In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Hastening to attain Jannah
Believing that the Jannah (heaven) is true and that it has been prepared for the believers but forbidden for the Kuffar forever is part of the belief in the Last Day as evidenced by His (saw) saying:
'' And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens
and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqun (the pious).'' [ Aali 'Imraan:133] His (swt) saying:
'' And the dwellers of the Fire will call to the dwellers of Paradise: 'Pour on us some water or anything that Allah has provided you with.' They will say: ''Both (water and provision) Allah has forbidden to the disbelievers.'' [ Al-A'raaf:50]
The one who rejects the Jannah, the Fire, resurrection or the reckoning he is a kaafir due to the texts which are definite in meaning and authenticity. Following are the categories of believers for whom Jannah has been prepared:
The Prophets, Siddiqeen (the followers of the Prophets, martyrs and the righteous:
He (swt) sad:
'' And whoso obeys Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad SAW), then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqun (those followers of the Prophets who were first and foremost to believe in them, like Abu Bakr As-Siddiq), the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!'' [ an-Nisaa:69]
The pious (al-Abraar):
He (swt) said:
'' Verily, Al-Abrar (the pious who fear Allah and avoid evil) will be in delight (Paradise).'' [ Al- Mutaffifeen:22] He (swt) said:
'' Verily, the Abrar (pious, who fear Allah and avoid evil), shall drink a cup (of wine) mixed with water from a spring in Paradise called Kafur.A spring wherefrom the slaves of Allah will drink, causing it to gush forth abundantly. They (are those who) Fulfil (their) vows, and they fear a Day whose evil will be wide spreading. And they give food, inspite of their love for it (or for the love of Him), to Miskin (poor), the orphan, and the captive, (Saying): ''We feed you seeking Allah's Countenance only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you. ''Verily, We fear from our Lord a Day, hard and distressful, that will make the faces look horrible (from extreme dislikeness to it).'' So Allah saved them from the evil of that Day, and gave them Nadratan (a light of beauty) and joy. And their recompense shall be Paradise, and silken garments, because they were patient.'' [ Al-Insaan:5-12]
The foremost near ones to Allah:
'' And those foremost will be foremost (in Paradise). These will be those nearest to Allah. In the Gardens of delight
(Paradise).'' [ Al-Waaqi'ah:10-12]
People of the Right Hand, He (swt) said:
And those on the Right Hand, Who will be those on the Right Hand? (They will be) among thornless lote-trees, Among Talh (banana-trees) with fruits piled one above another, In shade long-extended, By water flowing constantly, And fruit in plenty, Whose season is not limited, and their supply will not be cut off, And on couches or thrones, raised high. Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation. And made them virgins. Loving (their husbands only), equal in age. For those on the Right Hand.'' [ Al-Waaqi'ah:27-38]
Those who do good (Muhsinoon):
He (swt) said:
''For those who have done good is the best (reward, i.e. Paradise) and even more (i.e. having the honour of glancing at the Countenance of Allah swt) Neither darkness nor dust nor any humiliating disgrace shall cover their faces. They are the
dwellers of Paradise, they will abide therein forever.'' [ Yunus:26]
Those who are patient (Sabiroon):
He (swt) said:
''' Adn (Eden) Paradise (everlasting Gardens), which they shall enter and (also) those who acted righteously from among their fathers, and their wives, and their offspring. And angels shall enter unto them from every gate (saying): ''Salamun 'Alaikum (peace be upon you) for that you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!'' [ ar-Ra'd:23-24]
Those who fear standing before their Lord:
He (swt) said:
'' The one who fears the standing before his Lord, there will be two Gardens (i.e. in Paradise).'' [ ar-Rahman:46]
Those who are God-fearing (Muttaqoon):
He (swt) said:
'' Truly! The Muttaqun (pious and righteous persons) will be amidst Gardens and water-springs (Paradise).'' [Al-Hijr:45]
He (swt) said:
'' Verily! The Muttaqun (pious), will be in place of Security (Paradise). Among Gardens and Springs.'' [ ad-Dukhan:51-52]
He (swt) said:
'' Such is the Paradise which We shall give as an inheritance to those of Our slaves who have been Al-Muttaqun (pious
