Jannah: Just a wish or a Reality??

by Asma bint Shameem

When Fir’aun found out that his wife Aasiyah believed in Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘ala, instead of in him, he was furious! How could she? He ordered his guards to beat her. They tied her hands and feet, and beat her mercilessly in the scorching desert heat. She turned to Allah and prayed,

“My Lord, build for me a home with You in Jannah and save me from Fir’aun and his deeds and save me from the Zaalimun ( wrong-doers and disbelievers in Allaah).” (Surah at-Tahreem:11).

That was her wish. To be in Jannah. And she got it.

It is said that when she said this, the sky opened for her and she saw her home in Jannah.
She smiled.
Frustrated and angry, the guards picked up a huge rock to crush her completely. But before they could do that, Allah took her soul and she became an example for all the believing men and women until the end of time.

Wishes, hopes and aspirations! Who doesn’t have them?

When you ask the average person what they wish for, some of them may wish for a million dollars, perhaps a fancy sports car and a house by the lake or even a trip to Disney Land.

But few of us remember the highest of humanly wishes. The greatest of wishes, the best of wishes, the loftiest of wishes. Yeah sure, it is there on our list, and we wish for it. But not with the fervor and passion that it deserves.

And what is that wish, after all?

It is a wish for Jannah; the pure, lofty abode for the believers.

The non-Muslims believe in wishing on a star, wishing on a birthday candle and in three wishes that a genie can ‘magically’ grant for you. But Alhamdulillaah, we are Muslims and we don’t need a star or a candle stuck on a cake to make a wish. In fact we don’t even need a genie in a bottle.
All we have to do is to submit to Allaah, believe in Him, do righteous deeds to the best of our ability, hoping for His Mercy while fearing His Wrath.

Allaah has told us in the Quraan:

“Whereas those who believe and do good deeds and humble themselves before their Lord, they are the companions of Paradise, and there they shall live for ever.” (Surah Hood: 23)

As Muslims we also know that achieving something is not just empty words. It is to wish for it in the heart, to use the tongue and make dua for it and to exert the appropriate effort in order to achieve it.
And Jannah is the loftiest of wishes.

But do we really, really wish for it? If so, what have we done to achieve it?

Ramadaan is the perfect chance for us to make that wish for Jannah come true. The Prophet (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“Whoever fasts Ramadaan out of faith and with the hope of reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhaari, Muslim)

And

“Whoever spends the nights of Ramadaan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhaari, Muslim)

“When the first night of the month of Ramadaan comes, the devils and rebellious jinn are chained up and the gates of Hell are closed, and not one gate of it is opened. The gates of Paradise are opened and not one gate of it is closed. And a caller cries out: ‘O seeker of good, proceed; O seeker of evil, desist. And Allaah has those whom He redeems from the Fire, and that happens every night.” (Al-Tirmidhi and others- hasan by al-Albaani)

Ramadaan is the month of Mercy and forgiveness. So ask Allaah to forgive you.
And this is a month of promises. So promise to worship Him and obey Him to the best of your ability…..and promise to stay away from His prohibitions.
And this is the month of reformation and discipline. So review your self and your deeds. If there are any shortcomings, mend them before it is too late. Make the most of this month by doing lots of acts of worship according to the Sunnah, pray a great deal, read Qur’aan, forgive people, be kind to others and give charity to the poor.
And Allaah will make that wish for Jannah come true.

“And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it, with the necessary effort due for it (i.e. does righteous deeds of Allaah’s obedience) while he is a believer — then such are the ones whose striving shall be appreciated, (thanked and rewarded by Allaah)” [al-Isra’ 17:19]

The Prophet (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“Make the most of five things before five (other things happen): your life before you die, your good health before you become sick; your free time before you become busy; your youth before you grow old; and your wealth before you become poor.” (saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh wa Da’eef al-Jaami’ al-Sagheer)

And this includes making the most of Ramadaan before it passes away.
You are alive today, yes. And you are healthy today. But how long does ‘today’ actually last?
Think about it…….

Race with one another to do good deeds, and turn to Allaah in sincere repentance. Set your sight on the highest position in Jannah and strive to earn the pleasure of Allaah so you may enter
al-Jannatul-Firdaws.

Work hard for that wish. Keep the wish close to your heart, in all that you say or do.
Turn that wish for Jannah into reality.

“Therefore, race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Garden as wide as heaven and earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His Messengers. Such is the Favor of Allah; He gives it to whom He wills. Allah is the Owner of great favor.” (Surah hadeed: 21)

May Allaah grant you your wish. Ameen.