WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.089 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:05.089 --> 00:00:09.089 It is Paradise. 00:00:09.089 --> 00:00:18.710 The departure. 00:00:18.710 --> 00:00:25.969 Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. 00:00:25.969 --> 00:00:28.969 And may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad. 00:00:28.969 --> 00:00:31.969 And upon all his family and companions. 00:00:31.969 --> 00:00:33.969 To proceed: 00:00:34.380 --> 00:00:36.380 In the blessed month of Ramadan, 00:00:36.380 --> 00:00:39.380 The gates of Paradise are opened, 00:00:39.380 --> 00:00:41.380 The gates of Hell are closed, 00:00:41.380 --> 00:00:43.380 And the devils are chained. 00:00:43.380 --> 00:00:45.509 In this noble month, 00:00:45.509 --> 00:00:48.509 Allah bestows His favor upon His servants, 00:00:48.509 --> 00:00:51.509 Freeing many from the Fire, 00:00:51.509 --> 00:00:55.509 And inscribing their names among the people of Paradise. 00:00:55.509 --> 00:00:59.740 The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 00:00:59.740 --> 00:01:02.740 "May he be humiliated, the one who reaches Ramadan, 00:01:02.740 --> 00:01:04.739 And is not forgiven." 00:01:04.739 --> 00:01:08.019 Truly, the loser is the one who fails to gain in Ramadan. 00:01:08.019 --> 00:01:12.019 Congratulations to those whom Allah has granted a long life, 00:01:12.019 --> 00:01:15.019 Until they reached this virtuous month, 00:01:15.019 --> 00:01:18.019 So that they might increase in righteous deeds, 00:01:18.019 --> 00:01:23.019 Hoping to catch a breeze from the breezes of our Merciful Lord, 00:01:23.019 --> 00:01:28.019 To attain a happiness after which they shall never suffer. 00:01:28.019 --> 00:01:30.409 Brothers in faith, 00:01:30.409 --> 00:01:33.409 In these episodes, we will take you 00:01:33.409 --> 00:01:37.409 On a journey of faith into the expanse of Paradise, 00:01:37.409 --> 00:01:42.500 To the abode that Allah created for His believing servants. 00:01:42.500 --> 00:01:47.500 We shall learn about it and what Allah has prepared for its people therein. 00:01:47.500 --> 00:01:50.659 We will wander through its meadows, 00:01:50.659 --> 00:01:53.859 And rest in its shade. 00:01:53.859 --> 00:01:55.859 For speaking about Paradise 00:01:55.859 --> 00:01:58.859 Is part of belief in the Last Day, 00:01:58.859 --> 00:02:00.859 And belief in it is an obligation. 00:02:00.859 --> 00:02:04.049 How many verses in the Book of Allah 00:02:04.049 --> 00:02:06.049 Have spoken of Paradise, 00:02:06.049 --> 00:02:08.050 And encouraged us toward it. 00:02:08.050 --> 00:02:11.270 The Truth, Glorified and Exalted be He, has spoken. 00:02:20.590 --> 00:02:24.590 And how many a hadith in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) urged 00:02:24.590 --> 00:02:27.780 Us to work for its sake. 00:02:27.780 --> 00:02:30.780 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said 00:02:30.780 --> 00:02:32.780 One day to his companions: 00:02:32.780 --> 00:02:35.939 "Is there anyone striving for Paradise? 00:02:35.939 --> 00:02:38.939 For Paradise has no equal. 00:02:38.939 --> 00:02:41.939 By the Lord of the Kaaba, it is a shimmering light, 00:02:41.939 --> 00:02:44.939 A swaying aromatic plant, 00:02:44.939 --> 00:02:46.939 A lofty palace, 00:02:46.939 --> 00:02:48.939 A flowing river, 00:02:48.939 --> 00:02:52.939 Abundant, ripe fruit, 00:02:52.939 --> 00:02:55.939 A beautiful, fair spouse, 00:02:55.939 --> 00:03:00.979 And many garments in an eternal abode, 00:03:00.979 --> 00:03:02.979 In joy and splendor, 00:03:02.979 --> 00:03:06.979 In a high, sound, and magnificent dwelling." 00:03:06.979 --> 00:03:12.419 They said, "We are the ones striving for it, O Messenger of Allah." 00:03:12.419 --> 00:03:17.580 He said, "Say: 'If Allah wills.'" 00:03:17.580 --> 00:03:21.449 Come with me, brothers in faith, 00:03:21.449 --> 00:03:25.449 Let us begin this journey from its inception. 00:03:25.449 --> 00:03:30.659 Allah created our father Adam (peace be upon him) with His own hand, 00:03:30.659 --> 00:03:33.659 Commanded His angels to prostrate to him, 00:03:33.659 --> 00:03:36.659 Settled him in the abode of His mercy, 00:03:36.659 --> 00:03:40.759 And comforted him with our mother Eve, his wife. 00:03:40.759 --> 00:03:44.759 He permitted them everything in Paradise, 00:03:44.759 --> 00:03:47.759 To eat and drink from it, 00:03:47.759 --> 00:03:50.889 Until Satan whispered to them, 00:03:50.889 --> 00:03:55.889 And they ate from the tree they had been forbidden to approach. 00:03:55.889 --> 00:03:58.949 Then their Lord called out to them: 00:03:58.949 --> 00:04:01.949 "Did I not forbid you from that tree? 00:04:01.949 --> 00:04:06.949 And tell you that Satan is a clear enemy to you?" 00:04:06.949 --> 00:04:10.340 Our parents realized their mistake, 00:04:10.340 --> 00:04:12.340 Confessed their sin, 00:04:12.340 --> 00:04:14.340 And said: 00:04:14.340 --> 00:04:17.339 "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves." 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) 00:04:22.339 --> 00:04:25.660 Then their Lord chose them, 00:04:25.660 --> 00:04:28.660 Accepted their repentance, and guided them. 00:04:28.660 --> 00:04:30.750 And He said: 00:04:30.750 --> 00:04:35.750 "Descend from it, all of you, as enemies to one another. 00:04:35.750 --> 00:04:41.420 And for you on the earth is a place of settlement and provision for a time." 00:04:41.420 --> 00:04:46.519 So our parents departed from the abode of bliss to the worldly life, 00:04:46.519 --> 00:04:51.519 They went from the abode of ease to the abode of toil and lamentation, 00:04:51.519 --> 00:04:55.620 From the abode of rest to the abode of hardship, 00:04:55.620 --> 00:04:59.620 And from the abode of happiness to the abode of trial. 00:04:59.620 --> 00:05:02.939 This was for one sin; 00:05:02.939 --> 00:05:06.939 So what of the state of one who persists in sins for a lifetime? 00:05:06.939 --> 00:05:11.449 Yet Allah promised our father Adam and his descendants 00:05:11.449 --> 00:05:15.449 That if they obeyed Him in this world, 00:05:15.449 --> 00:05:18.449 Adhered to His command, and avoided His prohibitions, 00:05:18.449 --> 00:05:22.449 He would return them to their first home, 00:05:22.449 --> 00:05:24.449 To Paradise, 00:05:24.449 --> 00:05:28.740 Where there is lasting bliss and eternal rest. 00:05:28.740 --> 00:05:30.740 He promised them Paradise, 00:05:30.740 --> 00:05:32.740 Where there is complete bliss, 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:39.019 Which no deficiency mars and no impurity disturbs. 00:05:39.019 --> 00:05:40.019 Paradise, 00:05:40.019 --> 00:05:42.019 Where there is security and safety, 00:05:42.019 --> 00:05:45.339 And the proximity of the Most Merciful. 00:05:45.339 --> 00:05:47.339 That is Paradise, 00:05:47.339 --> 00:05:51.339 Which Allah has prepared for His righteous allies, 00:05:51.339 --> 00:05:54.339 Who shall enter it on the Day of Judgment. 00:05:54.339 --> 00:05:59.300 “And will not be absent thence.” (82:16) 00:05:59.300 --> 00:06:01.300 The strength of faith. 00:06:01.300 --> 00:06:05.430 This is the story of our existence in this abode. 00:06:05.430 --> 00:06:08.430 It is not our true home or final destination. 00:06:08.430 --> 00:06:12.430 We are here at a passing station, 00:06:12.430 --> 00:06:17.750 And shortly we shall move from it to our true home. 00:06:17.750 --> 00:06:20.750 Soon we shall depart, 00:06:20.750 --> 00:06:25.040 And settle our burdens in Paradise, by the permission of our Lord. 00:06:25.040 --> 00:06:27.040 This home of ours 00:06:27.040 --> 00:06:30.040 Does not deserve for us to lean upon it, 00:06:30.040 --> 00:06:32.040 Or feel secure within it, 00:06:32.040 --> 00:06:35.040 Or fight for its sake, 00:06:35.040 --> 00:06:39.040 Or sever our ties of kinship for its fleeting debris. 00:06:39.040 --> 00:06:43.779 We come into this world as equals; 00:06:43.779 --> 00:06:47.839 The child of kings is like the child of the servant here. 00:06:47.839 --> 00:06:52.000 And we leave this world as you see, 00:06:52.000 --> 00:06:56.000 Alike, upon bare graves. 00:06:56.000 --> 00:07:00.290 Our deeds raise or lower our status, 00:07:00.290 --> 00:07:04.290 And our reckoning will be in truth on the Day of the Overwhelming Event. 00:07:04.290 --> 00:07:08.420 Houris, rivers, and high palaces, 00:07:08.420 --> 00:07:13.420 Or Hellfire and scorching flames. 00:07:13.420 --> 00:07:17.699 So choose for yourself what you love and desire, 00:07:17.699 --> 00:07:21.699 As long as your days and nights remain. 00:07:21.699 --> 00:07:25.930 Tomorrow is your destiny, with no turning back, 00:07:25.930 --> 00:07:31.930 Either the Gardens of Eternity or the Abyss. 00:07:31.930 --> 00:07:34.980 Brothers in faith, 00:07:34.980 --> 00:07:39.980 Allow me to speak to you in the first person. 00:07:39.980 --> 00:07:43.980 We shall all adopt the persona of the people of Paradise, 00:07:43.980 --> 00:07:47.980 And we shall be together on this journey, 00:07:47.980 --> 00:07:50.980 Wandering through the expanse of Paradise, 00:07:50.980 --> 00:07:55.980 As if we have already entered it and become its people. 00:07:55.980 --> 00:07:58.980 This is our expectation of our Lord, 00:07:58.980 --> 00:08:03.139 And He, Glory be to Him, is as His servant expects of Him. 00:08:03.139 --> 00:08:07.139 It is also a matter of optimism that we shall be among its people, 00:08:07.139 --> 00:08:11.180 And Allah, Glory be to Him, loves good optimism. 00:08:11.180 --> 00:08:16.339 We ask Allah, the Generous, for His great bounty. 00:08:16.339 --> 00:08:19.620 So, O people of Paradise, 00:08:19.620 --> 00:08:24.939 Allah has decreed for us to remain in this world for a term, 00:08:24.939 --> 00:08:29.939 Then we die, enter the grave, and dwell in the niche. 00:08:29.939 --> 00:08:34.259 We remain as long as Allah wills us to remain, 00:08:34.259 --> 00:08:37.259 Then we are resurrected for the Day of Resurrection, 00:08:37.259 --> 00:08:40.389 The day of recompense and reckoning. 00:08:40.389 --> 00:08:44.389 We shall emerge from our graves disheveled and dusty, 00:08:44.389 --> 00:08:47.580 Barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised. 00:08:47.580 --> 00:08:53.710 Then we shall stand on a day the length of which is fifty thousand years. 00:08:53.710 --> 00:08:58.809 We shall experience great terrors and severe hardships, 00:08:58.809 --> 00:09:02.809 We ask Allah to make it easy for us by His grace, 00:09:02.809 --> 00:09:05.809 And facilitate it for us by His mercy. 