and righteous persons.'' [ Maryam:63]
He (swt) said: ''The description of the Paradise which the Muttaqun have been promised! - Underneath it rivers flow, its provision is eternal and so is its shade, this is the end (final destination) of the Muttaqun (pious), and the end (final destination) of the disbelievers is Fire.'' [ ar-Ra'd:35]
Those who believed and did good deeds:
'' Verily! Those who believe and do righteous deeds shall have the Gardens of Al-Firdaus (the Paradise) for their entertainment. ''Wherein they shall dwell (forever). No desire will they have to be removed therefrom.'' [ Al-Kahf:108]
'' Those who believe, and work righteousness, Tuba (it means all kinds of happiness or name of a tree in Paradise) is for them and a beautiful place of (final) return.'' [ ar-Ra'd:29]
He (swt) said:
'' Verily, those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, their Lord will guide them through their Faith; under them will flow rivers in the Gardens of delight (Paradise).'' [ Yunus:9]
He (swt) said:
'' (You) who believed in Our Ayat (proofs, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and were Muslims. Enter Paradise,you and your wives, in happiness.'' [ az-Zukhruf:69-70]
He (swt) said:
'' Verily, those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and humble themselves (in repentance and obedience) before their Lord, - they will be dwellers of Paradise to dwell therein forever.'' [ Hud:23]
Those who repent (Taa'iboon):
He (swt) said:
'' Except those who repent and believe, and work righteousness. Such will enter Paradise and they will not be wronged in aught.'' [ Maryam:60]
The delight of the Jannah is tangible and the evidences for this are the following:
Clothing:
He (swt) said:
'' And their garments therein will be of silk.'' [ Al-Hajj:23]
He (swt) said: '' Dressed in fine silk and (also) in thick silk, facing each other.''[ ad-Dukhan:53]
'' Their garments will be of fine green silk, and gold embroidery. They will be adorned with bracelets of silver.'' [ad-Dahr:21]
Food and drink:
He (swt) said:
'' And fruit; that they may choose. And the flesh of fowls that they desire.'' [ Al-Waaqi'ah:20-21]
He (swt) said: ''They will be) among thornless trees, Among Talh (banana-trees) with fruits piled one above another, In shade long extended, By water flowing constantly, And fruit in plenty, Whose season is not limited, and their supply will not be cut off.'' [ Al-Waaqi'ah:.28-33]
He (swt) said: ''
They will be given to drink pure sealed wine. The last thereof (that wine) will be the smell of musk, and for this let (all)
those strive who want to strive (i.e. hasten earnestly to the obedience of Allah). It (that wine) will be mixed with
Tasnim. A spring whereof drink those nearest to Allah.'' [ Al-Mutaffifeen:25-28]
He (swt) said:
'' Verily, the Abrar (pious, who fear Allah and avoid evil), shall drink a cup (of wine) mixed with water from a spring in Paradise called Kafur. A spring wherefrom the slaves of Allah will drink, causing it to gush forth abundantly.''
[ ad-Dahr:5-6]
'' And they will be given to drink there a cup (of wine) mixed with Zanjabil (ginger, etc.), A spring there, called Salsabil.'' [ ad-Dahr:17-18]
'' Therein for you will be fruits in plenty, of which you will eat (as you desire).'' [ az-Zukhruf:73]
'' They will call therein for every kind of fruit in peace and security.'' [ ad-Dukhan:.55]
Marriage:
'' So (it will be), and We shall marry them to Houris (female fair ones) with wide, lovely eyes.'' [ ad-Dukhan:54]
'' And (there will be) Houris (fair females) with wide, lovely eyes (as wives for the pious), Like unto preserved pearls.''
[ Al-Waaqi'ah:.22-23] He (swt) said:
'' Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation. And made them virgins. Loving (their husbands only),equal in age.'' [ Al-Waaqi'ah:35-37]
And We shall marry them to Houris (female, fair ones) with wide lovely eyes.'' [ at-Tur:20]
'' Wherein both will be those (maidens) restraining their glances upon their husbands, whom no man or jinn yatmithhunna (has opened their hymens with sexual intercourse) before them. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny? (In beauty) they are like rubies and coral.'' [ ar-Rahman:56-58]
Servants:
'' They will be served by immortal boys.'' [ Al-Waaqi'ah:17]
'' And round about them will (serve) boys of everlasting youth. If you see them, you would think them scattered pearls.'' [ ad-Insaan:19]
Furniture:
'' (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones.'' [ Al-Hijr:47]
'' Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them.'' [ az-Zukhruf:.]
