Everyone dreams of entering Jannah, but did you know that there are eight different gates to Jannah? Each gate has a specific purpose. Let us have a look at them below:
1. Baab As-Salaat:
Prayer is one of the most important deeds in Islam. It has been mentioned repeatedly in the Quran. Allah places a great deal of emphasis on Salah, and has also warned of severe punishment for those who miss their prayers purposely. Muslims who were punctual in their prayers in this world will enter Jannah via Baab As-Salaat (Gate of Prayer). This gate is specifically reserved for those who were attentive in their prayer – this includes praying on time and not missing their prayers.
2. Baab Al-Jihad:
Jihad or to strive in the cause of Allah is an extremely brave gesture, a deed that will never go unappreciated by Allah. Therefore, Muslims who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Islam will have a special entry into Jannah, through Baab al-Jihad.
Allah says in the Quran:
“Fight them until there is no [more] fitnah and [until] worship is [acknowledged to be] for Allah. But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression except against the oppressors” (Quran 2:193).
3. Baab As-Sadaqah:
Charity is one of the five pillars of Islam, which Allah has spoken highly of in the Quran and Sunnah. Giving charity to those less fortunate whenever an opportunity arises is an extremely noble gesture. People who would give in Sadaqah in this world will have a special gate reserved for them in Jannah called Baab As-Sadaqah.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.” (Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 589)
4. Baab Ar-Rayyaan:
Allah rewards those who fast in the month of Ramadan or/and other voluntary fasts. Not only do they negate our sins in this world, but also carry abundant rewards in the Hereafter. Therefore, people who fasted sincerely hoping for blessings and reward from Allah will be allowed to enter Jannah through Baab Ar-Rayyan.
Sahl (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“In Paradise there is a gate called Al-Rayyaan, through which those who used to fast will enter on the Day of Resurrection, and no one but they will enter it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who fasted?’ They will get up, and none will enter it but them. When they have entered, it will be locked, and no one else will enter.” (Bukhari 1763).
5. Baab Al-Hajj:
This gate in paradise is reserved for those who performed Hajj because they were able to do so. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever performs Hajj with any obscenity shall return (from Hajj) like a new born baby.” (Bukhari)
6. Baab Al-Kaazimeen Al-Ghaiz Wal Aafina Anin Naas:
Getting angry, losing our cool towards our loved ones and strangers, not being able to forgive someone who has wronged or betrayed us – these are shortcomings that all of us are trying or have tried to overcome at some point of time in our lives. However, we will be rewarded with this special door of paradise when we strive to be of those who control and suppress anger for the sake of Allah, and be kind, considerate and forgiving towards others,
7. Baab Al-Iman:
It is easy to lose hope when things get difficult, but people with imaan and firm faith in Allah will know that ease is always around the corner, no matter how tough the path is right now. People with such high levels of Iman will be rewarded an entry into paradise through Baab Al-Imaan.
8. Baab Al-Dhikr:
Being in a constant state of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) will not only bring ease and peace in this world, but will also be rewarded in the Next. People of Dhikr will be called from a special gate in Paradise called Baab Al-Dhikr.
WHO ARE FORTUNATE TO ENJOY JANNAH?
Now, let us have a look at the fortunate ones that will be rewarded with this everlasting treasure.
So, who gets to enter Jannah? What are the characteristics of these special people who will get this amazing reward in the Hereafter?
Here’s a list of some of the qualities of people of Jannah mentioned in the Quran:
- Those who believe:
It goes without saying that only a righteous believer who believed in Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) will enter paradise.
“But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, we shall soon admit them to gardens, with rivers flowing beneath, to dwell therein forever. Allah’s promise is the truth, and whose word can be truer than Allah’s?” (Quran, 4:122)”
- Those who do righteous deeds:
Allah has promised to reward us for every single good deed we perform in this world. When done for the sake of Allah and with sincerity, Allah will account for every single act of goodness we perform and reward us with Jannah in the Hereafter.
“For those who have done good is the best reward and even more (i.e. having the honor of glancing at the Countenance of Allah)” (Quran, 10:26).
- The Muttaqeen:
Allah says that He will rewards those who have Taqwa (Muttaqeen) with Paradise. People with Taqwa are those who fear Allah in public and private, those who hold on to the Quran and Sunnah in times of ease and hardship, and who do deeds that please Allah at all times.
“Truly! The Muttaqun (pious and righteous persons) will be amidst Gardens and water-springs (Paradise). “(It will be said to them): ‘Enter therein (Paradise), in peace and security.’ “And We shall remove from their breasts any sense of injury (that they may have), (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones. “No sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they (ever) be asked to leave it.”
- Those who have Khushoo:
Prayer is one of the most important tasks a Muslim performs five times a day, every single day. When you pray with khushoo (mindfulness, concentration and being fully attentive and aware) and pray on time, you will be rewarded with Jannah.
- Those who give Zakat and stay away from Laghw:
The Quran places great importance on giving in charity. This coupled with staying away from Laghw (ill, useless speech – that does not benefit us in this world or the Next), is a powerful combination to help us achieve a place in Jannah.
- Those who honor their promises:
As Muslim, it is incumbent upon us to stay true to our words and honor our promises. When a person consciously strives to keep his/her word, Allah has promised for him/her a beautiful abode in the highest levels of Paradise! [Qur’an: Chapter 23: Verses 1-11]
ACTION PLAN TO ATTAIN JANNAH
Paradise with its unending pleasures and bounties is sure to make any Muslim excited and inspired. But is it really hard to get into Paradise?
What if I told you that all you had to do was be consistent, do deeds that are easy but with sincerity, and seek the pleasure of Allah alone in every single act you perform, in order to achieve this everlasting bliss?!
Surprised? Well, you shouldn’t be!
Our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has given us various examples and action points which we can easily implement in our lives, in order to achieve Jannah. Let us look at some of them below:
- Whoever meets Allah without ascribing anything to Him will enter Jannah. (Sahih al-Bukhari)
- Whoever believes (has Imaan) in Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him), and establishes the prayer and fasts in the month of Ramadan, it is incumbent upon Allah that He enters him in Jannah. (Sahih al-Bukhari)
- Whoever says: “I am pleased with Allah as my Rabb, and with Islam as my Deen, and with Muhammad (peace be upon him) as my Prophet, Jannah would be mandatory for him. (Sunan Abu Dawud)
- Whoever asks Allah for Jannah three times, Jannah will say: “O Allah, enter him into Jannah.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi)
- Allah has Ninety Nine Names, one hundred minus one, and whoever believes in their meanings and acts accordingly, will enter Jannah. (Sahih al-Bukhari)
- Whoever builds a Masjid seeking by it the Pleasure of Allah, Allah will build for him a similar place in Jannah. (Sahih al-Bukhari)
- Whoever repeats after the Mu’adthin (the caller to prayer) from his heart (i.e., sincerely) will enter Jannah. (Sunan an-Nasa’i)
- Anyone who performs the ablution perfectly and then offers 2 rak’ahs of prayer, concentrating on them with his heart and face, will be rewarded with Paradise. (Sunan Abu Dawud)
- Whoever prays 12 Rak’ah in the day and night, a house in Jannah will be built for him. (Sunan an-Nasa’i)
- Whoever visits an ailing person or a brother of his to seek the Pleasure of Allah, an announcer (angel) calls out: “May you be happy, may your walking be blessed, and may you be awarded a dignified position in Jannah”. (Jami` at-Tirmidhi)
- Whosoever last words are LA ILAHA ILLALLAH will enter Paradise. (Sunan Abu Dawud)
Notice how simple and easy the aforementioned deeds are? Although these deeds seem easy to perform, you must remember that sincerity matters! You must mean what you say and you must live by what you say. When we revolve our life around what Allah loves, we will automatically find it easier to obey and worship Him. This in turn will make it easy for us to achieve His pleasure. Staying away from sins will get easier, which will make our path to paradise smoother. May Allah make us of those who worship Him with sincerity and grant us Jannah for every single step we take to come closer to Him. Ameen.