Prophet Muhammad’s Teachings on Different Ways of Earning Allah’s Rewards (2/11)

Not associating partner with Allah in worship:

 Mu’adh (radhyAllahu ‘anhu) narrated: “I was a companion rider of the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) on a donkey called ‘Ufair. The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) asked, “O Mu’adh! Do you know what Allah’s right on His slaves is, and what the right of His slaves on Him is?” I replied, “Allah and His Messenger know better.” He said, “Allah’s right on His slaves is that they should worship Him (Alone) and should not worship any besides Him. And slave’s right on Allah is that He should not punish him who worships none besides Him.” I said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Should I not inform the people of this good news?” He said, “Do not inform them of it, lest they should depend on it.” (Reported by Bukhari, Vol. 4, Hadeeth 108)

‘Abdullah (radhyAllahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “Anyone who dies worshipping others along with Allah will definitely enter the Fire.” I said, “Anyone who dies worshipping none along with Allah will definitely enter Paradise.” (Reported by Bukhari, Vol. 2, Hadeeth 330, 6, Hadeeth 24 and Muslim 168)

Believing in Allah and His Messenger, Performance of Prayers and Fasting:

Abu Hurairah (radhyAllahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger, offers prayers perfectly and fasts (the month of) Ramadan then it is incumbent upon Allah to admit him into Paradise, whether he emigrates for Allah’s cause or stays in the land where he was born.” They (the companions of the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam)) said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Should we not inform the people of that?” He said, “There are one-hundred degrees in Paradise which Allah has prepared for those who carry on Jihad in His Cause. The distance between every two degrees is like the distance between the sky and the Earth. So if you ask Allah for anything, ask Him for the Firdaus, for it is the last part of Paradise and the highest part of Paradise, and at its top there is the Throne of Beneficent, and from it gush forth the rivers of Paradise.” (Reported by Bukhari, Vol. 9, Hadeeth 519)

Performing the five daily prayers:

The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “There is no Muslim who, at the time of prayer, performs ablution properly, then performs the prayer in humility before Allah and perfects its pillars; except that this will expiate all his past minor sins. This is for every prayer throughout his life.” (Reported by Muslim)

Praying on time:

The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever performs the two cool prayers (i.e., ‘Asr and Fajr) on time will enter Paradise.” (Reported by Bukhari)

Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas’ud: I asked the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) which deed is the dearest to Allah? He replied, “To offer Salat (the prayers) at their early fixed times.” I asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?” He replied, “To be good and dutiful to your parents.” I again asked, “What is the next (in goodness)? “He replied, “To participate in jihad (religious fighting) in Allah’s Cause.” (Reported by Bukhari, Vol. 1, Hadeeth 505)

“Almighty Allah said: ‘I have made five times prayer obligatory on your people and I made covenant that if anyone observes them regularly at their right times, I shall admit him to paradise. If anyone does not observe them regularly, there is no such guarantee of Mine for him.’” (Reported by Abu Daud, Hadeeth 403)

Praying in congregation:

The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Praying in congregation is twenty seven multiples higher in reward than praying alone.” (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim)

Offering supererogatory prayers:

The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Allah will build a dwelling in Paradise for anyone who prays twelve supererogatory rak’aat daily in addition to the compulsory prayers.” (Reported by Muslim)

Offering funeral prayers:

The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whosoever attends a funeral and prays over the dead receives a reward equal to a Qiraat, and whosoever was also present at the burial receives a reward equal to two Qiraat.” So people asked: “What is a Qiraat?” He replied: “It is equal to twice the size of the greatest mountain (i.e. Uhud).” (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim)

Going to the mosque:

The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever goes to the mosque to pray and returns; Allah will make a dwelling for him in Paradise for every time he goes (and every time he comes back).” (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim)

Women praying at home:

The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Do not deprive women from praying in the houses of Allah (i.e., the mosques) but praying at home is better for them (in reward).” (Reported by Abu Dawud)

Performing complete and proper ablution:

The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whosoever performs a complete and proper ablution, sins will leave his body - even from under his nails.” (Reported by Muslim)

(Continued)