'' On thrones, looking (at all things).'' [ Al-Mutaffifeen:.23]
'' With cups, and jugs, and a glass from the flowing wine.'' [ Al-Waaqi'ah:18]
'' Reclining therein on raised thrones'' [ Al-Insaan:13]
Mild weather: He (swt) said:
'' they will see there neither the excessive heat of the sun, nor the excessive bitter cold. And the shade thereof is close upon them and the clustered fruits thereof bow down.'' [ Al-Insaan:13-14]
What the soul desires:
'' (there will be) therein all that the one's inner-selves could desire, all that the eyes could delight in, and you will abide
therein forever.'' [ az-Zukhruf:71]
'' And unto themselves what they desire.'' [ an-Nahl:57]
'' you shall have (all) that your inner-selves desire.'' [ Fussilat:31]
'' Verily those for whom the good has preceded from Us, they will be removed far therefrom (Hell). They shall not hear
the slightest sound of it (Hell), while they abide in that which their ownselves desire.'' [ Al-Anbiya:101-102]
Those things from which Allah has protected the people of Jannah:
Hatred and sense of injury:
He (swt) said:
'' And We shall remove from their breasts any sense of injury (that they may have).'' [ 15:47]
Fatigue:
He (swt) said:
'' No sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they (ever) be asked to leave it.'' [ 15:48]
Fear and grief:
'' My worshippers! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve.'' [ az-Zukhruf:68]
The delight of Jannah is constant and does not end and the people of Jannah will not be asked to leave it, the evidences for this are:
'' Nor shall they (ever) be asked to leave it.'' [ 15:48]
'' and you will abide therein forever.'' [ az-Zukhruf:71]
'' They will never taste death therein except the first death (of this world), and He will save them from the torment of the blazing Fire.'' [ ad-Dukhan:56]
'' While they abide in that which their ownselves desire.'' [ Al-Anbiya:102]
'' And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens
and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqun (the pious).'' [ Aali 'Imraan:133]
compete in good deeds:
'' So hasten towards all that is good. Wherever you may be, Allah will bring you together (on the Day of Resurrection). Truly, Allah is Able to do all things.'' [ 2:148]
It is due to this that Allah will give you victory in this life and in the Hereafter you will be in the highest places of the Gardens with those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace in the Akhirah:
' 'And whoso obeys Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad SAW), then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqun (those followers of the Prophets who were first and foremost to believe in them, like Abu Bakr AsSiddiq radhiallahu'anhu), the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!'' [ an-Nisaa:69]
Who is more befitting than the Da'wah carriers to compete in the good deeds and rush to the forgiveness, Jannah and the Good Pleasure of Allah is the greatest. The good deeds, which Allah has ordered us to compete in and rush to are the following types:
The individual obligations such as the five daily prayers, Zakah, fasting in the month of Ramadaan, establishing the proof of Islam, knowing the Sharee'ah rules necessary for life, defensive Jihad, when the Khaleefah calls the people out to Jihad, to be included within the bay'ah of obedience, the obligatory maintenance, working to earn the maintenance, keeps relations with mahrams, staying with the Jamaa'ah (i.e. not rebelling against the Khaleefah) and other such individual obligations.
The collective obligations such as establishing a group to call to Islam, enjoin the good and forbid the evil, offensive Jihad, the contractual bay'ah, seeking of knowledge, guarding the places from where the enemy can attack and the like.
These obligations are the best way to draw closer to Allah (swt). The servant does not achieve the Good Pleasure of Allah unless he fulfils these obligations. This is proven by the hadith of Abu
Umaamah, reported by at-Tabaraani in al-Kabeer, that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
'' Indeed, Allah (swt) said: The one who humiliates my waly (pious servant) he has displayed hostility towards me. O son of Adam! you will not draw near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious obligations I have imposed on you�''
The recommended actions (Mandubaat): when the servant has undertaken what Allah has made obligatory on him, he should follow that up with the recommended actions and draw closer to Allah through the supererogatory actions (nawaafil) and Allah will draw closer to him and love him. Thus in the hadith of Abu Umaamah reported in al-Kabeer where the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
'' My servant will continue to draw closer to me though the nawaafil until I love him. I will then be the heart with which he thinks, the tongue with which he speaks, the sight by which he sees, when he calls me I will answer him, when he asks me for something I shall give it to him, when he asks for my help I shall help him, and the most beloved of my servant's worship is the sincere advice (naseeha).''
