A Soul’s Burden :: Special Islamic Reminders

A Soul’s Burden

Trials and tribulations are a part of life. We do not like them; we do not like to go through them; but eventually we accept them. Even if we pray, fast, pay our zakat and do all different forms of ibadat we still get tested. Sadness sometimes fills our hearts. We could be the best of practicing Muslims, yet poor and unable to put food on our table. We could be rich yet lonely, or young yet unhealthy.

It is in these instances that shaytan starts toying with our head. We look at what others have, especially the non-Muslims, and our core gets rattled. The shaytan ignites a fire that gets our blood boiling, hopelessness and frustration set in, and we ask “Oh Allah, why me?! Why am I being punished?”

Psychologists tell us that human beings go through five stages of emotion when struck with a calamity. Understanding the different stages of grief minimizes the first four stages (which are denial, anger, bargaining and depression) and gets us to the final stage – which is acceptance. I went through these stages on many different occasions, as I am sure you have.

I am not a psychologist nor am I trying to refute the works of psychology, but I would nonetheless like to offer a different view, a Qur’anic view, on how to deal with life’s trials.

Though we do not have a say in when we are born nor in when we die, life has a clear beginning and a clear end. What is sometimes unclear is the journey between the two points. For Muslims, however, the journey could not be any clearer. Allah says in Surat Adh-Dhariyat:

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

“And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)” (Qur’an, 51:56).

Now think back to the first paragraph of this article. You might think to yourself, “I pray five times a day, I fast during Ramadan and pay my zakat, yet I have an ill child, or still can’t find a job, or this stressor or that.” You begin to wonder why you are going through this and why you are being “punished.” Before you know it, shaytan takes the helm and you are on a slippery slope of anger and denial.

Before falling down that slope, one must take a deep breath and ponder the following question: is it punishment or is it a manifestation of what Allah has told us in Surat Al-Ankabut:

أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَنْ يُتْرَكُوا أَنْ يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ

“Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested?” (Qur’an, 29:2)

Allah tells us that through this journey we call life we will be tested. In Surat Al-Baqarah, He says:

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنْفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ

“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits…” (Qur’an, 2:155)

Tribulations are a part of life but that doesn’t make them easy. We still grieve — but how could we not? We are, after all, a very emotional creation. So how does one cope with adversity? There are many ayat in the Qur’an that talk about different mechanisms of coping such as patience, faith, prayer and acceptance. But what I find the most profound and the most comforting is what Allah says in Surat Al-Baqarah:

لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا

“Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear…” (Qur’an,2:286).

If you stand back and take a look at the whole picture, you will realize that what you have when faced by a tragedy is a choice. Will you go through the stages of grief, denying Allah’s destiny and the wisdom of His plan for you? Or will you realize that what you are going through is something you know you can handle? Whatever trial comes your way is something that Allah has planned and which He has guaranteed you can handle. This ayah is comforting because I, as a faithful mu’min who believes in Allah and His wisdom, know deep in my heart that although the sadness is cumbersome it will not be overwhelming; that although the times might be tough, I am tougher; and that whatever comes my way will go away; and that eventually I will face my Lord whom, I hope, will be pleased with me as I am pleased with Him.

So when you go through a difficult situation, be it the inevitable death of a loved one or the loss of a job or just a flat tire on the side of the highway, take a deep breath and say:

قُلْ لَنْ يُصِيبَنَا إِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَنَا

“Say: ‘Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allâh has ordained for us…’” (9:51).

By
Nomad78

Heaven And Hell - Jannat And Jahannam

Heaven And Hell - Jannat And Jahannam

Almighty Allah Subahanahoo Wata'ala tells us very clearly in verse 120 of Surah Al Mai'da:

"To Allah doth belong the dominion of the heavens and the earth,And all that is therein, And it is He who hath power over all things."

The ultimate reward of Jannah with its unimaginable beauty and the magnificent life that awaits the Ummah of Almighty Allah's Beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam in the Akhhirah (Hereafter) is described and promised in great detail by Almighty Allah Subahanahoo Wata'ala. So great is His Muhabbat for us that He reminds all of us of the Glorious life, the beauty and the great splendour that awaits us over 193 times in the Most Holy and Glorious Quran.

The meaning of the word Al-Jannah is derived from the Arabic word Jann which primarily means to cover. Hence Al-Jannah means a place that is covered i.e. a place that is covered by trees and plants. In simpler terms, we all know that a place that is covered by trees and plants is called a garden, whence Al-Jannah came to mean a garden.

Says Almighty Allah in verse 35 of Surah Al-Ra'd:

"The parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised! Beneath it flow rivers: Perpetual is the fruits thereof and the shade therein: Such is the End of the Righteous; and the end of the unbelievers is the Fire."

This verse in its derived meaning means fruit and enjoyment of all kinds, spiritual as well as other. The joys of Jannah are not like the joys of this world, which fade away or cloy. The joys of Jannah are pure, everlasting, and without any of the drawbacks which we associate with the joys of the sense. The shade of Jannah that Almighty Allah speaks about literally means shelter, protection and security for we all know that shade is one of the delights of a garden.

In this verse, as in other places, the Fire is contrasted with the Garden, as Misery is contrasted with Bliss. We can also imagine other incidents in contrast with those of the Garden, e.g. with the Fire will be drought, aridity and thirst, instead of beautiful rivers; pain and suffering, instead of perpetual delight; no protection against the fierceness of the heat, as contrasted with the cool shades ever deepening as you proceed in the Garden.

