A Different Welcome
Allah also describes that angels will welcome the righteous people into Paradise but theirs is a different welcome. Allah says: "Adn (Eden) Paradise (everlasting Gardens), which they shall enter and (also) those who acted righteously from among their fathers, and their wives, and their offspring. And angels shall enter unto them from every gate (saying): "Salamun Alaikum (peace be upon you) for that you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!" (QI3[Rad]:23-24).
These verses establish the continuation of a family life in Paradise for all righteous members of a family. Allah also says in another verse: "And those who believe and whose offspring follow them in Faith, to them shall We join their offspring, and We shall not decrease the reward of their deeds in anything." (Q52 [Ra'd]:21)
In this verse, Allah the Exalted affirms His favour, generosity, graciousness, compassion and beneficence towards His creation. When the offspring of the righteous believers imitate their parents regarding faith, Allah will elevate the latter to the ranks of the former, even though the latter did not perform deeds as goodly as their parents. Allah will comfort the eyes of the parents by seeing their offspring elevated to their grades. Surely, Allah will gather them together in the best manner, and He will not decrease the reward or the grades of those higher in rank for joining them together, hence His statement, "to them shall We join their offspring, and We shall not decrease the reward of their deeds in anything."
Ath-Thawri (RAH) reported that Ibn Abbas (RA) said, "Verily,Allah elevates the ranks of the believers offspring to rank of their parents, even though the latter have not performed as well as the former, so that the eyes of the parents are comforted." Ibn Abbas then recited this verse. (Ibn Katheer) When Allah has admitted the entire righteous family into Paradise, the angels will enter on them from every direction congratulating them for entering Paradise. The angels will welcome them with the Islamic greeting and commend them for earning Allahs closeness and rewards, as well as, being admitted into the Dwelling of Peace, neighbors to the honorable Messengers, the Prophets and the truthful believers.
Salamun 'Alaykum
Imam Ahmad recorded that Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Do you know who among Allah's creation will enter Paradise first?" They said, "Allah and His Messenger have more knowledge." He said: "The first among Allahs creation to enter Paradise are the poor emigrants (in Allahs cause) with whom the outposts (of the land) are secured and the various afflictions are warded off.
One of them would die while his need is still in his chest, because he was unable to satisfy it himself. Allah will say to whom He will among His angels, "Go to them and welcome them with the Salam." The angels will say. "We are the .residence of Your heaven and the best of Your creation, do You command us to go to them and welcome them with the Salam" Allah will say, "They are My servants who worshipped Me and did not associate anyone or anything with Me in worship. With them, the outposts were secured and the afflictions were warded off. One of them would die while his need is in his chest, unable to satisfy it."So the angels will go to them from every gate (of Paradise),) saying: "Salamun Alaykum (peace be upon you) for you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!" (Ahmad)
Patience
In describing the patience which the people of Paradise exercised in their earthly life, the scholars divided it into three: patience in carrying out the commands of Allah; patience in refraining from the prohibitions of Allah and patience in bearing the tests and trials from Allah. (al-Mutasar Sharh Kitab at-Tawheed) All of the three branches of patience are included in the saying of Allahs Messenger: "No one is given a better gift than patience ." (Bukhari)
Ali (RA)said: "Patience in relation to iman (faith) is like the (position of the) head to the body." Then he raised his voice: "He does not have iman one who has no patience." (Sharh Muyassar Iikitab at-Tawheed)
At the Gates of Paradise
Allah says: And those who kept their duty to their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups, till, when they reach it, and its gates will be opened (before their arrival for their reception) and its keepers will say: Salamun Alaikum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein." And they will say: "All the praises and thanks be to Allah Who has fulfilled His Promise to us and has made us inherit (this) land. We can dwell in Paradise where we will; how excellent a reward for the (pious good) workers!" (Q39[Zumar]:73-74) Allah tells us about the blessed believers, who will be taken to Paradise in groups, one group after another, starting with the best of them: those who are closest to Allah, then the most righteous, then the next best and the next best.
Each group will be with others like them, Prophets with Prophets, the true believers with their peers, the martyrs with their counterparts, the scholars with their colleagues, every group composed of people of the same kind, till when they reach it," means, when they arrive at the gates of Paradise, after passing over the Sirat, where they will be detained on a bridge between Paradise and Hell, and any injustices that existed between them in this world will be settled until they have all been purified from sin through this trial. Then permission will be granted for, them to enter Paradise.
