NIGHT PRAYER -- THE TICKET TO PARADISE

Burning The Night Oil

Night Prayer:

The Ticket To Paradise

Get A Free Ticket In Ramadan!

(M. Javed Naseem)

فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا ٱسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَٱسْمَعُواْ وَأَطِيعُواْ

وَأَنْفِقُواْ خَيْراً ِلأَنفُسِكُمْ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ

فَأُوْلَـٰئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ
“So fear Allah as much as you can;

listen and obey and spend in charity

for the benefit of your own soul and

those saved from the covetousness of

their own souls, they are the ones

that achieve prosperity.”

(al-Quran 64:16)

During war-times, a Muslim offers his life back to its Creator, in Jihad, as he fights in the way of Allah against the infidel aggressors to protect the life and property of other Muslims, so that peace and justice prevails. That’s considered a sure ticket to Paradise. Opportunities like that were rare in the past as they occurred once in a blue moon. But these days, such opportunities are knocking at the door of every Muslim in every country. 

Unfortunately, today’s Muslim does not even stand up to fight back in self-defense. Jihad is left to only a small minority of Muslims who are helpless, have no arms, have no material support; and who are suffering under constant bombing with modern weaponry by the forces of evil. The genocide is going on for many years now but Muslims don’t budge. They issue some statements; publish some pictures on the internet and click ‘like’ to show support. Easy, no? They are happy with their comfortable lives because it’s not happening to them or to their families.

In peace-times, the tickets to Paradise are really hard to get. A Muslim has to work really hard – physically, financially and morally to be eligible for one of these tickets. And what defines that hard work? Well, you have to work on your relationship with God. He is the One Who gives away these tickets and you need to ‘qualify’ to get one.

وَمَآ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلاَ أَوْلاَدُكُمْ بِٱلَّتِى تُقَرِّبُكُمْ

عِندَنَا زُلْفَىٰ إِلاَّ مَنْ آمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحاً

فَأُوْلَـٰئِكَ لَهُمْ جَزَآءُ ٱلضِّعْفِ بِمَا عَمِلُواْ

وَهُمْ فِى ٱلْغُرُفَاتِ آمِنُونَ
“It is not your wealth nor your sons, that will

bring you nearer to Us in degree; but only those

who believe and work righteousness – these are

the ones for whom there is a multiplied Reward

for their deeds, while secure they (reside)

in the dwellings on high!”

(al-Quran 34:37)

The message is very clear. It’s the righteousness that will bring you closer to your Lord. Only righteousness qualifies you to seek Allah’s pleasure. The prescription of qualification or merit is offered in the Quran. In war-time you sacrifice your life; in peace-time you sacrifice your sleep or comfort! Allah says:

يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلْمُزَّمِّلُ قُمِ ٱلْلَّيْلَ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً نِّصْفَهُ أَوِ ٱنقُصْ مِنْهُ قَلِيلاً

أَوْ زِدْ عَلَيْهِ وَرَتِّلِ ٱلْقُرْآنَ تَرْتِيلاً
“O you wrapped up in garments! Stand (to prayer)

by night, but not all night, half of it, or a little less,

or a little more; and recite the Quran in slow,

measured rhythmic tones.”

(al-Quran 73:1-4)

إِنَّ نَاشِئَةَ ٱللَّيْلِ هِىَ أَشَدُّ وَطْأً وَأَقْوَمُ قِيلاً
“Truly the rising by night is most potent for

governing (the soul), and most suitable for

(framing) the word (of Prayer and Praise).”

(al-Quran 73:6)

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying:

"Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation?”

“Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request?”

“Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?"

(Bukhari, Vol 2, Book 21, No. 246)

The great Darwish and Sufi-poet, Rumi, emphasizes the importance of night vigil or night prayer in his ‘Mathnawi’. Here’s the beautiful verse:

“Those who sleep all night, every night,

and claim to be connected to us, they lie”.

                                                                                               – Rumi

But despite all incentives, all statements, all warnings, man continues to sleep – and keeps sleeping on his fate too. The Hellfire does not scare him!

Make Yourself ‘Fire-Proof’ !