Our Beloved Nabee Muhammad Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam said:

"Almighty Allah Subahanahoo Wata'ala has prepared for His righteous servants what no eye hath seen, and no ear had heard, and no heart hath conceived."

In other words, the external sense organs of humanity cannot give an idea of the rewards and blessings of Jannah and the punishments and agony of Jahannum. The true concept of these two abodes are totally and completely beyond any human comprehension. In the Mishkat-ul-Masabih - We are told that the foundation of Jannah is of silver and gold. The earth of Jannah is of musk, its dust is of camphor, its plants of saffron and its rain of perfume. There are eight stages of Jannah popularly called doors. They are

• Adn
• Khuld
• Al-Nayeem
• Mawa
• Darus-Salam
• Darul - Qarar
• Al-Muqama
• and Jannathul-Ferdous (highest stage of heaven.)

Our Beloved prophet Muhammad Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam said that if any one of his Ummah seeks to enter Jannah they should always pray for Jannathul Ferdous as it is the highest stage of paradise. It is stated in a Hadith that, when Almighty Allah Subahanahoo Wata'ala created Jannah, He told Sayyidina Jibra?eel Ameen Alayhis Salatu Wasallam to go and visit Jannah. Upon his return from Jannah, Sayyidina Jibra'eel Ameen reported:

"O Allah! By Your Greatness and Glory, whoever comes to know of it, will strive with all their resources to enter it"

That is to say, its pleasures, comforts, enjoyments and untold blessings are so intense that there will be no body who, after knowing and believing, will not strive their utmost for admission into it. Almighty Allah Subahanahoo Wata'ala then surrounded Jannah with hardships and made it compulsory to display Imaan and Taqwa, perform regular Salaat, give Zakat, observe fasting during Ramadan, partake in Jihad, perform Hajj, display love and Muhabbat for all those around you, obedience to parents etc., as a pre-requisite for admission into Jannah. Almighty Allah Subahanahoo Wata?ala then instructed Sayyidina Jibra'eel Ameen Alayhis Salatu Wasallam to visit it again. Upon his return he reported to Almighty Allah:

"O Ya Rabbal Alameen! I fear that hardly anybody will be able to enter it."

Jannathul-Ferdous has a tree at its farthest limit called "the farthest Lot tree" i.e. ? The Seedratul Muntaha? beyond which there is no power of man to proceed. This tree is so big that it will take a rider on a swift horse a hundred years just to cover the shade of this tree.

Similarly, after Almighty Allah created Jahannum (Hell), He ordered Sayyidina Jibra'eel Ameen Alayhis Salatu Wasallam (angel) to visit it. After witnessing the punishments, the horrors, the afflictions and tortures of Jahannum, he submitted:

"O Allah! I swear by Thy Glory and Thy Grandeur that if anyone comes to know of the conditions in Jahannum they will do everything possible never to go near it."

Almighty Allah then surrounded Jahannum with acts of indulgence, such as Shirk, Fitnah, lying and back-biting, adultery and fornication, drinking, cruelty and disrespect towards parents, stealing, Ribah, pride and disregard of the Divine Commandments etc., and then asked Sayyidina Jibra'eel Ameen Alayhis Salatu Wasallam to visit it again. He saw it and submitted:

"My Lord and Creator! I fear that hardly anybody will be able to escape it."

Is Jannah and Jahannum located in any particular geographic area? This also baffles our conception. However, Almighty Allah Subahanahoo Wata'ala through His Infinite Mercy and Bounty reminds us in verse 133 in Surah Al-Imran:

"Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord and for a Garden whose width is that (of the whole) Of the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous."

The picture of Jahannum is drawn in a concrete manner for easy human conception in the words of the Most Holy and Noble Quran. It is said that the fire of Jahannum burnt for a thousand years then it became red. Again it was burnt for an additional thousand years and then it became black. It is at this stage black with the redness of the flame.

There are seventy thousand valleys in Jahannum with seventy six thousand hillocks in each valley. There is a valley in Jahannum called Jabal Hazan from which this section of Jahannum seeks refuge seventy times a day from the intensity of the punishment and the heat. Jahannum is so deep that if a rock is thrown into it, it will take more than seventy years to reach the bottom. It is also mentioned in the Mishkat-ul-Masabih that the fire of this world that Almighty Allah blessed humanity with originated from just one single flame of Jahannum that had to be washed seventy times before it was brought down to earth. Just one drop of the stench of Jahannum is enough to kill the entire human race.

Says Almighty Allah Subahanahoo Wata?ala in verses 6, 7 and 8 of Surah Al-Mulk:

"For those who reject Their Lord (and Cherisher) Is the chastisement of Jahannum: And evil is (such) destination."

"When they are cast therein, they will hear the
(terrible) drawing in of its breath even as it blazes forth."

"Almost bursting with fury: Every time a
Group is cast therein, its Keepers will ask: "Did no warner come to you?"

Says Almighty Allah in verses 17,18 and 19 of Surah At-Tur:

"As for the righteous, they will be in Gardens, and in Happiness."
"Enjoying the (Bliss) which their Lord hath bestowed on them, and their Lord shall deliver them from the Chastisement of the Fire."
(To them will be said:)
"Eat and drink ye, with profit and health, because of your good deeds."

