Paradise is NOT FREE

BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum

I pray that you are well.

If we think that by a few prayers here and there, a few charity here and there, a few dhikr after prayers, we have the ticket to Paradise, then we are up to an utter disappointment. You have to struggle and be patient and persevere. Paradise is not free.

"Or did you suppose you should enter Paradise without God know who of you have struggled and who are patient?" Qur'an AleImran 3:142

We cannot be lazy and we cannot procrastinate. Each moment is precious and that moment that has passed you by, you cannot bring it back and you have lost an opportunity to put a good deed on your scale in the day of Judgment. We have so much to do in so little time. Remember we belong to the best nation. How could we sit around and not rise up to the plate?

"You are the best nation ever brought forth to men, bidding to honor, and forbidding dishonor, and believing in God. Qur'an AleImran 3:110

Top priority--equip yourself with knowledge of the religion so you know what to do and do them. Only with knowledge you will find strength to do them. If your intention is sincere and you put your best efforts, Allah will facilitate your goals. Try not to mind all the negative forces around you. If you feel like giving up, do not weaken. Your struggles, your pains is nothing new or worse than what others before us have experienced.

"Faint not, neither sorrow; you shall be the upper ones if you are believers. If a wound touches you, a like wound already has touched the heathen; such days We deal out in turn among men, and that God may know who are the believers, and that He may take witnesses from among you; and God loves not the evildoers. Qur'an 3:139-140

Learn from the previous nations--emulate the believers and avoid the practices of the disbelievers. The Qur'an tells the best of stories--read them, not for entertainment, but for lessons that can be drawn upon. Study the life of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, for not only you will appreciate the sacrifices of the early Muslims in spreading Truth, but it will strengthen your Iman/faith. InshaAllah. Without Iman, there is no Paradise.

May Allah make us strong believers and among the good-doers and enter us into the highest Paradise. Ameen.

And Allah knows best.

Wasalaam