Jannah Is Waiting for You | Ep. 1 | #JannahSeries with Dr. Omar Suleiman

Summary

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once saw glimpses of both Paradise and Hellfire, highlighting how close they are to us. Paradise is filled with beauty and reward, while Hellfire is surrounded by desires and ease. Allah shows Jibreel (Gabriel) both, revealing how the paths to them differ. Paradise eagerly awaits believers, while Hellfire burns with fury. The Prophet urges people to strive for Paradise and flee from Hellfire. The script emphasizes that spiritual perception is key to making choices that lead to eternal success, beyond what is visible in this world.

Takeaways

• 😊 The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, once saw Paradise and Hellfire during the Fajr prayer and described both vividly to his companions.
• 🍇 He saw a bunch of grapes in Paradise and mentioned that if he had plucked them, the companions would have eaten from them until the end of time.
• 🔥 The Prophet, peace be upon him, also saw Hellfire and immediately pulled his hand back, showing how real and close the afterlife is.
• 👞 Paradise and Hellfire are closer than we realize, nearer than our shoelaces, according to the Prophet, peace be upon him.
• 🌟 Allah showed Jibreel Paradise, and Jibreel initially thought everyone would enter it. However, after seeing the hardships that lead to Paradise, he feared that few would make it.
• ⚡ Allah showed Jibreel Hellfire, and Jibreel thought no one would enter it. But after seeing the ease and temptations that lead to it, he feared many would fall into Hellfire.
• 👑 Paradise and Hellfire are both eager to receive their respective inhabitants, with Paradise welcoming the believers and Hellfire dreading the arrogant and the proud.
• 🙏 Paradise and Hellfire ask Allah daily about their people, with Paradise yearning for the righteous and Hellfire burning with fury to receive the wicked.
• 💖 The Prophet, peace be upon him, taught that making du'aa for Paradise three times will make Paradise ask for your entry, and seeking refuge from Hellfire three times will make Hellfire ask for your protection.
• 🎯 The Prophet, peace be upon him, emphasized striving for Paradise and fleeing from Hellfire, as the Hereafter is surrounded by hardships, but the reward of Jannah far outweighs any worldly pleasure.

Q & A

What did the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) see when he reached his hand out during Fajr prayer?

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saw Paradise and a bunch of grapes. He said that if he had plucked the grapes, people would have eaten from them until the end of the world.

Why did the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) pull his hand back after reaching out?

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) pulled his hand back because after seeing Paradise, he also saw Hellfire, which caused him to withdraw.

What did the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) mean when he said 'Jannah is nearer to you than your shoelaces, and so is the Hellfire'?

This means that both Paradise (Jannah) and Hellfire are very close to each person in terms of their choices and actions. A person can either enter Paradise or Hellfire based on their deeds, and the paths to both are readily accessible.

What was the reaction of Jibreel (Gabriel) after seeing Jannah and Hellfire?

After seeing Jannah for the first time, Jibreel (peace be upon him) said that no one would hear about Jannah without wanting to enter it. However, after seeing the hardships on the path to Jannah, he feared that no one would be able to enter it. When Jibreel saw Hellfire, he initially believed no one would want to enter it, but after seeing how easy the path to it was due to desires, he feared that many people would fall into it.

What was the argument between Paradise and Hellfire?

Paradise questioned why only the weak and downtrodden seemed to enter it, while Hellfire questioned why only the arrogant and proud entered it. Allah responded by saying that Paradise is His mercy, which He grants to whomever He wills, and Hellfire is His punishment, which He inflicts on whom He wills.

What do Jannah and Hellfire ask Allah about every day?

Every day, Jannah asks Allah to bring its people quickly to it, saying that its fruits are ripe and rivers are flowing. Hellfire, on the other hand, asks Allah to bring its people quickly to it, saying that its heat has intensified and its flames are bursting with fury.

What does Jannah do every time Allah looks at it?

Every time Allah looks at Jannah, He tells it to beautify itself for its people. Jannah continues to increase in beauty every time until its people enter it.

What happens to the gates of Jannah and Hellfire during Ramadan?

During Ramadan, the gates of Jannah are flung open, and the gates of Hellfire are shut. Additionally, the devils are put into chains. Jannah is further beautified each night of Ramadan in anticipation of its people.

What advice did the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) give regarding Jannah and Hellfire?

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) advised people to seek Jannah as much as they can and to flee from Hellfire as much as they can. He emphasized that the Hereafter is surrounded by difficulties, but the rewards of Jannah far outweigh the pleasures and pains of this world.

How does Jannah respond when a believer asks Allah for it three times?