The righteous will be in Bliss far beyond their merits: their sins and faults will Insha'Allah be forgiven by the grace of Almighty Allah, which will save them from the penalties which they may have incurred from human frailty.

And says Almighty Allah in verse 21 of Surah At-Tur:

"And those who believe and whose offspring follow them in Faith, to them shall We join with their families: Nor shall we deprive them (Of the fruit) of their works: (Yet) is each individual In pledge of his deeds.

As practising Muslims and as sincere believers in Almighty Allah Subahanahoo Wata'ala we should for ever be most thankful to our Creator and sustainer who has favoured the Ummah of his beloved Nabee Muhammad Sallalahoo Alayhi Wasallam over all other nations of the world. The great Muhabbat that Almighty Allah has for us is clearly shown in verse 110 of Surah Al-Imraan where Allah has confirmed our status:

"You are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind. Enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, And believing in Allah."

In view of this wonderful declaration by our Glorious Creator, we must for now and forever strive with all our resources to glorify and worship none other than Almighty Allah Subahanahoo Wat'ala. The logical conclusion to the evolution of religious history is a non-sectarian, non-racial, non-doctrinal, universal religion, which Islam claims to be. For Islam is complete submission to the Will of Almighty Allah Azza Wajjal. This implies (1) Faith. (2) doing right, being an example to others to eschew wrong, and having the power to see that wrong and injustice are defeated. Islam therefore lives, not for itself, but for mankind.

O servants' of Almighty Allah Jallah Wa'ala! Let us surrender ourselves completely to our Glorious Creator and Exalted Creator - Almighty Allah Azza Wajjal. Give back to Him both the price and the merchandise. Say to Him: "Our souls, wealth and paradise are Yours. Everything besides You O Allah belongs to You. We want nothing but You O Rabbul Ala'meen." You are Gafoorroor Raheem and You are our Creator and Maker.

Ya Ay'yu hal Muslimoon! Let us search for the good neighbour before we look for a house. Look for the companion on the road before we embark on our journey. We who are asking for Paradise, the buying and building of it is done today, not tomorrow. Increase our rivers and let the their waters flow today not tomorrow. Let us all beg for forgiveness while the door of forgiveness is still open to us.

O you who believe! Be clean and pure, and seek not occasions for quibbles, nor go after sorcery or false gods. Be faithful in your trusts, learn obedience, and settle your quarrels under the guidance of Almighty Allah's Beloved Nabee Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam. Keep away from hypocrisy and every kind of falsehood. Then will you be admitted to the glorious fellowship with the highest and noblest in the spiritual world.

May He in All His Infinite Mercy, Glory and Bounty grant the Ummah of His Beloved Nabee S.A.W. with Sabir, Imaan, Taqwa and Muhabbat so that we may share His Blessings and Bounty with our children, our families and with the rest of humanity. "O Allah! Increase us with beneficial knowledge, save us from the punishment of the grave and the Akhirah and forever keep us on the path of Seerathal Mustaqeem."

Ameen!

By Moulana Abdul Hamid Lachporia

Heaven In Islam - Part 2 of 2

Description: The second of a two-part article defining the fundamental differences between Paradise and the life of this world.

Part 2: The superiority of its joys and delights in comparison to this life.

The Eternalness of the Hereafter
The Pleasures of this world are transient whilst the joys of the hereafter are lasting and eternal. In this life when a person enjoys something, it is only a short while before they get bored with it and proceed to search for something they feel is better, or they may not feel a need for it altogether. As for the delights of Paradise, a person will never feel bored with anything, but rather, its goodness will increase each time they indulge in it.

Also, the life of this world is very short. Humans only live on this earth for a short while, and very few people reach the age of seventy.

“Say: Short is the enjoyment of this world. The Hereafter is (far) better for him who fears God.” (Quran 4:77)

As for Paradise, people will live forever. God says:

“...its provision is eternal and so is its shade…” (Quran 13:35)

“What is with you must vanish, and what is with God will endure …” (Quran 16:96)

“(It will be said to them): This is Our Provision, which will never finish” (Quran 38:54)

Superior Delights
The delights of the people of Paradise, such as their clothing, food, drink, jewelry and palaces, 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 Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him, said:

“The space of the bow of any one of you in Paradise is better than all that the sun rises upon” (Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh 3/85, no. 5615)

Free from all Impurities
Paradise is free from all the impurities of this world. Eating and drinking in this life results in the need for excretion and its associated unpleasant odors. 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, as described by its Creator, is:

“Crystal-white, delicious to those who drink (thereof), free from intoxication, nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom” (Quran 37:46-47)

The water of Paradise does not become brackish, and its milk never changes in flavor:

“... rivers of water incorruptible; rivers of milk of which the taste 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, and all are free from stool and feces. God says:

“... and they shall have therein purified mates having no menses, urine, stools, etc.” (Quran 2:25)

The prophet answered a person when they asked how the people of Paradise will relieve themselves:

“They relieve themselves by perspiring through their skins, and its fragrance will be that of musk, and all stomachs will have become lean.” (ibn Hibbaan)

What we have mentioned has been a mere comparison in order to understand the nature of Paradise, but as God said, its delights are truly hidden:

“No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy, as a reward for what they used to do.” (The Quran, 32:17)

Paradise: There is Nothing Like It
The delights of Paradise surpass the imagination and defy description. They are like nothing known to the people of this world; no matter how advanced we may become, what we achieve is as nothing in comparison with the joys of the Hereafter. As is mentioned in several reports, there is nothing like Paradise:

