41- The character of the people of paradise

41- The character of the people of paradise

The First Khutbah
All praises are for Allah Lord of all the worlds. Who has made goodly character the means of entry into Paradise. I testify that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, the uniquely one who has no partners in His one-ness. And I testify that our Sayyid, our Prophet, Muhammad is the slave of Allah and His Messenger, may the peace and blessings upon him and upon whomsoever follows him in guidance until the Last Day.

To Continue: I advise you, O slaves of Allah and myself, with the Taqwa of Allah, as Allah says:
إِنَّ المُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَنَهَرٍ* فِي مَقْعَدِ صِدْقٍ عِنْدَ مَلِيكٍ مُقْتَدِرٍ
Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and rivers. In a seat of honor near a Sovereign, Perfect in Ability. [Qur'an: 54:54-55]

O Believers: On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) who narrates that a man asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) a question stating: "O Messenger of Allah, who are the people of Paradise (Ahl al-Jannah)?".

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
كُلُّ هَيِّنٍ ‌لَيِّنٍ، ‌قَرِيبٍ ‌سَهْلٍ
Every person who is amicable, easy (to deal with), and who is near (to people). [Shuab al-Iman]

In this Hadith the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) indicated the rank and importance of being easygoing in one's character, soft and amicable in one's speech, and gentle in one's interpersonal dealings – for this is what ultimately allows us to draw near to people's hearts. Such people are able to join together between people's hearts, bringing peace to them, being able to support them and meet their needs. This was the way of our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), for he was described as being the most easygoing towards people, and the softest and gentlest towards them in his disposition, the purest in his speech, and closest to them because of this.

This was how Allah praised him when He said:
فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ لِنْتَ لَهُمْ
So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. [Qur'an: 3:159]

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) made supplication for whoever is characterized by the attributes of softness, gentleness and tolerance in their interaction with others when he said:
رَحِمَ اللَّهُ رَجُلًا سَمْحًا إِذَا بَاعَ، سَمْحًا إِذَا اشْتَرَى، سَمْحًا إِذَا اقْتَضَى
“May God show mercy to a man who is lenient when he sells, lenient when he buys, and when he asks for payment.” [Bukhari]

The people most worthy of gentleness and good companionship in this regard are our relatives and family. In this spirit Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) once said to a man: "Do you wish that you would enter Paradise?" So, the man responded: "Yes, by Allah." Ibn Umar said: "Are your parents alive?" The man responded: "My mother is with me." So, Ibn Umar said: "If you are soft to her in your speech, feed and look after her with care, you will enter Paradise thereby [Adab al-Mufrad]."

So, whoever has these attributes and this character, their rank is to be esteemed, and their station is raised as a foretelling of their rank in Paradise. I say this and seek forgiveness for myself and for you, so seek His forgiveness for He is the most-forgiving, most-merciful.

Second Khutbah
All praises are for Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah who was an example of goodly conduct to those who fast. And may peace and blessings be upon his family and companions, and whomsoever follows him in the best of ways till the Last Day.

O Believers:
Indeed, the adorning of the character of softness and to become easygoing with people are the means by which one attains unto Paradise.

For the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
إِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ غُرَفًا يُرَى ظَاهِرُهَا مِنْ بَاطِنِهَا، وَبَاطِنُهَا مِنْ ظَاهِرِهَا، أَعَدَّهَا اللَّهُ لِمَنْ أَطْعَمَ الطَّعَامَ، وَأَلَانَ الْكَلَامَ
“In paradise there are rooms the outside of which can be seen from within and the inside from without, which God has prepared for those who provide food and speak gently…" [Ahmad]

So, let us honor this praiseworthy character amongst ourselves and let us seek to instill in ourselves and our children. And with this, let us send our prayers and blessings upon all of the Prophets and Messengers, and especially on the seal of them, our master, our Prophet, Muhammad. O Allah send Your peace and blessings upon him, and upon his family, his companions, all of them.