The Basis for Jannah

The Basis for Jannah

Keeping away from Hell, Gates of Goodness, and Consequences of the Tongue.

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;

All the praise and thanks is due to Allāh, the Lord of the al-`ālamīn. There is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam, is His Messenger.

1522. Mu`adz bin Jabal (radiyallāhu`anhu) reported, who said: “I inquired from the Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu `alayhi wa sallam): ‘Inform me of an act which will cause me to enter Jannah and keep me far from Hell’.''

Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) replied, "You have asked me about a matter of great importance, but it is easy for one for whom Allāh makes it easy.'' Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) added, " Worship Allāh, associate nothing with Him in worship, offer As-Solāh, pay the Zakah, observe Saum (fasting) during Ramadhān and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House of Allāh, if you can afford it.''

Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) further said, "Shall I not guide you to the Gates of Goodness? Fasting is a screen (from Hell), charity extinguishes (i.e., removes) the sins as water extinguishes fire, and standing in prayers by a slave of Allāh during the last third part of the night (qiyamulail).'' Then Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) recited: "Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Rabb in fear and hope, and they spend (in charity in Allāh's Cause) out of what We have bestowed on them. No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.'' (Surah Sajdah, 32:17, 18).

Then Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) added, "Shall I tell you of the root of the matter, its pillar and its highest point?'' I replied: "Yes! Certainly, O Messenger of Allāh.'' Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said, "The root of this matter (foundation) is Islam, its pillar (mainstay is) as-Solāh and its highest point is Jihad (fighting in the Cause of Allāh).''

Then Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) asked, "Shall I tell you of that which holds all these things?'' I said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allāh.'' So Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) took hold of his tongue and said, "Keep this in control.'' I asked: "O Messenger of Allāh! Shall we really be accounted for what we talk about?'' Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) replied, "May your mother lose you! People will be thrown on their faces into the Hell on account of their tongues.''

[At-Tirmidzi]

Commentary: Besides describing Articles of Islam, this Hadith mentions the dangers which lie in the careless use of the tongue. All good actions can go waste if one does not guard his speech. One should, therefore, guard his tongue against that which Allāh has made prohibited, (but keep your tongue wet with the remembrance of Allāh (zikrullah).

In a hadith of `Abdullah bin Bishar (radiyallāhu`anhu) who reported that one of the Companions asked Rasulullah (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam):  "O Messenger of Allāh! There are many injunctions of Islam upon me, so tell me something to which I may hold fast." Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu `alaihi wasallam) replied: “Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allāh.” [At-Tirmidzi]

The sahabi was not suggesting that the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) should exempt him from his religious obligations; rather, he needed something that would help him perform them all. Therefore, he guided him to what would assist him to perform them and cause him to be keen to adhere to them, thus facilitating their performance. The person who frequently mentions Allāh will love Him and whatever pleases Him, and nothing would then be dearer to him than endeavoring to please his Lord. 

Moreover, it keeps one busy from engaging in falsehood, like backbiting, slandering, and idle talk, as when a person does not engage himself in acts of obedience, his soul [desires] will engage him in falsehood. Moreover, it helps prevents a person from being neglectful

Wallāhu’alam

[Excerpted from Riyad-us-Saliheen, Book Seventeen; The Book of the Prohibited Actions; Via Wponline.Org]