From the Descriptions of the People of Paradise
My brothers: You have heard of the descriptions of Paradise and its delights and what it contains of happiness and enjoyment. By Allaah, it deserves that the workers work for it, and the competitors compete for it, and that people exhaust their lives in seeking it, abstaining from the Dunyaa. So if you ask about the deeds that earn it and the path that leads to it, then Allaah has already clarified it in what he revealed upon the most honorable of his messengers. Allaah said:
*The First Ayaah*
"And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden (Paradise) as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous. Who spend (in the cause of Allaah) during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allaah loves the doers of good. And those who, if they commit an immoral action or wrong themselves, remember Allaah and seek forgiveness for their sins - and who can forgive sins except Allaah? - and who do not persist in what they have done while they know." [Aali-'Imraan : 133-135]
So here are a number of descriptions of the people of Paradise:
And they are those who fear their Lord, seeking protection from His punishment by doing what He commanded them, out of obedience to Him and hoping for His reward. And they leave what He prohibited them from, out of obedience to Him and fearing His retribution.
Who spend (in the cause of Allaah) during ease and hardship
They spend what they have been commanded to spend, what has been requested of them such as Zakaah, charity. They spend upon those who have a right upon them, they spend for Jihaad and other means of good. They spend that when in ease and hardship. The ease and luxury does not cause them to love the wealth with stinginess, being greedy for its increase. And the hardship and tight circumstances do not cause them to withhold the wealth, fearing they will need it.
And who restrain anger
They are those who withhold their anger when they become angry and do not transgress nor hate others because of it (their anger).
They pardon those who oppress and transgress against them without taking revenge even though they may be capable of that. And in Allaah's statement:
"And Allaah loves the doers of good." [Aali-'Imraan : 134]
This indicates that pardoning is not praiseworthy except if it is from goodness. That is because its place is only for the purpose of reconciliation. As for pardoning that increases the crimes of the aggressor, then it is not praiseworthy nor is it rewarded. Allaah said:
"So whoever pardons and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allaah." [Ash-Shooraa : 40]
And those who, if they commit an immoral action or wrong themselves, remember Allaah and seek forgiveness for their sins
Immoral actions are from the major sins such as killing a person unlawfully without a right, disobedience and ungratefulness to parents, taking usury, using the wealth of the orphan, turning and fleeing on the day the armies meet, adultery, stealing, and similar to these from the major sins.
As for wronging themselves, then this is more general and includes the minor sins and major ones. So when they do something of those deeds, they remember the greatness of Whom they have disobeyed so they become fearful of Him. They also remember His forgiveness and mercy so they hasten to the means of obtaining it. They seek forgiveness for their sins and the concealment of them as well as the protection from the punishment for them (their sins). And in Allaah's statement:
"And who can forgive sins except Allaah?" [Aali-'Imraan : 135]
This indicates that they do not seek forgiveness from anyone other than Allaah because there is no one who can forgive sins except Him.
And who do not persist in what they have done while they know
Meaning: they do not continue doing the sin once they know it is a sin and they realize the greatness of Whom they are disobeying and they realize the closeness of His forgiveness. Rather, they hasten to give it up (the sin) and to repentance for it.
So the insistence upon the sin while knowing it is a sin, makes the minor sins become major ones and it gradually takes the one who commits it to dangerous and difficult situations.
*The Second Ayaah*
Allaah said:
"Certainly the believers have succeeded: Those who are, during their prayer, humbly submissive. And those who turn away from ill speech. And those who are observant of Zakaah. And those who guard their private parts. Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed. But whoever seeks beyond that - then those are the transgressors. And those who are to their trusts and promises, attentive. And those who carefully maintain their prayers. Those are the inheritors. Who will inherit Al-Firdaws (the highest part of Paradise). They will live there forever." [Al-Muminoon : 1-11]
The believers
Those who believe in Allaah with all that the Eemaan requires of them to believe in such as the angels of Allaah, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and predestination - the good and bad of it. They believe in that out of Eemaan which necessitates acceptance, submission, and obedience with statements and actions.
Those who are, during their prayer, humbly submissive
With present hearts and tranquil limbs, bringing to mind that they are standing in their prayer between the Hands of Allaah ('Azza Wa Jall) , addressing him with His own Speech, seeking nearness to Him with His remembrance, seeking protection with Him with duaa. So they are humbly submissive, inwardly and outwardly
And those who turn away from ill speech
Ill speech (Al-Laghw) is everything in which there is no benefit or goodness, from statements or actions. So they turn away from it due to their strength of determination and firm will. They do not spend their valuable time except in that which there is benefit. Similar to their safeguarding of their prayers with humbleness, they likewise safeguard their time from being wasted...
And those who are observant of Zakaah
This implies that what is meant of 'Zakaah' is the obligatory portion to be paid on the wealth that it is required from. This also implies that what is meant is everything with which they purify themselves with, from statements and actions.
And those who guard their private parts
They guard their private parts from adultery and perversion for what is in them of disobedience to Allaah and degradation of the character and the society. And perhaps the safeguarding of the private parts includes what is more general that that, including guarding them from viewing or touching (that which is forbidden) also. Allaah said:
"For indeed, they will not be blamed." [Al-Muminoon : 6]
This indicates that originally, mankind is blamed for these actions except with the wife or what they possess for a need, and what is naturally required, and for raising progeny, and benefits other than these. And from the generality of His statement:
"But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors." [Al-Ma'aarij : 31]
This is a proof for the impermissibility of masturbation because it is an action with other than wives or what their right hands possess.
And those who are to their trusts and promises, attentive
A trust is anything which is entrusted to someone from statements, actions, or what is seen. So whoever spoke to you privately, then he has entrusted you with something. And whoever did something in your presence which he would not like others to be informed of, then he has entrusted you with something. And whoever gives you something from his wealth to keep it safe for him, then he has entrusted you with something.
A promise is whatever people commit themselves to with others such as a vow to Allaah, or the promises between people. So the People of Paradise carry out trusts and promises with consideration and attentiveness, in what is between them and Allaah as well as what is between them and the creation. Also, loyalty to contracts and carrying out their permissible conditions, enters into this.
And those who carefully maintain their prayers
They are constant in safeguarding them from being wasted or abandoned. That is to perform them in their time and to complete them with their conditions, pillars (of prayer), and obligations. Allaah (Subhana Wa Ta'ala) has already mentioned many descriptions in the Qur'aan of the People of Paradise, other than those we have quoted here. He mentioned them for those to be distinguished by them, who want to reach it (Paradise).
And from the Hadeeths of Allaah's Messenger (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) , there are many things regarding this.
Aboo Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:"Whoever travels a path seeking in it knowledge, Allaah will make easy for him because of it, a path to Paradise." (Muslim)
Aboo Hurayrah also narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:
"Shall I guide you all to something that because of it, Allaah will erase the sins, and raise the ranks?"
They said, "Of course, oh messenger of Allaah." He said:
"The perfection of Wudhoo in difficult circumstances, taking many steps to the Masjids, and waiting from one prayer to the next prayer."
'Umar ibn Al-Khattaab narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:
"There is not one of you who makes Wudhoo and perfects it then says: Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illaa Allaah wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, wa ashhadu an Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasooluhu - (I testify that there is nothing worthy or worship except Allaah, alone with no partner and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger) except that the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him to enter through whichever he wants." (Muslim)
'Umar ibn Al-Khattaab also narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: "The one who follows the Muaththin (One who calls the Athaan for prayer) [by repeating what he says] sincerely from his heart, then he will enter Paradise." (Muslim)
'Uthmaan ibn 'Affaan narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:"Whoever builds a Masjid seeking only from it the Face of Allaah, then Allaah will build a house for him in Paradise." (Agreed upon by Bukhaaree and Muslim)
'Ubaadah ibn As-Saamit narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:
"Allaah has prescribed five prayers upon the servant. So whoever comes with them, not having neglected anything from them nor underestimating them, rather giving them their rights; then he has a covenant from Allaah that He will enter him into Paradise." (Agreed upon by Bukhaaree and Muslim)
Thawbaan narrated that he asked the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) about a deed that due to it, Allaah will admit him into Paradise. So the Prophet said: "You must perform Sujood very often. For you do not make one Sujood before Allaah, except that Allaah will raise you, because of it, a rank and erase a sin." (Muslim)
Umm Habeebah narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:"There is no Muslim servant who prays, for Allaah, every day 12 optional Rak'aat other than the obligatory ones, except that Allaah will build for him a house in Paradise." (Muslim)
They are 4 before Thuhr, 2 after Thuhr, 2 after Maghrib, 2 after Ishaa, and 2 before the morning prayer.
