1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,089 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:05,089 --> 00:00:09,089 It is Paradise. 3 00:00:09,089 --> 00:00:18,710 The departure. 4 00:00:18,710 --> 00:00:25,969 Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. 5 00:00:25,969 --> 00:00:28,969 And may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad. 6 00:00:28,969 --> 00:00:31,969 And upon all his family and companions. 7 00:00:31,969 --> 00:00:33,969 To proceed: 8 00:00:34,380 --> 00:00:36,380 In the blessed month of Ramadan, 9 00:00:36,380 --> 00:00:39,380 The gates of Paradise are opened, 10 00:00:39,380 --> 00:00:41,380 The gates of Hell are closed, 11 00:00:41,380 --> 00:00:43,380 And the devils are chained. 12 00:00:43,380 --> 00:00:45,509 In this noble month, 13 00:00:45,509 --> 00:00:48,509 Allah bestows His favor upon His servants, 14 00:00:48,509 --> 00:00:51,509 Freeing many from the Fire, 15 00:00:51,509 --> 00:00:55,509 And inscribing their names among the people of Paradise. 16 00:00:55,509 --> 00:00:59,740 The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 17 00:00:59,740 --> 00:01:02,740 "May he be humiliated, the one who reaches Ramadan, 18 00:01:02,740 --> 00:01:04,739 And is not forgiven." 19 00:01:04,739 --> 00:01:08,019 Truly, the loser is the one who fails to gain in Ramadan. 20 00:01:08,019 --> 00:01:12,019 Congratulations to those whom Allah has granted a long life, 21 00:01:12,019 --> 00:01:15,019 Until they reached this virtuous month, 22 00:01:15,019 --> 00:01:18,019 So that they might increase in righteous deeds, 23 00:01:18,019 --> 00:01:23,019 Hoping to catch a breeze from the breezes of our Merciful Lord, 24 00:01:23,019 --> 00:01:28,019 To attain a happiness after which they shall never suffer. 25 00:01:28,019 --> 00:01:30,409 Brothers in faith, 26 00:01:30,409 --> 00:01:33,409 In these episodes, we will take you 27 00:01:33,409 --> 00:01:37,409 On a journey of faith into the expanse of Paradise, 28 00:01:37,409 --> 00:01:42,500 To the abode that Allah created for His believing servants. 29 00:01:42,500 --> 00:01:47,500 We shall learn about it and what Allah has prepared for its people therein. 30 00:01:47,500 --> 00:01:50,659 We will wander through its meadows, 31 00:01:50,659 --> 00:01:53,859 And rest in its shade. 32 00:01:53,859 --> 00:01:55,859 For speaking about Paradise 33 00:01:55,859 --> 00:01:58,859 Is part of belief in the Last Day, 34 00:01:58,859 --> 00:02:00,859 And belief in it is an obligation. 35 00:02:00,859 --> 00:02:04,049 How many verses in the Book of Allah 36 00:02:04,049 --> 00:02:06,049 Have spoken of Paradise, 37 00:02:06,049 --> 00:02:08,050 And encouraged us toward it. 38 00:02:08,050 --> 00:02:11,270 The Truth, Glorified and Exalted be He, has spoken. 39 00:02:20,590 --> 00:02:24,590 And how many a hadith in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) urged 40 00:02:24,590 --> 00:02:27,780 Us to work for its sake. 41 00:02:27,780 --> 00:02:30,780 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said 42 00:02:30,780 --> 00:02:32,780 One day to his companions: 43 00:02:32,780 --> 00:02:35,939 "Is there anyone striving for Paradise? 44 00:02:35,939 --> 00:02:38,939 For Paradise has no equal. 45 00:02:38,939 --> 00:02:41,939 By the Lord of the Kaaba, it is a shimmering light, 46 00:02:41,939 --> 00:02:44,939 A swaying aromatic plant, 47 00:02:44,939 --> 00:02:46,939 A lofty palace, 48 00:02:46,939 --> 00:02:48,939 A flowing river, 49 00:02:48,939 --> 00:02:52,939 Abundant, ripe fruit, 50 00:02:52,939 --> 00:02:55,939 A beautiful, fair spouse, 51 00:02:55,939 --> 00:03:00,979 And many garments in an eternal abode, 52 00:03:00,979 --> 00:03:02,979 In joy and splendor, 53 00:03:02,979 --> 00:03:06,979 In a high, sound, and magnificent dwelling." 