Your Friends in Jannah | Ep. 15 | #JannahSeries with Dr. Omar Suleiman

Summary

This script emphasizes the significance of friendships and community in both this world and the hereafter. It highlights the powerful bond formed between people who worship Allah together, sharing spiritual experiences such as Hajj or Ramadan. The speaker reflects on how friends will reunite in Paradise, reminiscing about their past acts of worship and devotion. The Prophet's teachings on righteous companionship, intercession, and the importance of adhering to a community (jama'ah) are also discussed, stressing how the company we keep can influence our eternal fate.

Takeaways

• 🙂 A friend can either lead you to Paradise or to Hell, emphasizing the importance of choosing friends wisely, especially for the hereafter.
• 🕌 Strong bonds are formed when people experience deep religious moments together, like Hajj or Ramadan, creating unique friendships centered around Allah.
• 🕋 The Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) mentioned that friends who worshiped Allah together will long to reunite in Paradise, sharing memories of their time in the dunya.
• 🌿 In Paradise, friends will visit each other and reminisce about the moment Allah forgave them, acknowledging the blessings they've received.
• 🐪 Friends in Jannah will have noble mounts like horses, allowing them to travel and visit each other freely as a reward from Allah.
• 📜 Discussions on religious knowledge, such as Fiqh and Hadith, will continue in Paradise, as those who love Islamic knowledge will find joy in these conversations.
• 🛋 In Jannah, friends will recline on couches, discussing their lives and reflecting on how they remained steadfast in the midst of worldly wickedness.
• 🤝 The intercession in the afterlife allows friends to save one another from Hellfire, and the righteous are urged to help guide others to salvation.
• 🌸 Some people in Hell will be brought out and cleansed by the people of Paradise, showing the importance of friendships in interceding and helping others.
• 🕌 The Prophet advised believers to stick to the community (jama'ah) and avoid isolation, as it helps them stay close to righteous companions and avoid the influence of Shaytaan.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the script?

The main theme of the script is the importance of choosing righteous companions in this life, as friendships have a profound impact on one's fate in the afterlife. It emphasizes that the people we associate with in this world may be those we are resurrected with and spend eternity with, either in Paradise or hellfire.

Why is it important to choose friends wisely according to the script?

Choosing friends wisely is important because they influence not only our actions in this world but also our fate in the afterlife. Righteous friends can drag each other towards Paradise, while others may lead each other towards hellfire.

How does the story of 'Aisha (RA) reciting Qur'an in the script relate to friendship?

The story of 'Aisha (RA) reciting Qur'an and reflecting on an ayah about friends in Jannah highlights the deep bond that righteous people share. It shows that those who fear and worship Allah together in this life will long to reunite in Paradise, reflecting on their shared faith and struggles.

What did the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) say about friends in Paradise?

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said that when the people of Paradise enter it, friends who worshipped Allah together will long for one another. They will be brought together, reclining on couches, reminiscing about their days in the world and reflecting on when Allah forgave them.

What are the conversations that friends in Paradise are expected to have according to the script?

Friends in Paradise are expected to reminisce about their days in the world, discussing when Allah forgave them and the moments of worship they shared. They may reflect on specific times like Laylat-ul-Qadr or Hajj when their repentance was accepted.

How are righteous friends described in terms of continuing their discussions in Paradise?

Righteous friends, especially those who were students of knowledge, are described as continuing their discussions about religious knowledge, the Qur'an, Hadith, and Seerah in Paradise. They will have the joy of seeking knowledge directly from the sources, like the narrators of Hadith or the Prophet (SAW) himself.

What does the script say about friends who end up in hellfire?

The script mentions that not all friends will end up in Paradise, as some may enter hellfire due to their sins. However, intercession is still a possibility, and righteous friends in Paradise may intercede for their companions in hellfire, pouring water over them, allowing them to grow and eventually enter Paradise.

What is the significance of intercession in the context of friendship according to the script?

Intercession allows friends in Paradise to help their companions who are in hellfire. The Prophet (SAW) mentioned that some people will be removed from hellfire through the intercession of others, and this is an example of how righteous friendships can lead to salvation, even for those who initially entered hellfire.

