One day, the Prophet (peace be upon him) sat with his companions, early in the morning. He asked, “who among you is fasting this day?” Abu Bakr said “I am.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked, “who amongst you followed the funeral bier (i.e. a janaazah) today?” and Abu Bakr said “I have.” Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “who amongst you served food to the needy?” Abu Bakr said “I have.” Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “who amongst you visited a sick person today?” Again, Abu Bakr said “I have.”
Then, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: All these four things don’t gather in one person except that Allah enters them into Paradise. [Sahih Muslim, Book 31 / #5580]
So how would you like to earn entry into Paradise? Yes? Well then, here’s your master plan to gather the above-mentioned qualities in yourself inshallah:
- Fast every week, on Mondays and Thursdays.
- Find some needy people, and ensure you provide them with food.
- Visit any sick family members, relatives, and/or friends. If no one is sick, mashallah! Just drop by the hospital now and then.
Once the above three qualities become regular, the day you hear of a janazah, it will be an easy task for you to try and achieve all of them! And inshallah, you’ll have them ‘combined’ in you, just as the hadith mentions!
May Allah help us combine and instill these qualities within ourselves, that the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) already mentioned as a way into Paradise, ameen!