54 00:03:06,979 --> 00:03:12,419 They said, "We are the ones striving for it, O Messenger of Allah." 55 00:03:12,419 --> 00:03:17,580 He said, "Say: 'If Allah wills.'" 56 00:03:17,580 --> 00:03:21,449 Come with me, brothers in faith, 57 00:03:21,449 --> 00:03:25,449 Let us begin this journey from its inception. 58 00:03:25,449 --> 00:03:30,659 Allah created our father Adam (peace be upon him) with His own hand, 59 00:03:30,659 --> 00:03:33,659 Commanded His angels to prostrate to him, 60 00:03:33,659 --> 00:03:36,659 Settled him in the abode of His mercy, 61 00:03:36,659 --> 00:03:40,759 And comforted him with our mother Eve, his wife. 62 00:03:40,759 --> 00:03:44,759 He permitted them everything in Paradise, 63 00:03:44,759 --> 00:03:47,759 To eat and drink from it, 64 00:03:47,759 --> 00:03:50,889 Until Satan whispered to them, 65 00:03:50,889 --> 00:03:55,889 And they ate from the tree they had been forbidden to approach. 66 00:03:55,889 --> 00:03:58,949 Then their Lord called out to them: 67 00:03:58,949 --> 00:04:01,949 "Did I not forbid you from that tree? 68 00:04:01,949 --> 00:04:06,949 And tell you that Satan is a clear enemy to you?" 69 00:04:06,949 --> 00:04:10,340 Our parents realized their mistake, 70 00:04:10,340 --> 00:04:12,340 Confessed their sin, 71 00:04:12,340 --> 00:04:14,340 And said: 72 00:04:14,340 --> 00:04:17,339 "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves." 73 00:04:17,339 --> 00:04:22,339 “They said: Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If thou forgive us not and have not mercy on us, surely we are of the lost!” (7:23) 74 00:04:22,339 --> 00:04:25,660 Then their Lord chose them, 75 00:04:25,660 --> 00:04:28,660 Accepted their repentance, and guided them. 76 00:04:28,660 --> 00:04:30,750 And He said: 77 00:04:30,750 --> 00:04:35,750 "Descend from it, all of you, as enemies to one another. 78 00:04:35,750 --> 00:04:41,420 And for you on the earth is a place of settlement and provision for a time." 79 00:04:41,420 --> 00:04:46,519 So our parents departed from the abode of bliss to the worldly life, 80 00:04:46,519 --> 00:04:51,519 They went from the abode of ease to the abode of toil and lamentation, 81 00:04:51,519 --> 00:04:55,620 From the abode of rest to the abode of hardship, 82 00:04:55,620 --> 00:04:59,620 And from the abode of happiness to the abode of trial. 83 00:04:59,620 --> 00:05:02,939 This was for one sin; 84 00:05:02,939 --> 00:05:06,939 So what of the state of one who persists in sins for a lifetime? 85 00:05:06,939 --> 00:05:11,449 Yet Allah promised our father Adam and his descendants 86 00:05:11,449 --> 00:05:15,449 That if they obeyed Him in this world, 87 00:05:15,449 --> 00:05:18,449 Adhered to His command, and avoided His prohibitions, 88 00:05:18,449 --> 00:05:22,449 He would return them to their first home, 89 00:05:22,449 --> 00:05:24,449 To Paradise, 90 00:05:24,449 --> 00:05:28,740 Where there is lasting bliss and eternal rest. 91 00:05:28,740 --> 00:05:30,740 He promised them Paradise, 92 00:05:30,740 --> 00:05:32,740 Where there is complete bliss, 93 00:05:32,740 --> 00:05:39,019 Which no deficiency mars and no impurity disturbs. 94 00:05:39,019 --> 00:05:40,019 Paradise, 95 00:05:40,019 --> 00:05:42,019 Where there is security and safety, 96 00:05:42,019 --> 00:05:45,339 And the proximity of the Most Merciful. 97 00:05:45,339 --> 00:05:47,339 That is Paradise, 98 00:05:47,339 --> 00:05:51,339 Which Allah has prepared for His righteous allies, 99 00:05:51,339 --> 00:05:54,339 Who shall enter it on the Day of Judgment. 