Also al-Bukhari reported on the authority of Anas (ra) narrated that the Prophet (saw) related that his
Lord said:
'' And if My servant draws near to Me by a hand's span, I would draw near to him by an arm's length and if he draws near to Me by an arm's length, I would draw near to him by a fathom's
length. And if My servant comes to me walking, I would go to him speeding.''
Examples of such mandobaat and supererogatory acts of worship are:
Performing wudu for each Salah and using the Siwaak for each wudu:
Ahmad reported with a hasan isnad on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
'' Had I not thought it difficult for my Ummah, I would have commanded that every prayer be prayed (with a fresh wulu) and use of the Siwaak with every wulu.''
And also in another narration which is agreed upon:
Two rak'aat prayer after becoming pure:
Due to the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (ra) that the Messenger (saw) said to Bilal (ra):
'' O Bilal, tell me about the deed for which you are most hopeful for reward in Islam, for, truly I heard the sound of your sandals in Paradise.'' He replied: ''I did not do anything for which I am more hopeful of reward except the fact that I never perform ablution in the day or night without praying what I must pray after such ablution.'' (Agreed upon)
The Azaan (call to prayer), praying in the first line and making the Takbeer for the Salah: due to the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (saw):
'' If the people knew the reward for pronouncing the azaan and for standing in the first row (in congregational prayers) and found no other way to get that except by drawing lots they would draw lots, and if they knew the reward of the Zuhr prayer (in the early moments of its stated time) they would race for it (go early) and if they knew the reward of 'Isha and Fajr (morning) prayers in congregation, they would come to offer them even if they had to crawl.''
(Agreed upon).
The hadith of al-Barraa' reported by Ahmad and an-Nasaa'I, with an isnad al-Munziri said is a reliable hasan transmission that the Prophet (saw) said:
'' Allah and the angels send blessings on the front row and the Mu'azzin is forgiven as far his voice reaches, and whoever listened to him, whether living or non living creatures would agree with him, and he has the reward of those who pray with him.''
Supplication between the Azaan and Iqaamah (announcing the beginning of the obligatory prayer): due to the hadith of Anas reported by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmizi, an-Nasaa'I, Ibn Khuzaymah and Ibn Hibbaan in their Sahihs that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
'' The du'a between the azaan and the iqaamah is not refused.''
Walking to the mosque to pray: due to the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (ra) who said that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
'' The prayer of a man in congregation is twenty-five times more superior (in reward) to his prayer in his house or market - and this is because he makes the wulu' and perfects it and goes to the mosque with the sole purpose of performing the prayer. He does not then take a step without being raised a degree and having one of his sins erased. Once he prayed and as long as he did not lose his wulu, the angels keep on praying [for him] 'O Allah, bless him. O Allah, have mercy on him.' And he is considered in prayer as long as he is waiting for the prayer.''
(Agreed upon) The hadith of Abu Musa (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
'' The person who will receive the highest reward for salah (prayer) is the one who comes to perform it in the mosque from the farthest distance. And he who waits for salah to perform it with the Imam (in congregation) will have a greater reward than the one who observes it alone and then goes to sleep.''
Praying at night (Qiyaam al-layl): due to His (swt) saying:
'' Their sides forsake their beds'' [ Sajdah:16]
'' They used to sleep but little by night [invoking their Lord (Allah) and praying, with fear and hope]..'' [ az-Zaariyaat:17]
Also Abu Hurayrah (ra) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
'' Satan puts three knots at the back of the head of any of you if he is asleep. On every knot he reads and exhales the following words: The night is long, so stay asleep. When one wakes up and remembers Allah, one knot is undone; and when one performs ablution, the second knot is undone, and when one prays the third knot is undone and one gets up energetic with a good heart in the morning; otherwise one gets up in bad spirits and lazy.'' (Agreed upon)
And the hadith of Ibn Mas'ud who said that he mentioned to the Prophet (saw) the example of a man
And the hadith of Ibn Mas'ud who said that he mentioned to the Prophet (saw) the example of a man who slept all night until he woke up in the morning. The Prophet (saw) said:
'' That is a man in whose ears (or he might have said ear) the Shaytan has urinated.'' (Agreed upon). It is sunnah to make Witr the last prayer of the night due to the hadith of Ibn 'Umar (ra) who narrated that the Prophet (saw) said:
Charity
''If one gives in charity what equals one date-fruit from the honestly-earned money and Allah accepts only the honestly earned money Allah takes it in His right (hand) and then enlarges its reward for that person (who has given it), as anyone of you brings up his baby horse, so much that it becomes as big as a mountain.'' (Agreed upon).
