The Beginning and the End with Omar Suleiman: Married in Paradise

A Tour of Paradise and Hellfire - Abdul Nasir Jangda

Paradise?

"Imagine this: you’ve just crossed the Sirat (bridge over Hell) and made it to the other side. You are waiting for the doors of Jannah to open. Finally they open to the Prophet(peace be upon him) and you are in awe. Truly this place is as the Prophet described which “no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and the mind of no man has conceived”, [Bukhari]. What is the ground made of? It smells a little like saffron, Subhan’Allah! What are those trees with huge fruits? Is that a river of honey? Dip your finger in it, that can’t be honey! You’ve never had anything like it in your life. You try it again and it tastes even better. How is that possible? Ok, enough honey. Where is my house? As you are being escorted to your home, you see it’s not just a house. It’s a mansion! Not even Bill Gates had it this good, and you are told you earned it because you donated $10 for that masjid. If only you had donated more! Well this mansion is enough.

You’re eager to start exploring. You enter from the front door with a texture that feels pearly. Are the doors made of pearls? Subhan’Allah! You walk in and there’s someone there. Is that your spouse from the Dunya? But they look different. They’re so beautiful, you’re mesmerized. You take their hand and walk out and you see that person who wronged you in the Dunya. Even though you forgave on earth, whenever you saw them, you’d still get a bit frustrated. But for some reason it’s ok now. It’s all good. Actually- you’re happy to see them. In fact, you can’t stop smiling. This place is awesome. 

You feel so light and airy. You feel as though nothing bad has ever happened to you in your life. You have peace. It can’t get better than this, right? Yes it can! As you walk outside your mansion, you see people rushing to go some place. They’re crowding around someone. Is that RasulAllah?! Without realizing, tears stream down your face, it IS Rasul’Allah! And he is more beautiful than any of the descriptions you’ve read. You embrace him. He smiles at you, and then you invite him to dinner at your house. You walk away, still in awe that you’ve just seen the final Messenger of God, and… Is that Abu Bakr (ra)? With `Umar (ra)! And over there is Fatima (ra), sitting with her mother Khadija (ra)! And there’s Mariam (as)! You overhear a conversation and it’s someone asking Salaah ad-Deen how it felt to liberate Jerusalem. And you recognize an accent, it’s Malcolm X! Finally, it’s the pinnacle of Jannah. Being with Allah. You actually get to see Allah. The highest, greatest most amazing pleasure that surpasses everything we’ve just talked about. Seeing your Lord, Most High." - Imam Suhaib Webb

Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (#Productivity) - Omar Suleiman - Quran Weekly

Birds of Paradise

 

A man came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) saying two of his children had died, and asked whether the Prophet could tell him anything that would soothe his heart. The Prophet said: "Small children are the birds of Paradise. If one of them meets his father (or his parents) he will take hold of his clothing ... And he (the child) will not let go until God causes his father to enter Paradise." Sahih Muslim

Entering Paradise

Allah paints a picture in the Qur’an of the most successful person: “So as for he who is given his record in his right hand, he will say, ‘Here, read my record! Indeed, I was certain that I would be meeting my account.’ So he will be in a pleasant life – In an elevated garden.” (Qur’an, 69:19-22)

This is the description of the Believer on the Day of Judgment – receiving his book in his right hand and sharing the good news to those around him out of pure joy and happiness. Allah (swt) says that this believer will be in Jannah (paradise).

While the disbelievers will be seized, chained, and then dragged, thrown, or pushed into the Fire, the Believers will be treated like royalty. Allah (swt) says, “On the Day We will gather the righteous to the Most Merciful like a band presented before a king for honor.” (Qur’an, 19:85)

They will not be humiliated like those in the Fire. Rather Allah (swt) says, “they will not be grieved by the greatest terror, and the angels will meet them, [saying], “This is your Day which you have been promised.” (Qur’an, 21:103) The Angels remind the believers that they should not worry and that they are safe – today is the Day they will receive the ultimate reward.

Allah (swt) will also give the Believers a light on the Day of Judgment that will brighten their faces and surroundings. Allah (swt) says, “On the Day you see the believing men and believing women, their light proceeding before them and on their right, [it will be said], “‘Your good tidings today are [of] gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein you will abide eternally.’ That is what the great attainment.” (Qur’an, 57:12) While the disbelievers were dragged on their faces, the faces of the Believers “will be bright.” (Qur’an, 80:38) And “You will recognize in their faces the radiance of pleasure.” (Qur’an, 83:24)

We see in these verses that the Believers are told again and again that they are heading to Paradise, which heightens their excitement and also calms their worries of entering Hell-Fire.

