortunately, are selective. They have these rage attacks against their mothers, against their younger sisters and brothers, against someone who is weaker than they are but if they meet someone who is 6’4”, full of muscles, then they would not have these rage attacks. They would know where they stand. Why is that? This is not true rage, this is selective rage and Allah will punish you for that. The rage that Allah will not punish you for is something that goes out of your control. Many of the brothers come to me and say, “Ya Sheikh, I was so angry with my wife that I said, ‘Talaq, talaq, talaq’ (divorce) 1000 times. I was angry, I was so upset!” Ya Akhi, nobody divorces out of happiness. You would not find someone sitting with his wife and saying, “I love you for the Sake of Allah and you are divorced!” All divorces happen due to anger, but the divorce that does not count when you are angry is when you are blocked and you cannot see. So after you wake up from your rage attack, people tell you, “You broke a window, you did this and you did that”, and you say, “Wallahi, I don’t remember.” This is the only case when divorce does not count. Because it is like intoxication, you do not see what you do, so Allah will not hold you accountable for things that are beyond your capability. Allah the Almighty tells us that you have to march forth to a Paradise whose width is as that of the heavens and the earth, and it is made for the Al Muttaqeen (righteous). “They are the ones who spent in prosperity and in adversity, their wealth. And they repress their anger.” So repressing your anger is a means of entering Paradise. So many times, someone who is below your physical strength or who is below your social status, someone you can inflict harm to, so many times they do bad things to you and you want to do something evil back to them, you want to eat them alive, and you can do it but you repress this. Why? “I’m afraid of the authorities.” No, you do this because you are afraid of Allah. You want Paradise, believing Allah will admit you to Paradise, because this is what Allah Azza wa Jal says in the Qur’an. A man came to the Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam and said, “O Prophet of Allah, advise me.” The Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said, “Do not become angry.” The man said, “OK, advise me more.” The Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam repeated the same thing several times and in one narration he said, “Do not become angry and Allah will give you Jannah.” People say, “The English are quite calm. They don’t become angry.” This is not true because everybody becomes angry. The Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam is not telling you to go against your human nature, because if someone attacks your wife, and you say, “I am not going to become angry”, this has nothing to do with Islam. No, you have to become angry. What the Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam is telling you is to beware of the consequences of your anger. If you are driving down the motorway and someone does something wrong to you and you become angry, you have a choice: either to hit him, or repress your anger and go on your way. If you do this, if you repress your anger, Allah will give you Jannah. So many times, we need to repress our anger, especially with our loved ones, especially with our wives, especially with our children, our neighbours, our parents, our relatives; you need to repress your anger with so many people because Allah tells us that this is rewarded with Jannah!!
Now, women (cannot live with them, cannot live without them) The Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam told us that, for them, there are special things, in addition to what was mentioned before. The Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said for women who are married, “If a woman prays her 5 daily prayers and fasts the month of Ramadan and protects her chastity (she does not fornicate or commit adultery) and she obeys her husband, Allah will tell her, ‘Enter Paradise from any gate you wish.’” That is all?! Yes, that is all. The men are probably saying, “Can we be women! We have so many things on our back, we have so much burden on our back, we have to pray in the Masjid, we have to enforce virtue, and we have to prevent vice, and provide for our families, we have to provide for the kids, and do this and that.” Well, this is for women only. It is not easy by the way. Men think that this is easy. No, it is not. Maybe the first three are easy, praying, fasting and protecting your chastity. However, the fourth thing is the most difficult thing on earth. It is extremely difficult to go to a woman and tell her to obey her husband. They may say, “He stinks! He does not brush his teeth! He does not take care of himself! He does not do this. He does not do that. He is rude, he never tells me ‘I love you’, when I cook the food 3-4 hours a day, he does not say, ‘The food is great and it is excellent’, he does not do this! Moreover, you are telling to obey him! For what?!” Well, this is what Allah told you to do to enter Paradise. However, it is not easy; it is a very difficult thing. Those who are tolerant and patient among the woman, Allah will admit them into Paradise. Ya Allah! Admit all our woman into Paradise. The Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said, “The Martyrs are 7, except for those who died in the cause of Allah.” Now I cannot mention all of them. The last one is, a woman who dies in labor. Subhan Allah! Allah would consider this kind of woman as a Martyr. Therefore, the woman would say, ‘Ok, that is nice. I would like to become pregnant every now and then and have many kids. Yes, this is what the Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam tells us. Among the characteristics of the woman of Paradise is that they have many kids, and they love and care for their husbands. So having many children is your way to Paradise. Of course, it is not like having them and neglecting them. No, having them and upbringing them in the way that pleases Allah.
