Today’s Hadith is about: Jannah Surrounded by Hardship
Hadith about working towards Jannah.
The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said:
“When Allah created Paradise, He said to Jibreel: ‘Go and look at it.’ Jibreel went and looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy might, no one who hears of it will fail to enter it.’
Allah then surrounded it with disagreeable things, and said: ‘Go and look at it, Jibreel.’ He went and looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy might, I am afraid that no one will enter it.’
When Allah created Hell, He said: ‘Go and look at it, Jibreel.’ Jibreel went and looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy might, no one who hears of it will enter it. ‘
Allah then surrounded it with desirable things and said: ‘Go and look at it, Jibreel.’ Jibreel went, looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy might and power, I am afraid that no one will remain who does not enter it.’ [Abu DaWud]
What do we learn from this Hadith?
Allah is showing us through this Hadith that Jannah is our objective, but we need to work towards it and it will not be an easy ride for those that just want to sit back.
Hellfire (jahannam) is encompassed by enticing things and as a result sin seems alluring to us. However what sin results in, is really awful and daunting as Angel Jibreel reported back. Then again, Jannat is encompassed by troublesome things, for example, sharing wealth, practicing restraint and struggles. Yet these deeds lead to inconceivable excellence and eternal happiness.
We can relate this to a real life scenario in the dunya. For example in school, we don’t think of it as reasonable to give a student who buckled down and did well a similar evaluation as the one who did not waste time with his or her examinations.
So also, Allah’s equity does not permit the pay of the practitioner of evil and the practitioner of good to be the equivalent either.
As Allah is the most just, it wouldn’t be fair for individuals to be given endless life and unceasing satisfaction without having in any event endeavored to win it.
Although there are difficulties surrounding Jannah, there are many teachings which tell us about easy deeds that can also lead us to Jannah.
Please see this beautiful lecture about Jannah by Sheikh Ahmad Ali
