‘I want to go to Jannah (Paradise)’ should be our goal in life. It should be written in bold letters on our foreheads so that it serves a constant reminder for us. The Prophet (peace be upon him) has left with us a very small key to Jannah, which we Muslims today have become oblivious of. Just like you need a key to open your car’s door, or house door, or office door; similarly you need a key to open Jannah to you. What is this key?
The Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever goes down a path/road searching for knowledge, Allah will make it easy for him the road to Paradise.” (Sahih Muslim, Vol.3, Hadith no. 99)
Traveling on the path to knowledge refers both to walking or driving along an actual pathway, such as going to conferences or the local mosque whenever there is an Islamic lecture or seminar. Searching also entails, a metaphysical road, such as studying and memorizing the Qur’an and Hadith. Not just memorizing like a parrot, but understanding it and acting upon it.
For those who seek knowledge, Allah will make their learning easier, clearing the way for him, and smoothing his journey to Paradise. This is why some of our pious predecessors used to say, “Is there anyone seeking knowledge so that we can assist him in finding it?”
Brothers and sisters, be LOVERS of Knowledge, be seekers of Knowledge. “Yes, where is my Qur’an, where is my Hadith Bukhari!” Let’s get up every morning with a purpose: to seek Jannah by seeking Knowledge. Knowledge is also the shortest path to Allah. Whoever travels the road of knowledge reaches Allah and Paradise by the shortest route. Knowledge also clears the way out of darkness, ignorance, doubt, and skepticism. This is why Allah called His Book “Light.”
Knowledge is the ROAD to Paradise, and Islam is the vehicle that takes you to this destination of Paradise. Just like you get in a car to go from one destination to another, but how? By finding out the directions to get there, either by seeing a map or asking someone. Similarly, our Qur’an and Hadith are our maps, and our scholars are the people who give the directions from this map to get to our ultimate destination, Paradise.
Ask yourself, “Is Paradise easy?” Have you ever seen how easy it is for some brothers and sisters to memorize the whole Qur’an by heart? Have you ever seen how easy it is for some of us to study the Qur’an and Hadith for hours and hours, while others cannot even open the Qur’an or Hadith even once a year or month? Why?