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The Deeds For Which People Will Deserve To Enter Paradise

The people of Paradise are the believers and strict monotheists. All those who associate others with Allah or disbelieve in Him, or deny any of the principles of faith will not be allowed to enter Paradise. Their destination will be Hellfire.

The Qur’an often states that the people of Paradise are the believers who do righteous deeds, to quote one of many examples:

“But whoever comes to Him as a believer [in tawheed] and has done righteous good deeds, for such are the high ranks [in the Hereafter] – ‘Adn [Eden] Paradise [everlasting gardens [under which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever: such is the reward of those who purify themselves”. [20:75-76]

* Believers may earn Paradise through their eemaan and Islaam:

“My worshipers! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve – [you] who believed in Our aayaat and were Muslims, enter Paradise you and your wives in happiness” [43:68-70]

* Or because they were sincere in their devotion to Allah:

“Save the chosen slaves of Allah [al-Mukhliseen]. For them there will be a known provision, fruits and they shall be honored, in the gardens of delight.” [37:40-43]

* Or for the strength of their relationship with Allah, their longing for Him and worship of Him:

“Only those who believe in our aayaat who, when they are reminded of them fall down prostrate, and glorify the praises of their rabb, and they are not proud. Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Rabb in fear and hope, and they spend [charity in Allah’s Cause] our of what We have bestowed on them”. [32:15-16]

* Or for their patience and reliance upon Allah:

“..Excellent is the reward of the workers, those who are patient and put their trust [only] in their Rabb” [29:58-59]

* Or for their steadfastness in faith:

“Verily those who say “Our Rabb is Allah” and remain firm [on that path], on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. Such shall be the Companions of the Garden dwelling therein: a recompense for their good deeds”. [46:13-14]

* Or for their humility:

“Verily those who believe and do righteous deeds and humble themselves [in repentance and obedience] before their Rabb – they will be dwellers of Paradise to dwell therein forever” [11:23]

* Or for their fear of Allah:

“But for him who fears standing before his Rabb there will be two Gardens” [55:46]

* Or for their hatred of the kuffaar and mushrikeen and their refusal to befriend them:

“You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His messenger, even though they were their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred [people]. For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with Ruh [proof, light and guidance] from Himself. And We will admit them to Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein [forever]. Allah is pleased with them and they with Him”. [58:22]

Some aayaat discuss in detail the righteous deeds for which a person may deserve Paradise; for example, Surah ar-Ra’d states:

“But it is only the men of understanding who pay heed, those who fulfill the Covenant of Allah and break not the mithaaq, those who join that which Allah has commanded to be joined, [i.e. good to relatives and not severing the ties of kinship], fear their Rabb and dread the terrible reckoning, and those who remain patient, seeking their Rabb’s Countenance, perform as-Salaat, and spend out of that which We have bestowed on them, secretly and openly, and defend evil with good, for such there is a good end ‘Adn [Eden] Paradise 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] Salaamun ”alaykum for that you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!” [13:19-24]

And at the beginning of Surah al-Mu’minoon, Allah explains that success is for the believers and then described the deeds that will qualify them for success:

“Successful indeed are the believers, those who offer their salaah with khushoo’, and those who turn away from al-laghw [dirty, false, evil, vain talk, falsehood and all that Allah has forbidden], and those who pay the zakah, and those who guard their chastity, except from their wives or those whom their right hands possess, for then, they are free from blame; but whoever seeks beyond that then those are the transgressors; those who are faithfully true to their amaanah [all duties that Allah has ordained: honesty, moral responsibility, and trusts] and to their covenants and those who strictly guard their prayers [at the fixed times]. These are indeed the inheritors who shall inherit al-Firdaws. They shall dwell therein forever” [23:11]

The Prophet (saw) also said, “The people of Paradise are three: a ruler who is fair and just; a man who is compassionate and gentle towards every relative and Muslim; and a man with a large family who is proud and does not beg” [Muslim, see Sharh an-Nawawi ‘alaa Muslim, 17/198]

Occasions On Which To Recite Durood Sharif

It should be remembered that it is compulsory to write or recite Durood when writing the name of Rasulullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم,
or when saying his name. This is greatly emphasized in the Hadith and there are grave warnings for the person who goes against this teaching. Also, it is necessary to write the entire Durood after the name of Rasulullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم. The command of Durood will not be fulfilled by writing (saw) or any other shortened form, nor will a person get reward.

يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلَّمِ دَائِمًا اَبَدًا عَلٰى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ كُلِّهِمْ

1. When passing by a Masjid.
2. When seeing a Masjid.
3. After completing Azaan.
4. On the night of Jumu’ah.
5. On the day of Jumu’ah.
6. On the day of Jumu’ah after Asr.
7. On Monday.
8. In the khutbah of Jumu’a and Eid.
9. During the Takbeeraat of Eid.
10. After the second Takbeer of Janazah Salaah.
11. When placing the deceased into the grave.
12. In the Salaah of Istisqaa-for rain.
13. In the khutbah of Kusoof and Khusoof.
14. When seeing the ka’bah.
15. During Hajj.
16. On Safa and Marwa.
17. When making istilaam of the Hijr e Aswad.
18. At the Multazam.
19. After Zuhr on the day of ‘arafah.
20. In Masjid e Khayf.
21. After completing Talbiyah.
22. When seeing Madinah Munawwarah.
23. When visiting the blessed grave.
24. When completing and leaving the visiting of the blessed grave.
25. When witnessing the signs of Madinah Munawwarah.
26. At Badr.
27. At Uhud etc.
28. In all conditions and at every time.
29. In order to be free from something grave.
30. When meeting relatives and those beloved to one.
31. When going to a gathering.
32. When leaving and separating from a gathering.
33. When completing the Qur’an (at the time of Du’aa).
34. In the Du’aa for memorizing the Qur’an.
35. When getting up from a gathering.
36. Every time when Allah is remembered.
37. When beginning every speech.
38. When mentioning and remembering Rasulullaah e.
39. At the time when spreading and teaching knowledge.
40. When delivering a lecture.
41. When reciting Ahadith.
42. When writing a fatwa.
43. When writing the name of Rasulullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم

How To Deal With Bitter Criticism

THE ignorant have even uttered curses against Allah, the Exalted, so what treatment should we, who are full of faults, expect from people. You will always have to face criticism, which in its onslaught is like an interminable war – that shows no sign of ending.

As long as you shine, give, produce, and have an effect upon others, then disapproval and condemnation will be your lot in life. Until you escape from people by finding a tunnel in the ground or a ladder leading to the sky, they will not desist from censuring you, from finding fault in your character. For that reason, as long as you are from the denizens of earth, expect to be hurt, to be insulted, and to be criticized.

And here is something you should contemplate: A person who is sitting on the ground does not fall, and people do not kick a dead dog. Therefore their anger toward you can be attributed to you surpassing them in righteousness, knowledge, manners, or wealth. In their eyes you are a transgressor whose wrongs cannot be atoned for unless you shed your talents and strip yourself of all praiseworthy qualities, so that you become stupid, worthless, and to them, innocuous. This is exactly what they want to look for in you.

So remain firm and patient when facing their insults and criticism. If you are wounded by their words and let them have an influence over you, you will have realized their expectations from them. Instead, forgive them by showing them the most beautiful of manners. Turn away from them and do not feel distressed by their schemes. Their disapproval of you only increases your worth and merit.

Verily, you will not be able to silence them, but you will be able to overcome their criticisms by turning away from them and dismissing what they have to say. In fact, you will be able to increase them in their rage by adding to your merits and developing your talents.

If you desire to be accepted by all and loved by all, you desire the unattainable.

– Excerpt from the book “Don’t be Sad” published by IIPH

The Perfect Believer

The believer is not one who performs the ordained religious duties superficially and avoids what is forbidden only, but he is one whose faith is absolute, with no objection whatsoever arising in his heart and no obsession dwelling in his soul. The more hardships he faces, the more his faith grows and the more his submission strengthens.

