Paradise has a price!!!

The Muslim (submitter) should never make Jannah (paradise) his only goal in life. Verily, the consequence of doing such an action will result in individuals no longer being concerned with whether or not their Lord is pleased with them. Instead, they will always be concerned with and dream about entering paradise rather than thinking about if they are really eligible for it or not, and what they have done to deserve it.

The only ghaayah (aim and target) of a Muslim should be to seek the pleasure of Allah, whilst hoping to be rewarded by his Lord (with paradise) for doing so. Thus, paradise is not the sole objective in his life; rather it is seeking the pleasure of Allah.

However, this paradise which we are speaking of requires a huge amount of sacrifice and willpower, and this was confirmed by the Messenger Muhammad (saws) who said in a famous hadeeth:

"When Allah created paradise and hell, he sent Jibreel to paradise, saying: 'Go and look at it and the things I have prepared therein for its inhabitants.' So he went and looked at it and at what Allah had prepared therein for its inhabitants. He then came back and said: 'By your glory, whosoever will hear of it will long to enter it.' So he ordered that it be surrounded by forms of hardship, and said to Jibreel: 'Go back and look at what I have prepared therein for its inhabitants.' So he went back and found that it was surrounded by forms of hardship. Then he came back and said: 'By your glory, I fear that no-one will enter it.'

Then he sent him to the fire of hell saying, 'Go and look at it and what I have prepared therein for its inhabitants.' So he looked at it and saw that it was in layers, one above the other. Then he came back and said: 'By your glory, whoever hears of it will never try to enter it.' So he ordered that it be surrounded by passions and desires, and said: 'Go and see what I have prepared therein for its inhabitants.' So he went and looked at it, then came back and said, 'by your glory, I fear that no-one will escape from entering it.'" (Muslim, Abu Daawood and Imaam Ahmad)

And the Messenger of Allah (saws) also said:

"The Fire is surrounded by shahawaat (desires), and paradise is surrounded by hardship." (Al-Bukhaari and Muslim)

Therefore, after knowing these Ahaadeeth how can we expect the road to Jannah to be simple, easy and test free? We know very well that the only way to please Allah (swt) and enter paradise is by following the Messenger Muhammad (saws) and his companions, yet how similar is our life to theirs? 

The Messenger Muhammad (saws) and his companions were extradited from their homeland, mocked at, tortured, ridiculed, boycotted, killed, slandered and attacked; how much of this do we suffer? The moment we lose a bit of wealth, are shouted at by our parents, are labelled by the Kuffaar and face a bit of criticism from so-called Muslims, we completely give up our da'wah, 'aqeedah and zeal to work for Allah's deen.

It is vital for us to understand this concept properly in order for us to remain steadfast and firm in the deen. Allah (swt) will always test the believers; sometimes he may test us through our families or wealth, and other times he may test us with the Kuffaar, Munaafiqeen, deviant Muslims or even with our close friends. This is a promise from almighty Allah (swt) therefore we should always be expecting it. 

Dear Muslims, never lose hope in your Lord. Always remember that whatever test you face, the Sahaabah were faced with much worse scenarios. Ibn Taymiyyah, Abu Haneefah, Ahmad bin Hanbal and many other great 'Ulamaa (scholars) were put behind bars but they never compromised their call. 'Ammaar bin Yaasir (ra) witnessed by his own eyes the torture and killing of his mother, Hamzah was mutilated, Bilaal was tortured, Abu Bakr was beaten to near death, 'Uthmaan was assassinated, and the Messenger Muhammad (saws) was strangled and suffocated. What kind of similar hardship have we faced in our life for the sake of Allah?

If you hear a Munaafiq or corrupted person say, "Yes but that was at their time. The reality has changed and we are living in a different situation," do not listen to him for he has a disease in his heart. No person will ever enter paradise without to face severe tests from almighty Allah (swt) in every sphere of life, for Allah will test those who he loves:

"When Allah wishes good for someone he will test him." (Al-Bukhaari)

We have heard many people who have the attributes of the Munaafiqeen often saying in regards to the Mujaahideen and those sincere Muslims who have lost their limbs for the sake of Allah or have been imprisoned, "Allah has punished these people. Had they not made such statements then they would be free today." We would like to remind them of one verse where Allah (swt) says:

"O you who believe! Be not like those who disbelieve (hypocrites) and who say to their brethren when they travel through the earth or go out to fight: 'If they had stayed with us, they would not have died or been killed,' so that Allah may make it a cause of regret in their hearts. It is Allah that gives life and causes death. And Allah is All-Seer of what you do." (Aali 'Imraan, 3: 156)

One day you may have no food to eat, no clothes to wear, no home to live in, no family to ask for help, and no limbs to help you work. If you are ever tested by Allah (swt) and find yourself to be in this situation, then the best and only thing you could do is say, "al-Hamdulillaah (all praises are for Allah)." Be grateful to your Lord in ease and in hardship. Verily the one who is ungrateful to his Lord will live a miserable life in the dunyaa, and in the hereafter he will be disgraced and humiliated. 

"Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, 'When (will come) the Help of Allah?' Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near!" (Al-Baqarah, 2: 214)

"Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: 'We believe,' and will not be tested?"

"And we indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allah knows all that before putting them to test)." (Al-'Ankaboot, 29: 2-3)

"And certainly, we shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to as-Saabireen (the patient ones, etc.)."

"Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: 'Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.'"

"They are those on whom are the Salawaat (i.e. blessings etc. [who are blessed and will be forgiven]) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided-ones." (Al-Baqarah, 2: 155-157)