When a believer asks Allah for Jannah three times, Jannah responds by saying, 'O Allah, admit him into Paradise.' Similarly, when a believer seeks refuge from Hellfire three times, Hellfire responds by saying, 'O Allah, give him refuge from the fire.'

Outlines

00:00

🌟 A Glimpse of Paradise and Hellfire

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prayed Fajr with his companions and reached out as if trying to pluck something, smiling before pulling his hand back. When asked about this, he explained that he saw Paradise and a bunch of grapes which, if he had taken them, would have lasted until the end of the world. Then he saw Hellfire and pulled his hand away. The Prophet emphasized how close Paradise and Hellfire are to a person—closer than their shoelaces. He urged believers to perceive this nearness and strive to spiritually 'step into' Paradise before the gates close forever.

05:02

👼 Jibreel's Journey Through Paradise and Hellfire

When Allah first created Paradise, He sent the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) to observe it. Jibreel, seeing its beauty, believed everyone who heard about it would want to enter. However, after Allah filled the path to Paradise with hardships, Jibreel feared no one would make it. Similarly, after seeing Hellfire, Jibreel thought no one would dare enter it, but after Allah filled its path with desires and ease, Jibreel worried that many would fall into it. Paradise declares the success of believers, and angels bless it as the 'home of kings,' symbolizing the spiritual royalty of believers who serve Allah.

Keywords

💡Paradise (Jannah)

Paradise, referred to as 'Jannah' in the script, represents the ultimate reward for believers in Islam. It is described as a place of immense beauty and peace, where one enjoys eternal bliss. The Prophet, peace be upon him, speaks of its proximity to believers, emphasizing that it is nearer than one’s shoelaces. The narrative includes examples of the Prophet seeing Jannah and almost plucking grapes from it, symbolizing how close it is to the righteous.

💡Hellfire (Jahannam)

Hellfire, or 'Jahannam,' symbolizes the punishment for those who stray from righteousness. It is presented as a place of immense suffering, prepared for the arrogant and proud. In the script, Hellfire is described as being filled with ease and desires, making it deceptively easy to fall into. The Prophet speaks of seeing Hellfire and retreating his hand from it, highlighting the danger and proximity of falling into sin.

💡Hardships

Hardships are depicted as obstacles on the path to Paradise. The script mentions that after seeing the initial beauty of Paradise, the angel Jibreel becomes concerned when the path to it is filled with hardships. This suggests that the journey to eternal reward requires endurance, sacrifice, and spiritual effort, highlighting the difficulty of achieving such a lofty goal.

💡Desires

Desires are described as the ease-filled path to Hellfire. The video emphasizes that Hellfire is surrounded by temptations, which lead people away from righteousness. The idea conveyed is that succumbing to worldly pleasures and desires can result in spiritual downfall, making it difficult to avoid Hellfire.

💡Shoelaces

The metaphor of 'shoelaces' is used by the Prophet to illustrate how close both Paradise and Hellfire are to a person. By saying that Jannah and Hellfire are nearer than one’s shoelaces, the Prophet emphasizes that the choices between right and wrong, reward and punishment, are always present in everyday life, and the outcome depends on a person's actions.

💡Grapes

Grapes serve as a symbol of the tangible rewards awaiting believers in Paradise. In the script, the Prophet sees a bunch of grapes in Jannah and reaches out to pluck them, but pulls back, indicating that such blessings are within reach for the righteous. The metaphor suggests the allure and beauty of Paradise’s rewards.

💡Ramadan

Ramadan is highlighted as a special time when the gates of Paradise are flung open, and the gates of Hellfire are closed. The Prophet, peace be upon him, emphasizes how Paradise becomes more beautiful during this blessed month, encouraging believers to strive harder in their spiritual pursuits. This underscores Ramadan's significance in preparing believers for the afterlife.

💡Jibreel (Gabriel)

Jibreel, or the angel Gabriel, plays a pivotal role in the script as the messenger who observes Paradise and Hellfire. He reports back to Allah with his observations, expressing concern about the hardships leading to Paradise and the desires leading to Hellfire. His involvement underscores the divine process of creation and the responsibilities of angels in the spiritual world.

💡Believers

Believers are those who strive for righteousness and seek to attain Paradise. In the script, Jannah speaks and declares that 'the believers have succeeded.' The Prophet also mentions that the righteous will be admitted to Paradise through their faith and good deeds. The narrative highlights how believers can overcome the obstacles of life to reach their final reward.

💡Arrogance

Arrogance is portrayed as a key characteristic of those destined for Hellfire. The script describes how Hellfire asks why it is filled with 'the arrogant and the proud.' Arrogance, or excessive pride, is viewed as a major sin that prevents people from seeking guidance and humility, leading them away from Paradise and towards punishment.

Highlights

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, saw Paradise during Fajr prayer and reached out to pluck a bunch of grapes from it.

If the Prophet had plucked those grapes, people would have eaten from them until the end of the world.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, also saw Hellfire and pulled his hand back in fear.

Jannah (Paradise) and Hellfire are nearer to us than our own shoelaces.

When Allah created Jannah, He showed it to the angel Jibreel, who initially believed that everyone would enter Jannah upon hearing about it.

After Allah filled the path to Jannah with hardships, Jibreel feared that no one would be able to enter it.

Jibreel also saw Hellfire and initially thought that no one would enter it, but after seeing its path filled with desires, he feared people would fall into it.

Paradise says, 'The believers have succeeded,' while Hellfire complains about the arrogant and proud entering it.

Jannah and Hellfire both eagerly await their inhabitants, and both wish well for the believers.

Jannah responds to every believer who asks for it, saying, 'O Allah, admit him into Paradise.'

Hellfire also responds to believers seeking refuge from it, saying, 'O Allah, give him refuge from the fire.'

Every time Allah looks at Jannah, He commands it to beautify itself for its inhabitants.

During Ramadan, the gates of Jannah are flung open, and the gates of Hellfire are closed.

The Prophet urged people to strive for Jannah and flee from Hellfire, emphasizing that the seeker of Paradise never sleeps.

The Prophet reminded believers that the Hereafter is surrounded by difficulties, while this world is full of pleasures.

Transcripts

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him,

once prayed Fajr with his companions.

And then he reaches his hand out,

SallAllahu 'alaihi wasallam,

as if he's trying to pluck something.

And he was smiling and then he retreated his hand,

sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam.

And the companion said to the messenger of Allah,

sallAllahu 'alaihi wasallam,

"We saw you do something today

that we've never seen you do before.

It was as if you put your hand out

and you were trying to pluck something

and then you suddenly pulled your hand back."

And he said, sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam,

"Inni ra'aytul jannah, fatanawaltu minha 'unqooda

wa law akhath-tuhu, la akaltum minhu ma baqiyat edduniya."

He said, sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam, that

"I just saw Paradise,

I saw Jannah and I saw a bunch of grapes

and if I was able to pluck those grapes,

you would've eaten from those grapes

until the end of the world."

And then the Prophet, sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam, said,

"Then I saw Hellfire.

And so I pulled my hand back from it."

Imagine if we could see Paradise

and Hellfire right now in front of us,

how different would we be?

But it's not about seeing it, it's about perceiving it.

The Prophet, sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam, said,

"Al jannatu aqrabu ila ahadikum min shiraki na'lihi

wa-nnaru mithlu thalik."

That "Jannah is nearer to you than your shoelaces

and so is the Hellfire."

Jannah is right in front of you,

but if you don't spiritually step into it right now

then its gates might shut and never open for you again.

(religious solemn music)

The Prophet, sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam, said,

"Lamma khalaqAllahu-l-jannah, qala li Jibreel:

'ith-hab fanthur ilayha'."

"In the very first moments that Allah created Paradise,

He called forth the angel Jibreel

and He said to him, "Go look at Jannah,

and see what I've prepared for its people."

So Jibreel, 'alayhi-salaam,

goes and he sees what Allah has prepared for its people.

Paradise in all of its glory,

fresh, for the very first time.

And he comes back to Allah, Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la,

and he says, "Ay rabbi, wa 'izzatika,

la yasmaa'u biha ahadun illa dakhalaha."

"By your might, O my Lord,

no one is going to hear about this place

except that they're going to enter into it."

Meaning when people know about how amazing this Jannah is,

everyone's going to go to Jannah.

But then Allah, Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la,

filled the path to Jannah with all sorts of hardships.

And He told Jibreel, 'alayhi-salaam, "Go look at it again."

And Jibreel, 'alayhi-salaam, comes back to Allah

And he says, "O my Lord, now I'm afraid

that no one's going to enter into it."

Then Allah said, "Go look at Hellfire

and see what I've prepared for its people."

So Jibreel, 'alayhi-salaam,

comes back to Allah and he says,

"By your might, O my Lord,

no one is going to hear about this place of Hellfire

and enter into it.

Once they know it exists,

they're going to do everything they can

to stay away from it."

Then Allah says, "Go look at it again."

And Allah, Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la, filled the path to

Hellfire

with desires and ease.

