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" ਊ . .,...- I ; I -:_ J J • '1 -.\"'1 { ෞ; 1 "'1 ; I I ·; -....:..->ෝ ො ડ l..Jl>୰-P Ci: ·Ǯ ઢ-' "This is the Paradise which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds which you used to do [in the life of the world]" (al-Zukhruf 72). However, there is a hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that states, "No one's deeds enter him into Paradise." They said, "Not even you, 0 Messenger of Allah?" He said, "Not even me unless Allah envelopes me in His mercy." (Recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim.) What this hadith means is that one's actions alone are not sufficient to earn the great rewards and pleasures of Paradise. It is only by Allah's grace, by His rewarding a person much more than he deserves, that one is entered into Paradise. Furthermore, as ibn Rajah points out, a person's deeds are also part of Allah's grace and mercy upon him. Hence, both Paradise and the actions that lead one to Paradise are from Allah's mercy and grace. 1 "You have asked about a great matter" The Prophet (peace be upon him) told him that he had asked about a great matter. Indeed, for the human being, is there anything greater than what he had asked? Allah revealed the books and sent the messengers concerning the very matter that he had asked about. All of this information was to show mankind how it could save itself from the Hell-fire and be entered into 1 lbn Rajab, Jaami, vol. 2, p. 136. Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi Paradise. In this hadith, the Companion Muaadh put all of that into one question. One can tell by the rest of the Prophet's response that what he meant was not simply that the matter was a great matter. But his response also indicates that it is a very difficult matter. It is a very difficult matter except for those who are blessed by Allah, as shall be discussed below. Al-Haitami states that entering Paradise and escaping the Hell-fire is indeed a great matter. It is for this reason that people fulfill the commands and remain away from what is prohibited. But, in reality, this is a very great and difficult matter. It is a great matter with respect to its consequences in the Hereafter and it is a great matter upon the soul in this life. Allah has shown that most of mankind will not be able to be victorious in this most important of affairs. He has said, J ;Z ,.,,, .... JJ Up1 L>ঠ .:0 !j "But few of My servants are grateful" (Saba 13). Allah also says, J? Ѡ}4=.t w j / / / "You will not find most of them thankful [to Allah]" (al-Araaf 17). 1 "but it is easy for whomever Allah, Exalted be He, makes it easy" This portion of the hadith demonstrates that all guidance is in the hands of Allah. Muaadh had asked about something very great and difficult. However, Allah can make anything easy for anyone. So, Allah can make this grave and difficult matter easy for anyone He wills. Allah opens a person's heart to faith and Islam. The person loves Islam and loves obeying Allah. This makes fulfilling the obligatory deeds easy for him. This makes staying away from the forbidden acts easy for him. If Allah makes guidance and good deeds easy for a person, then the question of entering Paradise and escaping Hell is an easy matter. If Allah does not make it easy for a person, it will never be easy for him as it is a grave and difficult matter that cannot be made easy except by Allah. Allah has said in the Quran, ෛ ; 'ii H "' /}/ ,, ț l / <>dਉi..- ,, ;;;,, ,, fA. ,, ;;i..-1,,. I ଒ଓଔ\ ",,. ,-f,...: t;fj; i _ ,, OJ ,, _ . j 0 ટ\_,ઠ J...l.,o) Q ઝ) ઞ cJ'° LAU 1 Cf., al-Haitami, Fath, p. 223. Hadith #29: "Tell me an act which . . . " "As for him who gives [in charity] and keeps his duty to Allah and fears Him, and believes in a reward from Allah, We will make smooth for him the path of goodness. But he who is a greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient and belies the reward from Allah, We will make smooth for him the path for evil" (al-Lail 5-10). Every believer should realize this fact and tum to Allah for help and guidance. If a person beseeches Allah and strives to follow the straight path, Allah will make the path easy for him. Allah will guide him, as Allah has said, A ,J .... ,J (.. .... :::; ,,,. ::;; ... `\ :_::.1 ;11 t,1j ਈ r's·;ऊ W IJ* ].:Ulj ,,,, , c- ; ... ,.. ,,. "As for those who strive hard in Our cause, We will surely guide them to Our paths. And, verily, Allah is with the doers of good" (al-Ankaboot 69).1 "[You should] worship Allah .