PEOPLE OF PARADISE

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL

INTRODUCTION

In Sadih Muslim, Book 40, Number 6780:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying that: Allah the Exalted and Glorious, said: I have prepared for My pious servants which no eye has ever seen, and no ear has ever heard, and no human heart has ever perceived but it is testified by the Book of Allah. He then recited: 

فَلا تَعلَمُ نَفسٌ ما أُخفِيَ لَهُم مِن قُرَّةِ أَعيُنٍ جَزاءً بِما كانوا يَعمَلونَ

“No soul knows what comfort has been concealed from them, as a reward for what they did”.

As a rule of thumb, all of us must understand that we will ONLY enter Paradise when Allah Grant us His Mercy:

Reported by al-Bukhaariyy (6463) and Muslim (2,816) from a hadeeth of Aboo Hurayrah radiyAllaahu `anhu, prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:

“None of you will enter into Paradise through his deeds.” So, they said, “Not even you Oh Messenger of Allaah?” So, he said, “Nor even me unless Allaah covers me with His mercy.”

It is wrong to assume from this hadith that we do NOT need to do anything except hoping for Allah’s Mercy, as this is “wishful thinking”. Allah did Remind us in the Qur’an surah al Kahf (18), verse 110:

فَمَن كانَ يَرجو لِقاءَ رَبِّهِ فَليَعمَل عَمَلًا صالِحًا وَلا يُشرِك بِعِبادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا

“…So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.”

In Qur’an surah 16 verse 32, the angels, in the Hereafter, will say to those who will enter Paradise:

سَلامٌ عَلَيكُمُ ادخُلُوا الجَنَّةَ بِما كُنتُم تَعمَلونَ

“…Salamun ‘Alaikum (peace be on you) enter you Paradise, because of (the good) which you used to do (in the world).”

Also in surah al Qari’ah, verses 6-11:

فَأَمّا مَن ثَقُلَت مَوازينُهُ

فَهُوَ في عيشَةٍ راضِيَةٍ

وَأَمّا مَن خَفَّت مَوازينُهُ

فَأُمُّهُ هاوِيَةٌ

وَما أَدراكَ ما هِيَه

نارٌ حامِيَةٌ

6. Then as for him whose balance (of good deeds) will be heavy,

7. He will live a pleasant life (in Paradise).

8. But as for him whose balance (of good deeds) will be light,

9. He will have his home in Hawiyah (pit, i.e. Hell).

10. And what will make you know what it is?

11. (It is) a hot blazing Fire!

BESIDES THE ABOVE – ALLAH WARNED US ON THE DIFFICULTIES ENTERING PARADISE:

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “When Allah created Paradise and Hellfire, he sent Gabriel to Paradise saying: Behold it and what I have prepared therein for its people. Gabriel came and looked at it and what Allah had prepared therein for its people. He returned to Allah and he said: By your might, no one will hear of it but that he will enter it. Allah ordered that it be surrounded by adversity and he said: Return to it and behold what I have prepared therein for its people. Gabriel returned and found that it was surrounded by hardship. He returned to Allah and he said: By your might, I fear that no one will enter it. Allah said: Go to the Hellfire and behold it and what I have prepared therein for its people. Gabriel found that it was in layers, one above another. He returned to Allah and he said: By your might, no one who hears of it will enter it. Allah ordered that it be surrounded by desires and he said: Return to it. Gabriel returned and he said: By your might, I fear that no one will escape it.”

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2560

Allah also Warned us:

أَم حَسِبتُم أَن تَدخُلُوا الجَنَّةَ وَلَمّا يَأتِكُم مَثَلُ الَّذينَ خَلَوا مِن قَبلِكُم ۖ مَسَّتهُمُ البَأساءُ وَالضَّرّاءُ وَزُلزِلوا حَتّىٰ يَقولَ الرَّسولُ وَالَّذينَ آمَنوا مَعَهُ مَتىٰ نَصرُ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلا إِنَّ نَصرَ اللَّهِ قَريبٌ

“Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, “When (will come) the Help of Allah?” Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near!” Qur’an surah al Baqarah 2: 214

Allah also Reminded that ONLY Islam (complete submission to Allah) will be Accepted by Allah. 

