Can you imagine the beauty of being with your family in Paradise, enjoying pure pleasure together forever?

Allah ‘azza wa jall gives you a beautiful message of optimism in this week’s central ayah: Gardens of perpetual residence; they will enter them with whoever were righteous among their fathers, their spouses and their descendants. And the angels will enter upon them from every gate, [saying]:’Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured. And excellent is the final home.’ [Quran, 13:23-24]

It’s time to strive to get your family to the highest Jannah with you, in shaa’Allah!

Intercession for your family in the Hereafter

Imagine you will be someone who will be honoured by Allah ‘azza wa jall because of your good deeds and can lift up your whole family by the will of Allah ‘azza wa jall with you to Paradise. In Tafseer Jalalayn this honour to strive for as hard as you can is beautifully described:  . . . to Gardens of Eden, as a [place of] residence, which they shall enter, they, along with those who were righteous, [those who] believed, from among their fathers and their spouses and their descendants, even if these [latter] did not perform deeds of the same [merit] as theirs, they shall share with them their stations [of Paradise] as an honouring for them.[Tafseer Jalalayn]

Your supplication reaching into the Hellfire

The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said about the bridge (siraat) over the Hellfire to Paradise and the moment you might find yourself separated from your family:  . . . So some will be safe without any harm; some will be safe after receiving some scratches, and some will fall down into Hell (Fire). The last person will cross by being dragged (over the bridge). You (Muslims) cannot be more pressing in claiming from me a right that has been clearly proved to be yours than the believers in interceding with Almighty Allaah for their (Muslim) brothers on that Day, when they see themselves safe.  They will say, “O Allah! (Save) our brothers (for they) used to pray with us, fast with us and also do good deeds with us [Al-Bukhaaree] The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam described the amazing thing which will happen after: Allah will say, “Go and take out (of Hell) everyone whom you recognize.” Allah will forbid the Fire to burn the faces of those sinners. So they will bring forth many people who were  in the Fire up to their calves or their knees [Muslim]

That is the power of dua’ and the honour for the believer.That is the result of your hard work for Allah ‘azza wa jall in this world. The fruits of your patience in hardships. How happy will you be if you can intercede for your own family if you know they have fallen into the Fire?

3 Ways to Strive for Paradise With Your Family

1. Hold regular creative Islamic knowledge sessions.

Have at least one session a week in which you sit together, for example after dinner, and discuss an Islamic topic. Each week someone else of the family can be appointed to share their favourite ayah or hadith. Look online for fun Islamic games or quizzes. Another idea is to set shared goals: for example have a notice board and each day pick an ayah to put on the board in the morning. All family members make it their mission to reflect that ayah during the day and act upon it as much as they can. For tips and examples of daily ayah missions, check here!

2. Do a Quran course together.

Having a study buddy can greatly motivate you. Why do we always think of friends or collegues to study together with? How beautiful would it be to study the Book of Allah and bring the message to life at home with those who are so close to you? Sign up to a Quran course together as a family, it will strengthen your bond and you will gain lots of reward in helping each other to something good. Also competition in results can bring excitement in your daily routine. You can hang up a chart on the wall with the progress of each family member and have a weekly reward for those who made most effort. For family-friendly courses, try these.

3. Start this double-rewarding dua habit.

The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: The supplication of a Muslim for his brother in his absence will certainly be answered. Every time he makes a supplication for good for his brother, the angel appointed for this particular task says: `Ameen! May it be for you, too.’ [Muslim] How often do you make dua’ for your younger sister, or your older brother? Make it a habit to supplicate from the bottom of your heart for each of your brother, sister, son or daughter and mother and father. You can start by making a general dua’ for all of them, key is that you try to remember to do it each day. When you have set this habit, you can make a personal dua for each of them and even ask them which dua’ they would love you to make for them! The benefits are manifold;  it will strengthen your relationship (reward for keeping family ties), you will get reward for supplicating to Allah ‘azza wa jall and the same dua’ will be repeated for you. . . by an angel!

Homework:

Memorize this beautiful dua’, understand it word for word, use it and teach it to your family inshaa’Allah:

رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ

Rabbana-ghfirlee wa liwaalidayya wa lil-mu’mineena yawma yaqoomul-hisaab— Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established [Quran, 14:41]
Other examples of beautiful supplications regarding family are: Quran 2:128, Quran, 14:40, Quran 25:74, Quran, 46:15 and Quran, 71:28.

Praying you will benefit,

Khawlah bint Yahya~ United Kingdom