100 00:05:54,339 --> 00:05:59,300 “And will not be absent thence.” (82:16) 101 00:05:59,300 --> 00:06:01,300 The strength of faith. 102 00:06:01,300 --> 00:06:05,430 This is the story of our existence in this abode. 103 00:06:05,430 --> 00:06:08,430 It is not our true home or final destination. 104 00:06:08,430 --> 00:06:12,430 We are here at a passing station, 105 00:06:12,430 --> 00:06:17,750 And shortly we shall move from it to our true home. 106 00:06:17,750 --> 00:06:20,750 Soon we shall depart, 107 00:06:20,750 --> 00:06:25,040 And settle our burdens in Paradise, by the permission of our Lord. 108 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:27,040 This home of ours 109 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:30,040 Does not deserve for us to lean upon it, 110 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:32,040 Or feel secure within it, 111 00:06:32,040 --> 00:06:35,040 Or fight for its sake, 112 00:06:35,040 --> 00:06:39,040 Or sever our ties of kinship for its fleeting debris. 113 00:06:39,040 --> 00:06:43,779 We come into this world as equals; 114 00:06:43,779 --> 00:06:47,839 The child of kings is like the child of the servant here. 115 00:06:47,839 --> 00:06:52,000 And we leave this world as you see, 116 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:56,000 Alike, upon bare graves. 117 00:06:56,000 --> 00:07:00,290 Our deeds raise or lower our status, 118 00:07:00,290 --> 00:07:04,290 And our reckoning will be in truth on the Day of the Overwhelming Event. 119 00:07:04,290 --> 00:07:08,420 Houris, rivers, and high palaces, 120 00:07:08,420 --> 00:07:13,420 Or Hellfire and scorching flames. 121 00:07:13,420 --> 00:07:17,699 So choose for yourself what you love and desire, 122 00:07:17,699 --> 00:07:21,699 As long as your days and nights remain. 123 00:07:21,699 --> 00:07:25,930 Tomorrow is your destiny, with no turning back, 124 00:07:25,930 --> 00:07:31,930 Either the Gardens of Eternity or the Abyss. 125 00:07:31,930 --> 00:07:34,980 Brothers in faith, 126 00:07:34,980 --> 00:07:39,980 Allow me to speak to you in the first person. 127 00:07:39,980 --> 00:07:43,980 We shall all adopt the persona of the people of Paradise, 128 00:07:43,980 --> 00:07:47,980 And we shall be together on this journey, 129 00:07:47,980 --> 00:07:50,980 Wandering through the expanse of Paradise, 130 00:07:50,980 --> 00:07:55,980 As if we have already entered it and become its people. 131 00:07:55,980 --> 00:07:58,980 This is our expectation of our Lord, 132 00:07:58,980 --> 00:08:03,139 And He, Glory be to Him, is as His servant expects of Him. 133 00:08:03,139 --> 00:08:07,139 It is also a matter of optimism that we shall be among its people, 134 00:08:07,139 --> 00:08:11,180 And Allah, Glory be to Him, loves good optimism. 135 00:08:11,180 --> 00:08:16,339 We ask Allah, the Generous, for His great bounty. 136 00:08:16,339 --> 00:08:19,620 So, O people of Paradise, 137 00:08:19,620 --> 00:08:24,939 Allah has decreed for us to remain in this world for a term, 138 00:08:24,939 --> 00:08:29,939 Then we die, enter the grave, and dwell in the niche. 139 00:08:29,939 --> 00:08:34,259 We remain as long as Allah wills us to remain, 140 00:08:34,259 --> 00:08:37,259 Then we are resurrected for the Day of Resurrection, 141 00:08:37,259 --> 00:08:40,389 The day of recompense and reckoning. 142 00:08:40,389 --> 00:08:44,389 We shall emerge from our graves disheveled and dusty, 143 00:08:44,389 --> 00:08:47,580 Barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised. 144 00:08:47,580 --> 00:08:53,710 Then we shall stand on a day the length of which is fifty thousand years. 