Jannah: The Awaited Abode

For a believer, there is no true happiness and fulfillment in this world because they know that this world is neither their real home nor their main source of happiness. This world is designed by Allah as a place of test and not a place of comfort. The ultimate goal is to be admitted to the awaited abode, Jannah, the true source of joy and fulfillment.

Believing in Jannah or heaven, is part and parcel of a Muslim’s faith and the ultimate source of motivation to be righteous and closer to Allah swt. Every Muslim strives his very best to be admitted into paradise, with his family and loved ones, with every single good deed he does. Allah swt sum this up:

And ˹they are˺ those who endure patiently, seeking their Lord’s pleasure, establish prayer, donate from what We have provided for them—secretly and openly—and respond to evil with good. It is they who will have the ultimate abode: the Gardens of Eternity, which they will enter along with the righteous among their parents, spouses, and descendants. And the angels will enter upon them from every gate, ˹saying,˺ Peace be upon you for your perseverance. How excellent is the ultimate abode!

– Surah Ar Ra’d 22-24

Called by many names

Jannah is mentioned in the Quran and Hadiths with several different names: 

1. Jannah: which means the garden and paradise filled with pleasure and fulfilment.
2. Daarus Salaam (6:127): The abode of peace and tranquillity, for every person who enters it will be greeted with peace and filled with comfort and tranquility
3. Jannah Al-Khuld (25:15): The eternal garden, as the inhabitants of paradise will abide therein forever.
4. Daarul Muqamah (35:34): The eternal abode, of which there is no moving out from it
5. Jannatul Ma’wa (79:40): A garden of refuge.
6. Jannatu A’dn (98:8): The abode which consist of multiple gardens where we will abide therein eternally
7. Darul Hayawan (29:64): The abode of everlasting life.

The highest peak of paradise

One of the names of paradise is Jannatul Firdaus, and it is the highest point of paradise. In fact the Prophet Sallahu Alaihi Wasallam, encourages us to seek the highest level of paradise, everytime we ask Allah for jannah:

He said: “There are one-hundred levels in Paradise which Allah has prepared for those who carry on Jihad in His Cause. The distance between every two levels is like the distance between the sky and the Earth, so if you ask Allah for anything, ask Him for the Firdaus, for it is the last part of Paradise and the highest part of Paradise, and at its top there is the Throne of Beneficent, and from it gush forth the rivers of Paradise.”

– Bukhari

These words of encouragement tells us that a Muslim should always aim high and should not do things roughly without any motivation to reach greater heights. Make it upon yourself, starting from today to ask Allah swt daily for paradise and Firdaus. Set higher goals, and you will find motivation to lead a more righteous life in pursuit of your aspirations.

What the eye has not seen

How truly excellent is the ultimate abode! It is presented in the Quran vividly as a place of joy and happiness, vast and adorned with rivers of milk, honey and wine flowing underneath its gardens. Its inhabitants are dressed with the finest silk and brocade, reclining on adorned couches and served with crystalline glasses, filled with a drink of pure wine flavoured with ginger. Its gardens are planted with trees so big that in its shade a rider may travel for one hundred years without being able to cross it. 

Each of them enters into the gates of paradise, honoured by the angels, greeting them with words of comfort and peace, congratulating them for their success. They are fed with fruits and food of different kinds, perpetually created with different tastes, each time they take a bite. They will be reunited with their loved ones and join the entourage of the Prophets and people of piety throughout history. They will be accompanied by their partners, blissfully spending time together, living in elevated mansions built one above the other, under which rivers flow. Whatever the soul desires, it will be granted and forever they will abide therein. 

Thus is the beautiful outcome of those who are righteous on earth. The descriptions of the people and the reward of paradise are beyond what the mind could imagine.

Narrated Abu Huraira:

the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Allah said, “I have prepared for My righteous slaves (such excellent things) as no eye has ever seen, nor an ear has ever heard nor a human heart can ever think of.’ ” – Muslim 

Gates of paradise

Paradise has eight gates, each associated with a particular act of obedience, the Prophet sallahu alaihi wasallam said:

“Whoever gives two kinds (of things or property) in charity for Allah’s Cause, will be called from the gates of Paradise and will be addressed, ‘O slaves of Allah! Here is prosperity.’ 

So, whoever was amongst the people who used to offer their prayers, will be called from the gate of the prayer; and whoever was amongst the people who used to participate in Jihad, will be called from the gate of Jihad; and whoever was amongst those who used to observe fasts, will be called from the gate of Ar-Raiyan; whoever was amongst those who used to give in charity, will be called from the gate of charity.”

Abu Bakr said,

“Let my parents be sacrificed for you, O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! No distress or need will befall him who will be called from those gates. Will there be any one who will be called from all these gates?” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, “Yes, and I hope you will be one of them.” – Bukhari 

It is not impossible for us to be called by each gate, so observe these actions, lest Allah open the way for you to access all eight gates, even if it just a small deed as reciting the Syahadah after finishing your ablution:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,

“Whoever of you performs Wudu’ carefully and then affirms: ‘Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallahu Wahdahu la sharika Lahu, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasuluhu [I testify that there so no true god except Allah Alone, Who has no partners and that Muhammad ((ﷺ) is His slave and Messenger],’ the eight gates of Jannah are opened for him. He may enter through whichever of these gates he desires (to enter).” – Muslim

The greatest triumph

The road to Jannah is paved with righteousness, faith, and adherence to the teachings of Islam. The prophet Sallahu Alaihi Wasllam highlighted some specific acts of goodness that promises its doer to be admitted to paradise:

1. Dying while testifying that there is no being worthy of worship except Allah. – Muslim
2. Observing the 5 obligatory prayers and keeping the ties of your kin. – Bukhari
3. Anyone who dies free from pride, unfaithfulness regarding spoil, and debt. – Ibn Majah
4. Serving and being obedient to your parents, for heaven is at their feet. – An Nasai
5. Internalising the beautiful names of Allah & making dua by calling upon them. – Bukhari
6. Observing the 10 Rakaats of Voluntary Prayers of Rawatib. – Bukhari
7. Reciting Ayatul Kursi after every prayer. – At Tirmizi
8. Those who do not get themselves cauterised, nor seek Ruqyah, nor believe in  omens, and upon their Lord they rely. – Bukhari
9. Safeguarding your tongue and private parts from what Allah has forbidden. – Bukhari
10. Whoever endures the death of their children with patience. – An Nasai

The choice is in your hands

The concept of Jannah provides us with hope and purpose as we confront life’s challenges while striving to attain Allah’s approval. Reflecting on the rewards of paradise will aid us during our difficult times, preventing us from being swayed by the pleasures of this world. It reminds us that we cannot fully rest and attain happiness until we return to our original home. 

We must not forget that humanity was sent to earth for a temporary visit, reaping the benefits of this world and cultivating the necessary faith and righteousness to be welcomed back to our eternal abode. So, the choice is ours: Which home would you prefer to stay in? A brief life of uncertainty or an everlasting experience of bliss and prosperity?