What lesson does the script provide about community and isolation?

The script emphasizes the importance of adhering to the community (jama'ah) and avoiding isolation. The Prophet (SAW) warned that Shaytaan is with the one who is alone but is further from two. To attain the best place in Paradise, one should stick to the community of righteous believers.

How does the concept of loving for the sake of Allah differ from other types of love according to the script?

Loving for the sake of Allah is described as being different from other types of love because it is based on a shared commitment to worshipping Allah and seeking His pleasure. This love is unique and leads to eternal rewards in the afterlife, unlike worldly attachments.

Outlines

00:00

👫 Choosing Friends for Eternity

The first paragraph emphasizes the importance of choosing friends wisely, as they will influence one's eternal destination, either Paradise or hellfire. It discusses the unique bonds formed through shared religious experiences like Hajj and Ramadan, and how loving someone for the sake of Allah is unlike any other kind of love. A touching story about Aisha (RA) is shared, where she reflects deeply on a Quranic verse about friends reuniting in Jannah and praising Allah for saving them from the torment of hellfire. The Prophet (PBUH) describes how friends who worshiped together will long for each other in Paradise, and will reflect on their moments of repentance and devotion that led them to Paradise.

05:00

🌟 Righteous Friendships in Paradise

This paragraph delves into the joy and significance of reuniting with righteous friends in Jannah. It explores how the people of Paradise, including sahabah, will reflect on their lives and the moments that brought them closer to Allah. They will reminisce about their past deeds, shared religious knowledge, and pious moments. Even in Jannah, they will continue discussing religious knowledge, with scholars imagining the joy of directly asking the Prophet (PBUH) and others about specific hadiths or events. This joy extends across generations, allowing companions to meet and discuss matters of faith in Paradise.

💧 Interceding for Friends in Hellfire

The third paragraph shifts focus to the fate of friends in different levels of Paradise or even hellfire. It discusses the concept of intercession, where some people in Paradise will help those in hellfire by pouring water on them, reviving them from their torment. These individuals, known as 'Al-Jahannamiyoon,' will eventually enter Paradise. The Prophet (PBUH) stresses the importance of being a righteous person who intercedes for others, rather than someone in need of intercession. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the value of community and the importance of surrounding oneself with righteous people, while striving to save others and elevate one's own standing in Paradise.

Keywords

💡Paradise

Paradise, or Jannah in Arabic, refers to the ultimate reward in the afterlife for those who have lived righteously according to Islamic teachings. In the script, it is depicted as a place where friends who worshipped Allah together reunite, reflect on their shared experiences, and enjoy eternal happiness. It emphasizes the importance of righteous companionship, as one's friends can influence whether they reach Paradise or not.

💡Hellfire

Hellfire, or Jahannam in Arabic, is the place of punishment for those who have committed sins and disobeyed Allah’s commands. The script discusses the concept of friends potentially ending up in Hellfire due to their sins but also mentions intercession, where righteous friends may help save one another from Hellfire. It serves as a warning to be mindful of one’s companions and the influence they have on one’s faith and actions.

💡Intercession

Intercession (Shafa'ah in Arabic) is the act of pleading or intervening on behalf of someone else to save them from punishment or elevate their status in the afterlife. In the script, it is highlighted that some people in Hellfire may be saved through the intercession of their righteous friends. This concept underscores the value of maintaining good company, as righteous friends may intercede for one another on the Day of Judgment.

💡Righteous Friends

Righteous friends are those who encourage each other to worship Allah, stay away from sins, and follow the path of righteousness. The video emphasizes the significance of choosing righteous companions, as they can either lead one to Paradise or Hellfire. The script portrays such friends reminiscing in Paradise about their worldly acts of worship, showing that true companionship is one that helps one attain eternal happiness.

💡Community (Jama'ah)

The term 'Jama'ah' refers to a community or congregation, especially one united by faith and shared religious practices. The script mentions the importance of adhering to the community and avoiding isolation, as being part of a righteous community provides strength, support, and protection against negative influences. It highlights that Shaytaan (Satan) is more likely to influence a person who is alone, thus stressing the need for communal support in striving for righteousness.

