Every Muslim has been taught that the key to “Jennah” (Paradise) is the statement in Arabic:

 لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا ٱلله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ ٱلله

La Ilaha IllAllah Muhammadur Rasulullah 

.(There is none worthy of worship except Allah.) Yet too many Muslims simply rely upon this statement and believe that as long as they have made this statement, nothing will harm them. This statement is the foundation of Islam, the beginning of faith, the source of virtues, and the means of happiness in the Hereafter for those who actualize its meaning. They think they will be granted Paradise because of this mere verbal statement of the Shahadah. Allah says:

وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي صَدَقَنَا وَعْدَهُ وَأَوْرَثَنَا الْأَرْضَ نَتَبَوَّأُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ نَشَاءُ فَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ الْعَامِلِينَ

“And they will say, “All praise (be) to Allah, Who has fulfilled for us His promise and has made us inherit the earth, we may settle [from] (in) Paradise wherever we wish. So excellent (is the) reward (of) the workers.” (Surah Az-Zumar 39:74)

To know Allah as stated in this tradition means to realize and fulfil the implications of this knowledge, its duties, its obligations, and its virtues. The testimony of faith is the key to Paradise, but every key must have ridges that match the lock on the door or else it will not open. Likewise, the testimony of faith has certain conditions which must be met to lead us to Paradise. Allah says:

رَّبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فَاعْبُدْهُ وَاصْطَبِرْ لِعِبَادَتِهِ ۚ هَلْ تَعْلَمُ لَهُ سَمِيًّا

“He is the Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, so worship Him and have patience in His worship. Do you know of anything similar to Him?” (Surah Maryam 19:65)

It is the objective of every Muslim in this world to somehow do all the good deeds possible that ensure going into Paradise. A Muslim knows that the life of this world is transient and the eternal life is in the hereafter, that is why his or her objective is to get an eternal life that is in Paradise and not vice versa. Allah says:

مَّن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ثَوَابَ الدُّنْيَا فَعِندَ اللَّهِ ثَوَابُ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا

“Whoever [is] desires reward (of) the world – then with Allah (is the) reward (of) the world and the Hereafter. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” (Surat An-Nisa 4:134)

We must believe that Allah is the only Lord and Creator who alone deserves to be worshipped and who alone possesses divine names and attributes. We should neither ascribe divine characteristics to created beings nor ascribe imperfect characteristics to Allah by comparing Him to the creation.

لَا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لِأَخِيهِ أَوْ قَالَ لِجَارِهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ

“None of you has faith until he loves for his brother or his neighbour what he loves for himself.“ (Sahih Muslim 45)

We should not take this matter lightly and indulge in sins believing we will eventually enter Paradise, because even a single moment in the Hellfire will be so terrible that all pleasures we enjoyed by sinning will become worthless and a source of intense regret.

Here are some ways to enter Paradise in Islam:

1. Spread peace, feed the hungry will enter Paradise 
2. Speaking in humility was also equally important
3. Scales and weight play a recurring role
4. This world we live in is only temporary
5. Praising a person for the sake of God
6. Paradise is beneath the mother’s feet
7. Truthfulness leads to righteousness
8. All five prayers are not to be missed
9. Our eternal place is in the hereafter
10. Treat as lawful that which is lawful
11. Righteousness leads to Paradise
12. 99 Beautiful Names of Allah
13. The man who shows mercy
14. Good manners in a corrupt world
15. Good manners bring out the best 
16. Good behaviour is the key to Paradise
17. Good manners are an important realm
18. Give gifts to one another and you will love
19. God to bless him with the best of manners
20. Good manners encompass a social etiquette
21. Good manners are equivalent to nights in prayer
22. Good manners build the character of a true Muslim

There is no denying the fact that the provision of Paradise to a believer depends totally upon the Will of Allah Almighty, however, this does not undermine or devalue the importance of committing the righteous deeds, as after all these deeds are also instructions and commendations from Allah Almighty, therefore, their pursuit can also not be denied or undermined. The lines below try to give ten most common ways by which one can ensure entering into Paradise God Willingly.

Furthermore, the completion of monotheism (Tawheed) involves the fulfilment of three categories of belief and practice:

1. Oneness of Lordship: (Tawheed ar-rububiyyah)
2. Oneness of Godship: (Tawheed al-uluhiyyah)
3. Oneness of Names and Attributes: (Tawheed Asma wa sifat)

No one has true and complete faith until he loves for all people what he loves for himself of goodness. This general goodwill for all humanity is an essential component of sincere faith. The believing monotheists who do not have this quality are still considered believers, but their faith is weak and deficient. Allah says:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا

“Indeed, Allah and His Angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe! Send blessings on him and greet him (with) greetings.” (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:56)

The believers must continue acquiring, developing, and practising the virtues of faith and purifying their hearts until they reach a state of spiritual excellence (Ihsan) such that they worship Allah as if they can see Him. This is the highest state of righteousness the believers can achieve as all of their deeds will be pleasing to Allah. Allah says:

فَسَجَدَ الْمَلَائِكَةُ كُلُّهُمْ أَجْمَعُونَ إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ اسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ

“So the angels prostrated, all of them entirely, except Iblees for he was arrogant and was among the unbelievers.” (Surah Sad 38:73)

Therefore, our ultimate goal should be the full completion and actualization of true faith such that we will enter Paradise without any reckoning in the Hellfire. Our worship of Allah necessarily involves upholding the rights of humanity and creation in general and practising virtues such as charity, justice, mercy, forgiveness, and patience. We will find numerous verses in the Quran in which the worship of Allah is mentioned alongside such good deeds. Allah says:

وَاخْتِلَافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مِن رِّزْقٍ فَأَحْيَا بِهِ الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَتَصْرِيفِ الرِّيَاحِ آيَاتٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ

In the changing of night and day and in what Allah sends down from the sky of provision and gives life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness and in His directing the winds are signs for people who reason.” (Surah Al-Jathiya 45:5)

Allah The Almighty sent two types of clothing: clothing that covers your ‘Awrah (private parts) and clothing that adorns and beautifies you. The clothing of righteousness is the best. In other words, religious prudence and fearing Allah The Almighty provide the best clothing that man can adorn himself with. That is because inner purity is better than outer beauty, and the best clothing of man is obedience to his Lord. There is no good in the one who disobeys Allah. Allah says:

وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي صَدَقَنَا وَعْدَهُ وَأَوْرَثَنَا الْأَرْضَ نَتَبَوَّأُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ نَشَاءُ فَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ الْعَامِلِينَ

“And they will say, “All praise (be) to Allah, Who has fulfilled for us His promise and has made us inherit the earth, we may settle [from] (in) Paradise wherever we wish. So excellent (is the) reward (of) the workers.” (Surah Az-Zumar 39:74)

Therefore, Hijab leads the woman gradually to develop bashfulness which itself requires her to wear Hijab. In this way, every act of worship leads the Muslim to another. Hijab has attained covering from Allah The Almighty in this life and the Hereafter and she will be among the dwellers of Paradise which is the abode of covering.

Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:

• “Who will inherit Paradise: they will dwell therein (for ever).” (Surah Al-Muminun, 11)
• “And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.” (Quran 33:53)
• “As to those who believe and work righteous deeds, they have, for their entertainment, the Gardens of Paradise,” (Surah Al-Kahf, 107)
• “But those who have faith and work righteousness, they are the Companions of the Garden: Therein shall they abide forever.” (Quran 2:82)

If we say in English that “there is no God but Allah,” this is entirely true but it does not encompass the entire meaning of the Arabic phrase. Some people might mistakenly believe there is only one God but that they are allowed to worship others alongside Him. For this reason, the best translation of the testimony of faith is, “There is nothing worthy of worship except Allah.”

بَلَى وَلَكِنْ لَيْسَ مِفْتَاحٌ إِلَّا لَهُ أَسْنَانٌ فَإِنْ جِئْتَ بِمِفْتَاحٍ لَهُ أَسْنَانٌ فُتِحَ لَكَ وَإِلَّا لَمْ يُفْتَحْ لَكَ

“Of course, but rather every key has ridges. If you come with the correct key, the door will be opened for you. Otherwise, it will never be opened.” (Sahih Bukhari 1180)

Faith in Allah must include faith in Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, through whom Allah has been made known. The Prophet revealed to us the attributes of Allah and the correct method with which we should worship Him. Thus, our faith should conform to his beliefs and practices.

Following are some ways regarding the hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) which will show us how to get Paradise(Jannah) in the hereafter:

• Faith and good deeds will lead us to get Jannah.
• Seeking knowledge also leads to Paradise. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said in one of His hadith in these words: “Whosoever takes a path that leads to knowledge, Allah, the Almighty will pave his way to Jannah.”(Muslim)
• Another simple way that can play a vital role in a Muslim’s life leads to Jannah is going to the mosque. Holy Prophet (PBUH) said regarding this: “Whosoever goes to the Masjid and returns from it, purely for the sake of Allah, Allah the Almighty will prepare an abode in Jannah for every time he goes and comes back.” (Muslim)
• Being good to parents is also a reason to get Jannah. One of hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “A father’s pleasure is Allah’s pleasure, a father’s displeasure is Allah’s displeasure” (Tirmidhi). Further, He (SAW) said about mother: “Paradise lies at the feet of your mother.” (Nasai)
• Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said in one of His hadith: “Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger (PBUH), and establishes the prayer and fasts in the month of Ramadan, it is incumbent upon Allah that He enters him in Jannah.” (Sahih Bukhari)
• Whoever remained righteous will lead towards Jannah. “Indeed, truthfulness leads to righteousness and indeed righteousness leads to Jannah.” (Sahih Bukhari)
• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Anyone who’s soul leaves his body and he is free of three things, will enter Jannah: Arrogance, stealing from the spoils of war, and debt.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

The sacred journey of Islam begins with the testimony of faith and proceeds along the straight path, earning virtues and good deeds along the way, purifying the soul and achieving spiritual heights until the gates of Paradise are opened.

مَنْ مَاتَ وَهُوَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ

“He who died knowing that there is no God but Allah will enter Paradise.” (Sahih Muslim 26)

Although Salah itself is a major means of ensuring entry into paradise, however, if every obligatory prayer is complemented with Ayatul Qursi recitation afterwards, the chances of entering Jannah increase substantially and a person gets almost a guarantee for entering paradise. Therefore, every Muslim must try reciting Ayatul Qursi after every obligatory prayer. Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَابْتَغُوا إِلَيْهِ الْوَسِيلَةَ وَجَاهِدُوا فِي سَبِيلِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

“O you who believe! Consciously revere Allah and seek towards Him the means and strive hard in His way, so that you may succeed.” (Surah Al-Ma`idah 5:35)

As Muslims, we should follow Prophet Muhammad to become amongst the best of Muslims with the best possible manners as a stepping stone closer to God and a permanent resting abode in Paradise. If a Muslim fulfils these conditions of faith inwardly and outwardly, then Allah has promised that he or she will enter Paradise despite their sins.

أَنْ تُؤْمِنَ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَتُؤْمِنَ بِالْقَدَرِ خَيْرِهِ وَشَرِّهِ

“Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in providence both its good and its bad.” (Sahih Muslim 8)

We ask Allah to make us steadfast upon true faith and to endow us with such virtues which earn His pleasure and reward in the Hereafter. May Allah The Almighty guide us, forgive all our sins, help us to stay firm on the right path and unite all of us with our family and friends in His Jannat-ul-Firdaus. Ameen.