Introduction
Alhamdulillah… infinite praise and thanks are due to the Almighty Allah, who has promised glad tiding of Paradise for the humble submissive among His servants. Complete peace and salutations are upon the most humbly submissive, the Prophet of mercy, the conveyer of glad tiding of Paradise to the Ummah, Sayyidunā Muhammad, his household, his companions and all those who follow his guided path.
When you read the sunnah of The Prophet Muhammad ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam, you’re often greeted by instances where he has given some of his companions glad tiding of Paradise. Some of these instances are further endorsed with revelation of verses in the Qur’an. This serves as a form of honour for the qualifying ones, and inspiration for the rest of us.
Such instances of giving glad tiding of Paradise to the believers include some companions who were mentioned by name, whether individually, or in groups. The vast majority were included in a collective indication by virtue of participation or presence in a given event.
This article looks into such instances to understand the context in which such glad tidings were given. Moreover, in so doing, we seize the opportunity to learn how we too can earn our share of glad tiding of Paradise, by the will of the Almighty Allah.
This piece is lengthy. So, kindly use the following outline to skip to the section that interests you the most:
- Glad Tiding of Paradise: What Does it Mean?
- Companions Who Earned This Honour Collectively
- Companions Who Earned This Honour in Groups
- Companions Who Earned This Honour Individually
- How They Lived After Being Given Glad Tiding of Paradise
- Two Important Points to Ponder Upon
- How Can We Too Earn Glad Tiding of Paradise
- Some Righteous Deeds that Qualify for Glad Tiding of Paradise
- The Takeaway…
Glad Tiding of Paradise: What Does it Mean?
When you’re given glad tiding of Paradise, it means that you have successfully secured your place in Paradise. So much so that whatever you do may not harm you, as long as you do not associate partners with Allah. Having said that, none of those who earned glad tiding of Paradise in their life misused that honour.
Besides being given such a glad tiding, the good news is that those who attain Paradise, will be on the day of judgement the lucky ones, who have attained Allah’s blessings. They attain Allah’s blessings as mentioned in the following verse.
وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّـهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّـهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَٱلصِّدِّيقِينَ وَٱلشُّهَدَآءِ وَٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ ۚ وَحَسُنَ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ رَفِيقًا ﴿٦٩﴾ـ
“Whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger will be among those He has blessed [they are]: the messengers, the truthful, the witnesses (martyrs), and the righteous. What excellent companions these are!” (Sūrah al-Nisā’, 4:69).
This blessing, in which they shall be is in reference to Paradise. In other words, chosen messengers of Allah, the truthful, those martyred while striving for Allah’s sake, and the righteous are all promised glad tiding of Paradise.
A big number of the companions of the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam were honoured with glad tiding of Paradise while they were still alive. Besides that, there’re some whom the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam mentioned about their success in attaining Paradise, only after they’ve passed on.
As for those who were given glad tiding of Paradise while they were still alive, some were given this honour in groups, like the 10 who were given it in a single ḥadīth. The vast majority were given the honour collectively like those who participated in the Battle of Badr and those who witnessed the treaty of al-Ḥudaybiyah. And there’s a numerous of them who were given their glad tiding of Paradise individually, by name.
The next three sections elaborate more on that. So, happy reading…
Companions Who Earned This Honour Collectively
The Early Companions of the Muhājirūn and Anṣār
When Islam came, almost everyone in Makkah heard about it. So much so, that even those who embraced it 23 years later were among the earliest to have known about it, and even fought it to their best level. Sayyidunā Abū Sufyān raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu is a good example.
Thus, it required strong will, decisive mind, readiness to bear the consequences and courage to go against the norms, for the ones who embraced it, first in Makkah, and those who received them second in Madīnah after hijrah.
Because that’s what Islam is all about; scarfing and striving for the sake of Allah, Allah recognises that, and grants them immediate glad tiding of Paradise. In regards to this, Allah says in Sūrah al-Tawbah, 100:
وَٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُهَـٰجِرِينَ وَٱلْأَنصَارِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَـٰنٍ رَّضِىَ ٱللَّـهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا۟ عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى تَحْتَهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ﴿١٠٠﴾ـ
“As for those who led the way, the first of the emigrants (the Muhājirūn) and the supporters (the Anṣār), as well as those who nobly followed them, Allah is well pleased with them, and they are well pleased with Him; He has prepared for them Gardens through which rivers flow, where they shall dwell forever. That is the supreme achievement.”
