Part 136

And Allah #@ said:

Anta 1S re. 35 3 ia oe iy Bc

“And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness to your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttagoon (the pious)’

And Allah 8 said:

Atte wot oe ae tee bee ONG Tat oo ybe :

See oe tA at Re ae Ba HES oh ash ST Ls aS atts ab 1p

And Allah 4% said:

Book of The End: Great Trials and Tribulations 713

OS of ss Sk afte 3 A ja ORE Bal A Se oe, oy & ah Baris sats aa 3 uk Sal BMS bat ot XO ee

“Verily, Allah % has purchased of the believers their lives and their

properties for (the price) that theirs shall be the Paradise, They fight

Anas @ related that the Messenger of Allah 2X said, “Verily, a

714 Book of The End: Great ‘Trials and Tribulations

master built a home, had a banquet, and sent an inviter. Then whoever answers the inviter enters the home and eats from the table; furthermore, the master is pleased with him. Lo! Indeed, the Master is Allah, the home is Islam, the banquei is Paradise, and the inviter is Muhammad.” (Related by Hammaad ibn Salamah)

Whoever Seeks Protection With Allah From The Hellfire, Then He Will Protect Him, And Whoever Seeks Paradise From Allah, He Will Admit Him Into Paradise, If His Intention Is True And His Actions Are Correct

Abu Hurairah 2 related that the Messenger of Allah ig said, “No slave seeks protection (with Allah) from the Hellfire three times except that the Hellfire says, ‘O my Lord: indeed such and such slave of Yours has sought protection from me, so grant him protection. And no slave asks for Paradise seven times except that Paradise says, ‘O my Lord, indeed such and such slave of Yours has asked for me, so admit him into Paradise.” (Related by Abu Ya‘laa) This fulfills the conditions of Muslim,

Paradise And The Hellfire Seek Out And Are Granted Intercession.

Abu Hurairah . related that the Messenger of Allah 4 said, “Ask for Paradise more frequently and seek refuge with Him (Allah) from the Hellfire, for they (Paradise and the Hellfire) seek out intercession. and it is granted to them. Tf the slave (of Allah) frequently asks for Paradise, Paradise says, ‘O my Lord, this slave of Yours asked for me, so make me his abode.’ And the Hellfire says, ‘QO my Lord, as for this slave of Yours who sought refuge with You from me, grant him refuge.” (Related by Al-Hasan Ibn Sufyaan)

Seek Out Paradise With All Of Your Effort And Flee From The Hellfire With All Of Your Effort

Book of The End: Great Trials and Tribulations 715

Paradise Is Surrounded By Difficulties, ie., Difficult Deeds, In Terms Of Performing Good Deeds While Abstaining From Forbidden Deeds, While The Hellfire Is Surrounded By Desires

In another narration, Abu Hurairah 4 reported that the Messenger of Allah #@ said, “When Allah created Paradise, He sent Jibreel and said, ‘Look at it and at what I prepared for its dwellers.’ He went, looked at it and at what Allah prepared for its dwellers. He then returned to Allah 4% and said, ‘By Your Glory, every single one who hears of it will enter it.’ Then Allah ordered it, and it was screened by difficulties (this is comprehensive of the following: performing good deeds, abstaining from evil deeds, being patient through adversity, etc.). He 3 said, ‘Return to it and look at it’ Jibreel went and looked at it, and he found it to be screened by difficulties. He then returned to Allah and said, ‘By Your Glory, I fear that none shall be saved from them (ie., that none shall be able to perform those difficult deeds — such as controlling one’s anger, being consistent’ in worship through adversity, being patient, etc.).” (Ahmad) Ahmad alone related it, and its chain is authentic.

716 Book of The End: Great Trials and Tribulations

Abu Hurairah related that the Messenger of Allah 2% said, “AlAjwafaan — the private part and the mouth are the two foremost matters by which a person enters the Hellfire; Taqwa of Allah (piety, righteousness, etc) and good manners are the two foremost matters by which a person enters Paradise.” (Ahmad)

Lo! The Hellfire is indeed surrounded by desires, yet inside of it there is nothing but harmful matters...And Paradise is surrounded by difficult and demanding deeds, yet in it is that which no eye has seen, which no ear has heard, and which has not occurred to the heart of any human being, in terms of pleasures and delights. These matters we have clarified when we related relevant clear verses from the Quran and authentic Ahaadeeth from the Prophet 2. In Paradise there is such joy and delight as no ear has heard the likes of, Allah % said:

“Then. as for those who believed (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) and did righteous good deeds, such shall be honored and made to enjoy luxurious life (forever) in a Garden of Delight (Paradise) Al‘Aouzaa’ee related this interpretation from Abu Katheer: “It is listening in Paradise (to the singing of the Hoor, beautiful maidens of Paradise).”” We have previously mentioned the following narration which is related by ‘Alee <&: the Messenger of Allah :¢ said, “Verily, in Paradise there is a gathering for the Al-Hoor Al-’Een (beautiful women of Paradise that have wide, beautiful eyes); (in it), they sing with voices that no one from the creation ever heard the likes of. They say, ‘We are the eternal ones who never perish; we are the comfortable ones that never become wretched; we are the pleased and contented ones who never become discontented or angry. Tooba (literally, blessed, but perhaps here it is referring to a tree in Paradise that is called Tooba) for the one that is for us, and has us for him.” (At Tirmidhee) At-Tirmidhee said, “On the same subject matter, Abu Hurairah , Abu Sa’eed #, and Anas .& have related narrations.”

Book of The End: Great Trials and Tribulations T17

Other companions that related similar narrations were ‘Abdullah ibn Abee Aoufaa 4, ibn ‘Umar #, and Abu Umaamah #4 — may Allah be pleased with them all.

The hadith Of Abu Hurairah &

Abu Hurairah # said, “Verily, in Paradise there is a river that extends all the way through Paradise; on its two sides there are virgins that are standing and facing one another. They are singing with voices that the creating beings hear. They will not see in Paradise a delight that is similar to it.” Abu Saaleh said, “I said, ‘O Abu Hurairah, and what is that song?” He a said, “Insha Allah, At- ‘Tasbeeh (the saying, ‘Subhaanallah’, meaning How perfect Allah ist), At-Tahmeed (the saying, Alhamdulillah, meaning all praise is for Allah!), At-Tagdees (a kind of glorification of Allah), and praises upon the Lord (Allah) ‘Azas Wa-Jall (To Him belongs Might and Majesty).””

Abu Hurairah related the following hadith, which he ascribed to the Prophet #%: “Verily, in Paradise there is a tree whose roots are gold, whose branches are from emeralds and pearls. A wind blows on it and it flaps. Those listening to it will never have heard anything more delightful than it.” (Related by Abu Na’eem in Sifatul-Jannah)