Do we have any idea of the Fire of Hell? No, not at all. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said: “If you only knew what I know, you will cry more and laugh less”. The uncle of the Prophet (s.a.w.), Abu (or Abi) Talib, helped and protected Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) but he never converted to Islam by declaring: La ilaha illa-Allah. He died as idol-worshipper. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) prayed to Allah and begged forgiveness for him. As a result, he was assured of a light punishment. According to one Hadith, the uncle of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), Abu Taalib, will receive the ‘lightest’ or the ‘most lenient’ of the punishments in Hell. And what would that be? Here are two Ahadith to explain that:

BUKHARI:

Narrated Abdullah bin Al Harith bin Naufal:
”Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib said: O Allah's Apostle! Did you benefit Abu Talib with anything as he used to protect and take care of you, and used to become angry for you?" The Prophet said, "Yes, he is in a shallow place of Fire. But for me, he would have been in the lowest part of the Fire."
(Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 8, No. 227)

MUSLIM:

Ibn Abbas reported:

“The Prophet (may peace be upon him) said: Among the inhabitants of the Fire, Abu Talib would have the least suffering, and he would be wearing two shoes (of Fire) which would boil his brain”.  

(Sahih Muslim, Book No. 001, Hadith No. 0413)

Fire in the shoes and boiling brain! That’s the least of punishment given especially to Abu Talib only. Others would be engulfed in flames with boiling water pouring on them.

But there is something that can protect us from the Fire of Hell. It’s the refuge – refuge in the serenity and tranquility of the night prayer. The true refuge is in the sovereignty of Allah – the real sanctuary. By declaring and believing in “la ilaha illa-Allah”, and by obeying the commands this pledge obligates us to, we put on a ‘fire-proof’ jacket.

This declaration is like an oath. We declare that we’ll worship Allah alone and we turn to Him to seek help, guidance, prosperity and success in both worlds. We submit to Allah’s Will. And the best time for such submission is the last-third part of the night – every night. Want to try? It is easier said than done though.

This declaration is the declaration of ‘unconditional surrender’ to the Will and pleasure of Allah, the Almighty. In return, Allah grants us the protection against the Fire on the Day of Judgment. The Almighty is so Kind, Merciful and Generous to us that He will not ignore even the smallest good deed to bless us with rewards. Every action would be rewarded. That’s the promise of Allah, and the promise of Allah is always true. Let’s take advantage then!

فَٱسْتَجَابَ لَهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ أَنِّى لاَ أُضِيعُ عَمَلَ عَامِلٍ مِّنْكُمْ

مِّنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثَىٰ بَعْضُكُم مِّنْ بَعْضٍ فَٱلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُواْ

وَأُخْرِجُواْ مِنْ  دِيَارِهِمْ وَأُوذُواْ فِى سَبِيلِى وَقَاتَلُواْ وَقُتِلُواْ

لَـأُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنْهُمْ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ وَلَـأُدْخِلَنَّهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِى

مِنْ  تَحْتِهَا ٱلأَنْهَارُ ثَوَاباً مِّنْ عِنْدِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱللَّهُ عِنْدَهُ حُسْنُ ٱلثَّوَابِ
“And their Lord has accepted of them, and

answered them: "Never will I suffer to be lost

the work of any of you, be he male or female.

You are members, one of another. Those who

have left their homes, or been driven out from

them, or suffered harm in My Cause, or fought

or been slain, verily, I will blot out from them

their iniquities, and admit them into Gardens

with rivers flowing beneath – A reward

from the presence of Allah, and from

His presence is the best of rewards."

(al-Quran 3:195)

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لاَ يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ وَإِن تَكُ حَسَنَةً

يُضَاعِفْهَا وَيُؤْتِ مِن لَّدُنْهُ أَجْراً عَظِيماً
“Allah is never unjust, in the least degree.

If there is any good (done), He doubles it, and

gives from His own presence a great reward.”

(al-Quran 4:40)

إِلاَّ ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّالِحَاتِ لَهُمْ أَجْرٌ غَيْرُ مَمْنُونٍ
“Except to those who believe and work righteous

deeds, for them is a reward that will never fail.”

(al-Quran 84:25)

إِلاَّ ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّالِحَاتِ فَلَهُمْ أَجْرٌ غَيْرُ مَمْنُونٍ
“Except such as believe and do righteous deeds,

for they shall have a reward unfailing.”