It is reported that 'Iddi b.. Hatim (ra) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say:
'' (On the Day of Judgment) none of you will have an interpreter between him and Allah, He will look to his right and he will see nothing but that which he earned , and then he will look to his left and will see nothing but Hell-fire. Then he will look to the front and he will see nothing but the Fire in front of him. And so, any (each one) of you should save himself from the fire even by giving half of a date-fruit (in charity).''
The hadith of Jabir reported by Abu Yu'la with a sound isnad and declared authentic by al-Haakim and az-Zahabi that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said to Ka'b . 'Ujrah:
O Ka'b b.'Ujrah, the prayer is drawing closer to Allah, fasting is a shield and charity wipes out sins as the water puts out the fire�'
The best charity is that which has been given in secret due to
the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (ra) regarding the seven who Allah will give His shade on the Last Day. One of the seven is;
'' And a man who gave charity secretly such that his left hand did not know what his right
hand gave.''
Also the charity given to ones relatives due to the hadith of Zaynab ath-Thaqafiyyah who said:
'' They have two rewards; the reward of giving to one's relatives and the reward of giving charity.''
Loan: due to the hadith of 'Abd Allah b. Mas'ud reported by Ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibbaan and Bayhaqi, that the Prophet (saw) said:
'' No Muslim gives a loan to a Muslim twice except it will be like he has given a charity once.''
Giving respite and forgiving the poor among the debtors: Abu Mas'ud (ra) said I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say:
'' From among the people preceding your generation, there was a man whom the angel of death visited to capture his soul. (So his soul was captured) and he was asked if he had done any good deed.' He replied, 'I don't remember any good deed.' He was asked to think it over. He said, 'I do not remember, except that I used to trade with the people in the world and I used to give a respite to the rich and forgive the poor (among my debtors). So Allah made him to enter Paradise.''
Giving people food: due to the hadith of 'Abd Allah b. 'Amr who asked the Messenger of Allah: which Islam is best? He said:
'' You should give food and salaams to those you know and don't know.'' (Agreed upon)
Giving water: to every thirsty being: due to the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (ra) who said that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
'' While a man was walking along a road, he became very thirsty and found a well. He lowered himself into the well, drank, and came out. Then, suddenly there was a dog protruding its tongue out and eating the soil out of thirst. The man said: 'This dog has become exhausted from thirst in the same way as I.' He lowered himself into the well again and filled his shoe with water. He gave the dog some water to drink. He thanked God, and [his sins were] forgiven.' The Prophet was then asked: 'Is there a reward for us in our animals?' He said: 'There is a reward in every living thing.'''
(Agreed upon)
Hiding the private lapses of the obedient Muslim: the Muslim who commits a sin does so either secretly or publicly. One should hide the shortcomings of the former due to the hadith of Ibn 'Umar (ra) that the Prophet (saw) said:
'' Whosoever hides the defects of a Muslim Allah will hide the defects of that person in the Hereafter.''
''Whosoever hides the defects of a Muslim in this world, Allah, the Almighty would hide the defects of that person both in this world and in the Hereafter.''
The hadith of 'Utbah b. 'Aamir reported by Ibn Hibbaan in his Sahih. Al-Haakim graded it as sahih and az-Zahabi agreed. 'Utbah (ra) says: I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say:
'' The one concealed a defect is like the one who saved a girl who had been buried alive.''
As for the one who publicly commits sin there is no question of hiding it because he himself has exposed it. The cover of Allah is removed from him. Such an action is haraam due to the hadith of
Hurayrah (ra) where he says: I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say:
Visiting the graves: Abu Hurayrah (ra) narrated that the Prophet (saw) visited the grave of his mother and he cried and thus made everyone else around him cry. He said:
'' I asked permission from my Lord so that I can seek forgiveness for her (meaning his mother) but He did not permit me. I asked for permission to visit her grave and he permitted. So visit them for indeed they remind one of death.'' (It means visit the graves).
Nafsiya articles
"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:
Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,
Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."
[Ahmad]
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