Mu'aadh ibn Jabal narrated that he said to the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) , "Inform me of a deed that will enter me into Paradise and take me far away from the Fire." He said:"You have asked about something very great, yet is easy for whoever Allaah makes it easy for. Worship Allaah and do not associate anything in worship with Him, establish the prayer, give the Zakaah, fast Ramadhaan, and make Hajj of the House." (Recorded by Ahmad and At-Tirmithee who declared it to be Saheeh)
Sahl ibn Sa'd narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:
"Indeed in Paradise is a gate named 'Ar-Rayyaan'. Those who fast will enter from it on the Day of Resurrection and no one other than they will enter through it." (Agreed upon by Bukhaaree and Muslim)
Aboo Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:"One 'Umrah to another 'Umrah is an expiation for what is between them, yet an accepted Hajj; there is no reward for it except Paradise." (Agreed upon by Bukhaaree and Muslim)
Jaabir narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: "Whoever has three daughters and shelters them, has mercy on them, and supports them; then Paradise becomes incumbent for him."
It was said, "Oh Messenger of Allaah, even if there were only two?" He said: "Even if there were only two." "Some of the people thought that if he had asked about only one, then he (the Prophet) would have said the same for only one (daughter). " [1]
Aboo Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) was asked about what most often enters one into Paradise, so he said: "Taqwaa (fear, obedience, etc.) of Allaah and good character." [2]
'Iyyaadh ibn Himaar Al-Majaashi'ee narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: "The People of Paradise are three types: A just, generous leader, A merciful man, soft-hearted to every relative, and A chaste, modest Muslim with dependants." [3]
So this is, oh brothers, a selection of Hadeeths of the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) which clarify many things from the deeds of the People of Paradise for whoever wants to reach it (Paradise).
I ask Allaah to make easy for us and for you all, following these and to make us steadfast upon them. Indeed He is the Most Generous.
And may Allaah send prayers and peace upon our Prophet, Muhammad and his family and companions, all of them.
Footnotes:
[1] Its chain is weak, yet it has supporting Saheeh reports such as: "Whoever is tested with something from daughters yet he acts kindly with them, then they will be a shield for him from the Fire." Recorded by Muslim.
TRANSLATOR'S NOTE: Another supporting Hadeeth is: "Whoever has three daughters, has patience with them, feeds and provides drink for them, clothes them according to his ability; then they will be a 'Hijaab' (barrier) for him from the Fire on the Day of Resurrection." Recorded by Al-Imaam Ahmad in his Musnad as well as in the Sunan of Ibn Maajah and Al-Albaanee declared it to be Saheeh in Al-Jaami As-Sagheer, no. 6488 as well as Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah, no. 293, 1027.
[2] Recorded by At-Tirmithee and Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh. Its chain is not like that but the Matn (actual text of the Hadeeth) is Saheeh.
[3] Recorded by Muslim in a long Hadeeth.
Source: Majaalis Shahr Ramadhaan - excerpt from Chapter 24
Translator: Abuz-Zubayr 'Abdur-Rahmaan (Scott) Harrison - Rahimahullaah
Note: As salaamu 'alaykum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh... Our brother was recently taken by the Will of our Lord Ta'aalaa, he was our brother in Deen and Salafiyyah and a dear friend, a father and husband. He has helped our growth in the da'wah for a number of years translating our articles and books. May Allaah forgive him of his sins, make these deeds grand on his scale of good deeds, and make him from the occupants of the highest level of paradise, Aameen yaa Rabbanaa! From what we knew of him, he was truly from the best of people and Allaah knows best... Inna lillaahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raaji'oon.