Tickets To Paradise--Ticket #9 (Devoting Much Prostration to Allah)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Rabi’ah ibn Ka’b Al-Aslami, radi Allahu anhu, narrated, “I was with the Messenger sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, one night, bringing him some water. He, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said, “Ask (for anything you wish).” I said, “I ask for your company in Paradise.” He, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said, “Ask for anything else besides that.” I said, “That is all I wish.” The Messenger, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, then said, “Then help me to achieve this for you by devoting yourself to prostration frequently.”" (Muslim)

Rabi’ah Ibn Ka’ab brought some water for the Prophet, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, in order to perform ablution, so the Prophet, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, told him to ask for whatever he wished for, and Rabi’ah asked him to make him his companion in Paradise (to make dua’a to Allah to make him his companion in Paradise). This was the way of the companions (radi Allahu anhum) whereby their main goal and aim was the Hereafter and this world to them was considered to be nothing but a short journey.

The Prophet, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, informed Rabi’ah that in order to achieve this great bounty (the Prophet’s companionship in Paradise) one must constantly prostrate to Allah Almighty. The meaning of prostration here is Salat (prayer) because in the Arabic language one may call Salat, Sujud (prostration).

The taraweeh and witr prayer are tremendous means to perform much prostration to Allah this Ramadhan. So don't quit at eight, but do all 20 rak'as of taraweeh prayer. Also, strive to wake up at night to pray the nafl prayers. As well, reciting the entire Qur'an this month will give you the opportunity to do many prostrations of recital.

May Allah give you tawfiq. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam