No poverty after Paradise, and no Riches after the Fire.

It is reported that Jundub b. ‘Abdillâh Al-Bajalî – Allah be pleased with him – was once asked for advice and instruction. He said:

I advise you to fear Allâh and obey Him (taqwâ) and I advise you to adhere to the Quran, for it is a light in the dark night and a guidance during the day, so implement it no matter how much struggle and poverty you have to face. If a calamity befalls you, put your wealth forward to protect your religion, and if the calamity continues, put forward your wealth and your life to save your religion [but never risk your religion], for the ruined is he whose religion is ruined, and the looted is he whose religion is taken. And know that there is no poverty after Paradise, and no riches after the Fire.

Al-Dhahabî, Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ` 3:174.

The Yearning of the Pious for Paradise

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy
Al-Istiqaamah News Letter
Safar 1417H / July 1996	Issue No.2

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The Yearning of the Pious for PARADISE

Describing Paradise, Allaah - the Most High - said: "Indeed Allaah will enter those who believe and do righteous and correct actions into Paradise, beneath which rivers flow. Wherein they will be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls and their garments will be made of silk." [Soorah al-Hajj 24:23]. "Indeed the pious and obedient ones will be in Paradise, amongst gardens and water-springs. It will be said to them: Enter! In peace and safety. And We shall remove from their hearts any ill-feeling, so they will be like brothers, facing each other on thrones. No sense of hardship shall touch them, and they will be of those who never leave." [Soorah al-Hijr 15:45-46]. "Paradise, that precious sanctity to which, throughout the ages, the Believers run towards. Paradise, a burning flame that was in the hearts of our Salafus-Saalih (Pious Predecessors), a flame that spurred them to aim for the highest examples of velour in jihaad and sacrifice. Paradise, that noble goal which aspiring eyes are fixed towards and which yearning souls long for, in all times and in all places. They find worldly afflictions agreeable to them for the sake of achieving Paradise. Indeed, to enter into it and remain in it is considered the greatest goal for the Believers, and it is a hope which is kept in view throughout life's journey. How often has Paradise been the incentive and a motivation for goodness and truth, despite the dangers, afflictions and thorns that lie along the path - even if it involves certain death. This was the case in the days of the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, as Anas radiallaahu 'anhu related: Once Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam and his Companions proceeded towards Badr and arrived there before the disbelievers of Makkah. When the disbelievers arrived Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "None of you should proceed ahead of me in anything." The disbelievers then advanced towards us and Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "Rise-up to enter Paradise, whose width is equal to the heavens and the earth." Umayr ibn al-Humaam al-Ansaaree radiallaahu 'anhu said: O Messenger of Allaah ! Is Paradise equal in width to the heavens and the earth? He said: "Yes!" Umayr then exclaimed words of astonishment and excitement, so Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam asked him: "What made you say these words of astonishment and excitement?" He replied: O Messenger of Allaah ! Nothing but the desire to be amongst its inhabitants. Allaah's Messeneger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam then said, "Indeed, you are surely from amongst its inhabitants." So 'Umayr then took some dates from his bag and began to eat them. Then he said: If I were to live until I have eaten all the dates, then indeed this life would be too long. He threw away the remaining dates which were with him and he fought until he was killed. 1 This was also the stance taken in later times: Abu Moosaa al-Ash'aree radiallaahu 'anhu, whilst in the presence of his enemy, narrated: Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "Indeed, the gates of Paradise are beneath the shade of swords." A man who was in a shabby condition got up and said: Abu Moosaa! did you hear this from the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam? So he said: Yes! He returned to his friend and said: I bid you salaam (a farewell greeting of peace). Then he broke the sheath of his sword, threw it away, then rushed into the thick of the enemy and fought them until he was slain. 2,3 Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee (d.204H) - rahimahullaah -said: "O my soul! It is not, except a few days of patience; As if the extent were but a few dreams. O my soul! Pass quickly on through this world; And leave it, for indeed life lies ahead of it." 4 1. Related by Muslim (no.1901). 2. Related by Muslim (no.1902) and at-Tirmidhee (no.1659). 3. From the book: Jannah (pp.5-6) of Shaykh 'Alee Hasan al-Halabee. 4. Related by Ibn Rajab in Fadl 'Ilmus-Salaf (p.63).

Remembering the Destination - A Cure for Weak Eemaan

Ibnul Qayyim al Jawziyyah

Madaarij us-Saalikeen


When o­ne’s mind is clear, he will be able to see clearly, thus giving such a person a light in his heart that will allow him to almost witness the Warning and the Promise, Paradise and Hell, and what Allah has prepared in this (Paradise) For His Awliyaa` (loyal friends) and in that (Hell) for His enemies. He will then witness people rushing out of their graves following the call of the Truth (Resurrection). The angels in the heavens will then descend and will surround them (creation). Allah will then come to judge (between creation) and His Kursi (literally a footstool or chair) will be raised. The earth will shine with the Light of its Lord (Allah, when He comes to judge between His creation), the Book (of Records) will be opened and the Prophets and the witnesses will be brought forward. The Mizan (Scale) will then be established, the books of (individual) records will fly around and the foes will converge, each holding to its foe. Al-Houdh (the pool that runs outside the gates of Paradise from a river inside it) will then appear and its cups will appear close by. Thirst will intensify, but those who are allowed to drink are few. Al-Jisr (the bridge over Hell that everyone must pass over into Paradise) will then be laid (over Hell) so that (mankind and the Jinn) can pass over it (as for the disbelievers and those whose sins outweigh their good deeds, they will fall into Hell, where o­nly the disbelievers will reside for eternity). People will then be gathered in its direction.

The Fire (Hell) will appear, each part harshly consuming the other parts beneath it. Those who fall into it are far more than those who are saved from it. Then, an eye will be opened in his (the man who is thinking about these scenes) heart with which he will be able to see clearly. His heart will then witness some scenes of the Last Life, along with imagining the various stages of the Last Life which will last for eternity, as compared to this Dunya (the life of this world) and its briefness.