145 00:08:53,710 --> 00:08:58,809 We shall experience great terrors and severe hardships, 146 00:08:58,809 --> 00:09:02,809 We ask Allah to make it easy for us by His grace, 147 00:09:02,809 --> 00:09:05,809 And facilitate it for us by His mercy. 148 00:09:05,809 --> 00:09:09,669 O Allah, answer our prayer. 149 00:09:09,669 --> 00:09:13,669 On that day, the scales will be set up. 150 00:09:13,669 --> 00:09:16,669 “And We set a just balance for the Day of Resurrection so that no soul is wronged in aught. Though it be of the weight of a grain of mustard seed, We bring it. And We suffice for reckoners.” (21:47) 151 00:09:16,669 --> 00:09:21,799 Whoever does an atom's weight of good or evil 152 00:09:21,799 --> 00:09:24,929 Will see it present before him. 153 00:09:24,929 --> 00:09:29,929 Woe to the wrongdoers on that great day. 154 00:09:29,929 --> 00:09:34,470 And what joy for the righteous workers! 155 00:09:34,470 --> 00:09:36,470 The records will be spread open, 156 00:09:36,470 --> 00:09:40,470 The happy one will take his book in his right hand, 157 00:09:40,470 --> 00:09:47,570 And the wretched one will take his book from behind his back in his left. 158 00:09:47,570 --> 00:09:51,570 He will cry out, "I wish I had not been given my book, 159 00:09:51,570 --> 00:09:55,110 And had not known what my account was." 160 00:09:55,110 --> 00:09:57,110 On that day, 161 00:09:57,110 --> 00:10:01,210 The Bridge (Sirat) will be set over the back of Hell. 162 00:10:01,210 --> 00:10:03,210 That Bridge, my brother, 163 00:10:03,210 --> 00:10:06,210 Is sharper than a sword, 164 00:10:06,210 --> 00:10:09,210 And thinner than a hair. 165 00:10:09,210 --> 00:10:11,210 And upon it are hooks, 166 00:10:11,210 --> 00:10:15,500 And there is no light on that day. 167 00:10:15,500 --> 00:10:18,500 Then we will be commanded to cross the Bridge, 168 00:10:18,500 --> 00:10:20,500 In an impossible mission. 169 00:10:20,500 --> 00:10:23,750 It is a journey on the Bridge, 170 00:10:23,750 --> 00:10:25,750 Enveloped by dangers, 171 00:10:25,750 --> 00:10:27,750 And surrounded by the Fire. 172 00:10:27,750 --> 00:10:32,039 But crossing it is inevitable, 173 00:10:32,039 --> 00:10:37,200 And salvation upon it is according to one's righteous deeds. 174 00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:41,490 So increase your good deeds, 175 00:10:41,490 --> 00:10:46,899 To be saved from the terrors of that dreadful day. 176 00:10:46,899 --> 00:10:48,899 O people of Paradise, 177 00:10:48,899 --> 00:10:53,220 After we have crossed the Bridge, 178 00:10:53,220 --> 00:10:57,220 We will be detained on a bridge before Paradise, 179 00:10:57,220 --> 00:10:59,480 Called the Qantarah. 180 00:10:59,480 --> 00:11:02,480 There, our hearts will be purified, 181 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:05,480 And resentment will be removed from our chests. 182 00:11:05,480 --> 00:11:08,480 None of us will harbor anything in his soul 183 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:11,480 Against his brother among the people of Paradise. 184 00:11:11,480 --> 00:11:16,250 We shall become loving brothers. 185 00:11:16,250 --> 00:11:18,250 O people of Paradise, 186 00:11:18,250 --> 00:11:20,629 Now, 187 00:11:20,629 --> 00:11:22,629 After our souls have been refined, 188 00:11:22,629 --> 00:11:26,629 And have become fit to enter Paradise, 189 00:11:26,629 --> 00:11:28,629 Where there is security and safety, 190 00:11:28,629 --> 00:11:31,629 And the proximity of the Generous, the Most Merciful, 191 00:11:31,629 --> 00:11:33,629 Now, 192 00:11:33,629 --> 00:11:35,629 People will be distinguished, 193 00:11:35,629 --> 00:11:39,629 Becoming groups according to their deeds, 194 00:11:39,629 --> 00:11:42,629 And the people of every deed will be distinguished by it, 195 00:11:42,629 --> 00:11:45,629 Gathered together, 196 00:11:45,629 --> 00:11:49,019 A group followed by a group, 197 00:11:49,019 --> 00:11:52,019 Driven in throngs toward it, 198 00:11:52,019 --> 00:11:55,049 Where the meeting of good awaits them, 199 00:11:55,049 --> 00:11:58,080 And the birds sing upon it. 200 00:11:58,080 --> 00:12:01,080 "Enter it in peace, eternal." 