Introduction (cont.)

After reading the clear answers by the Prophet (peace be upon him) to this question, the person should set himself on the path to follow the deeds that will lead one to Paradise. He should concentrate on them and excel in them. In this way, Allah willing, he will be from among the prosperous and blessed on the Day of Judgment. Is This an Easy Path to Paradise? The questioner mentioned fasting, praying, permitting the legal and prohibiting the forbidden. Simply based on those acts, the Prophet (peace be 1 Their opinions were quoted by ibn Rajah, Jaami, vol. l , p. 523. 2 For examples, see al-Bugha and Mistu, pp. 149-150. Hadith #22: "Tell Me if I Were to Perform . . . " upon him) stated that the questioner would enter Paradise. Does this imply that Paradise is very easy to enter? In reality, these aspects that the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned are not easy unless the person has a firm faith. The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned some very important matters. They were aspects that the polytheistic Arabs refused to submit to and they are aspects that the secularists and non-religious people of today cannot adhere to. In other words, they are not as simple and light as they may seem at first glance. Attending to the prayers in the proper manner and on a daily basis is not an easy matter unless one truly believes in them. Abstaining from food and drink during the daytime of Ramadhan is also not easy unless the resolve to please Allah by fasting is present. The willingness to submit to Allah with respect to what He permits and forbids is a very great matter indeed. Those who want and believe in freedom-- that is, free to follow their passions and desirescannot submit to this condition. In fact, they will fight this condition with all of their might. 1 One can now see that these acts that will lead a person to Paradise are not as simple as they might seem. They require true commitment and belief in Allah. If that true faith is present, they do become easy on the person. However, if that faith or commitment is lacking or completely missing, these deeds become a burden and a hardship. This will be the perception of those lacking in faith. In the end, they will be the losers because they were not willing to adhere to these basic acts and principles. Other Points Related to This Hadith • The key to prosperity and entering Paradise is the performance of the obligatory deeds. The voluntary deeds may make up for some shortcomings in the performance of the obligatory deeds and may also raise a person's rank in Paradise, but the essential deeds are the obligatory deeds.2 • It is a fundamental aspect of the religion to accept as permissible what Allah has permitted and to treat as forbidden what Allah has forbidden. No one has the right to challenge Allah with respect to this authority. Anyone who knowingly does so falls outside of the fold oflslam. Similarly, anyone who desires a law other than the Law of Allah also falls outside of the fold ofislam.3 • If the assumption that the questioner was new to Islam and that is why the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not encourage him to do voluntary deeds is correct, this is a sign that the teacher or scholar should take into consideration the situation of the questioner before replying to any 1 Cf., al-Baitaar, p. 138. 2 Al-Haitami, Fath, p. 1 82. 3 Al-Bugha and Mistu, p. 158. Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi question. Here, the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not want to overburden the questioner who first had to adjust to performing the five daily prayers and fasting Ramadhan. The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not mention a long list of non-obligatory deeds that would be good for the person to perform. When dealing with new Muslims today, the same type of approach should be taken. The obligatory deeds should be dealt with first. As the person becomes accustomed to them and begins to love them, he then can be taught the voluntary deeds. At that time, he will be emotionally and mentally ready to perform them and the religion will not be a burden upon him. Allah knows best. Summary of the Hadith • The prayers and the fast are two of the essential or most important acts of this religion. • Doing what is permissible and avoiding what is forbidden is also an essential aspect of the religion. • If the person truly fulfills the above stated essential aspects of the religion, he will enter Paradise by the grace and mercy of Allah. Hadith #23: "Purification is Half of Faith . . . " Hadith #23: "Purification is Half of Faith . . . " "' "' .,,. ,,,. l "' 4.ll dz( 4.ll 45/ 4(· -,, ஋ 4.ll dz( 467' ,,,. .,,..