Use the Gates of Jannah to Set “Jannah Goals”
If you were given the key to a door in Jannah, would you take it?
What if you could open ALL the gates of Jannah? Would you do it?
Well, great news! You can take concrete steps to maximize your chances of earning eternal bliss.
In today’s world, people would get in a tank full of snakes, eat animal remains, and be submerged in cold water for $50,000. They were willing to do it because they wanted to improve their lives.
As Muslims, we have the chance to secure our real life, the hereafter.
Not the life that ends with death.
Not life with sickness, problems, and trauma.
This is not life; it is a test.
Life for a believer is in Jannah, our home. We stayed there until our soul was breathed into our worldly body. And live here temporarily. The only thing we know for sure about our future is that death will come to us. There are no exceptions! Even Shaytaan must leave this world and face His Lord.
Jannah Goals
If you answered ‘yes’ to wanting a key to Jannah, then know your chance to get it comes from sincere intentions and specific actions.
Like how we set financial, fitness, educational, or business goals, we need Jannah goals! Reverse engineering is a principle commonly used for achieving goals. It looks something like this:
- Determine the most basic level of the goal.
- Ensure that you are committed.
- Identify as many steps as possible that are required to reach the goal.
- Take action! Lateral Action.
Commitment
Of course, the ultimate goal is Jannah. But the first step is trying to get there by displaying the characteristics of those allowed through particular gates in Jannah.
You’ll notice some people are excellent at fasting every Monday and Thursday, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) did. Some wake up early and pray Tahajjud regularly, and others are very generous with their wealth.
Allah has given us all strength to work towards Jannah. Even though one deed might be easier for some, we all have what it takes to get through. The problem isn’t that we lack potential. It is that we don’t all choose to be in Jannah, hence the need to commit to our goal.
Gates of Jannah
There are eight Gates of Jannah. We know this through the hadith that tells us: “In paradise, there are eight gates, among which is a gate called ar-Rayyan which only those who fast will enter.” (Bukhari and Muslim.) Mishkat al-Masabih 1957
They are as follows:
- Gate of Salat (Baab As-Salat) -> For those who were punctual and attentive in prayer.
- Gate of Jihad (Baab Al Jihad) -> For those who gave their lives in defending Islam.
- Gate of Charity (Baab As Sadaqah) -> For those who were generous and often gave charity.
- Gate of Fasting (Baab Al Rayyan) -> For those who fasted often.
- Gate of Hajj (Baab Al-Hajj) -> For those who completed Hajj.
- Gate Of Controlled Anger & Forgiving People (Al-Kaazimeen Al Gaiz Wal Aafina Anin Naas) -> For those who controlled their anger and forgave others.
- Gate of Faith (Baab Al-Iman) -> For those with sincere faith and trust in Allah.
- Gate of Remembrance of Allah (Baab Al Dhikr) -> For those who constantly remember Allah.
Want To Enter Through All 8 Gates?
Entering through any gate in Jannah is a great honor and gift. However, we have the opportunity to achieve more than just entrance. Just like you could work to become a millionaire, you could also keep trying to become a billionaire – the choice is yours!
Option 1: Perfect your wudu and then recite the shahada
‘Umar (RA) narrates: Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “If one after performing ablution completely recites the following supplication: (Ash-hadu an la ilaha ill-Allahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan’ abduhu wa Rasuluhu) ‘I testify that there is no one worthy of worship but Allah, He is Alone and has no partner and Muhammad (peace be upon him) is his slave and Messenger,’ all the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him, and he may enter through any gate he wishes.“ Bulugh al-Maram 57
Option 2: For Wives – Obedience to your husband, preserving chastity and obligatory acts of worship
Anas reported God’s Messenger (peace be upon him) as saying, “When a woman observes the five times of prayer, fasts during Ramadan, preserves her chastity and obeys her husband, she may enter by any of the gates of paradise she wishes.” Mishkat al-Masabih 3254
It is interesting to note that a woman is honored to such an extent that by fulfilling what is obligatory, she earns the reward of entering from any of the gates of Jannah. Yet, we learn from hadith that more women will be in Hellfire because of ungratefulness to their husbands. So, while the very same role can grant women incredible honor, It can equally give them unimaginable dishonor. Again, the choice becomes ours, but we must work with the intent to achieve what we seek from this life and the next.
Ibn Abbas narrates: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “I was shown the Hell-fire and that the majority of its dwellers were women who were ungrateful.” It was asked, “Do they disbelieve in Allah?” (or are they ungrateful to Allah?) He replied, “They are ungrateful to their husbands and are ungrateful for the favors and the good (charitable deeds) done to them. If you have always been good (benevolent) to one of them, and then she sees something in you (not of her liking), she will say, ‘I have never received any good from you.” Sahih al-Bukhari 29
Conclusion
Understanding the Gates of Jannah is a great way to shift our mindset and focus on our eternal abode. This life is to attain the next eternal life. If we let it slip by with distractions, we miss the opportunity granted to us. Sometimes we need to step back from our “to-do” lists and realign ourselves to our ultimate goal, Jannah!
May Allah guide us to His Pleasure and grant us all Jannatul Firdos from any gate we please, Ameen!
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