THE PATH TO JANNAH (PARADISE) - THE KEY TO PARADISE

 

THE PATH TO JANNAH (PARADISE) - THE KEY TO PARADISE

Innal hamdullillahi. Naemaduhu wa nastayiinuhu. Wa nastagfiruhu.
Wa nauzu billahi min shuruuri wa anfusinaa wa sayyiati aemaalinaa, man yahdihillahu falaa mudilla lahu, waman yudilil fala hadia lahu.
Wa ashhadu an laa ilaaha illa Allahu wahdahu laa shariykallahu, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu warasuluhu.
Sallah allahu alihi wa alaa alihii wa asehabihii waman tabiahum bi ihesaanin ilaa yaumid diyni. Wa sallama tasliyman kasiyran, amma baedu.

Preamble

No one can be considered a true believer in the religion of Islam without confessing the ‘Shahada’. But what is it? What does it really mean?

Those born into Muslim families may not truly understand it, and those who have reverted may not have been taught the depths of its meaning beyond, “There is no other deity but God.” Whether by birth or by conversion, read on to know if you’re truly from among the believers in Allah and his Messenger (SAW).

THE SEVEN CONDITIONS OF THE SHAHADA

Concerning the conditions for those who utter the words of the Shahada, Shaykh Haafiz al-Hukmi (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote in his poem ‘Sullam al-Wusool’:

“Knowledge, certainty, submission, and following.

So listen to what I say.

Truthfulness, sincerity, and love.

May Allaah help you to do that which He loves.”

So here it is, broken down.

Seven [7] checkpoints for the believer as reminders, and to work towards becoming true believers in the Oneness of God.

1. KNOWLEDGE (ILM) of what the words of the Shahada mean. For example, if someone just mimics it in Arabic but they don’t know what it means, it does not make them a Muslim. It’s important for the one who says it to understand that there is no god but Allah.

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “He who died knowing that there is no God but Allah will enter Paradise.” - Sahih Muslim

2. CERTAINTY (YAQIN) without a doubt in your heart that to worship the one true God and not associate any partners or intermediaries is the best way of life, rejecting all others.

"No one meets Allah with the testimony that there is none worthy of worship but Allah and I am the Messenger of Allah, and he has no doubt about that statement, except that he will enter Paradise" - Prophet Muhmmad (peace be upon him) Sahih Muslim

3. ACCEPTANCE (QABUL) of Allah’s Lordship based on knowledge. There should be no doubt about Allah, His Messenger or His Message, The Noble Qur’an. This requires complete and absolute abandonment of any other you worship besides Allah.

Allah says, “So do you believe in part of the Scripture and disbelieve in part? Then what is the recompense for those who do that among you except disgrace in worldly life; and on the Day of Resurrection they will be sent back to the severest of punishment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.” ((Holy Quran Chapter 2:85)

4. SUBMISSION (INQIYAD) to the laws of Islam, and striving to implement them in your daily life. Try to change bad practices and look for opportunities to do good deeds. These are all part of loving, fearing, and worshipping Allah, as true love is expressed in obedience to His commands.

"Who is better in religion than he who surrenders his purpose to Allah while doing good." ((Holy Quran Chapter 4:125)

5. TRUTHFULNESS (SIDQ) is what separates the true believer from the hypocrite. When you say it from your lips it must be the truth from your heart, and not because it may be what is acceptable or for other ulterior motives.

"And of mankind are some who say, 'We believe in Allah and the Last Day,' when they believe not. They think to beguile Allah and those who believe, and they beguile none save themselves, but they perceive not. In their hearts is a disease, and Allah increases their disease. A painful doom is theirs because they lie." ((Holy Quran Chapter 28:10)

6. SINCERITY (IKHLAS) is between you and Allah. The Shahada should not be said to please parents, to get married, or to gain favor. We should all seek to die with a high level of sincerity of worship, so develop your Islam until you become sincere for Allah alone.

“Worship Allah, making religion pure for him." ((Holy Quran Chapter 98:5)

7. LOVE for ALLAH (MAHABBAH) should guide you into a stronger belief of “La ilaha illallaah” (The is no god worthy of worship but Allah). The best way to increase in love for Allah is to know Him through His names and attributes and reading and understanding His message to use in the Qur’an.

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "Whoever has three characteristics has tasted the sweetness of faith. [The first of these] is that he loves Allah and His Messenger more than he loves anyone else ... " [Agreed upon].

 

THE 7 CONDITIONS OF THE SHAHADA

1. KNOWLEDGE (ILM)

2. CERTAINTY (YAQIN)

3. ACCEPTANCE (QABUL)

4. SUBMISSION (INQIYAD

5. TRUTHFULNESS (SIDQ)

6. SINCERITY (IKHLAS)

7. LOVE for ALLAH (MAHABBAH)

 

Entering Paradise “for” your deeds

The Prophet ﷺ said: “‘None of you will enter Paradise for his deeds.’ They asked: ‘Not even you O Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ?’ He replied: ‘Not even me, unless Allaah covers me with His Favor and Mercy.’” [Saheeh Muslim 2816]

Shaikh al-Albaani:

“Know that this narration may be problematic to some people and they may presume that it contradicts Allaah’s تعالى statement: {This is the Paradise which you have been made to inherit for what you used to do}[Holy Quran Chapter Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:72] and similar verses and narrations which point out that entering Paradise happens for one’s deeds. This has been addressed in several ways, the most correct answer being that: the preposition “for” in the narration means “for the price of,” and the “for” in the verse means “because of.” In other words, righteous deeds are a necessary means to entering Paradise, however they don’t amount to the price for entering Paradise and its everlasting bliss and ranks.”

Sources: [as-sisilah as-saheehah 2602 / alalbaany.com]

https://quranforkids.com/conditions-for-shahada/