💡Qur'an Recitation

Reciting the Qur'an is a form of worship that involves reading and reflecting on the verses of the holy text. In the script, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) is described as repeatedly reciting a specific verse from Surah At-Tur, moved to tears by its meaning. This shows the deep emotional and spiritual connection believers have with the Qur'an, as well as its power to inspire fear of Allah and hope in His mercy.

💡Mercy of Allah

The mercy of Allah refers to His compassion, forgiveness, and kindness toward His creation. It is a central theme in the script, as friends in Paradise reflect on how Allah’s mercy saved them from Hellfire and granted them entry into Paradise. This concept is used to illustrate that no one enters Paradise purely by their deeds but rather through Allah’s infinite mercy and grace.

💡Shaytaan

Shaytaan (Satan) is the source of evil and temptation, seeking to lead believers away from the path of righteousness. The script cautions against isolation, as Shaytaan targets those who are alone and distant from the community. It suggests that maintaining strong ties with a righteous community can protect one from Shaytaan’s influence.

💡Knowledge Circles

Knowledge circles are gatherings where Islamic teachings, such as Qur'an, Hadith, and Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), are discussed and studied. The Prophet (peace be upon him) described them as 'gardens of Paradise on earth.' The script portrays these circles as continuing in the afterlife, where scholars and students of knowledge enjoy discussing religious matters in Jannah. This emphasizes that the pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong and even eternal endeavor for the believers.

💡Family and Generational Companionship

The script highlights that, just as families can span generations, so can friendships. Righteous friends who long for the company of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions may find themselves united with them in Paradise. This illustrates that the bonds of faith transcend time and generations, allowing believers to reunite with those they loved and admired, even if they lived in different eras.

Highlights

A friend will drag you, either to Paradise or to hell fire, emphasizing the impact friends have on our ultimate destination.

The company we choose in this life is likely who we will be resurrected with and spend eternity with, underscoring the importance of choosing friends wisely.

Loving someone for the sake of Allah is unlike any other type of love, creating bonds that are deeper and more meaningful.

The touching story of 'Aisha radiAllahu Anha, who was deeply moved by the verses from Surah At-Tur, repeating them with tears and Du'a, showcases the profound impact of Qur'anic reflection.

The verse from Surah At-Tur (Qur'an 52:25-27) illustrates the moment when friends in Paradise recall their times in the world when they feared Allah together.

Friends who used to worship Allah together will long for one another in Paradise, and Allah will bring them together on couches where they can reminisce about their past lives.

The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam mentioned that friends in Paradise will discuss the moments they sought forgiveness from Allah and the instances that led to their entry into Paradise.

Friends in Jannah will ride noble horses that do not defecate or urinate, symbolizing the purity and perfection of the afterlife.

The friendships in Paradise are not limited to contemporaries; one can meet and interact with companions from different generations, such as the Sahabah.

Righteous friends will continue their discussions about religious knowledge, Qur'an, and the Sunnah in Jannah, with the opportunity to ask the Prophet and the Sahabah directly.

Circles of knowledge are described as gardens of Paradise on earth, and in Jannah, these gatherings continue in actual gardens of Paradise.

Intercession is significant in the hereafter, with friends having the potential to intercede for one another, highlighting the importance of being someone who guides others to righteousness.

The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam emphasized the value of adhering to the community (jama'ah) and warned against isolation, as Shaytaan targets those who are alone.

The rewards of sticking to the jama'ah include the best place in Paradise and the possibility of having the best companions, such as the Prophet and his companions.

The final Qur'anic verses (Qur'an 89:27-30) invite the righteous soul to enter Paradise and join the ranks of the righteous, summarizing the ultimate goal of a life lived for Allah.

Transcripts

As-sahibu as-sahab

im-ma elal Jannah

wa im-ma elan-naar

A friend will drag you

either to Paradise or to hell fire.

And the company we choose here

will likely be who we are going to be resurrected with

and who we end up spending eternity with.

So choose your friends wisely

doesn't just mean for the purpose of this world,

in fact, to a greater extent, the next world.