The Participants of Badr and al-Hudaybiyah
One of the instances when the companions were given glad tiding of Paradise collectively was the instance of participation in the Battle of Badr and witnessing the treaty of al-Ḥudaybiyah.
This is understood from the ḥadīth reported by Imām Aḥmad from the narration of Sayyidunā Jābir ibn ‘Abdillāh raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu, that the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam says:
لَنْ يَدْخُلَ النَّارَ رَجُلٌ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا وَالحُدَيْبيةَ.ـ
‘None shall enter Hell from among those who have witnessed Badr and al-Ḥadaybiyah.”
It’s worth reminding that the Battle of Badr took place in the second year after hijrah. And there were between 300 and 319 companions who witnessed this battle.
As for the treaty of al-Ḥudaybiyah, it happened in the sixth year of hijrah, and there were between 1400 and 1500 companions who had the honour of witnessing it.
Companions Who Earned This Honour in Groups
The Family of Yāsir
The instances of the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam giving glad tiding of Paradise started with the family of Yāsir ibn ‘Āmir, who together with his wife, Sumayyah bint al-Khayyāṭ succumbed to the persecution of Quraysh, when they tried to force them to leave Islam.
This happened in the early stage of Islam, when the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam and the companions were still in Makkah. At the time of their peak of helplessness, when there was nothing they could do to challenge the hostility of Quraysh.
Sayyidunā Yāsir, his wife, Sumayyāh and their son, ‘Ammār ibn Yāsir were tortured, mercilessly. Whenever the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam passed by them, he would say to them:
صَبْراً آلَ يَاسِر، فَإِنَّ مَوْعِدَكُمُ الجَنَّةَ.ـ
“Patience, O family of Yasir! Your meeting-place will be Paradise.”
True enough, Both Yāsir and his wife, Sumayyah succumbed and became their first couple to be martyred in Islam. Their son, ‘Ammār lived another 50 years, and was martyred, to join his parents.
The 10 in the Famous Ḥadīth
One of the famous aḥādīth on those who were given glad tiding of Paradise is the ḥadīth of the 10 who were given this good news in one ḥadīth. It includes the following companions:
- Sayyidunā Abū Bakr
- Sayyidunā ‘Umar
- Sayyidunā ‘Uthmān ibn ‘Affān
- Sayyidunā ‘Ali ibn Abī Ṭālib
- Sayyidunā Ṭalḥah ibn ‘Ubaydillāh
- Sayyidunā Al-Zubayr ibn al-‘Awwām
- Sayyidunā ‘Abdul-Raḥmān ibn ‘Awf
- Sayyidunā Sa‘d ibn Abī Waqqāṣ
- Sayyidunā Sa‘īd ibn Zayd
- Sayyidunā Abū ‘Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrāḥ
Imām al-Tirmidhī reports from the narration of Sayyidunā ‘Abd al-Raḥmān ibn ‘Awf, raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu, that the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam once says:
أَبُو بَكْرٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَعُمَرُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَعُثْمَانُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَعَلِيٌّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَطَلْحَةُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَالزُّبَيْرُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَعَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَوْفٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَسَعْدٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَسَعِيدٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَأَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ بْنُ الْجَرَّاحِ فِي الْجَنَّةِ.ـ
“Abu Bakr is in Paradise, ‘Umar is in Paradise, ‘Uthmān is in Paradise, ‘Ali is in Paradise, Ṭalḥah is in Paradise, Al-Zubayr is in Paradise, ‘Abd al-Raḥmān ibn ‘Awf is in Paradise, Sa’d bin Abī Waqqāṣ is in Paradise, Sa’īd is in Paradise, and Abu ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah is in Paradise.”
