Belief and Righteous Deeds are two of the best routes to Jannah (Paradise).  The door of righteous deeds is wide and the ways of obtaining rewards are vast, as Allah says, “And those who believe and do good deeds they are the inhabitants of Paradise, in it they shall abide.” [2:82]

Taqwa is the fear of the Most Merciful, and acting in accordance with the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhi wasallam.  That is, hoping for the reward of Allah and avoiding disobedience of His Guidance and fearing His Punishment.  For Allah says, “Surely those of taqwa shall be in the midst of Gardens and fountains.” [15:45]   The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, also said, “The most common thing which leads people to Paradise is taqwa of Allah and good conduct, and the most common thing which leads people to the Hell Fire is the mouth and the private parts.” (Tirmithi)

Obedience of Allah and His Messenger is a sure way to Paradise.  Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, says, “And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, He will cause him to enter Gardens beneath which rivers flow, and whoever turns back, He will chastise him with a painful chastisement.” [48:17]   Allah’s Messenger, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, also said, “All of my followers will enter Paradise except those who refuse.” It was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, who would refuse?” He said, “He who obeys me enters Paradise and he who disobeys me has refused.” (Bukhari)

Fighting in the Path of Allah with one’s goods and soul.  For Allah says, “O you who believe, shall I lead you to a merchandise which may deliver you from a painful chastisement? You shall believe in Allah and His Messenger, and struggle hard in Allah’s Cause with your property and your lives; that is better for you, if you but knew! He will forgive you your sins and cause you to enter Gardens beneath which rivers flow, and goodly dwellings in Gardens of perpetuity; that is the mighty achievement.” [61:10-12]

Repentance erases what came before it as the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said, “The one who repents form sin is like the one who never sinned.” (Sahih Al-Jami)  And Allah says, “Except such as repent and believe and do good, these shall enter the Garden, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly in any way.” [19:60]

There are countless other means, from building a mosque to seeking Islamic knowledge to obeying our husbands and raising righteous children.  All it takes is our time and sincere efforts.  With all that Allah has described, it may seem daunting to us at times, that we will ever make it.  Eman rises and falls, and with it our good deeds.   But we should never lose hope in Allah, for the only one who loses hope in Allah is the one who disbelieves.  So even though we may feel that we are at the bottom of the pile, the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, gives us hope.  He said, “Mousa, alayhes salam, asked his Lord, ‘Who amongst the inhabitants of Paradise will be the lowest in rank?’ He, subhanahu wa ta’ala, said, ‘He is a man who will come after the people have entered Paradise and it will be said to him: Enter Paradise.’ He will say, ‘How my Lord? Indeed, the people have settled in their apartments and taken their shares.’ It will be asked of him, ‘Would you be pleased if there was a kingdom for you like the kingdoms of the earth?’ He will say, ‘I would be pleased, my Lord.’ He will say, ‘And for you is the like of that, and the like of it, and the like of it.’ He will say at the fifth time, ‘I am pleased, my Lord.’ He will say, ‘This is for you and ten times like it, and for you is what you desire for your self and what is pleasurable to your eye.’ He will say, “I am pleased my Lord.” (Muslim)

This is what Allah has for the least among us.  But despite all the glorious castles, the beautiful clothes and mates we will posses, insha Allah, He still has in store for the believers the greatest honor awaiting them in Paradise.  Suhaib ibn Sinan narrated that the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said, “When the inmates of Paradise enter Paradise and the inmates of Hellfire will enter Hell, the announcer will say, ‘O people of Paradise, verily you have a promise with Allah and He wishes to fulfill His promise to you.’ They will ask, ‘What is His promise? Has He not made our balances heavy (with good deed), whitened our faces, admitted us into Paradise, and delivered us from the Hellfire?’ Then the screen will be removed and they will look towards Him. By Allah He will not give them a thing more beloved to them and more comforting to their eyes, than the gaze of Himself.” (Sahih al-Jami)

We were created in Paradise, we came out of it and we will insha Allah go back to it.   It is our destination and we shall reach it.  But we have to do what Allah has asked us to do, for Paradise is not cheap.  The price is true eman that is shown in obedience to Allah according to the sunnah of his Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam.   The companions understood that.  Their efforts were all for the life of the Hereafter and they gave only what was necessary to this worldly life.  As Muslims, everything we do, can be, and should be worship of Allah.  Whether we’re working at the office to provide for our families; cooking a meal; raising our children, or simply resting, through remembrance of Allah and supplication, we can transform these earthly necessities into fruits that will bear for us in the life of the Hereafter.  So let us keep our eyes on the prize, and strive hard for it, for Allah says, “And (as for) those who strive hard for Us, We will most certainly guide them in Our ways; and Allah is most surely with the doers of good.” [29:69]

Article taken from http://www.answering-christianity.com/