(al-Quran 95:6)

The Prescription

Today, Muslims are asking one another to pray for the victims of one country or the other. They don’t offer any material help. No. They offer only lip-service because it is easy and costs nothing – and it is not binding either. Collective misery calls for collective effort to find the remedy. And everybody knows what ‘collective effort’ means in such situations of aggression and genocide. In Quranic language it is called ‘Jihad’ and the infidel hate this word. They start spying on you if you use this catch-word.

For individual effort, Allah the Merciful has outlined a very simple and easy way to seek His help. In Surah al-Baqarah, this ‘easy way’ has been suggested to us twice (Verse 45 and Verse 153). I call it “God’s Prescription” as it cures all ailments and misery:

وَٱسْتَعِينُواْ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَٱلصَّلاَةِ

وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلاَّ عَلَى ٱلْخَاشِعِينَ
“Nay, seek (Allah's) help with patient

perseverance and prayer. It is indeed hard,

except to those who bring a lowly spirit.”

(al-Quran 2:45)

يَآأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ ٱسْتَعِينُواْ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَٱلصَّلاَةِ

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّابِرِينَ

“O you who believe! Seek (Allah’s) help with

patient perseverance and prayer; for Allah is

with those who patiently persevere.”

(al-Quran 2:153)

 

So, it is ‘Sabr’ (patience, steadfastness or patient perseverance) and ‘Salaat’ (prayer) that’ll bring, not only, peace of mind to you but also guarantee you the help from Allah. Therefore, don’t lose heart, never give up and never get despaired from Allah’s Mercy!

Help will come!

وَكَأَيِّنْ مِّنْ نَّبِىٍّ قَاتَلَ مَعَهُ رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٌ فَمَا

وَهَنُواْ لِمَآ أَصَابَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا ضَعُفُواْ

وَمَا ٱسْتَكَانُواْ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلصَّابِرِينَ
“How many of the prophets fought (in Allah's

way), and with them (fought) Large bands of

godly men? But they never lost heart if they

met with disaster in Allah's way, nor did they

weaken (in will) nor give in. And Allah

loves those who are firm and steadfast.”

(al-Quran 3:146)

وَمَا كَانَ قَوْلَهُمْ إِلاَّ أَنْ قَالُواْ ربَّنَا ٱغْفِرْ لَنَا

ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِىۤ أَمْرِنَا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا

وٱنْصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَافِرِينَ
“All that they said was: "Our Lord! Forgive us

our sins and anything we may have done that

transgressed our duty. Establish our feet firmly,

and help us against those that resist Faith."

(al-Quran 3:147)

فَآتَاهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ثَوَابَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَحُسْنَ ثَوَابِ ٱلآخِرَةِ

وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

“And Allah gave them a reward in this world,

and the excellent reward of the Hereafter.

For Allah loves those who do good.”

(al-Quran 3:148)

A Beautiful Loan!

We benefit from our own good deeds in both worlds – here and in the Hereafter. That’s doubling the rewards. Every good deed that we do to please the Almighty, He considers it as a ‘loan’ from us and puts it in a bank for us. On the Day of Judgment, this bank account would be opened and we would be happy to see the multiple rewards – our principal multiplied manifold. Allah appreciates every good deed.

مَّن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يُقْرِضُ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضاً حَسَناً

فَيُضَاعِفَهُ لَهُ وَلَهُ أَجْرٌ كَرِيمٌ   
“Who is he that will Loan to Allah a beautiful

loan? for (Allah) will increase it manifold to his

credit, and he will have (besides) a liberal reward.”

(al-Quran 57:11)

إِنَّ ٱلْمُصَّدِّقِينَ وَٱلْمُصَّدِّقَاتِ وَأَقْرَضُواْ ٱللَّهَ

قَرْضاً حَسَناً يُضَاعَفُ لَهُمْ وَلَهُمْ أَجْرٌ كَرِيمٌ

“For those who give in Charity, men and women,

and loan to Allah a beautiful loan, it shall be

increased manifold  (to their credit), and they

shall have (besides) a liberal reward.”

(al-Quran 57:18)

إِن تُقْرِضُواْ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضاً حَسَناً يُضَاعِفْهُ لَكُمْ

وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ وَٱللَّهُ شَكُورٌ حَلِيمٌ
“If you loan to Allah, a beautiful loan, He will

double it to your (credit), and He will grant you

Forgiveness; for Allah is most Ready to appreciate

(service), Most Forbearing.”