00:09:05.809 --> 00:09:09.669 O Allah, answer our prayer. 00:09:09.669 --> 00:09:13.669 On that day, the scales will be set up. 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) 00:09:16.669 --> 00:09:21.799 Whoever does an atom's weight of good or evil 00:09:21.799 --> 00:09:24.929 Will see it present before him. 00:09:24.929 --> 00:09:29.929 Woe to the wrongdoers on that great day. 00:09:29.929 --> 00:09:34.470 And what joy for the righteous workers! 00:09:34.470 --> 00:09:36.470 The records will be spread open, 00:09:36.470 --> 00:09:40.470 The happy one will take his book in his right hand, 00:09:40.470 --> 00:09:47.570 And the wretched one will take his book from behind his back in his left. 00:09:47.570 --> 00:09:51.570 He will cry out, "I wish I had not been given my book, 00:09:51.570 --> 00:09:55.110 And had not known what my account was." 00:09:55.110 --> 00:09:57.110 On that day, 00:09:57.110 --> 00:10:01.210 The Bridge (Sirat) will be set over the back of Hell. 00:10:01.210 --> 00:10:03.210 That Bridge, my brother, 00:10:03.210 --> 00:10:06.210 Is sharper than a sword, 00:10:06.210 --> 00:10:09.210 And thinner than a hair. 00:10:09.210 --> 00:10:11.210 And upon it are hooks, 00:10:11.210 --> 00:10:15.500 And there is no light on that day. 00:10:15.500 --> 00:10:18.500 Then we will be commanded to cross the Bridge, 00:10:18.500 --> 00:10:20.500 In an impossible mission. 00:10:20.500 --> 00:10:23.750 It is a journey on the Bridge, 00:10:23.750 --> 00:10:25.750 Enveloped by dangers, 00:10:25.750 --> 00:10:27.750 And surrounded by the Fire. 00:10:27.750 --> 00:10:32.039 But crossing it is inevitable, 00:10:32.039 --> 00:10:37.200 And salvation upon it is according to one's righteous deeds. 00:10:37.200 --> 00:10:41.490 So increase your good deeds, 00:10:41.490 --> 00:10:46.899 To be saved from the terrors of that dreadful day. 00:10:46.899 --> 00:10:48.899 O people of Paradise, 00:10:48.899 --> 00:10:53.220 After we have crossed the Bridge, 00:10:53.220 --> 00:10:57.220 We will be detained on a bridge before Paradise, 00:10:57.220 --> 00:10:59.480 Called the Qantarah. 00:10:59.480 --> 00:11:02.480 There, our hearts will be purified, 00:11:02.480 --> 00:11:05.480 And resentment will be removed from our chests. 00:11:05.480 --> 00:11:08.480 None of us will harbor anything in his soul 00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:11.480 Against his brother among the people of Paradise. 00:11:11.480 --> 00:11:16.250 We shall become loving brothers. 00:11:16.250 --> 00:11:18.250 O people of Paradise, 00:11:18.250 --> 00:11:20.629 Now, 00:11:20.629 --> 00:11:22.629 After our souls have been refined, 00:11:22.629 --> 00:11:26.629 And have become fit to enter Paradise, 00:11:26.629 --> 00:11:28.629 Where there is security and safety, 00:11:28.629 --> 00:11:31.629 And the proximity of the Generous, the Most Merciful, 00:11:31.629 --> 00:11:33.629 Now, 00:11:33.629 --> 00:11:35.629 People will be distinguished, 00:11:35.629 --> 00:11:39.629 Becoming groups according to their deeds, 00:11:39.629 --> 00:11:42.629 And the people of every deed will be distinguished by it, 00:11:42.629 --> 00:11:45.629 Gathered together, 00:11:45.629 --> 00:11:49.019 A group followed by a group, 00:11:49.019 --> 00:11:52.019 Driven in throngs toward it, 00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:55.049 Where the meeting of good awaits them, 00:11:55.049 --> 00:11:58.080 And the birds sing upon it. 00:11:58.080 --> 00:12:01.080 "Enter it in peace, eternal." 00:12:01.080 --> 00:12:04.980 O Allah! 