وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُ ٱتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ أَخَذَتۡهُ ٱلۡعِزَّةُ بِٱلۡإِثۡمِۚ فَحَسۡبُهُۥ جَهَنَّمُۖ وَلَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمِهَادُ
And when it is said to him, "Fear Allah," pride in the sin takes hold of him. Sufficient for him is Hellfire, and how wretched is the resting place. (Surah Al-Baqarah Ayat 206)
وَلَقَدۡ ذَرَأۡنَا لِجَهَنَّمَ كَثِيرٗا مِّنَ ٱلۡجِنِّ وَٱلۡإِنسِۖ لَهُمۡ قُلُوبٞ لَّا يَفۡقَهُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمۡ أَعۡيُنٞ لَّا يُبۡصِرُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمۡ ءَاذَانٞ لَّا يَسۡمَعُونَ بِهَآۚ أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ كَٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ بَلۡ هُمۡ أَضَلُّۚ أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡغَٰفِلُونَ
And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless.(Surah Al-A’raf Ayat 179)
As for Muslims, averting the chances of being thrown into Jahannam (Hell) on the Day of Judgment is a central concern, and it involves striving to live a life that pleases Allah based on the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah. The Qur'an and the Hadith provide clear guidelines on how to avoid such a fate.
We have already published a number of posts on DOs and DON'Ts based on Qur'an which if acted upon in sincerity and total devotion and faith in Allah can pave way to Jannah (Paradise). You may read these posts from our reference page: Important DOs and DON'Ts from Qur'an (Understanding Qur'an)
Note: The purpose of this post is not to unduly scare people but to caution them about the reality of Jahannam and how to avert being shown the door to it in the life of the Hereafter
Herein under are some key steps to take, in addition to the ones mentioned in the link given above or in conjunction with them, which can avert our chances of being shwn the door to Jahannam (Hell):
1. Tawheed (Monotheism)
Affirming the Oneness of Allah: The most important step in avoiding Jahannam is to worship Allah alone, without associating any partners with Him, thus avoiding the sin of committing shirk. This is the foundation of faith in Islam.
Qur'an Reference: "Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills." (Qur'an, 4:48)
2. Shahada (Testifying the Faith)
Belief in the Oneness of Allah and the Prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH): A person who truly believes in the Shahada (there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger) will have a strong foundation for avoiding Hell.
Hadith Reference: “Whoever says ‘La ilaha illallah’ (There is no god but Allah), and dies upon it, will enter Paradise.” (Sahih Muslim)
3. Performing the Five Pillars of Islam
- Shahada (Faith): As mentioned earlier, professing the Islamic creed is crucial.
- Salah (Prayer): Performing the five daily prayers is one of the most important duties in Islam.
- Zakat (Charity): Giving charity helps purify wealth and assists those in need.
- Sawm (Fasting during Ramadan): Fasting purifies the soul and teaches self-restraint.
- Hajj (Pilgrimage): Performing Hajj, if financially and physically able, ensures that a Muslim fulfills a major duty.
Qur'an Reference: “Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds will have gardens beneath which rivers flow. That is the great attainment.” (Qur'an, 85:11)
4. Seeking Forgiveness and Repentance (Tawbah)
Repenting for Past Sins: A person who sincerely repents for their mistakes and sins is given the opportunity to be forgiven by Allah.
Qur'an Reference: “And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by sin], remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins—and who can forgive sins except Allah?—and who do not persist in what they have done while they know.” (Qur'an, 3:135)
Read more about Repentance and Forgiveness from posts mentioned in our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject: Repentance and forgiveness
5. Avoiding Major Sins
Avoiding Shirk, Murder, Stealing, Lying, and More: The major sins, such as associating partners with Allah (shirk), committing murder, stealing, lying, and others, can lead to the punishment of Hell unless one repents sincerely.
Hadith Reference: “Avoid the seven deadly sins.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, what are they?” He said, “Shirk (associating partners with Allah), magic, killing a soul which Allah has forbidden except by right, consuming riba (interest), consuming the wealth of an orphan, fleeing from the battlefield, and slandering chaste, innocent women.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
6. Being Humble and Avoiding Arrogance
Humility: The Qur'an and Hadith emphasize the importance of humility, avoiding arrogance, and showing compassion toward others.
Qur'an Reference: “Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.” (Qur'an, 49:13)
Hadith Reference: “No one will enter Paradise who has an atom's-weight of arrogance in his heart.” (Sahih Muslim)
7. Being Kind and Respectful to Parents
Respect for Parents: The Qur'an places great importance on honoring and caring for one's parents, particularly in their old age.
Qur'an Reference: “And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him with hardship upon hardship, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.” (Qur'an, 31:14)
Please refer to our exclusive page: Selected Verses from Quran: Be Good to Your Parents
8. Sincerity in Faith (Ikhlas)
Performing Acts for the Sake of Allah Alone: Every action, whether it’s worship or good deeds, should be performed solely for the sake of Allah, not to show off or for worldly gain.
Hadith Reference: “Actions are judged by intentions, and everyone will get what was intended.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
9. Seeking Knowledge and Acting Upon It
Knowledge of Islam: Acquiring and acting upon the knowledge of the Qur'an and Sunnah leads to a life that is pleasing to Allah and avoids misguidance.
Qur'an Reference: “Say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.’” (Qur'an, 20:114)
10. Good Character and Avoiding Harmful Behavior
Having Good Manners: Islam encourages excellent character, including truthfulness, kindness, patience, forgiveness, and generosity. Avoiding negative traits like backbiting, slander, and lying is crucial.
Hadith Reference: “The best of you are those who are best in character.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
11. Consistent Remembrance of Allah (Dhikr)
Remembering Allah: Regularly engaging in the remembrance of Allah (through prayer, supplication, and recitation of the Qur'an) keeps the heart focused on Him and prevents neglect of faith.
Qur'an Reference: “Indeed, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Qur'an, 13:28)
12. Helping Others and Spreading Peace
Social Responsibility: Helping others in times of need, giving charity, supporting the oppressed, and spreading peace within the community can lead to rewards in the Hereafter.
Hadith Reference: “The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others.” (Daraqutni)
13. Fasting
Fasting is one such act of worship the reward of which is immensely promised by Allah, for it is for Allah that a believer abandons many things Haram upon him which are otherwise Halal to him in the ordinary life.
Hadith: Every servant of Allah who observes fast for a day in the way of Allah, Allah would remove, because of this day, his face farther from the Fire (of Hell) to the extent of seventy years' distance.
Read detail of this Hadith at: Fasting distances the believer from the fire of Hell by Seventy Years
By following these guidelines—strengthening your faith, performing acts of worship, repenting for sins, and striving to do good in the world—you can increase the chances of being saved from Jahannam and attaining Allah's mercy and forgiveness. The Qur'an and Hadith emphasize that no one is beyond redemption if they sincerely repent and strive to live a righteous life.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
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