I always marvel at people that do Hajj together,

or people that share Ramadan with each other,

or people that share some sort of deep religious experience,

and they create these bonds

that are unlike the bonds of anything else.

Because just like loving Allah Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la

is not like loving anyone else,

loving someone for the sake of Allah

is not like loving anyone else

for the sake of anything else.

Urwah ibn Zubair radiAllahu ta'ala Anhu

has a very touching story about our mother,

'Aisha radiAllahu Anha

He says that,

"One day, I went to visit Aisha, and she was my aunt,

and I wanted to ask her some questions.

And I found her standing up, praying,

and she was reading Qur'an,

and she was reading these ayats,

and she would cry, and she would make Du'a.

And she would repeat the ayat,

and she'd cry, and she'd make Du'a.

So they said that she was taking so long,

that I told myself,

'Let me go shop because I have some things to do.

And then, I'll come back later when she's done.'"

So he said,

"I went to the souq,

I did what I had to do,

and I came back after a long time.

And I found her reciting the exact same ayah.

And it is an ayah from Surah At-Tur."

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

(Qur'an 52:25) Wa aqbala ba'duhum 'ala ba'din-yatasa aloon

(Qur'an 52:26) Qaloo inna kunna qablu fee ahlina mushfiqeen

(Qur'an 52:27) Famann-Allahu 'alaina wawaqaana

'athaba-assamoon.

So he heard

'Aisha radiAllahu Anha

reciting the last part of this.

The ayah says that people start coming close to one another

in Jannah and asking about each other.

And they're curious if someone they loved made it

and if someone is missing.

And so they start to say

that we remember before where we used to fear

Allah Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la

together amongst our people.

And Allah Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la

has been gracious to us

and saved us from the torment of the fire.

So 'Aisha radiAllahu Anha

was repeating this last part over and over again,

this conversation between friends in Jannah, where they say,

"How merciful was Allah to us,

when he pardoned us and freed us,

as we used to be amongst our people,

those that believed in

Allah Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la

and feared Him."

Indeed,

we used to call upon

Allah Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la

alone before.

And we used to fear Him alone before.

And Allah Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la

is truly most kind and most merciful.

Friends that used to worship Allah together

knew that they were strangers together in this dunya.

And now,

they're celebrating being the only people in Paradise

because all of the people of Paradise

are people who were righteous,

even when they were in the midst of great wickedness.

And so these conversations start to unfold.

And the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, he said,

"When the people of Paradise enter it,

then friends that used to worship

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

they'll start to long for one another."

And so what happens?

The couch of one person

will move to the couch of the other,

and Allah Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la

will bring them close together.

And they will meet reclining on their couches,

remembering their days.

And a person will say to his friend,

"Do you know when

Allah Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la

forgave us?

When this was unlocked for us?"

And the friend will reply,

"On such and such day,

and in such and such place,

we called upon

Allah Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la

and he forgave us."

So as you're looking back with each other,

what do you think was the moment?

Was it Laylat-ul-Qadr?

Was it the 27th night in the masjid together?

Was it Hajj together?

When was it that Allah Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la

forgave us?

And you know exactly the moment, that in this dunya,

Allah Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la

unlocked for you,

the Jannah that you are now enjoying.

In another narration,

the Prophet SallAllahu 'Alaihi Wasallam said,

"Among the delights of the people of Paradise

will be that they visit one another on mounts and camels.

And they'll be supplied with these noble horses with saddles

that do not defecate or urinate.

And they ride them wherever they want to

by the mercy of

Allah Subh'anahu Wa Ta-A'la."

And this is not just true for friends

that lived as contemporaries,

because just like there are families

across generations that we spoke about,

there are friends across generations as well.

Have you loved the sahabah

as if they were your own sahabah?

As if they were your own companions?

Now you get to go and visit them as you please.

The sahabah that you used to long for,

now, you long for them, and you see them.

And what do the people talk about?

What do these righteous friends talk about

when they come together?

Now, a lot of it is what they used to do.

A lot of it is catching up on old memories.

And that's part of the joy of the people of Paradise

because certainly this isn't wickedness.

Maybe they are reflecting on how they were

before they got religious.

And maybe they're just reflecting

on old times and old jokes.

But righteous friends also discuss things

that they used to discuss in this life.