After saying all of this and hearing all of this, you have to know that, being admitted to Paradise is not by your own doing, it is by the mercy of Allah!! So even if you do all of this, at the end of the day, it is the mercy of Allah that will admit you to Paradise. The Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said, “No one will be admitted to Paradise by his own deeds. So the companions asked, ‘O Prophet of Allah, even you?’ he said, ‘even me. I will not enter Paradise with or by or through my deeds unless Allah overwhelms me with His mercy.’” No one will come on the Day of Judgement and say, “Hey, listen. I did what I had to do. So I want to go to Paradise.” You will not enter Paradise because you prayed Tahajjud or fasted voluntary fasts. These are means of entering Paradise. However, at the end of the day you will not enter Paradise because of your deeds.
Secondly, you have to know that these previously mentioned characteristics or good deeds could only get you to enter Paradise if you do not nullify your Islam. Meaning, you can find someone who is praying on time, praying the 12 Sunnah Rak’ahs, who is kind to people, removing the harmful things from people’s way, who is acquiring knowledge, who is benefitting others, building mosques, giving charity, doing this and that, but he nullified his Islam. He associated others with Allah; he goes to graves and says, “O Maulana (scholar)! I have a problem. It has been 20 years and I do not have a child. So grant me a child.” He is going to the deceased, the dead person. He says, “He is a Wali. He does wonders!” Subhan Allah! I remember a person who told me, “I went to Makkah every single week for Umrah and I used to supplicate to Allah to grant me a child. I did this for 10-15 years and nothing happened. My wife would not conceive. Then a friend of mine told me to go to the grave of Al-Husain ibn Ali (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) in Cairo. This is funny thing: Husain apparently has three different graves: over in Syria, Iraq and Egypt so you do the Math. Anyhow, this person said, “I went there and supplicated, saying, ‘O Husain, I need a child. I don’t have any children of my own, so please grant me a child.’ Subhan Allah! In 9 months time, my wife was delivering a baby boy.” What do we understand from this? This is how people think. Allah tested this man for 15 years and the man failed the test because he associated others with Allah.
So, these characteristics, these deeds, if you do not nullify your Islam, if you are a true Muslim, you believe in the oneness of Allah, you don’t do anything that goes against Islam, you will be, with the Grace and Mercy of Allah, admitted to Paradise. But if you do all the good deeds yet you associate others with Allah or you do one of the things that nullify Islam like dealing in sorcery (a parent, for example, who doesn’t like his/her daughter-in-law, brings a sorcerer and he does some voodoo stuff and black magic to separate her from their son). This is blasphemous. This is something that is an act of apostasy. If you mock about Islam, if you mock about the Qur’an or the Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam or ridicule one of the verses of the Qur’an or the companions or say anything bad or negative about them then this nullifies your Islam. So even if you do all the above-mentioned good deeds of entering Jannah, you will not be admitted to Paradise!! Therefore, you have to observe and protect your Islam and do as many of these deeds and then In Shaa Allah, with the grace of Allah we will meet in Jannah.
The quotations from the Qur’an and Hadiths in this article are a rough translation of the meanings of the original text!
Link: https://www.assimalhakeem.net/the-people-of-jannah/