“It is sparkling light, aromatic plants, a lofty palace, a flowing river, ripe fruit, a beautiful wife and abundant clothing, in an eternal abode of radiant joy, in beautiful soundly-constructed high houses”. (Ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibbaan)

The Sahabah asked the Prophet about the buildings of Paradise and he replied with a wonderful description:

“Bricks of gold and silver, and mortar of fragrant musk, pebbles of pearl and sapphire, and soil of saffron. Whoever enters it is filled with joy and will never feel miserable; he will live there forever and never die; their clothes will never wear out and their youth will never fade.” (Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, ad-Daarimee)

God says:

“And when you look there (in Paradise) you will see a delight (that cannot be imagined), and a great dominion” (Quran 76:20)

What God has kept hidden from us the delights of Paradise is beyond our ability to comprehend. The Prophet said that God said:

“I have prepared for My slaves what no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no human heart can imagine.” Recite if you wish:“No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.” (Quran 32:17)

In another report

“Never mind what God has told you; what He has not told you is even greater.” (Saheeh Muslim)

We were created in Paradise, we came out of it and we will inshaAllah go back to it. It is our destination and we shall reach it. But we have to do what Allah has asked us to do, for Paradise is not cheap. The price is true eman that is shown in obedience to Allah according to the sunnah of his Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam. The companions understood that. Their efforts were all for the life of the Hereafter and they gave only what was necessary to this worldly life. As Muslims, everything we do, can be, and should be worship of Allah. Whether we're working at the office to provide for our families; cooking a meal; raising our children, or simply resting, through remembrance of Allah and supplication, we can transform these earthly necessities into fruits that will bear for us in the life of the Hereafter.

Heaven In Islam - Part 1 of 2

Description: The first of a two-part article defining the fundamental differences between Paradise and the life of this world.

Part 1: The absence of those things which cause grief, pain and suffering in this life.

The reality of Paradise is something which people will never be able to understand until they actually enter it, but God has shown us glimpses of it in the Quran. He has described it as a place essentially different to the life of this world, both in the very nature and purpose of life, as well as the types of delights which people will enjoy therein. The Quran tells people about Paradise, which God offers to them, describes its great blessings, and proclaims its beauties to everyone. It informs people that Paradise is one of two ways of life prepared for them in the afterworld, and that every good thing will be theirs in Paradise to a degree that surpasses our present ability to imagine. It also shows that Paradise is a place where all blessings have been created perfectly and where people will be offered everything their souls and hearts will desire, and that people will be far removed from want and need, anxiety or sadness, sorrow and regret. Every kind of beauty and blessing exists in Paradise and will be revealed with a perfection never seen or known before. God has prepared such blessings there as a gift, and these will be offered only to people with whom He is pleased.

But what is the nature of these delights in Paradise, and how will it be different from the delights of this world? We will try to highlight a few of these differences.

Pure delight without pain and suffering
While people in this world experience some delight, they also face much toil and suffering. If one was to scrutinize the life which they live, they will find that the amount of hardship they face is much more than the ease and comfort. As for the life of the Hereafter, there will be no hardship nor suffering in it, and people will live therein in pure joy and delight. All the causes of sorrow, pain and suffering which people experience in this life will be absent in the Hereafter. Let’s take a look at some of these causes.

Wealth:
When one thinks of success in this life, they usually conjure the image of big houses, fine jewelry and clothing, and expensive cars; financial stability is seen to be the key to a happy life. To most people, success is inseparably related to wealth, even though this is the furthest from the truth. How many times have we seen the wealthiest of people living such miserable lives, that it sometimes even leads them to commit suicide! Wealth is something which humans in their very nature desire at any cost, and this desire has been created for a great and wise purpose. When this desire is not satiated, it causes some extent of grief in a person. For this reason, God has promised the inhabitants of Paradise that they will have all that they imagined as far as wealth and belongings are concerned, both for those who were extremely poor, experiencing even hunger and thirst, to those well-to-do but who desired even more. God gives us a glimpse of this when he says:

“... there will be there all that the souls could desire, all that the eyes could delight in …” (Quran 43:71)

“Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent forth (good deeds) in days past!” (Quran 69:24)

“… They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and they will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade. They will recline therein on raised thrones. How good [is] the recompense! How beautiful a couch [is there] to recline on!” (Quran 18:31)

Disease and Death
Another cause of pain and suffering in this life is the death of a loved one or disease, which are both non-existent in Paradise. None will feel any sickness or pain in Paradise. The Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him, said about the people of Paradise:

“They will never fall ill, blow their noses or spit.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

None will die in Paradise. All shall live eternally enjoying the pleasures therein. The Prophet Muhammad said that a caller will call out in Paradise when people enter it:

“Indeed may you be healthy and never be sick again, may you live and never die again, may you be young and never grow feeble again, may you enjoy, and never feel sorrow and regret again.” (Saheeh Muslim)

Social Relationships
As for the remorse felt due to a rift in personal relationships, people will never hear any evil or hurting comments or speech in Paradise. They will only hear good words and words of peace. God says:

“They will not hear therein ill speech or commission of sin. But only the saying of: Peace! Peace!” (Quran 56:25-26)

There will be no enmity between people nor ill-feelings:

“And We shall remove from their breasts any (mutual) hatred or sense of injury (which they had, if at all, in the life of this world).” (Quran 7:43)

The Prophet said:

“There will be no hatred or resentment among them, their hearts will be as one, and they will glorify God, morning and evening.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

People will have the best of companions in the Hereafter, who were also the best people in the world:

“And whoever obeys God and the Messenger – those will be with the ones upon whom God has bestowed favor – of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions!” (Quran 4:69)

The hearts of the people of Paradise will be pure, their speech will be good, their deeds righteous. There will be no hurtful, upsetting, offensive or provocative talk there, for Paradise is free of all worthless words and deeds. If we were to discuss all the causes for anguish in this life, we would surely find its absence or opposite to be true in Paradise.