And so, Ibn Qayyim Rahimahullah

He says that,

"Imagine the students of knowledge,

the people that used to care so much

about religious knowledge,

continuing their discussions in Jannah."

So you're trying to understand the Quran, and the Sunnah,

certain Fiqhi things,

certain episodes of the Seerah.

You're trying to get all of that in Jannah together,

and you're continuing that discussion there.

Except now, when you want to know if a Hadith's authentic,

you walk over to the narrator, who's literally right there.

And if you want to know about an element of the Seerah

go ask the Prophet SallAllahu 'Alaihi Wasallam

or ask the person that it involves.

It's just a part of their joy.

Ibn Qayyim Rahimahullah said,

"This type of discussion for people who love the

Deen, people who love 'Ilm

is the sweetest thing in this world.

And now it's even better in Jannah."

And he said,

"That's only for the students of knowledge."

And SubhanAllah,

there's something very beautiful here

that the Prophet SallAllahu 'Alaihi Wasallam said,

"That circles of knowledge

are gardens of paradise in this earth."

And now, those circles of knowledge are continuing,

literally, in the gardens of Paradise.

Now, unlike family, when it comes to friends,

sometimes you have some friends

that are not just going to be on a different level

in terms of Paradise,

but you'll have some friends that are in hellfire.

And it's not like you all get joined together

by virtue of one person

being in a particular part of Paradise.

However, intercession is still a thing,

and you want to be a person who is interceding,

not being interceded for.

And the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, he said,

"That there are some people who will enter into hellfire,

and they will remain there,

never dying and never living.

But there are others who will enter hellfire

because of their sins,

and they will be burnt inside

of hellfire until they turn like coals.

And then permission will be granted for shafa'ah,

for intercession.

And they will be brought out of it in groups,

and they'll be spread over

the side of the rivers of Paradise.

And then it will be said,

"Ya ahlul jannati afeedhu 'alayhim"

"Oh, people of paradise, pour water on them."

Some of the people of Paradise will come,

and they'll pour water on those people.

And they will grow like seeds in a valley after a flood.

And the messenger of Allah, SallAllahu 'Alaihi Wasallam

he said, "Verily,

there are some people who will be brought out of the fire

having been burnt all over except for their faces.

And they will enter paradise

with all traces of the fire removed

after their friends pour water on them.

And the people of Paradise will say,

'These are the people of hell fire,

who were brought out and admitted into Jannah.'"

They are al jahannamiyoon.

Now, SubhanAllah

this is something very significant

because it really speaks to this idea

of pulling your friend out of a hard time.

We talk about

As-sahibu as-sahab

A friend is someone who drags.

Don't just be someone that hangs out with righteous people

that can drag you right.

But also think of how you can save others.

And the reward, the tremendous reward,

of being a source of hidayah,

being a source of guidance for others,

while seeking the best companions

who are upon guidance your entire life,

looking for the effect

that they have upon you in this dunya,

and looking for their possible intercessions

to at least elevate you in Paradise.

And that's why the Prophet SallAllahu 'Alaihi Wasallam said,

"Adhere to the jama'ah

adhere to the community, beware of separation.

For indeed,

Shaytaan

is with the one who is alone,

and he is further away from two.

Whoever wants the best place in Paradise,

then let him stick to the jama'ah,

let him stick to the community.

If you want the best companions of Paradise,

then love and follow the Prophet SallAllahu 'Alaihi Wasallam

and his companions

as if they were your contemporaries.

Maybe now, they actually will be your contemporaries,

without any fear of ever losing them.

(Qur'an 89:27) Ya ayyatuha-nafsul muttma in-nah

(Qur'an 89:27) Ya ayyatuha-nafsul muttma in-nah

(Qur'an 89:28) Irji'ee ila Rabbiki rawdhiyatanm-mardhiyah

(Qur'an 89:28) Irji'ee ila Rabbiki rawdhiyatanm-mardhiyah

(Qur'an 89:29) Fadkhulee fi 'Ebaadee.

(Qur'an 89:30) Wadkhulee Jannatee

Captioning provided by MUHSEN (www.muhsen.org)