(al-Quran 64:17)

The Best Example:

Have you ever visited a corn field or wheat or rice fields? Every plant, containing millions of grains, germinates from one seed, and again produces millions of individual seeds. So, the cycle of multiplication continues. That’s how Allah rewards us for our good deeds.

مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنْفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ

حَبَّةٍ أَنبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِى كُلِّ سُنبُلَةٍ مِّئَةُ حَبَّةٍ

وَٱللَّهُ يُضَاعِفُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَٱللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
”The parable of those who spend their substance

in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn. It

grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains.

Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases.

And Allah cares for all and He knows all things.”

(al-Quran 2:261)

مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنْفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ

حَبَّةٍ أَنبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِى كُلِّ سُنبُلَةٍ مِّئَةُ حَبَّةٍ

وَٱللَّهُ يُضَاعِفُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَٱللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
“Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by

night and by day, in secret and in public, have

their reward with their Lord; on them shall be

no fear, nor shall they grieve.”

(al-Quran 2:274)

Just one good deed of ours can win us the salvation and the ticket to Heaven. But which one? That’s up to Allah. If He is pleased with any of our actions, he will compensate us with blessing and ‘countless’ rewards. Since we don’t know what particular action that would be, it is better to perform as many good deeds as possible, every day, every week and every month. It is like putting a little money into your savings bank account which is going to multiply greatly at the time when we most need it – the Aakhirah. That’s the reason Allah calls it a “goodly loan” and a “beautiful loan”.

زُيِّنَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ ٱلْحَيَاةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَيَسْخَرُونَ

مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَواْ فَوْقَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَامَةِ

وَٱللَّهُ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

”The life of this world is alluring to those who

reject faith, and they scoff at those who believe.

But the righteous will be above them on the

Day of Resurrection. For Allah bestows His

abundance without measure on whom He will.”

(al-Quran 2:212)

وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَنْ تَمُوتَ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ كِتَاباً مُّؤَجَّلاً

وَمَنْ يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ ٱلدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا وَمَنْ يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ

ٱلآخِرَةِ نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا وَسَنَجْزِى ٱلشَّاكِرِينَ
“Nor can a soul die except by Allah's leave, the

term being fixed as by writing. If any do desire

a reward in this life, We shall give it to him; and

if any do desire a reward in the Hereafter,

We shall give it to him. And swiftly shall We

reward those that (serve us with) gratitude.”

(al-Quran 3:145)

Allah is so Merciful that He never rejects our prayers, if we offer that with sincerity, honesty and conviction. He is always ready to shower upon us His blessings and bounties if we give Him a reason or excuse to do so. His rewards are multiplied for us during Ramadan, therefore, we should make an effort to amass them as much as possible. That’s the only thing which will stand by us on the Day of Judgment when nothing else will matter or help.

                     

واْ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنْهُ وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلواَةَ وَآتُواْ ٱلزَّكَواةَ

وَأَقْرِضُواُ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضاً حَسَناً وَمَا تُقَدِّمُواْ لأَنفُسِكُمْ

مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ هُوَ خَيْراً وَأَعْظَمَ أَجْراً

وَٱسْتَغْفِرُواْ ٱللَّهَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
”….. You read, therefore, as much of the Quran as

may be easy (for you); and establish regular prayer

and give regular charity; and loan to Allah a beautiful loan.

And whatever good you send forth for your souls, you

shall find it in Allah's presence, yes, better and greater,

in reward and seek you the Grace of Allah, for Allah is

Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

(al-Quran 73:20)

فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْراً يَرَهُ

وَمَن يَعْـمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرّاً يَرَهُ
“Then shall anyone who has done an atom's

weight of good, see it! And anyone who has

done an atom's weight of evil, shall see it.”

(al-Quran 99:7-8)

LAILAT-UL QADR

(The Night of Power or Fate or Decree)

So, it is an established fact that remembrance of Allah pays off and the best time to remember (or worship) Allah is the late night. That’s why the night prayer has a special significance and importance in the process of purification of body and soul. Every night is a good night to glorify the Lord Almighty but there’s one night that stands out. And that night is called ‘Lailat-ul-Qadr’ – the Night of Power or Fate or Decree. That night occurs in the last week of Ramadan. That’s the night the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.). Allah talks about it in the Holy Quran:

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِى لَيْلَةِ ٱلْقَدْرِ وَمَآ أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ

لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ

تَنَزَّلُ ٱلْمَلاَئِكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ

سَلاَمٌ هِىَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ ٱلْفَجْرِ
“We have indeed revealed this (Message) in

the Night of Power. And what will explain to

you what the night of power is?

