On ways to accompany the Prophet pbuh in Paradise

First Sermon

All praise is due to Allah Who sent our Master Muhammad as mercy to the worlds. To him, He attributed the highest status and made for him companions from amongst the believers. I bear witness that there is no deity save Allah, having no associates. I also bear witness that our Master Muhammad is the Servant of Allah and His Messenger. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Master Muhammad, his family and all of his companions, and all those who follow them in righteousness till the Day of Judgment.

As to what follows,

I urge you and myself, O Servants of Allah, to be aware that you are asked to obey Him the Most Exalted, in line with His orders: “O you who have believed, fear Allah and believe in His Messenger; He will [then] give you a double portion of His mercy and make for you a light by which you will walk and forgive you; and Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Al-Hadeed: 28).

Dear Muslims

There is no doubt that Paradise is the ultimate reward that each believer aspires to attain. It is the goal of every Muslim as it is the clear success and the great attainment. Allah the Almighty says, “the companions of Paradise - they are the attainers [of success].” (Al-Hashr: 20). Allah the Almighty has created various degrees and levels in His Paradise, the highest of which is accorded to the Prophets and Messengers pbut, our Master Muhammad pbuh being the first and foremost of them. He pbuh is in the highest rank of Paradise as he said, “Ask Allah to grant me Al-Wasilah.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah! And what is Al-Wasilah?” He pbuh said, “The highest level of Paradise. No one will attain it except for one man, and I hope that I am him.”

Therefore, being in company of the Prophet pbuh in Paradise is the greatest kind of companionship and highest degree that one may seek to attain. Such a level is the goal that true believers work hard to achieve. So, let us advise one another on the ways to be near to our Prophet Muhammad in Paradise.

Amongst the key factors to secure one’s place close to the Prophet pbuh in Paradise is to cement his love in our hearts. It was narrated in this regard that Anas Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that a man once asked the Prophet pbuh, “When will the Hour be established, O Messenger of Allah?” The Messenger of Allah pbuh said, “What have you prepared for it?” The man said, “I haven’t prepared for it much of prayers or fast or alms, but I love Allah and His Apostle.” The Prophet pbuh said, “You will be with those whom you love.” Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “After the advent of Islam, nothing has ever brought us happiness more than the Prophet’s statement: ‘You will be with those whom you love’.”  

In this sense, the true love of the Messenger of Allah pbuh is reflected in adhering to his instructions, following his ethics and guidance, and exalting his status. The companions of the Prophet pbuh have really set a good example on this. For instance, it was narrated that Thawban, may Allah be pleased with him, once came to the Prophet pbuh and said, “O Messenger of Allah! Indeed, you are dearer to me than myself. And you are dearer to me more than my family. And you are dearer to me more than my children. When I am at home and if I were to remember you, I cannot bear it till I come and see you. When I think of my death and yours, I know that you will enter Paradise in the rank of the Prophets. But, if I enter Paradise, I am afraid that I will not be able to see you again.”

The Prophet pbuh did not answer him at all until Jibril (Gabriel) puh revealed to him, “and whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger - those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favour of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions.” (An-Nisaa: 69).

O Believers,

One other means of drawing closer to the Prophet pbuh on the Day of Judgment and accompanying him in Paradise is to fulfil the pillars of Islam. An evidence on this is the following story when a man came to the Prophet pbuh and said, “O Messenger of Allah! I testified that there is no deity save Allah and that you are His Messenger, prayed the five (obligatory) prayers, paid my Zakat and established fasting in Ramadan.” The Prophet pbuh said, “Whoever dies on this (path), he will be with the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth and martyrs on the Day of Resurrection like this – and he joined his two (index and middle) fingers – unless he was undutiful to his parents.” So, whoever fulfils his duties towards Allah the Almighty and is dutiful towards their parents, they will be blessed, by Allah’s grace, with the company of the Prophet pbuh in Paradise.

More to the point, prayer is one of the greatest pillars of Islam. Whoever maintains obligatory prayers and observes Nawafil (voluntary prayers) often, they will be amongst the companions of the Prophet pbuh in Paradise. To this, it was narrated that Rabiaa Ibn Kaab Al Aslami, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “I used to stay some nights at the Messenger of Allah’s home. One night, I brought him water for his ablution and his purification. He said to me, ‘Tell me your request.’ I said, ‘I seek to be your companion in Paradise. (i.e. I wish to be near you and never be parted from you).’ He pbuh said, ‘Is there anything other than that?’ I said, ‘It is only that.’ He said, ‘Then help me over yourself by observing (frequent prayers and) prostration.

