Road to Paradise

ISBN: 9960861740
Author: Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan (compiler)
Publisher: Darussalam Publishers & Distributors (2002)
Pages: 192 Binding: Paperback

Description from the publisher:

The beautiful full-color book includes Ayahs (verses) from the Noble Quran about Paradise with supporting Hadith of the Prophet (S) and their explanations.

"The description of Paradise which the Muttaqun (the pious believers of Islamic Monotheism) have been promised (is that) in it are rivers of water the taste and smell of which are not changed, rivers of milk of which the taste never changes, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink, and rivers of clarified honey (clear and pure); therein for them is every kind of fruit, and forgiveness from their Lord. (Are these) like those who shall dwell forever in the Fire and be given to drink boiling water so that it cuts up their bowels?" [(V47:15) The Noble Qur'an]

Table of Contents

Introduction
Road to Paradise
The characteristics of Paradise and the fact that it has already been created (and does exist now)
Who will enter Paradise and Who will enter Hell-fire
Deeds that will lead to Paradise
Conclusion

IntroductionIn the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.For the salvation of all mankind and jinn from the punishment in the Hell-fire, I have decided to write this Book: "Road to Paradise." It is a collection of Qur'anic Verses and the narrations of Allah's Messenger that concerns about Paradise.

Narrated Abu Hurairah (R): Allah's Messenger said, "The (Hell) Fire is surrounded by all kinds of desires and passions, while Paradise is surrounded by all kinds of disliked undesirable things." (Inordinate desires and animalistic passions lead to the Fire while self-control, perseverance, chastity and all other virtues, and the obedience to Allah and His Messenger lead to Paradise. What leads to Hell is easy to do while what leads to Paradise is difficult to do.) (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.8, Hadith No. 495)

So, the Road to Paradise is full of hurdles and pits, and not so easy to go through it![1] It needs great patience, self control, and to avoid all evil deeds such as illegal sex, illegal talk (like backbiting, telling lies, etc.), illegal foods and drinks; and to perform regularly compulsory congregational prayers, fasting, Jihad (holy fighting in Allah's cause), and to give obligatory charity (Zakat), and to perform Umrah and Hajj.

All glory and praise is to Allah, the One to Whom all dignity, honor and respect are due; the Unique with perfect attributes, Who begets not, nor is He begotten. He has no equal but He is the All-Mighty, Omnipotent. He sent His Messengers and Prophets to guide humanity towards Monotheism, to worship Him Alone, the only One Worthy of worship, and to warn them of the eternal dire consequences of polytheism, associating partners with One Allah and the worship of creatures.

All the Prophets preached Monotheism, the Belief in the Oneness of Allah, the Glorious, the Elevated. As the Statement of Allah, the Blessed, the Most High:"Indeed, We sent Nuh (Noah) to his people and he said: 'O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. (Ld ilaha illallah: none has the right to be worshipped but Allah.) Certainly, I fear for you the torment of a Great Day!"' (V7:59)

"And to `Ad (people, We sent) their brother Hud. He said: `O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. (Ld ilaha illallah: none has the right to be worshipped but Allah.) Will you not fear (Allah)?"' (V7:65)

"And to (the people of) Madyan (Midian), (We sent) their brother Shu'aib. He said: 'O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. [Ld ilaha illallah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)] Verily, a clear proof (sign) from your Lord has come to you; so give full measure and full weight and wrong not men in their things, and do not do mischief on the earth after it has been set in order, that will be better for you, if you are believers."' (V7:85)"And to Thamud (people, We sent) their brother Salih. He said: 'O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. (La ilaha illallah: none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)."' (V7:73)"And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): 'Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all false deities, i.e., do not worship anything besides Allah)."' (V 16:36)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[1] a) It has been narrated by Abu Hurairah (R) * in the Hadith Books (At Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Abu Dawud) that the Prophet said: "The Jews and Christians were divided into seventy-one or seventy-two religious sects, and this nation will be divided into seventy-three religious sects - all in Hell, except one, and that one is the one on which I and my Companions are today [i.e., following the Qur'an and the Prophet's Sunnah (legal ways, orders, acts of worship and statements of the Prophet )]."

b) "Nor would he order you to take angels and Prophets for lords (gods).* Would he order you to disbelieve after you have submitted toAllah's Will?" (Tafsir At-Tabari) (V.3:80)

* Narrated `Umar (R) : 1 heard the Prophet saying, "Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Maryam (Mary),** for I am only a slave. So call me the slave of Allah and His Messenger." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 4, Hadith No. 654)

**The Christians over praised 'Isa (Jesus) till they took him as a god besides Allah.