Next Part >>

Paradise Heaven and Jannah In Islam

Our final destination is the life of the Hereafter. Where we end up, Jannah (Paradise) or Jahannam (Hell-fire) depends on what we worked towards in this life. Paradise is the aim and the hope of every Muslim. But like trying to attain any goal, in order to achieve success, one must have a well-defined plan, and it must be implemented to be successful.

Allah says,

O you who believe! Be careful of (your duty to) Allah and seek means of nearness to Him and strive hard in His way that you may be successful. [5:35]

To prepare for our journey, we need to find out what our destination is like; who are its people, and most importantly, how to get there.

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) told us that within Paradise are things that no eyes have ever seen, nor ears have ever heard, and that things in it are beyond our imagination and comprehension, but we all have our own personal ideas of what eternal bliss would probably be like.

Allah has also described Paradise in many places in the Qur'an, so let us now take a look at what He has in store for the believers.


Description in the Qur'an of Paradise

"The description of Paradise which the Muttaqoon have been promised is that in it are rivers of water, the taste and smell of which are never changed. Rivers of milk the taste of which will remain unchanged. Rivers of wine that will be delicious to those who drink from it and rivers of clear, pure honey. For them will be every kind of fruit and forgiveness form their Lord." [ 47:15]

"And their recompense shall be Paradise, and silken garments, because they were patient. Reclining on raised thrones, they will see there neither the excessive heat of the sun, nor the excessive bitter cold, (as in Paradise there is no sun and no moon). The shade will be close upon them, and bunches of fruit will hang low within their reach. Vessels of silver and cups of crystal will be passed around amongst them, crystal-clear, made of silver. They will determine the measure of them according to their wishes. They will be given a cup (of wine) mixed with Zanjabeel, and a fountain called Salsabeel. Around them will (serve) boys of perpetual youth. If you see them, you would think they are scattered pearls. When you look there (in Paradise) you will see a delight (that cannot be imagined), and a Great Dominion. Their garments will be of fine green silk and gold embroidery. They will be adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord will give them a pure drink." [76:12-21]

"And those foremost (In Tawheed and obedience to Allah and His Messenger in this life) will be foremost (in Paradise). They will be those nearest to Allah in the Gardens of Delight. A multitude of those (the foremost) will be from the first generation (who embraced Islam) and a few of those (the foremost) will be from the later (generations). They will be reclining, face to face, on thrones woven with gold and precious stones. They will be served by immortal boys, with cups and jugs, and a glass from the flowing wine, from which they will have neither any headache, nor any intoxication. They will have fruit from which they may choose, and the flesh of fowls that they desire. There will be Houris with wide, lovely eyes (as wives for the pious), like preserved pearls, a reward for deeds that they used to do. They will hear no vain or sinful speech (like backbiting, etc.) but only the saying of: Salam, Salam, (greetings of peace). And those on the Right Hand, who will be those on the Right Hand? They will be among thorn-less lote-trees among Talh (banana trees) with fruits piled one above another, in long-extended shade, by constantly flowing water, and fruit in plenty, whose season is not limited, and their supply will not be cut off. They will be on couches or thrones raised high. Verily, We have created for them (maidens) of equal age, loving (their husbands only). For those on the Right Hand." [56:10-38]

"Verily, the dwellers of Paradise that Day, will be busy in joyful things. They and their wives will be in pleasant shade, reclining on thrones. They will have therein fruits (of all kinds), and all that they will ask for. (It will be said to them): "Salamun" (Peace be on you), a Word from the Lord, Most Merciful." [36:55-58]

Can you imagine?

Wearing the finest silk clothing and sitting on chairs made of gold and precious stones? Those who disbelieve in the words of Allah, say that this is all a fairy-tale, made up by a would-be prophet. But we know, that Allah is the Truthful and that His Messenger, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, spoke only what was revealed to from the Most Truthful. And even though Allah describes Paradise for us in the Qur'an,

He still says,

"So no soul knows the delights of the eyes which is hidden for them; a reward for what they did." [32:17]

Description of Paradise in the Hadith

Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri narrated that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said,

"The people of Paradise will look at the dwellers of lofty mansions (i.e. a superior place in Paradise) in the same way as one looks at a brilliant star, far away in the East or in the West of the horizon. This is because of their superiority over one another (in reward)." One of the people asked, "O Allah's Messenger, are these lofty mansions for the Prophets which no one else can reach?"

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) replied, "No! By Allah, in whose Hands is my life, these are for men who believe in Allah and also believe in the Messenger." [Bukhari and Muslim]

Abu Musa al-Ash'ari narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, "Verily, for the believers in Paradise, are tents made of a single hollow pear. The length of which would be sixty miles long from all sides, their wives being therein. The believer will go around them (i.e., visit them) and they will not be able to see each other." [Sahih al-Jami]

Abu Hurairah said that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said,

"There is not a tree in Paradise, except that its trunk is made of gold." [Sahih al-Jami]

Anas ibn Malik narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said,

"Verily in Paradise there is a market in which (the inhabitants of Paradise) will come to every Friday. The North wind will blow and scatter fragrances on their faces and on their clothes. This will add to their beauty and their attractiveness. They will then go back to their families after having an added luster to their beauty and their attractiveness. Their families will say to them, 'By Allah you have been increased in beauty and loveliness after leaving us,' and they will say, 'By Allah you too have increased in beauty and attractiveness after us.'" (Muslim)

Jabir ibn Abdullah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said,

"(I saw in a dream that) I entered Paradise, and behold, there was a palace built of gold. I asked, 'Whose is this palace?' They (the angels) replied, 'For a man from the Quraysh.' So I thought it might be I, so I asked, 'And who is he?' They said, 'Umar Ibnul Khattab.' Nothing stopped me form entering it except your Ghirah (sense of honor)." Umar said, "My Ghirah would never be offended by you, O Messenger of Allah." [Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Anas ibn Malik said that Allah's Apostle (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said,

"I entered Paradise and found myself by a river, by its edges were tents of pearls. Then I tapped with my hands where the water was running, and there was then a beautiful smell of Musk. I asked, 'What is this O Gabriel?' He said, 'This is Kawthar (river in Paradise) which Allah has given to you.'" [Sahih al-Jami]

Who Are the People of Paradise?

We could go on and on, for the ahadith are vast in numbers, about the Prophet's descriptions of Paradise. But a place that has houses built with gold and silver bricks: where its dirt is made of rubies and sapphires and its inhabitants wear only the finest silk garments, sounds like a pretty exclusive neighborhood to me. Who are these people who will be allowed to live in this enchanting place? The Jews say the Jews. The Christians say the Christians.
But Allah says,

"And they say: 'None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian.' Those are their (vain) desires. Say, 'Produce your proof if you are truthful.' [2:111]

He also says,

"(Namely) those whose lives the angels take in a state of purity, saying (to them), 'Peace be on you, enter you the Garden, because of (the good) which you did (in the world)." [16:32]

Always in the Qur'an when Allah mentions those who will attain Paradise, He mentions the believers, not the Muslims. He (subhanahu wa ta'ala) says, "Indeed the Muttaqoon will be amongst the Gardens and water-springs." [15:45]

He also says,

"Verily, the Muttaqoon will be in a place of security, among Gardens and Springs, dressed in fine silk and (also) in thick silk, facing each other. This is how it shall be, and We shall marry them to Houris with wide, lovely eyes. They will request therein for every kind of fruit in peace and security." [44:51-55]

So who are the believers and how do we become one of them? Allah says,

"They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and they enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong and they strive with one another in hastening to good deeds, and those are among the good." [3:114]

He (subhanahu wa ta'ala) also says of the believers,

"But the Apostle and those who believe with him strive hard with their property and their persons; and these it is who shall have the good things and these it is who shall be successful." [9:88]

He goes on to say,

"Allah has purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the Garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Qur'an: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain, which you have concluded: that is the achievement supreme." [9:111]

Of the believers, He also says,

"But those who have faith and work righteousness, they are companions of the Garden: Therein shall they abide (forever)." [2:82]

O slaves of Allah know that being among this illustrious group of people who will live in this place of tranquility and bliss is not something easily attained.

Allah says,

"Or do you think that you shall enter the Garden (of bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Apostle and those of faith who were with him cried, 'When (will come) the help of Allah?' Ah! Verily, the help of Allah is (always) near!" [2:214]

What Allah and His Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) convey to us is that the people of Paradise are the God-conscious, and the God-fearing. Not everyone, who says, Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, just as not everyone who professes the Shahadah, will enter Paradise.

Only those who fear Allah as He ought to be feared, and are motivated by that fear to do acts of righteousness will attain success. The one who is conscious of His Lord, in every aspect of his life, and turns to Him in true submission, will have purchased for himself safety and security on a day, when there will be none, except with Allah. He does not cause a soul to suffer fear twice, the fear of Him in this world, and the fear on The Day of Judgment. About this, the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said,

"Allah says, 'I do not combine for my servants two states of fear, or two states of safety. So if he feels safe from Me in this world I will cause him to fear on The Day of Judgment, and if he fears Me in the world, I will cause him to be safe on The Day of Judgment.'" [Sahih al-Jami]

It is important, therefore, that Muslims know the characters of those who will be the inheritors of Paradise. But it is unfortunate that many of today's Muslims understand that it is enough for one to pronounce the Shahadah by his tongue for him to be entitled to enter Paradise regardless of whether he lived according to Islam or not! But the Shahadah means and requires more than the mere utterance of it. Actually this fact is one of the most mentioned aspects of Islam in the Qur'an and Sunnah. The essence of Eman is deed. Deeds of the heart and deeds of the tongue and other body parts. Deeds that are to be continued till one leaves this world. That was the reason why the Arabs of Makkah refused to pronounce it. They fully appreciated its implication. They knew it concerned authority and understood that they had to govern their deeds and lives with it. Yet many of those who repeat it today lead life styles that do not resemble those described in the Qur'an and practiced by the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, and his companions. The Qur'an warns us that deeds are the basis on which we are to be judged, not only the utterance of the Shahadah,