إِنَّ الدّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الإِسلامُ ۗ وَمَا اختَلَفَ الَّذينَ أوتُوا الكِتابَ إِلّا مِن بَعدِ ما جاءَهُمُ العِلمُ بَغيًا بَينَهُم ۗ وَمَن يَكفُر بِآياتِ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ سَريعُ الحِسابِ

“Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, then surely, Allah is Swift in calling to account.” Qur’an surah al ‘Imran 3: 19

وَمَن يَبتَغِ غَيرَ الإِسلامِ دينًا فَلَن يُقبَلَ مِنهُ وَهُوَ فِي الآخِرَةِ مِنَ الخاسِرينَ

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.” Qur’an surah Al ‘Imran 3: 85

It was narrated that Ubaadah ibn al-Saamit said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever says ‘I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah [with no partner or associate] and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, and that ‘Eesa is the slave of Allaah, the son of His maidservant, a Word which He bestowed upon Maryam and a Spirit created by Him, and that Paradise is true and that Hell is true, Allaah will admit him through whichever of the eight gates of Paradise he wants.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3252) and Muslim (28).   

From all of the above, we understand that in order to enter Jannah, 

1. one has to be a Muslim (in practice, not just in name). This is our passport to Jannah. 
2. Strive to do righteous good deeds
3. Don’t commit shirk
4. A passport must also have a visa before entry into Jannah – this is Allah’s Mercy. 

Let us analyse from the verses of the Qur’an and authentic hadeeths on the characteristics of those who will enter Jannah:

CHARACTERISTICS OF PEOPLE WHO WILL ENTER JANNAH

1. Allah Helped us to identify who are the “successful believers” who will eventually be the “inheritors” not just of Jannah, but the highest and best Jannah – Jannatul Firdaus. These can be found in Surah al Mu’minoon 23, verses 1-11:

1. Those who do the prayers with Khushoo’ (23: 2)
2. Those who turn away from vain talks (23: 3)
3. Those who paid/contributed to the zakat (23: 4)
4. Those who guard the private parts (23: 5)
5. Those who keep their trusts and promises (23: 8)
6. Those who strictly guard their (five compulsory congregational) Salawat (prayers) (at their fixed stated hours) (23: 9)

2. Allah Mentioned other characteristics of those who will be granted “Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqun” Qur’an surah al Imran 3 verses 133-136. In verse 136, Allah would give this reward: “For such, the reward is Forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath (Paradise), wherein they shall abide forever. How excellent is this reward for the doers (who do righteous deeds according to Allah’s Orders).” The characteristics of these dwellers of Jannah are as follows:

1. Those who spend [in Allah’s Cause – deeds of charity, alms, etc.] in prosperity and in adversity, (3: 134)
2. Those who repress anger, (3: 134)
3. Those who pardon men; (3: 134)
4. Those who, when they have committed Fahishah (illegal sexual intercourse etc.) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; – and none can forgive sins but Allah – And do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know.

3. Inviting people to goodness (da’wah)

(3: 104)

4. Another group of people are found in Qur’an surah As Sajdah 32 verses 15-17, because Allah Promised them something which “no person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do:

إِنَّما يُؤمِنُ بِآياتِنَا الَّذينَ إِذا ذُكِّروا بِها خَرّوا سُجَّدًا وَسَبَّحوا بِحَمدِ رَبِّهِم وَهُم لا يَستَكبِرونَ

1. Only those believe in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), who, when they are reminded of them fall down prostrate, and glorify the Praises of their Lord, and they are not proud. (32: 15)

تَتَجافىٰ جُنوبُهُم عَنِ المَضاجِعِ يَدعونَ رَبَّهُم خَوفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمّا رَزَقناهُم يُنفِقونَ

2. Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope, (32: 16) and they spend (charity in Allah’s Cause) out of what We have bestowed on them. (32: 16)

5. Another characteristic of the people of Jannah is that they are truthful.

قالَ اللَّهُ هٰذا يَومُ يَنفَعُ الصّادِقينَ صِدقُهُم ۚ لَهُم جَنّاتٌ تَجري مِن تَحتِهَا الأَنهارُ خالِدينَ فيها أَبَدًا ۚ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنهُم وَرَضوا عَنهُ ۚ ذٰلِكَ الفَوزُ العَظيمُ

“Allah will say, “This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness.” For them are gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them, and they with Him. That is the great attainment.” Al Quran (5:119)

“Indeed, truthfulness leads to righteousness and indeed righteousness leads to Jannah.” [Bukhari]

The truthful ones (or the Siddiqun) ranks higher than the martyrs:

“And whoso obeys Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad SallAllahu alayhi wa sallam), 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!” 4: 69

Allah will Guide the truthful ones to do good righteous deeds and forgive their sin:

“O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger (SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. he will be saved from the Hell-fire and made to enter Paradise).” 33: 70-71

6. Other characteristics are in the following hadeeth:

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “The people of Jannah will be of three kinds: A just successful ruler, a man who shows mercy to his relatives, and a pious believer who has a large family and refrains from begging.” [Sahih Muslim]

So, the characteristics are:

1. A just ruler

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, Allah enjoins Al-Adl (justice) and Al-Ihsan (performing duties in a perfect manner).” (16:90)

A just ruler will also be given shade from Allah in the Day of Judgment when the sun comes very close to everyone:

It was reported from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

 “There are seven whom Allaah will shade with His shade on the day when there will be no shade except His: the just ruler; a young man who grows up worshipping his Lord; a man whose heart is attached to the mosque; two men who love one another for the sake of Allaah and meet and part on that basis; a man who is called by a woman of rank and beauty and says ‘I fear Allaah’; a man who gives in charity and conceals it to such an extent that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives; and a man who remembers Allaah when he is alone, and his eyes fill up.” (Agreed upon, narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 620; Muslim, no. 1712; and others).

“And be equitable. Verily! Allah loves those who are the equitable.” (49:9)

2. A man showing Mercy to family members and relatives

Allah Almighty says in Holy Quran about the rights of relatives in a way: 

 وَاعبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلا تُشرِكوا بِهِ شَيئًا ۖ وَبِالوالِدَينِ إِحسانًا وَبِذِي القُربىٰ

“Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk…”(4:36).  

In Islam doing good to the relatives is next in importance to the obedience of parents. Following ayah clearly describes the importance of rights of relatives:

وَإِذ أَخَذنا ميثاقَ بَني إِسرائيلَ لا تَعبُدونَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ وَبِالوالِدَينِ إِحسانًا وَذِي القُربىٰ

“And remember We took a covenant from the Children of Israel that worship none but Allah, and do good to your parents and relatives…”( 2:83)

3. A person with Trust in Allah – with large family and refrains from begging

“…And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things.” (65: 2-3)

7. Seeking knowledge

Whoever treads a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him the path to Jannah. [Muslim]

8. Praying in the mosque in congregation

Allah will prepare for him who goes to the mosque (every) morning and in the afternoon (for the congregational prayer) an honourable place in Paradise with good hospitality for (what he has done) every morning and afternoon goings. (Sahih al-Bukhari)

9. Memorise the Qur’an and practise what he/she memorised

Ali (RA) relates that the Prophet (SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said “Whoever recites the Qur’an, memorises it, accepts its halal (lawful things) as halal and haram (forbidden things) as haram (i.e. his beliefs in these matters are correct), Allah, the Exalted, will enter him to Paradise and accept his intercession on behalf of ten such persons of his family upon whom entry into Hell has become incumbent (i.e. Allah will forgive them because of his intercession).” (Tirmidhi, Fadailu’l-Quran, 13; Ibn Majah, Muqaddima, 17.)

10. Anas ibn Malik reported: There was a tree in the road that used to harm people, so a man came and cleared it from the road. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “I have seen him enjoying himself in its shade in Paradise.”

CONCLUSION

There are ways for a person to be able to enter Paradise inshaAllah, but we must also ensure that the deeds are accepted by Allah. Deeds are only accepted by following these ways:

1. Being a Muslim and not committing shirk
2. Sincerity to perform these deeds ONLY for the sake of Allah
3. The acts of worship MUST be done in accordance to the evidence in the Qur’an and authentic hadiths.

May Allah Accept all of our deeds, Ease our tasks to please Him and Grant us His Mercy so that we can enter Jannatul Firdaus.