22nd Hadith - Entering Paradise (Muslim: 15)

الحديث الثاني و العشرون 

عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ جَابِرْ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللهِ الأَنْصَارِي رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا : أَنَّ رَجُلاً سَأَلَ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ : أَرَأَيْتَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتُ اْلمَكْتُوْبَاتِ، وَصُمْتُ رَمَضَانَ، وَأَحْلَلْتُ الْحَلاَلَ، وَحَرَّمْت الْحَرَامَ، وَلَمْ أَزِدْ عَلَى ذَلِكَ شَيْئاً، أَأَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ ؟ قَالَ : نَعَمْ

[رواه مسلم]

22nd Hadith - Translation

On the authority of Abu Abdullah Jabir Bin Abdullah Al-Ansaree (R.A.) reported that a man questioned the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) saying:

"Do you think that if I perform the obligatory prayers, fast in Ramadan, treat as lawful that which is halal (permissible), and treat as forbidden that which is haram (prohibited), and do not increase upon that [in voluntary good deeds], then I shall enter Paradise?” He [the Prophet (S.A.W.)] answered: “Yes.” (Muslim: 15)

Brief Narration

Imam Nawawi said that the meaning of “treat the forbidden as prohibited” is to avoid the forbidden, and the meaning of to “treat the lawful as permissible” is to perform them believing that they are permissible.

This hadith indicates that the one who fulfills the obligations and avoids the prohibitions will enter Paradise. This meaning has been emphasized in a number of other hadiths.

This hadith shows a significant characteristic of Islam that it is a religion based on ease. There is a minimum requirement to be fulfilled by everyone, which is practicing obligations and avoiding prohibitions. By fulfilling this minimum requirement a person deserves to enter Paradise. Preferable acts are encouraged, based on one's capacity and ability. 

 (Reference: Commentary of Forty Hadiths of An-Nawawi by Dr. Jamal Ahmed Badi)