And Jibreel, 'alayhi-ssalaam,

came back to Allah, Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la,

and said, "O my Lord,

now I'm afraid that no one is going to be able to avoid it."

Then Allah, Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la, says to Jannah,

"Speak O Jannah."

And Jannah says, "Qad aflahal-mu'minun."

"The believers have succeeded!"

And Jibreel,'alayhi-ssalaam, and the angels

respond to Paradise and they say,

"Tooba laki manzil-ul-mulook"

"Blessed are you the home of kings."

But these aren't worldly kings.

Believers become kings and queens

by being sincere servants of Allah, Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la.

And the Prophet, sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam, said that,

"One time,

Paradise and Hellfire actually had an argument

and Paradise said,

"Mali, la yadkhuluni illa du'aafa'-un-nass

wa saqatuhum?"

"My Lord, why is it that it seems

like only the weak and the downtrodden enter into me?"

And Hellfire said, "My Lord, why is it

that it's only al-mutakabbireen wal mutajabbireen,

the arrogant and the proud that enter into me?"

And Allah, Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la, says to Jannah,

"Anti rahmati, arhamu biki man asha'u min 'ibadi."

"You, O Jannah are my mercy. I will show it to whomever

I wish through you."

And then Allah, Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la, says to Hellfire,

"And you, O Hellfire, are my punishment.

I will punish through you whoever I wish."

And now they both eagerly await.

And when you make du'aa

in regards to either of them, both of them respond.

The Prophet, sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam, said,

"Ma min yawm illa wal jannatu wan-nar yas'alan."

That "There is no day that passes,

except that Paradise and Hellfire ask Allah,

Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la, about their people."

And Jannah says, "Ya Rabb, qad tabat thamarati,

wat-taradat anhari, wa shtaqtu ila awliya'i,

'ajjil ilayya bi ahli."

"O my Lord, my fruits are ripe, my rivers are flowing,

I can't wait to see my friends.

Bring my people quickly to me."

And Hellfire says, "Oh my Lord,

my heat has become intense, my depth has gotten deeper

and my flames are bursting with fury.

So bring my people quickly to me!"

May Allah, Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la,

make us from the people of Paradise.

SubhanAllah,

look at Allah's mercy.

While both Paradise and Hellfire speak,

both of them wish well for the believers.

They both wish well for the righteous.

The Prophet, sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam, said

that, "No believer asks Allah, Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la,

for Paradise three times except that Paradise responds

and says, "Allhumma adkhilhu-l-jannah."

"O Allah, admit him into Paradise!"

And no believer seeks refuge from Hellfire three times

except that Hellfire says, "Allahumma ajirhu minan naar."

"O Allah, give him refuge from the fire."

So they both want good for you

but Jannah is the one that's getting ready for you.

And in general, Ka'ab radiAllahu ta'ala 'anhu said,

"Every time Allah, Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la, looks at Jannah,

Allah says to it, "Teebi li ahlik."

"Beautify yourself for your people!"

And it continues to increase in its beauty every single time

until its people enter into it.

And guess what?

Jannah loves Ramadan too.

It's its favorite season.

The Prophet, sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam, said,

"Itha dakhala Ramadan, futtihat abwabu-l jannah

wa ghulliqat abwabu-n naar wa suffidat ash-shayateen."

That "When the month of Ramadan comes,

the gates of Paradise are flung open

and the gates of Hellfire are shut,

and the devils are put into chains.

And there is not a night of this blessed month

except that the gates of Paradise are flung wider

and Allah, Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la,

beautifies your Jannah even more."

And it can't wait to receive you.

But how eager are you to receive it?

The Prophet, sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam, said,

"Ya qawm, utlubu-l jannata jahdakum

wa-hrubu min an-naari jahdakum."

"O people! Seek Paradise as much as you can

and run away from Hellfire as much as you can."

"Fa inna-l jannata la yanamu talibuha

wa inna-n-naara la yanamu haribuha."

"The seeker of Paradise does not sleep

nor does the fleer of the fire.

And he said, sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam,

"But the Hereafter is surrounded with difficulties.

And this world is full of pleasures.

But if you knew the pleasures of Paradise,

what pleasure or pain in this world

would interfere with your pursuit of Jannah?"

Remember the Prophet, sallAllahu 'alaihi wasallam,

reaching out to grab that bunch of grapes.

Imagine if you were like Asiya, 'alayha-salaam,

when she looked up

and she saw her entire palace in Paradise.

At that point, not even the most brutal torturer, Fir'awn,

could steal her smile.

But before you see it there, you have to feel it here,

and you have to strive for it

with every fiber of your being.

Captioning provided by MUHSEN (www.muhsen.org)