The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.

Therein come down the angels and the Spirit,

by Allah's permission, on every errand.

Peace! ... This until the rise of dawn!”

(al-Quran 97:1-5)

That night offers us the best opportunity to get closer to our Creator and win a ticket to Paradise. Allah, the Merciful, bestows upon us this opportunity in the last few nights of Ramadan, every year.

Narrated Ayesha (r.a.a.):

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to offer eleven Rakaats and that was his prayer. He used to prolong the prostration to such an extent that one could recite fifty verses (of the Quran) before he would lift his head. He used to pray two Rakaats (Sunnah) before the Fajr prayer and then used to lie down on his right side till the call-maker (Muaddan) came and informed him about the prayer.

(Bukhari, Vol 2, Book 21, No. 223)

Narrated Al-Mughira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) used to stand (in the prayer) or pray till both his feet or legs swelled. He was asked why (he offered such an unbearable prayer) and he said, "Should I not be a thankful slave?"

(Bukhari, Vol 2, Book 21, No. 230)

Narrated Abdullah bin Amr bin al-Aas:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) told me, "The most beloved prayer to Allah is that of David and the most beloved fasts to Allah are those of David. He used to sleep for half of the night and then pray for one third of the night and again sleep for its sixth part; and used to fast on alternate days."

(Bukhari, Vol 2, Book 21, No.231)

Narrated Ayesha (r.a.a.):

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to offer thirteen Rakaats in the night prayer and on hearing the Adhan for the morning prayer, he used to offer two light Rakaats.

(Bukhari, Vol 2, Book 21, No. 261)

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever fasted the month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith (i.e. belief) and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven, and whoever stood for the prayers in the night of Qadr out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven ."

(Bukhari, Vol 3, Book 32, No. 231)

Narrated Ayesha (r.a.a.):

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan."

(Bukhari, Vol 3, Book 32, No. 234)

Narrated Ayesha (r.a.a.):

With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (ﷺ) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers.

(Bukhari, Vol 3, Book 32, No. 241)

This worldly glitter is temporary, for a fixed time, and the real everlasting glitter would be bestowed upon us in the Hereafter, if we qualify. We better don’t trade our Hereafter

for the temporary glitter of this world which is like an illusion. We have the time and opportunity of our life-span to work on this project. We should work hard here to get our wages with bonus or reward on the other side. And Ramadan is the best month to do that.

If we happen to do, by chance, something bad or evil, we should immediately try to wipe it off with a good deed or charity. Keep The Balance!

مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرْثَ ٱلآخِرَةِ نَزِدْ لَهُ فِى حَرْثِهِ

وَمَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرْثَ ٱلدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا

وَمَا لَهُ فِى ٱلآخِرَةِ مِن نَّصِيبٍ
“To any that desires the crop of the Hereafter,

We give increase in his crop, and to any that desires

the crop of this world, We grant somewhat thereof,

but he has no share or lot in the Hereafter.”

(al-Quran 42:20)

مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلْحَيَاةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتَهَا نُوَفِّ

إِلَيْهِمْ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فِيهَا وَهُمْ فِيهَا لاَ يُبْخَسُونَ
أُوْلَـٰئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ فِى ٱلآخِرَةِ إِلاَّ ٱلنَّارُ

وَحَبِطَ مَا صَنَعُواْ فِيهَا وَبَاطِلٌ مَّا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ

“Those who desire the life of the present and its

glitter, to them We shall pay (the reward/price of)

their deeds therein, without diminution. They are

those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but

the Fire. Vain are the designs they frame therein

and of no effect are the deeds that they do!”

(al-Quran 11:15-16)

There is a very clear message in the above verse and it is about keeping the balance. We should understand the difference between ‘Douniya’ (this world) and ‘Aakhirah’ (the Hereafter). Douniya is a temporary glitter and we should not run after it. It should not be the sole purpose of our life to accumulate worldly comforts (material gains). We are sent to this Douniya to work on our Aakhirah (the Hereafter). Therefore, we should use this opportunity very wisely. We have very limited time.