Driven

Allah (swt) illustrates how the Believers will enter Paradise, “But those who feared their Lord will be driven to Paradise in groups.” (Qur’an, 39:73) Ibn Kathir says in his tafseer (exegesis) that this driving is one of “honor and esteem.” We can compare this to how royals, presidents, and celebrities are driven around comfortably in expensive cars. In the hereafter, this special driving will only be for the Believers. They will be riding first class to Paradise.

While they are being driven to Paradise, Paradise itself will come to them. Allah (swt) says, ““And Paradise will be brought near to the righteous, not far” (Qur’an, 50:31). Jannah comes closer to the Believers while they also come close to it – showing how the love to meet the other is mutual.

Reception

The believers will not have to open the doors of Paradise themselves; rather they will be opened for them before they even reach it, showing how they will receive a noble reception. Allah (swt) says, “Gardens of perpetual residence, whose doors will be opened to them.” (Qur’an, 38:50) It is a sign of courtesy today to open doors for others, and the Believers will experience this on behalf of Allah (swt)! The word (mufattahah) in this ayah is significant because it shows how the companions of Jannah are honored in a way we may not even think about: the doors are wide open for their arrival.

Greetings

Allah (swt) says about the Believers, “Their greeting the Day they meet Him will be, “Peace.” And He has prepared for them a noble reward.” (Qur’an, 33:44) Salaam Alaikum (May peace be on you) is not only the greeting of this world, but it is also the greeting of the hereafter.

As the Believers enter the wide open doors of Paradise, the Angels will start to greet them by saying, “Peace be upon you; you have become pure; so enter it to abide eternally therein! [they will enter].” (Qur’an, 39:73)

The Angels will welcome the Believers – congratulating them on their hard work and perseverance, “Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured! And excellent is the final home.” (Qur’an, 13:24)

The Believers will also have the honor of receiving the greeting of “Peace,” a word from a Merciful Lord.” (Qur’an, 36:57) We see why the attribute of Mercy is mentioned in this ayah: Allah (swt) out of His Love and Gratitude for the Righteous will greet them in Paradise. You may win a chance to visit the White House, but the chance of having a special welcome from the President is very slim. Allah (swt), The King of Kings, The Most Majestic and Powerful, will greet and welcome His beloved slaves in their new home.

Put yourself in Jannah now: imagine your Lord – the One who you called upon privately, the One who you bowed your head to, the One who you kept away from sins for, the One who you thanked for your blessings – greeting you with Salam as you enter Paradise. Imagine what you would be feeling.

Allah (swt) recorded the reaction of the Believers in the Qur’an – and it’s probably exactly what you were thinking: “Praise to Allah, who has fulfilled for us His promise and made us inherit the earth [so] we may settle in Paradise wherever we will. And excellent is the reward of [righteous] workers!” (Qur’an, 39:74)

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Seek Knowledge

For him who follows a path for seeking knowledge, Allah will ease for him the path to Paradise.
– The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (sahih Muslim)

Hadith: Gentleness and Kindness will lead to paradise

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Shall I tell you who is kept away from Hell and from whom Hell is kept away? (Hell is kept away) from everyone who is gentle and kindly, approachable and of an easy disposition."

Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1315

Hadith: People of Paradise

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "(The people of Paradise) will not have differences or hatred among themselves. Their hearts will be as if one heart and they will be glorifying God in the morning and in the evening."

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Hadith 468


The Prophet also said: "A (tiny spot) in Paradise is better than the whole world and whatever is in it."

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Hadith 473

Hadith: A man of Paradise

A man came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and said: "Tell me of a deed that will make me enter Paradise if I carry it out." The Prophet replied: "Worship God, and worship none along with Him, offer the (five daily prayers) perfectly, pay the charity you owe (zakat), and fast (during) the month of Ramadan." The man then said: "I will not do more than this." When the man left, the Prophet said: "Whoever would like to see a man of Paradise, then he may look at that man."

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 480

Hadith: The Gates of Heaven are opened for Ramadan

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "When the month of Ramadan begins, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed. . ."

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Hadith 123

Hadith: Special gate to paradise for those who fast

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and (only) those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection."

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Hadith 120

Hadith: Injustice

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "If you guarantee me six things on your part I shall guarantee you Paradise. Speak the truth when you talk, keep a promise when you make it, when you are trusted with something fulfill your trust, avoid sexual immorality, lower your gaze (out of modesty), and restrain your hands from injustice." - Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1260


“All human beings that have done injustice would surely, if they possessed all that is on earth, offer it as ransom (to redeem themselves on Judgment Day).” - The Holy Quran, 10:54