Question: How do Moslems get into Heaven?

[funflower]

In traditional Christianity, belief in the divinity of Jesus is the key to getting into Heaven. Is belief also the key in Islam? If so, what exactly must a Moslem believe in order to get into Heaven? If not, what must a Moslem do? Is there a way in which a Moslem can feel "assured" of acceptance into Heaven?

Perhaps I'm oversimplifying (although I think I'm stating the orthodox Christian view accurately). If so, please set me straight!

Thanks!:)

[PsychoDad]

1. We obtain paradise/heaven only by the grace of God.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

I often quote the above to Christians who ask how does a Muslim get to Jannah (arabic for heaven) according to Islam, because it also applies in Islam.

Firstly, only with Allah/God's grace can we enter Jannah. Heaven cannot be granted to us by anyone or anything else... but how do we as Muslims show that we seek that grace? We seek it through "Islam", which simply means "submission to God".

In Islam that submission is expressed through the five pillers of Islam, these being:

Firstly and most importantly, We must acknowledge: "There is no God but God"
We must remember God through the five daily prayers
We must give to the poor and needy, we have an obligation to help each other.
We must fast to remember God in the month of Rammadan.
and, if we can, we must visit Mecca once in our lives.

But we must remember, none of the above will get us anywhere without the all important desire of submission, which comes from faith.

In short, in the end, God is most merciful and most gracious. Hadeeth (the sayings and actions of the Prophet (pbuh)) also illistrates that God may decide that a single good deed, done for the sake of simply goodness may be enough in the sight of God to grant us Heaven.

It is said that Muhammad (pbuh) and his followers once saw a prostitute give a very thirsty dog a drink of water. Muhammad turned to his companions and stated that God had forgiven this woman of all her sins because of her kindness toward one of God's creatures.

Please forgive me if I don't sound coherent, or am rambling... I am on some pain medication for a bad tooth which will be taken care of on Tuesday, Inshallah. (by the grace of God).

Peace.

[funflower]

2. Thanks. So, the core issue is one's desire to submit to Allah rather than

one's good works?

Also, do Muslims believe that any non-Muslims will go to Jannah? Is this a question on which Muslims differ?

BTW, thanks for your patience with my ignorance. The reason I'm asking is that it is a common belief among Christians that Christianity is the "only religion in which God saves the sinner rather than the sinner acheiving salvation through good works." I have suspected for some time that this is an incorrect perception and I wanted to investigate exactly how other major religions perceive the process of salvation.

I appreciate your insights (which sound very coherent indeed).

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. As I understand it,

the point is submission to God. But from this, this experience of the Beloved, deeds of beneficence and mercy often spring forth, as water from a fountain.

The Qur'an speaks of honoring all the people of the Book; this includes Jews and Christians as well as Muslims. So yes, people not following the Islamic path may indeed enter Paradise, as God wills.

[funflower]

5. Thanks very much!

:hi:

[PsychoDad]

6. "do Muslims believe that any non-Muslims will go to Jannah" ?

That would depend on the Muslim you ask.

As for myself, I think only Allah the One can answer that. But I have some thoughts, if I may share them.

The following is only my opinion, and differs from the opinions of others.

Firstly we must remember the first two attributes/Names of Allah that are given to us by the One itself, and repeated most often, Most Merciful and Most Beneficent.

Hadeeth states that one day Muhammad(saw) and his companions saw a mother and her child. Muhammad asked if his followers understood how much a mother loves her child. All nodded yes, they did understand the strong love between mother and child. Muhammad informed them that Allah loved us a million times more than any human mother ever could.

Another Hadeeth states allegorically that before Allah created the universe, he placed next to his right hand where he would always see it the promise, "My mercy will always be greater than my anger".

Previously I've mentioned the story of the prostitute and the dog, a favorite of mine, where Muhammad states that a prostitute that has shown compassion to a thirsty dog by giving it water had just, in that act, insured her place in Jannah. The Hadeeth doesn't state that she ever changed occupation, or that she was or ever became "Muslim", yet we have the assurance of Hadeeth that she is in Jannah.

Secondly we must look at the terms "Islam" and "Muslim" as they are used in the Quran. Islam is the act of submission to God, and a Muslim is one who submits. Simple as that.

In the above story the woman in question submitted to the will of God by showing compassion and mercy, for no reason beyond humane compassion.

And what of the person who trys to do as they feel God has led them? The Quran tells us that only Allah can change the Heart of man, therefore, if Allah leads one to be Christian, Jew, Pagan or Atheist, and they follow that path to the best of their ability, are they not submitting to the will of Allah in their own way? I cannot see a merciful God judging against us because we were not a particular faith or denomination when it was not in fact the path the One led us upon in the first place.

Again, just my opinions, some will differ. In the end, Allah knows best.
And may we all make plans to meet in Jannah :)

Peace.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Ya Shafee Ya Kafee

Brother, may your pain be eased. The beauty and clarity of your words explaining matters was very well done.

[PsychoDad]

7. Thank you very much

:)

I'm feeling much better now, Mashallah. Thank you for your kind thoughts.

Peace and the blessings of Allah be yours