There is also a warning in this verse. If we concentrate mainly on this world and its comforts, and ignore the Hereafter, then Allah will pay us the reward of our efforts right here in this world. There would be nothing in the Hereafter for us, and that’s the worst thing we can do to our souls. We become transgressors! So, the best course is to fear Allah and obey His commands, with the least possible love for this world and its material comforts. We are traveling and we should travel light with minimum of baggage.

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلْغَيْبِ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ
“As for those who fear their Lord unseen,

for them is forgiveness and a great reward.”

(al-Quran 67:12)

ذٰلِكَ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ أَنزَلَهُ إِلَيْكُمْ وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ

يُكَفِّرْ عَنْهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِ وَيُعْظِمْ لَهُ أَجْراً 
“That is the command of Allah, which He

has sent down to you; and if any one fears

Allah, He will remove his ills from him,

and will enlarge his reward.”

(al-Quran 65:5)

أُوْلَـٰئِكَ جَزَآؤُهُمْ مَّغْفِرَةٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّهِمْ وَجَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِى

مِنْ تَحْتِهَا ٱلأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ ٱلْعَامِلِينَ
“For such the reward is forgiveness from their

Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath,

an eternal dwelling. How excellent a recompense

for those who work (and strive)!”

(al-Quran 3:136)

There are hundreds of verses in the Quran wherein Allah promises us the great reward or multiple rewards for righteous deeds. I have chosen a few for your consideration:

فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّالِحَاتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ

وَيَزِيدُهُمْ مِّن فَضْلِهِ وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَنكَفُواْ وَٱسْتَكْبَرُواْ

فَيُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَاباً أَلِيماً وَلاَ يَجِدُونَ لَهُمْ مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِيّاً وَلاَ نَصِيراً
“But to those who believe and do deeds of

righteousness, He will give their (due) rewards,

and more, out of His bounty. But those who

are disdainful and arrogant, He will punish

with a grievous penalty; nor will they find,

besides Allah, any to protect or help them.”

(al-Quran 4:173)

لِيَجْزِيَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ أَحْسَنَ مَا عَمِلُواْ وَيَزِيدَهُمْ مِّن فَضْلِهِ

وَٱللَّهُ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
“That Allah may reward them according to the

best of their deeds, and add even more for them

out of His Grace; for Allah does provide for

those whom He will, without measure.”

(al-Quran 24:38)

أُوْلَـٰئِكَ يُؤْتُونَ أَجْرَهُم مَّرَّتَيْنِ بِمَا صَبَرُواْ

وَيَدْرَءُونَ بِٱلْحَسَنَةِ ٱلسَّيِّئَةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
“Twice will they be given their reward, for that

they have persevered, that they avert Evil with

Good, and that they spend (in charity) out of

what We have given them.”

(al-Quran 28:54)

وَٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّالِحَاتِ لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُمْ

مِّنَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ غُرَفَاً تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلأَنْهَارُ

خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا نِعْمَ أَجْرُ ٱلْعَامِلِينَ
”But those who believe and work deeds of

righteousness, to them shall We give a Home

in Heaven – lofty mansions beneath which

flow rivers, to dwell therein for ever – an

excellent reward for those who do (good)!

(al-Quran 29:58)

وَمَآ آتَيْتُمْ مِّن رِّباً لِّيَرْبُوَ فِى أَمْوَالِ ٱلنَّاسِ فَلاَ يَرْبُو

عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَآ آتَيْتُمْ مِّن زَكَاةٍ تُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ ٱللَّهِ

فَأُوْلَـٰئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُضْعِفُونَ

“That which you lay out for increase through the

property of (other) people, will have no increase

with Allah. But that which you lay out for charity,

seeking the Countenance of Allah, (will increase).

It is these who will get a recompense multiplied.”

(al-Quran 30:39)

قُلْ يٰعِبَادِ ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ رَبَّكُمْ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُواْ

فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ وَأَرْضُ ٱللَّهِ وَاسِعَةٌ إِنَّمَا

يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُمْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
"O you my servants who believe! Fear your

Lord; good is (the reward) for those who

do good in this world. Spacious is Allah's

earth! Those who patiently persevere, will

truly receive a reward without measure!"

(al-Quran 39:10)

***********