201 00:12:01,080 --> 00:12:04,980 O Allah! 202 00:12:04,980 --> 00:12:07,980 Here we are, among the throngs of people, 203 00:12:07,980 --> 00:12:11,009 our hands joined together, 204 00:12:11,009 --> 00:12:14,009 prepared to depart for Paradise, 205 00:12:14,009 --> 00:12:17,230 for we yearn for it, 206 00:12:17,230 --> 00:12:19,519 and it yearns for us as well. 207 00:12:19,519 --> 00:12:21,519 But suddenly, 208 00:12:21,519 --> 00:12:25,519 we behold something we had not anticipated: 209 00:12:25,519 --> 00:12:28,620 magnificent she-camels, 210 00:12:28,620 --> 00:12:31,620 the likes of which creation has never seen, 211 00:12:31,620 --> 00:12:34,840 adorned with saddles of gold, 212 00:12:34,840 --> 00:12:37,840 drawing near for us to mount, 213 00:12:37,840 --> 00:12:41,840 that they may carry us to the Gardens. 214 00:12:41,840 --> 00:12:45,190 Our Lord, Exalted is He, says: 215 00:12:45,190 --> 00:12:48,289 "The Day We will gather the righteous 216 00:12:48,289 --> 00:12:51,580 to the Most Merciful as a delegation." 217 00:12:51,580 --> 00:12:54,580 And when a delegation arrives before the Generous One, 218 00:12:54,580 --> 00:12:57,700 they do not arrive on foot; 219 00:12:57,700 --> 00:13:00,700 rather, the finest mounts are prepared for them, 220 00:13:00,700 --> 00:13:03,700 and they are escorted in the grandest of processions. 221 00:13:03,700 --> 00:13:07,059 We shall then mount those she-camels, 222 00:13:07,059 --> 00:13:10,059 and they will draw us toward Paradise. 223 00:13:10,059 --> 00:13:13,059 And Paradise, in its longing, 224 00:13:13,059 --> 00:13:15,379 will draw near to us. 225 00:13:15,379 --> 00:13:17,440 Did Allah not say: 226 00:13:17,440 --> 00:13:19,440 "And Paradise will be brought near 227 00:13:19,440 --> 00:13:22,440 to the righteous, not far"? 228 00:13:22,440 --> 00:13:25,980 So hasten to the Gardens of Eden, 229 00:13:25,980 --> 00:13:27,980 for they are 230 00:13:27,980 --> 00:13:29,980 our original homes, 231 00:13:29,980 --> 00:13:31,980 and therein is our true dwelling. 232 00:13:31,980 --> 00:13:35,080 Yet we have been taken captive by the enemy; 233 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:37,080 so do you think 234 00:13:37,080 --> 00:13:39,080 we shall return to our homelands 235 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:41,269 and find peace? 236 00:13:41,269 --> 00:13:45,269 It has been claimed that the stranger, when he wanders far 237 00:13:45,269 --> 00:13:48,269 and his homelands become distant, 238 00:13:48,269 --> 00:13:50,500 is truly distraught. 239 00:13:50,500 --> 00:13:52,500 And what estrangement is there 240 00:13:52,500 --> 00:13:54,500 greater than our own, 241 00:13:54,500 --> 00:13:57,500 over which the enemies have laughed, 242 00:13:57,500 --> 00:14:00,200 and over us they have gained control? 243 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:03,490 O Allah, grant us Paradise. 244 00:14:03,490 --> 00:14:06,490 O Allah, we ask You for the highest 245 00:14:06,490 --> 00:14:08,490 level of Paradise, 246 00:14:08,490 --> 00:14:11,490 without reckoning and without prior punishment. 247 00:14:11,490 --> 00:14:14,940 O Allah, answer our prayer. 248 00:14:14,940 --> 00:14:18,220 And this journey has a continuation; 249 00:14:18,220 --> 00:14:25,190 it is Paradise.