"It is not by your wishes nor the wishes of the People of the Book: whoever does wrong shall be punished for it, and he will find none other than Allah as a protector or helper." [4:123]

So entering Paradise requires that we live as believers and die as Muslims. That takes knowledge, dedication and determination to see it through to its completion. The fist step is belief in Allah and His Messenger, and the flip side to that is leaving all acts of shirk; this means directing all acts of ibadah to none but Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, whether it be wearing talismans, supplicating to others than Allah or simply showing off. The next step is obeying Allah and His Messenger, avoiding bid'ah and innovations, and carrying out all compulsory acts of worship that He has prescribed. Once we are steadfast and regular in what we must do, we can then proceed to the next level of eman and worship, by doing the things that we have been encouraged to do. By increasing out acts of worship, and remembrance of Allah we will leave off sin and help safeguard ourselves from a Fire, the fuel of which is men and stones.


We Should Also Strive to:

Protect our minds from thoughts, which are evil, because evil actions begin with evil thoughts.

Protect our eyes by lowering our gazes and not looking at forbidden things.

Protect our ears from lewd or evil speech where there is sin. We should also avoid listening to lies, gossip, music, slander, or blasphemy.

Protect our tongues by saying always what is correct and true, and keeping it moist with the remembrance of Allah, and keeping away from backbiting and other evil speech.

Protect our stomachs by eating the halal and keeping away from the haram. We should beware of eating usury, carrion, and swine or drinking intoxicants or taking drugs.

Protect our hands from taking what does not belong to us, or from doing harm to another Muslim.

Protect our legs from taking us to evil and corruption and an ultimate doom.

Protect our private parts from unlawful sexual intercourse.

Protect our wealth by not squandering it or holding on to it too tightly.

Protect our oaths, witnesses and trusts by not breaching or breaking a contract or pledge knowingly. We should not exceed our agreements, testify to falsehood or break our trusts.

Protect our families and children by keeping them away from the things that may be harmful and that may corrupt their minds and their souls.

Now, it is true that only Allah knows who the believers are, but that should not stop us from striving to be among their numbers. For the believers will have eternal bliss and complete success, because of the things that they did in this life. Allah says,

"So no soul knows the delight of the eyes which is hidden for them; a reward for what they did." [32:17]

We now stand at the start of the race, so let us run forward quickly to the finish line, where the gates of Paradise will be open for those who strive as they should. The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, who said,

"Paradise is surrounded by hardship and the Hellfire is surround by wishes and desires," has described the road to eternal bliss. [Sahih al-Jami]

Despite this, Allah and His Messenger have left breadcrumbs along the path, for us to follow to make our journey easier. All roads may lead to Rome, but not all paths lead to Allah and His Paradise. We must plan our journey by using only the road map given to us by Allah and His Messenger, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam.


Ways That Lead To Paradise:

Belief and Righteous Deeds are two of the best routes to Jannah (Paradise). The door of righteous deeds is wide and the ways of obtaining rewards are vast, as Allah says,

"And those who believe and do good deeds they are the inhabitants of Paradise, in it they shall abide."
[2:82]

Taqwa is the fear of the Most Merciful, and acting in accordance with the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam. That is, hoping for the reward of Allah and avoiding disobedience of His Guidance and fearing His Punishment. For Allah says,

"Surely those of taqwa shall be in the midst of Gardens and fountains." [15:45]

The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, also said,

"The most common thing which leads people to Paradise is taqwa of Allah and good conduct, and the most common thing which leads people to the Hell Fire is the mouth and the private parts." [at-Tirmidhi]

Obedience of Allah and His Messenger is a sure way to Paradise. Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, says,

"And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, He will cause him to enter Gardens beneath which rivers flow, and whoever turns back, He will chastise him with a painful chastisement." [48:17]

Allah's Messenger, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, also said,

"All of my followers will enter Paradise except those who refuse." It was asked, "O Messenger of Allah, who would refuse?" He said, "He who obeys me enters Paradise and he who disobeys me has refused." [Sahih al-Bukhari]

Fighting in the Path of Allah with one's goods and soul. For Allah says,

"O you who believe, shall I lead you to a merchandise which may deliver you from a painful chastisement? You shall believe in Allah and His Messenger, and struggle hard in Allah's Cause with your property and your lives; that is better for you, if you but knew! He will forgive you your sins and cause you to enter Gardens beneath which rivers flow, and goodly dwellings in Gardens of perpetuity; that is the mighty achievement." [61:10-12]

Repentance erases what came before it as the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said,

"The one who repents form sin is like the one who never sinned." [Sahih Al-Jami]

And Allah says,

"Except such as repent and believe and do good, these shall enter the Garden, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly in any way." [19:60]

There are countless other means, from building a mosque to seeking Islamic knowledge to obeying our husbands and raising righteous children. All it takes is our time and sincere efforts. With all that Allah has described, it may seem daunting to us at times, that we will ever make it. Emaan rises and falls, and with it our good deeds. But we should never lose hope in Allah, for the only one who loses hope in Allah is the one who disbelieves.

