The Good Deeds of the People of Jannah

The fate of those who have lived their lives pleasing their nafs al-ammarah (the commanding nafs) is Jahannam; On the other hand, those who engage in actions that do not please it will have Jannah as their reward.

The Qur’an al-Karim is the source of salvation, illuminating the paths to both worldly happiness and eternal bliss. The blessed messengers of Allah, with Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) being the brightest beacon of light among them, conveyed Allah the Almighty’s orders and prohibitions, warned people about Jahannam and encouraged them to lead a life of piety and strive towards Jannah.

Generally, one can say that the road to Jahannam is paved with transgressions, such as disregarding Allah Almighty’s prohibitions and committing haram. Contrary to this, the road leading to Jannah is built with good deeds that are pleasing to Allah. 

Both protection from the punishment in Jahannam and arriving at Jannah’s blessings require a struggle. While the nafs that advises evil will lead its owner to denial and disobedience, the nafs that is obedient to Allah’s (jalla jalaluhu) commandments guides its owner to worship and obedience. In fact, each person chooses the road of Jannah or Jahannam while grappling with their nafs according to the level of willpower they exhibit. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), who indicates this arduous battle shall end with Jannah or Jahannam, states:

“Jahannam is surrounded by all kinds of desires and passions, while Jannah is surrounded by all kinds of disliked undesirable things.” (Al-Bukhari, ar-Riqaq, 28)

In other words, the fate of those who have filled their lives with things that are pleasing to the nafs al-ammarah (the commanding nafs) is Jahannam, while the reward awaiting those who are busy with deeds that are not pleasing to the nafs al-ammarah is Jannah.

It can be stated that salah is the leading light in the exacting, life-long struggle against the nafs and a key to Jannah, and as such, it comes first among good deeds. Dhikr,which means living with the remembrance of Allah as an ever-present reflection within the heart, mostly manifests in the form of salah in Muslims’ lives. This is also evidenced by salah being emphasized in the following ayah as the greatest of the dhikrs:

“Recite (O Prophet) what is revealed to you of the Book, and establish salah. Surely salah restrains one from shameful and evil acts. Indeed, remembrance of Allah is the greatest of all things. Allah knows what you do.” (Al-‘Ankabut, 45)

Also, surah al-Mu’minun, which lists the features of the believers in its first ayahs, ranks salah as the first hallmark of those who shall be admitted into Jannah:

“Success is really attained by the believers who concentrate their attention in humbleness when offering salah (prayers).” (Al-Mu’minun, 1-2)

In this ayah describing who believers are, while implying it is a given that believers establish prayers, it is further remarked that they should do so in humbleness and awe. In the following ayahs, further attributes are listed as signs of believers:

• They keep themselves away from idle things
• They give zakat
• They guard their chastity
• They honestly keep their trusts and promises

After these, the importance of salah is emphasized yet again, and the believers who have all these attributes are heralded as follows:

“And who consistently observe their prayers. Those are the inheritorswho will inherit Firdaws (the Jannah). They will be there forever.” (Al-Mu’minun, 9-11)

When the confessions of the people of Jahannam are told in the ayahs in surah Al-Muddaththir, it is noteworthy that salah is mentioned at the beginning of the deeds they neglect.

The people of Jahannam’s reply to the people of Jannah’s question is paraphrased in the Qur’an Al-Karim as follows:

“Who will be in gardens, asking about the guilty persons, ‘What has brought you to Saqar (Hell)?’ They will say, ‘We were not among those who offered salah (obligatory prayer), and we did not give food to the needy, and we indulged (in mocking at the truth) along with those who indulged, and we used to deny the Day of Judgement.’” (Al-Muddaththir, 40-46)

It is possible to reach the following conclusion from these ayahs, which inform us about the people of Jahannam and their state: The believers who are rewarded with Jannah are those who perform salah continuously, see to the needs of the poor and the underprivileged, keep their distance from those who have set their hearts on falsehood and gone astray, and believe in the Day of Judgement.

The salah mentioned here implies believing in Allah Almighty and being obedient to Him in all circumstances. Seeing to the needs of the poor and the underprivileged is an expression of the mercy and pity one should have for the creatures of Allah. Keeping distance from those who have gone astray underlines believing in the truths of Islam, living one’s life on a path perfectly aligned with these truths, advocating the truth and the righteous ones, and standing against those who are unjust. And finally, believing in the Day of Judgement holds the underlying implications of making all of one’s decisions and choices and performing all acts in every moment of life with the consciousness of being accountable before Allah the Most High.  

The fact remains that no one can deserve Jannah with their good deeds. Jannah’s doors are opened only due to Allah’s (subhanahu wa ta’ala) mercy. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said in a hadith: “None would be able to get into Jannah because of his deeds alone.”

When in response he was asked: “Not even you?”, he replied: “Not even I, but that Allah wraps me in His Mercy, and bear this in mind that the acts most pleasing to Allah are those which are done continuously, even if they are small.” (Sahih Muslim, Munafiqin, 75)

Worship that is made obligatory for us, especially salah, is an absolute command of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). Jannah and its blessings being a consequence of worship is mentioned in ayahs to encourage believers. The servant's success in worship and obedience and eventually entering Jannah is the result of the mercy of Allah the Exalted.

We take refuge in the mercy of the Most Gracious and Most Merciful, Almighty Allah, and pray to be of those who are successful in good deeds, especially in salah...

Abdülkadir Alioğlu