Al-Ḥasan and Al-Ḥusayn
Similarly, the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam also did mention that Al-Ḥasan and al-Ḥusayn are the leaders of the youth of Paradise. This is understood from the ḥadīth reported by Imām al-Tirmidhī from the narration of Sayyidunā Abū Sa‘īd al-Khudrī raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu, that the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam says:
الْحَسَنُ وَالْحُسَيْنُ سَيِّدَا شَبَابِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ.ـ
“Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn are the chiefs of the youth of Paradise.”
Companions Who Earned This Honour Individually
At the individual level, the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam did, indeed, give glad tiding of Paradise to more than two dozen of his companions. Following is a mention of some, without the need to repeat those who were mentioned by name in any of the above sections.
Sayyidatunā Khadījah bint Khuwaylid
Sayyidatunā Khadījah raḍiya Allāhu ’anhā is probably the first individual to receive such good news. In a ḥadīth reported by Imām al-Bukhārī from the narration of Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu, Jibrīl, ‘alayhi al-salām once came to the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam and said:
يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، هَذِهِ خَدِيجَةُ قَدْ أَتَتْ مَعَهَا إِنَاءٌ فِيهِ إِدَامٌ أَوْ طَعَامٌ أَوْ شَرَابٌ. فَإِذَا هِيَ أَتَتْكَ فَاقْرَأْ عَلَيْهَا السَّلاَمَ مِنْ رَبِّهَا وَمِنِّي. وَبَشِّرْهَا بِبَيْتٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ مِنْ قَصَبٍ، لاَ صَخَبَ فِيهِ وَلاَ نَصَبَ.ـ
“O Messenger of Allah! This is Khadījah coming to you with a dish having meat soup or some food or drink. When she reaches you, greet her on behalf of Allah and on my behalf, and give her the glad tidings of a palace in Paradise made from pearls wherein there will be neither noise nor fatigue.”
I’m sure you remember that Sayyidah Khadījah raḍiya Allāhu ’anhā passed on in Makkah, before hijrah. Right?
Sayyidunā Suhayb ibn Sinān
When Sayyidunā Suhayb ibn Sinān raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu decided to migrate to Madīnah after embracing Islam, a bunch of Makkans stopped him halfway. He gave them the choice to either fight him or leave him to go, and he would show them the hide place of his wealth (in Makkah) for them to go for it. They chose the money, and left Suhayb to continue his journey of hijrah.
Upon reaching Qubā’, Madinah, the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam had already received a revelation pertaining to Suhayb’s encounter. Therefore, he welcomed him excitedly, saying:
رَبِحَ البَيعُ أبا يَحيى… رَبِحَ البَيعُ أبا يَحيى!ـ
“The deal has profited, O Abū Yaḥyā… The deal has profited, O Abū Yaḥyā!”
Sayyidunā Bilāl ibn Rabāḥ
The Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam also narrated that he heard the sound of Sayyidunā Bilāl’s footsteps in Paradise. Imām al-Bukhārī reports from the narration of Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu, that
أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ لِبِلاَلٍ عِنْدَ صَلاَةِ الْفَجْرِ: يَا بِلاَلُ، حَدِّثْنِي بِأَرْجَى عَمَلٍ عَمِلْتَهُ فِي الإِسْلاَمِ. فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ دَفَّ نَعْلَيْكَ بَيْنَ يَدَىَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ. قَالَ مَا عَمِلْتُ عَمَلاً أَرْجَى عِنْدِي أَنِّي لَمْ أَتَطَهَّرْ طُهُورًا فِي سَاعَةِ لَيْلٍ أَوْ نَهَارٍ إِلاَّ صَلَّيْتُ بِذَلِكَ الطُّهُورِ مَا كُتِبَ لِي أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ.ـ
“At the time of the Fajr prayer the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam said to Bilāl: “Tell me of the best deed you did after embracing Islam, for I heard your footsteps in front of me in Paradise.” Bilal replied, “I did not do anything worth mentioning except that whenever I performed ablution during the day or night, I prayed after that ablution as much as was written for me.”
Sayyidunā Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd
Imām Aḥmad reports in his Musnad from the narration of ‘Ummi Mūsā who narrates from Sayyidunā ‘Ali raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu that the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam says:
لَرِجْلُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ أَثْقَلُ فِي الْمِيزَانِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مِنْ أُحُدٍ.ـ
“The leg of ‘Abdullah [ibn Mas’ūd] will be heavier in the Balance on the Day of Resurrection than (Mount) Uḥud.”
Sayyidunā Thābit ibn Qays
The Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam also said about Sayyidunā Thābit ibn Qays, that he was an inhabitant of Paradise. In a ḥadīth reported by Imām Muslim from the narration of Sayyidunā Anas ibn Mālik raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu, the Prophet said at the end of the long ḥadīth referring to Thābit ibn Qays raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu:
بَلْ هُوَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ.ـ
“He (Thabit) is one of the dwellers of Paradise.”
Sayyidunā Sa‘d ibn Mu‘ādh
The Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam also did mention, that the Mighty Throne of Allah shook by the death of Sa‘d ibn Mu’ādh raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu. He added that the Angels carried the body of Sa‘d ibn Mu’ādh raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu during his funeral. He also did mention that Sa‘d ibn Mu’ādh raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu is in Paradise.
It’s worth noting that Sayyidunā Sa‘d ibn Mu’ādh raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu passed on in Madīnah while the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam was still alive.
The Black Lady
Imam Al-Bukhārī reports that Sayyidunā ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu said that “a black woman came to the Prophet, ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam and said, “I get attacks of epilepsy and my body becomes uncovered; please invoke Allah for me.” The Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said (to her), “If you wish, be patient and you will have Paradise; and if you wish, I will invoke Allah to cure you.” She said, “I will remain patient,” and added, “but I become uncovered, so please invoke Allah for me that I may not become uncovered.” So he invoked Allah for her.”
The Bedouin Man
Imām al-Bukhārī and Muslim report from the narration of Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu that an Arab (Bedouin) came to the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam and said, “Guide me to a deed by doing which I shall enter paradise.” The Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam said, “Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, observe the prescribed prayer, pay the obligatory zakāh, and fast during Ramaḍān.” The man replied, “By Him in whose Hand my soul is, I shall not add anything to this, or fall short of it.” Then when he turned away the Prophet said,
مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَنْظُرَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجنَّة فَلْينْظر إِلَى هَذَا.ـ
“If anyone wishes to look at a man who will be among the people of paradise, let him look at this man.”
Sayyidatunā Fāṭimah
Sayyidatunā Fāṭimah raḍiya Allāhu ’anhā is the queen of the women of Paradise. In a ḥadīth reported by Imām al-Tirmidhī, Sayyidatunā Ummu Salamah narrates that Sayyidah Fāṭimah shared with them what the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam told her before his passing:
أَخْبَرَنِي أَنِّي سَيِّدَةُ نِسَاءِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ إِلاَّ مَرْيَمَ ابْنَتَ عِمْرَانَ.ـ
“He told me that I was the mastress over all the women of the inhabitants of Paradise, except for Mariam the daughter of ‘Imran…”
How They Lived After Being Given Glad Tiding of Paradise
It’s also worth indicating, that although those who were given glad tiding of Paradise did the best they could to uphold the principles of Islam and live the teachings of the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam, they didn’t live like Angles. They remained humans, each of whom had his own flaws and shortcomings, as far as role modelling is concerned.
Having said that, upon looking at their life stories, we learn that none of them neglected Islam after being given that honour. In other words, none of them took things for granted, simply because he was given glad tiding of Paradise.
Perhaps, this explains why not the majority of the companions were given such glad tidings, although they were all, almost equally good and carried righteous deeds.
Two Important Points to Ponder Upon
If you take another look at the companions who were honoured with glad tiding of Paradise, you may notice two things:
First: Majority of those who were given glad tidings were men. This could be so because, the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam gave such glad tidings to those who had showcased the qualifying actions right before his eyes. And the majority of those with whom he dealt on a day-to-day basis were mostly men.
Second: Majority of the few women who were given glad tidings related to the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam. And this is so because they were those whom the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam could see and deal with more than he could with other women. Those who were not related to him had to approach him, like in the case of the black lady.
As a matter of fact, Sayyidatunā Ummu Salamah raḍiya Allāhu ’anhā once said to the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam, “men go to battles, while we women folk don’t get the chance to. And a woman gets half the share of a man in inheritance.” It didn’t take long for Allah subhānahū wa ta’ālā to reveal the following:
فَٱسْتَجَابَ لَهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ أَنِّى لَآ أُضِيعُ عَمَلَ عَـٰمِلٍ مِّنكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ ۖ بَعْضُكُم مِّنۢ بَعْضٍ ۖ فَٱلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا۟ وَأُخْرِجُوا۟ مِن دِيَـٰرِهِمْ وَأُوذُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِى وَقَـٰتَلُوا۟ وَقُتِلُوا۟ لَأُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنْهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ وَلَأُدْخِلَنَّهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ثَوَابًا مِّنْ عِندِ ٱللَّـهِ ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ عِندَهُۥ حُسْنُ ٱلثَّوَابِ ﴿١٩﴾ـ
“Their Lord accepted their prayer, saying, “I will deny no man or woman among you the reward of their labours. You are members one of another. I will certainly forgive the sins of those who emigrated and were expelled from their homes, who suffered persecution in My cause, who fought and were killed. I will certainly admit them to Gardens through which rivers flow, as a reward from Allah: with Allah is the best reward” (Sūrah Āl-‘Imrān, 3:195).
This means, if the who goes for and dies, while striving for Allah’s sake is a martyr and is set for Paradise, then any woman who takes cares of her husband’s house responsibly, and dies, would be a martyr who is set for paradise.
Upon pondering upon these two points, in addition to understanding the corresponding verses and aḥādīth, we understand, that had other companions happened to be in the positions of those who were given glad tiding of Paradise by names, it would have been them who received such honours. In other words, glad tiding of Paradise is granted to those who do the same as the mentioned ones have done. Of course, with correct faith and sincerity!
How Can We Too Earn Glad Tiding of Paradise
After 1450 years, with the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam not amongst us, how can one earn himself glad tiding of Paradise?
The truth is that the Qur’an as well as the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam have granted glad tiding of Paradise to all of us. Yes, we’re granted glad tiding of Paradise, provided we fulfil some conditions, first. These conditions are two plus one:
- Establish correct faith in Allah,
- Be steadfast in Righteousness, and
- Follow in the footsteps of the companions
#1: Establish the Correct Faith
The first condition is that we establish the correct faith. The same correct faith which was upheld by the companions who were given glad tiding of Paradise, whether while they were still alive or after they’ve already passed on. This is so because establishing the correct faith is the basis for the acceptance of any righteous deeds. There’s no alternative to this.
#2: Follow that With Righteous Deeds
Couple your correct faith in Allah with righteous deeds. It’s doesn’t take more than that. That’s why, Allah constantly follow the mention of believing in Him with the mention of carrying out righteousness. Examples are as follows.
In Sūrah al-Burūj, Allah says:
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْكَبِيرُ ﴿١١﴾ـ
“Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds shall be rewarded with gardens beneath which rivers flow. That is the supreme attainment.” (Sūrah al-Burūj, 85:11).
And in Sūrah al-Kahf, He says:
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتُ ٱلْفِرْدَوْسِ نُزُلًا ﴿١٠٧﴾ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا لَا يَبْغُونَ عَنْهَا حِوَلًا ﴿١٠٨﴾ـ
“Those who believe and do good works shall have the gardens of Paradise for their abode. They shall forever dwell in the Gardens of Paradise, desiring no change.” (Sūrah al-Kahf, 18:107-108).
#3: Seek Inspirations from the Companions
After the Muslim has established a correct faith and does his best to observe righteousness, he needs some inspirations to keep him going. For there are times you’ll feel down, demoralised and unmotivated.
To get charged, seek to follow in the footsteps of those who were given glad tiding of Paradise by name in their lives or after their passing. By so doing, you’re not emulating their personalities. You’re rather practicing yourself on righteousness, the same they did to attain such glad tidings. In fact, when you learn about them, you’ll find that their life was restricted by the first two conditions above, correct faith and carrying out righteous deeds.
Some Righteous Deeds that Qualify for Glad Tiding of Paradise
Believing in Allah and Fearing Him
Believing in Allah doesn’t bear fruits until it’s accompanied by fearing Him. Another way of saying it is to be shy with him and show respect when dealing with Allah. This is applicable when we’re in public, and more so when we’re in private. It is also applicable when we’re helpless, and more so when He empowers us with power or fame.
أَلَآ إِنَّ أَوْلِيَآءَ ٱللَّـهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ﴿٦٢﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ يَتَّقُونَ ﴿٦٣﴾ لَهُمُ ٱلْبُشْرَىٰ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۚ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِكَلِمَـٰتِ ٱللَّـهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ﴿٦٤﴾ـ
“Those who are close to God shall certainly have no fear, nor shall they grieve. For those who believe and are mindful of God, there is good news in this life and in the Hereafter: the Word of God shall never change. That is the supreme triumph.” (Sūrah Yūnus, 10:62-64).
Upholding Patience
Patience is usually perceived as tolerating our fellow humans. While that perception is correct, the need to observe patience exceeds that to cover a broader perspective. This includes:
- upholding patience in carrying out righteous deeds,
- upholding patience in abstaining from prohibited acts and relations, and
- upholding patience in accepting Allah’s trials that befall us from time to time.
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ ﴿١٥٥﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَـٰبَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا لِلَّـهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيْهِ رَٰجِعُونَ ﴿١٥٦﴾ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَٰتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُهْتَدُونَ ﴿١٥٧﴾ـ
“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good news to those who endure with fortitude. Those who say, when afflicted with a calamity, “We belong to God and to Him we shall return,” are the ones who will have blessings and mercy from their Lord: it is they who are on the right path!” (Sūrah al-Baqarah, 2:155-157).
Showing Obedience to Allah
Obedience is ensuring we distance ourselves from arrogance to the extreme possible. This is important because when we allow arrogance to grow in us, by the time we realize, we’re already rejecting the truth.
وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱجْتَنَبُوا۟ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ أَن يَعْبُدُوهَا وَأَنَابُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّـهِ لَهُمُ ٱلْبُشْرَىٰ ۚ فَبَشِّرْ عِبَادِ ﴿١٧﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ ٱلْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُۥٓ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّـهُ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمْ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿١٨﴾ـ
“There is good news for those who shun the worship of false deities and turn to Allah, so give good news to My servants, who listen to what is said and follow what is best in it. These are the ones Allah has guided; these are the people endowed with understanding.” (Surah al-Zumar, 39:17-18).
The Takeaway…
One of the habits mentioned in Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of the Most Effective People” is to “start with an end in mind.” The only thing is that he defines the “end” differently from how Islam defines the “end”. The “end” in the definition of Stephen Covey is worldly, and hence, temporal. But the “end” in the definition of Islam is hereafter and hence, eternal.
As human who understands the purpose of your creation, the period of your existence in this life is your personal project. The success of this project is determined by your ability to secure yourself a place in Paradise. And with that you’ll have secured the glad tiding of Paradise.
Imagine yourself being among the companions of the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam with the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam. What could you do, with sincerity and compassion to earn yourself such an honour of being given the glad tiding of Paradise, whether during your lifetime or after your passing?
I can only imagine your answer to be positive and righteous. As long as it is positive and righteous, whatever and however it is, do it now, and you shall be greeted, in a way or another with glad tiding of Paradise. God willing!
وَقُلِ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ فَسَيَرَى ٱللَّـهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۖ وَسَتُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَـٰلِمِ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١٠٥﴾ـ
“And say, “Do as you will. for Allah will watch your conduct and so will His Messenger and the believers. Soon you will be brought back to Him who knows what is hidden and what is manifest: then He will show you the truth of all that you have done” (Sūrah al-Tawbah, 9:105).
To read more about the companions of the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam, including those who were given glad tiding of Paradise, and those with whom the Prophet was pleased at the time of his passing, kindly follow The Shining Stars Series, brought to you by GSalam.Net and Al-Bushra by GSalam on Facebook and on YouTube.
Until our next article, I leave you in Allah’s protection.
Wassalamu ‘alaykum warahmatullāh…
Allah knows best.
Allāhu Ḥāfiẓ 🙂
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