First to Knock, First to Enter
It is recorded in the Hadith about the Trumpet that when the believers reach the gates of Paradise, they will consult one another as to who should ask permission for them to enter. They will ask Adam, then Nuh, then Ibrahim, then Musa, thenIsa, then Muhammad (alayhimus-salaam). This is akin to what will happen in the arena of judgement, when they will ask for someone to intercede for them with Allah when He comes to pass judgement. This is to show the noble position of Muhammad above the rest of mankind in all situations. In Sahih Muslim, it is reported that Anas (RA) said, "The Messenger of Allah said: "I will be the first one to knock at the gates of Paradise."
Anas bin Malik (RA) said the Messenger of Allah said: "I will come to the gate of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection and will ask for it to be opened. The gatekeeper will say, "Who are you" I will. Say "Muhammad." He will say, "I was told about you and that I was not to open the gate for anyone before you." (Muslim)
Like the Full Moon
Abu Hurayrah (RA) said, "The Messenger of Allah said: "The first group to enter Paradise will enter looking like the moon on the night when it is full. They will not spit there. or blow their noses. or defecate. Their vessels and combs will be of gold and silver, their censers will be of aloeswood and their sweat will be musk. Each of them will have two wives. the marrow of whose shin bones will be visible from beneath the skin because of their beauty. There will be no disputes between them and there will be no hatred; their hearts will be as if one heart. They will glorify Allah morning and evening." (Bukhari and Muslim)
The statement of Allah till when they reach it, and its gates will be opened and its keepers will say: ."Salam Alaykum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein forever" is a conditional sentence that is not complete. What it implies is that when they come to the gates of Paradise the gates will be opened for them as a sign of honour, and the angelic gatekeepers will meet them with glad tidings, greetings of peace and praise. Unlike the gatekeepers of Hell who will meet the disbelievers with rebuke and reprimand, the believers will be filled with happiness and joy, each according to his degree of luxury and delights.
Something Better
Allah's Messenger said, "Allah will say to the people of Paradise. O the people of Paradise!They will say. Labbaik. O our Lord. and Sadaik!Allah will.say. Are you pleased?They will say. Why should we not be pleased since You have given us what You have not given to anyone of Your creation?Allah will say. "I will give you something better than that.They will reply. O our Lord! And what is better than that?Allah will say. " I will bestow My pleasure and contentment upon you so that , will never be angry with you after forever."(Bukhari)
The Messenger (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "When the inhabitants of Paradise enter Paradise. Allah will say to them. Do you want Me to give you anything more?They will reply. Have You not made our faces bright? Have You not brought us into Paradise and moved us from Hell?Allah will then remove the Veil and they will feel that they have riot been awarded anything dearer to them than looking at their Lord." (Muslim)
The blessings which Allah bestows upon His slaves cannot be counted. Allah has singled out the believers for additional blessings in this world, as He has blessed them with Islam, and chosen them to be guided by the Quran. And He will bless them exclusively in Paradise with the greatest blessing that He can bestow, which is the honour of looking upon His holy Face in Paradise. as He says: "Some faces that Day shall be Naadirah (shining and radiant).Looking at their Lord (Allah)" (Q75[Qiyamah] :22-23) i.e., the faces of the believers will be beautiful and radiant, joyful because they are looking at the Face oftheir Lord. AI-Hasan (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: "They will look at their Lord and their faces will become radiant with His light."
It was narrated that Ibn Abbaas (RA) said: "[The phrase] Some faces that Day shall be Naadirah (shining and radiant)means, because of the blessing. Looking at their Lordmeans, looking upon the Face of their Lord." This is the opinion of the mufassiroon (commentators on the Quran) among the scholars of the Sunnah and Hadith. Allah says: "There they will have all that they desire and We have more (for them, i.e. a glance at the All-Mighty, All-Majestic" (Q50[Qaaf]:35).
What is meant by "more" here is looking upon the Face of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, as that was interpreted by Ali and Anas ibn Maalik (RA). May Allah count us among the inmate of Paradise and save us from the torment of Hellfire. Amin.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited