Quotes

Keys to goodness and evil

NafisaLeave a comment

Ibn Qayyim رحمه الله said:

Bukhari mentions in his Saheeh from Wahab bin Munnabih that it was said to him: ‘Is not ‘La ilaha illa Allaah’ the key to Paradise?’

He said: ‘Of course, however there is no key except that it has teeth, so if a key is brought which has teeth then it will be opened, otherwise it will not open.’

Ibn Qayyim رحمه الله continues:

‘Allah has placed keys for everything that is necessary, and they open the way, so Allah made purification the key for prayer, as the Messenger صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said:

‘The key to prayer is purification.’
[Saheeh al-Jamia as-Sagheer No.5885] .

Like wise

  • Ihram is the key to Hajj,
  • Truthfulness is the key to righteousness,
  • Tawheed is the key to Paradise,
  • Asking good questions and being attentive is the key to knowledge,
  • Patience is the key to victory and triumph,
  • Gratitude is the key to increase of provision,
  • Remembrance of Allah is the key to having loyalty to Allah and His love,
  • Taqwa (piety) is the key to success,
  • Fervent desire (for Allah’s reward) and dread (of Allah’s punishment) is the key to being successful,
  • Dua’ (Supplicating) is the key to being responded to,
  • Zuhd (Abstaining from the luxuries of the world) is the key to desiring the Hereafter,
  • Reflecting about that which Allah calls His slaves to is the key to Eeman (having faith),
  • Making the heart accept Islam and making it secure for Allah and being sincere to Him in loving and hating [for his sake], and fulfilling His commands and leaving the prohibitions is the key to going in front of Allah,
  • Pondering upon the Qur’an, and imploring Allah before dawn and not sinning is the key to giving the heart life,
  • Being kind to the worshippers of the Creator and striving to benefit His worshippers is the key to obtaining mercy,
  • Striving to seek forgiveness from Allaah and Taqwa (piety) is the key to Rizq (provisions),

-Obedience to Allaah and His Messenger is the key to honour,

-Longing for the Hereafter is the key to being prepared for the Hereafter,

-Fervent desire for Allaah and the Hereafter is the key to all goodness,

-Love for the world, continuously longing for it and turning away from the Hereafter is the key to all evil.

This is a great matter from the most beneficial chapters of knowledge, namely ‘knowing the keys to goodness and evil.’

[Taken from: ‘Haadi al-Arwaaha ila Bilaad al-Afraaha’ by Ibn Qayyim vol 1 p.139]

[Imam Ibn al Qayyim Rahimahullah]

Leave a comment