00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:07.980 Here we are, among the throngs of people, 00:12:07.980 --> 00:12:11.009 our hands joined together, 00:12:11.009 --> 00:12:14.009 prepared to depart for Paradise, 00:12:14.009 --> 00:12:17.230 for we yearn for it, 00:12:17.230 --> 00:12:19.519 and it yearns for us as well. 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:21.519 But suddenly, 00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:25.519 we behold something we had not anticipated: 00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:28.620 magnificent she-camels, 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:31.620 the likes of which creation has never seen, 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:34.840 adorned with saddles of gold, 00:12:34.840 --> 00:12:37.840 drawing near for us to mount, 00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:41.840 that they may carry us to the Gardens. 00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:45.190 Our Lord, Exalted is He, says: 00:12:45.190 --> 00:12:48.289 "The Day We will gather the righteous 00:12:48.289 --> 00:12:51.580 to the Most Merciful as a delegation." 00:12:51.580 --> 00:12:54.580 And when a delegation arrives before the Generous One, 00:12:54.580 --> 00:12:57.700 they do not arrive on foot; 00:12:57.700 --> 00:13:00.700 rather, the finest mounts are prepared for them, 00:13:00.700 --> 00:13:03.700 and they are escorted in the grandest of processions. 00:13:03.700 --> 00:13:07.059 We shall then mount those she-camels, 00:13:07.059 --> 00:13:10.059 and they will draw us toward Paradise. 00:13:10.059 --> 00:13:13.059 And Paradise, in its longing, 00:13:13.059 --> 00:13:15.379 will draw near to us. 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:17.440 Did Allah not say: 00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:19.440 "And Paradise will be brought near 00:13:19.440 --> 00:13:22.440 to the righteous, not far"? 00:13:22.440 --> 00:13:25.980 So hasten to the Gardens of Eden, 00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:27.980 for they are 00:13:27.980 --> 00:13:29.980 our original homes, 00:13:29.980 --> 00:13:31.980 and therein is our true dwelling. 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:35.080 Yet we have been taken captive by the enemy; 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:37.080 so do you think 00:13:37.080 --> 00:13:39.080 we shall return to our homelands 00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:41.269 and find peace? 00:13:41.269 --> 00:13:45.269 It has been claimed that the stranger, when he wanders far 00:13:45.269 --> 00:13:48.269 and his homelands become distant, 00:13:48.269 --> 00:13:50.500 is truly distraught. 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:52.500 And what estrangement is there 00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:54.500 greater than our own, 00:13:54.500 --> 00:13:57.500 over which the enemies have laughed, 00:13:57.500 --> 00:14:00.200 and over us they have gained control? 00:14:00.200 --> 00:14:03.490 O Allah, grant us Paradise. 00:14:03.490 --> 00:14:06.490 O Allah, we ask You for the highest 00:14:06.490 --> 00:14:08.490 level of Paradise, 00:14:08.490 --> 00:14:11.490 without reckoning and without prior punishment. 00:14:11.490 --> 00:14:14.940 O Allah, answer our prayer. 00:14:14.940 --> 00:14:18.220 And this journey has a continuation; 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:25.190 it is Paradise.