O Servants of Allah,

Please know that embracing good manners is something that also earns the Muslim love of the Messenger of Allah pbuh and draws them closer to him in Paradise. An illustration of this can be seen in the following Hadith on the authority of Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn Al Ass, may Allah be pleased with him, that he heard the Prophet pbuh saying, “Shall I tell you about who among you I love the most and the one who will be seated closest to me on the Day of Resurrection?” The people were silent, so he repeated that two or three times. Then the people said, “Yes, Messenger of Allah.” He pbuh said, “The one among you with the best character.” This is because good manners have a great positive impact on the harmony and cohesion of the community, as well as in strengthening the bonds of affection and love amongst its members.

Furthermore, one other means of accomplishing the great status of accompanying the Prophet pbuh in Paradise is taking care of one’s daughters and being kind to one’s sisters. On this account, it was narrated that Anas Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah pbuh said, “Whoever brings up two daughters, or two sisters, or three sisters, till they reach the age of marriage, or dies before that, then he and I will become (on the Day of Resurrection) like this,” and he joined his index and middle fingers. This means, whoever provides for his daughters or sisters and nurtures them, they will be admitted to Paradise with the Messenger of Allah pbuh on the Day of Judgment. In this, there is an indication to the virtue of being kind to daughters and sisters and taking care of their matters and needs.

O Doers of Good,

It is also good to know that looking after the orphan is amongst the widest doorways of goodness, the greatest kinds of Takaful (solidarity) and the highest levels of cooperation that earns its doers the company of the Prophet pbuh in Paradise. Providing for the orphan can be done by bringing them up, taking care of their interests, and protecting their properties. Emphasising this, the Messenger of Allah pbuh said, “I and the one who looks after an orphan will be like this in Paradise,” indicating with his middle and index fingers.

With this in mind, we pray to Allah the Almighty to help us be amongst those who will accompany the Prophet pbuh in Paradise.

May Allah guide us all to obey Him and obey His Messenger Muhammad pbuh and obey those He have commanded us to obey in line with His orders: “O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.” (An-Nisaa: 59).

May Allah direct us all to the blessings of the Glorious Quran and the Sunna of His Messenger pbuh.

I say this and ask Allah for forgiveness for me and you, so invoke Him for forgiveness, for He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

Second Sermon

All praise is due to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. I bear witness that there is no deity save Allah, having no associates. He is an ally of the righteous. I also bear witness that our Master and Prophet Muhammad is Servant of Allah and His Messenger. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon ou­­r Master Muhammad, his pure family, companions, and all those who follow them in righteousness till the Day of Judgment.

I urge you, O Servants of Allah, and myself to be aware that you are asked to obey Him, the Most High and Exalted.

O Worshipers,

Please know that a true believer strives in performing the deeds that may draw them nearer to their Lord and earn them the companionship of the Prophet pbuh in Paradise. Having been diligent in this, they will then invoke Allah the Almighty to grant them such a great status. So doing, they will be following in steps of the companions of the Messenger of Allah pbuh. In this context, it was narrated that Abdullah Ibn Masood, may Allah be pleased with him, said that he once established prayer and then sat making supplications to Allah. Then the Prophet pbuh said to him, “Ask and it will be given to you.” So, Abdullah supplicated, “O Allah! I ask you for firm faith that does not revert, and a bliss that never ends, and the companionship of Muhammad pbuh at the highest (level) of the Garden of Eternity (Paradise).”

Moreover, invoking blessings on the Prophet pbuh frequently on Friday is one other means of being blessed with his company in Paradise. So, you are urged to invoke peace and blessings on the Prophet pbuh, for the supplications for him made on Fridays are presented to him. The Messenger of Allah pbuh accentuated this as he said, “Invoke blessings on me frequently on Friday, for the supplications made by my Ummah (followers) are presented to me every Friday, and the one who invokes blessings upon me most frequently will be the closest to me in status (in Paradise).”