Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Paradise 8 of 15



The Animals of Paradise and the deeds that got the people there

The kinds of birds and animals that exist in Paradise are known only to Allah. He told us that among the delights enjoyed by the people of Paradise will be:

“…And the flesh of fowls any that they may desire” [56:21]

At-Tirmidhi reports from Anas that the Messenger of Allah (saws) was asked,
“What is al-Kawthar? He said, “That is a river that Allah has given me.. and in it are birds with necks like the necks of camels.”

Umar said, “These birds will be in bliss.”

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said, “Those who eat them will be more blissful.” [Mishkat al-Masabih, 2/91]

Another Hadith reveals:

A man brought a haltered she-camel and said,
“O Messenger of Allah, this she-camel is for the sake of Allah.” He said, “You will have seven hundred haltered she-camels in Paradise.” [Silsilat as-Sahihah]

Remember – the delights of Paradise are only for those who believed in Allah and died not upon Association or Disbelief

The Believers may earn Paradise through their Iman {Faith} and Islam. Allah will say to them:
“My worshipers! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve – [you] who believed in Our ayah and were Muslims, enter Paradise, you and your wives in happiness.” [43:68-70]

Some will enter Paradise due to their devotion to worship in this life

“Save the chosen slaves of Allah [al-Mukhlisin]. For them there will be a known provision, fruits and they shall be honored in the gardens of delight” [37:40-43]

Some will enter to to their strength and relationship with Allah:

“Only those who believe in our ayah who, when they are reminded of them fall down prostrate and glorify the praises of their Rabb and they are not proud. Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Rabb in fear and hope and they spend [charity in Allah’s Cause] out of what We have bestowed on them.” [32:15-16]

And some will enter due to their trust in Allah and Patience

“Excellent is the reward of the workers, those who are patient and put their trust [only] in their Rabb” [29:58-59]

Also some for their steadfastness in faith:
“Verily those who say “Our Rabb is Allah” and remain [firm on the path], on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. Such shall be the Companions of the Garden dwelling therein: a recompense for their good deeds.” [46:13-14]

Also those of humility and fear of Allah will enter Paradise

“Verily those who believe and do righteous deeds and humble themselves [ in repentance and obedience] before their Rabb – they will be dwellers of Paradise to dwell therein forever.” [11:23]

“But for him who fears standing before his Rabb there will be 2 Gardens.” [55:46]

Some will enter Paradise due to their Allegiance to Allah and the Believers

“You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His messenger, even though they were their fathers, or their sons or their brothers, or their kindred [people]. For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with Ruh [proof, light and guidance] from Himself. And We will admit them to Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein [forever]. Allah is pleased with them and they with Him.” [58:22]

Some ayah discuss in detail the righteous deeds for which a person may deserve Paradise; for example Surah ar-Ra’d states

“But it is only the men of understanding who pay heed, those who fulfill the Covenant of Allah and break not the Mithaq, those who join that which Allah has commanded to be joined [i.e. good relatives and not severing the ties of kinship], fear their Rabb and dread the terrible reckoning, and those who remain patient, seeking their Rabb’s Countenance, perform as-Salah and spend out of that which We have bestowed on them, secretly and openly and defend evil with good, for such there is a good end And [Eden] Paradise which they shall enter and [also] those who acted righteously from among their fathers and their wives, and their offspring. And angels shall enter unto them from every gate [saying] Salamun Alaykum for that you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!” [13:19-24]

And at the beginning of Surah al-Mu’minun, Allah explains that success is for the believers and then describes the deeds that will qualify them for success

Successful indeed are the believers, those who offer their salah with khushu, and those who turn away from al-laghw [dirty, false, evil, vain talk, falsehood and all that Allah has forbidden], and those who pay the zakah, and those who guard their chastity, except from their wives or those whom their right hand possesses, for then they are free from blame; but whoever seeks beyond that then those are the transgressors; those who are faithfully true to their amanah [All duties that Allah has ordained: honesty, moral responsibility, and trusts] and to their covenants and those who strictly guard their prayers [at the fixed times]. These are indeed the inheritors who shall inherit al-Firdaws. They shall dwell therein forever.” [23:11]

The Prophet said:

“The People of Paradise are Three: a ruler who is fair and just; a man who is compassionate and gentle towards every relative and Muslim; and a man with a large family who is proud and does not beg.” [Muslim]

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