He could pray and not see a trace of an answer to his prayers, yet he does not change because he knows that he is owned by One who deals with him in whatever way He chooses. For if an objection was to arise in his heart, he then forsakes the role of the slave and takes on the role of a protester such as that of Iblees (the devil).

A strong faith unveils itself in strong hardships.
A believer sees in Yahya, son of Zakariyya, a fine example. He was killed by a tyrant who confronted him, yet He (subhanahu wa ta`ala), who made him a prophet, did not intervene nor defend him.

Similarly all the tyranny that befell the prophets and the believers was not held back from them. If one goes to think that Divinity cannot answer for them then one is an unbeliever. However if one believes that Divinity can answer for them but chooses not to, and that God (subhanahu wa ta`ala) can make the believers go hungry while infidels are full and inflict the believers with sickness and grant the infidels health, then one is only left with submission to the Owner even when tormented or scorched.

Jacob cried for eighty years when Joseph son of Jacob (peace be upon him) was gone, he never gave up; all he said when his other son was gone too is “May God bring all of them back to me”.

Moses (peace be upon him) prayed against Pharaoh, who killed children and crucified magicians and cut their hands, for 40 years before he was answered.

In such submission the intense of one’s strong faith is manifested not in mere rak`at (bowings in prayer).

So many of those who glorify Qadar were afflicted with tribulations and this did not increase them except in submission and pleasure (with their Lord), and there lies an explanation of the meaning of His words, “Allah is pleased with them” (Qur’an, 5:119 and elsewhere).

Al-Hasan Al-Basree said: people are the same in health but when hardship befalls they show distinction.

Imam Ibn ul Jawzee
Translated from Sayd ul-Khatir, p. 364
Publ. by Dar Al Yaqeen

It’s Time For Muslims To Move Toward A New Beginning

Times of difficulty are always a good time to reflect about one’s position in life. This is not only true for individuals, but also for nations. The past year has been troublesome for Muslim ummah. The dissatisfaction of the people with their living conditions reached a point that they took to the streets to demand better leadership for their countries. Today, they are still in the process of finding a new order for their lives and their societies.

As long as the stream of life runs calm and everything seems to be in order, a lot of problems remain hidden under the surface and people enjoy a superficial sense of relief and satisfaction. Nevertheless, even a seemingly calm running river, with a shiny surface, hides a lot of trash underground! It is in times of disturbances that much of this filth comes to the surface and people start to wonder where all these impurities are coming from. It is a mercy of Allah that once in a while he forces us to face reality to recognize all the trash that has built up in the so-called Muslim countries.

Allah said, “Evil, (sins and disobedience to Allah) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds), that He (Allah) may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allah, and begging His pardon.)” (Qur’an, 30:41) This is precisely the moment when people have to look deeper into the realities of life to find the root of all this mischief that happened, which led their countries into this state of backwardness.

It is about time that Muslims look for a new path and move in the right direction by leaving behind the path of falsehood, which has given nothing but misery.

The best example to change a society can be found in the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his Companions. They transformed a country from utmost backwardness into a large Muslim empire which dominated the world for a long time.

If, however, Muslims do not wake up and do not try their best to clean the society of all impurities, like the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) cleaned the Ka’ba from all impurities, then we will break our contract with Allah and would be doomed!

Allah said in the Glorious Qur’an, “But those who reject our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations) and treat them with arrogance, they are the dwellers of the (Hell) fire, they will abide therein forever.” (Qur’an, 7:36)

The times through which we are passing are disturbing and distressing mainly because some Muslims do not follow the true teachings of the Glorious Qur’an and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) anymore! “How shall Allah guide a people who disbelieved after they belief and after they bore witness that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is true and after clear proofs had come unto them? And Allah guides not the people who are Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers).” (Qur’an 3:86)

Success is only from Allah. It is mercy from Allah for those who follow His way, regardless of the fact he be whether an individual, society or nation. In Islam there are two kinds of societies — Islamic and un-Islamic. The Islamic society is the one that follows Islam not only in belief and worship, but also in matters of law, economy and organization. This is the foundation of a successful Islamic nation and it was the secret behind the success of the first Muslim nation; to follow the teachings of the Noble Qur’an and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) unconditionally and wholeheartedly.

“The only saying of the faithful believers, when they are called to Allah (His words, the Qur’an) and his Messenger (peace be upon him) to judge between them, is that they say: “We hear and we obey.” And such are the successful (who will live forever in paradise).” (Qur’an, 24:51)

“You do not worship besides Him but only names which you have named (forged) — you and your fathers — for which Allah has sent down no authority. The command (or the judgement) is for none but Allah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him (i.e His monotheism); that is the (true) straight religion, but most men know not.” (Qur’an, 12:40)

One can just hope that Muslims today realize their chance to transform their countries into real Islamic states, according to the will of Allah! We need to understand that life in an Islamic State encompasses our tradition, lifestyle, values and behavior as well as the way we are governed.

– by Tahseen Abu Djihad

Jealousy

Undoubtedly jealousy destroys excellences (good deeds, virtues) and inclines one towards sins. It is a disease with which even the great personalities are suffering. This jealousy has ruined people and put them into the fire of Hell. Know well that 5 evils crop up due to jealousy:
1. Evil in Obedience The Prophet (saw) said: ‘Jealousy eats up virtues (Aa’maal) just as fire eats fuel.’ (Abu Dawood)

2. Sins & Mischief Wahb ibn Munabbah says: ‘When he is face to face he flatters, when he is not face to face he backbites; and when any calamity befalls others he feels happy.’

The greatest proof of the evil of jealousy is that Allah (swt) has enjoined us to seek refuge in Allah against the jealousy of the jealousy ones. Allah (swt) says: ‘…And from the evil of an envious on when he envies.’ (113:5)

Allah (swt) has mentioned the evil of jealousy along with Shaytaan and soothsayers, and enjoined us to seek refuge against all of them. Ponder over this as to how great an affliction jealousy is and how great is its evil. It is for this reason Allah (swt) has said that in order to remain protected from their evil seek Allah’s help and come under his refuge.

3. Attachment of Anxiety and Purposeless Grief and Worry Along with grief and worry a sort of burden and inclination towards disobedience appears: Ibn Sammak(ra) said: ‘Besides an envier I have not found any cruel person more resembling with the oppressed. Such a person remains ever sorrowful, scattered in thought and ever engaged in grief.’
4. Blindness of the Heart The heart becomes so blind that the capability to understand any command of Allah (swt) is removed from it: Sufyan Ath-Thawri (ra) said: ‘Adopt the habit of remaining ever silent. This will generate within you wara’(piety). Don’t be greedy so that you may remain protected from trials. Don’t criticise others so that you may remain protected from the blame and abuse of the people. Don’t be jealous so that you may be endowed with the sharpness of understanding.’

5. Disgrace and Deprivation Man does not become successful in any of his purpose, nor can he overpower an of his rivals: Hatim Asamm(ra) said: ‘One who keeps malice cannot be a man of faith, one who finds fault in others cannot be a worshipper, one who backbites cannot attain peace, one who is jealous is deprived of help from Allah (swt).’

How can a jealous individual succeed in his purpose when his purpose is that all the favors of Allah (swt) be taken away from all his servants and given to him?
How can a jealous person overpower his rivals when they are the pious men of Allah (swt)?

Abu Yaqub (ra) prayed: ‘O Allah! Keep us protected from envying the favors that you have showered on your servants, rather make their states better.’ Jealousy is such a disease, which destroys the reward and compensation of worship and sows the seeds of evil and disobedience. It finishes ones peace and tranquility. It deprives him of understanding his faith. With it a man cannot overpower his rival nor can he become successful in his purpose. It is understood that no disease is more dangerous than envy (and jealousy) which needs immediate cure. Hence don’t become careless in this respect and take care to eliminate this disease of jealousy.
May Allah (swt) protect us from this evil and inculcate in us the ability to recognise our faults Ameen Al-Kauthar.
Mufti Yusuf Danka Al-Kauthar