So even though we may feel that we are at the bottom of the pile, the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) gives us hope. He said,

"Mousa, alayhes salam, asked his Lord, 'Who amongst the inhabitants of Paradise will be the lowest in rank?' He (subhanahu wa ta'ala) said, 'He is a man who will come after the people have entered Paradise and it will be said to him: Enter Paradise.' He will say, 'How my Lord? Indeed, the people have settled in their apartments and taken their shares.' It will be asked of him, 'Would you be pleased if there was a kingdom for you like the kingdoms of the earth?' He will say, 'I would be pleased, my Lord.' He will say, 'And for you is the like of that, and the like of it, and the like of it.' He will say at the fifth time, 'I am pleased, my Lord.' He will say, 'This is for you and ten times like it, and for you is what you desire for yourself and what is pleasurable to your eye.' He will say, "I am pleased my Lord." [Muslim]

This is what Allah has for the least among us. But despite all the glorious castles, the beautiful clothes and mates we will posses, inshaAllah, He still has in store for the believers the greatest honor awaiting them in Paradise. Suhaib ibn Sinan narrated that the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said,

"When the inmates of Paradise enter Paradise and the inmates of Hellfire will enter Hell, the announcer will say, 'O people of Paradise, verily you have a promise with Allah and He wishes to fulfill His promise to you.' They will ask, 'What is His promise? Has He not made our balances heavy (with good deed), whitened our faces, admitted us into Paradise, and delivered us from the Hellfire?' Then the screen will be removed and they will look towards Him. By Allah He will not give them a thing more beloved to them and more comforting to their eyes, than the gaze of Himself." [Sahih al-Jami]

We were created in Paradise, we came out of it and we will inshaAllah go back to it. It is our destination and we shall reach it. But we have to do what Allah has asked us to do, for Paradise is not cheap. The price is true eman that is shown in obedience to Allah according to the sunnah of his Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam. The companions understood that. Their efforts were all for the life of the Hereafter and they gave only what was necessary to this worldly life. As Muslims, everything we do, can be, and should be worship of Allah. Whether we're working at the office to provide for our families; cooking a meal; raising our children, or simply resting, through remembrance of Allah and supplication, we can transform these earthly necessities into fruits that will bear for us in the life of the Hereafter.

So let us keep our eyes on the prize, and strive hard for it, for Allah says, "And (as for) those who strive hard for Us, We will most certainly guide them in Our ways; and Allah is most surely with the doers of good." [29:69]

Al Barzakh - The Realm After Death in Islam

Al Barzakh - What happens in the grave?

It is the belief ('Aqeedah) of deen that after death, mankind will enter a realm before the day of resurrection, which is known as Aalam-e-Barzakh. There are many sects in Islam who claim to be Muslims but do not believe in Aalam-e-Barzakh.' This is a grave misunderstanding on behalf of these people. Death is the ultimate reality that no human can escape. It awes people and challenges all of their false claims of deviant beliefs. It puts an end to their hopes for prosperity and success in this life. Once there, they have no way of returning to this life.

Allah say's in the noble Qur'aan:

"Until, when death comes to one of them (those who join partners with Allah), he say's, "My lord! Send me back. Perhaps I may do good in that which I have left behind," Indeed no! It is but a word that he speaks, and behind them is a Barzakh until the day when they are raised up."

The discussion regarding Al-Barzakh is only based on authentic text from Allah's book and his messengers Sunnah. It has been mentioned in the Qur'aan and has been established by numerous Ahaadeeth.

Al-Barzakh has two states. A person will either be punished in this realm, which is known, as "Azhaabul-Qabr" or he will receive the blessings and bounties of Allah due to his faith and good deeds, this is known as "Tan'eemu Ahlit-Taa'ah Fil Qabr" in Arabic.

Majority of the books on six Aqeedah only mention the former state and suffice on that. This is due to the fact that the narration regarding six Azhaabul-Qabr exceeds the narrations regarding Tan'eemu Ahlit-Taa'ah Fil Qabr. Also, due to the fact that there are more people who will be punished in the grave than those who shall receive bounties. It is reported in an very lengthy Hadeeth reported by Ahmed and Abu Dawood on the authority of Al-Baraa Bin Azhib, that they (the companions) when out with Allah's messenger to the funeral of a man from the Ansaar.

They reached the location of the grave before it was dug. The messenger of Allah sat down facing the Qibla; and they sat around him quietly, as if afraid to disturb birds standing on their heads. He held in his hand, a stick with which he was moving the earth, raising and lowering his eyes three times. He said to them (two or three times),

"seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of the grave." Then he said (three times), "oh! Allah I seek refuge in you from the punishment of the grave."

From this Hadeeth, we can see that the prophet himself seeked refuge from the punishment of the grave. No human being will be speared from the squeeze of the grave. However, the following Hadeeth indicates that it is not the same degree of severity for all people; some it would be Sa'ad bin Mu'az; however, he was squeezed once then released." (Narrated by At-Tabrani in Al-Kabir).

However those who will receive the bounties and the mercy of Allah will truly be in the gardens of bliss. Although it is apparent that the best protection against punishment in the grave is to carry the truth belief in Allah and avoid the major sins. There are specific things that are mentioned in the Ahaadeeth that protect a person from the punishment of the grave. These things are as follows: Martyrdom on the battlefield (At-Tirmizhi), standing guard in the way of Allah (Muslim), death caused by abdomen disease (At-Tirmizhi), reciting suratul Mulk (Al-Hakim), Dying on Friday (Ahmed and At-Tirmizhi).

Before the two above mentioned, it states that the person will be approached by Munkar and Nakeer.

Author:(Maulana) Afikul Islam
(Arabic Year 6 - 2001), Darul Uloom London