Islamic History
Deeds That Will Save from Hell and Bring Closer to Paradise
Having learned his characteristics and set out from Kufa, Abdullah al-Yashkuri says: “I searched for him in Mina. I was told, ‘He is at Arafat!1’ I went as far as Arafat. On the way to Arafat, I stopped. When I saw him, I recognized him by his characteristics. A man in front of me said, ‘Avoid the path of Rasulullah!1’ Rasulullah said, ‘Leave the man be! Let us see what his intention is.’ I pushed my way through until I was beside him. I grabbed the reins of his animal and said, ‘O Rasulullah! I have two questions for you: What will save me from Hell and place me in Paradise? Tell me the deed that will bring me closer to Paradise and farther from Hell!’1 Rasulullah, peace be upon him, looked up at the sky, then bowed his head. Then he turned to me and said, ‘If you do not complicate or prolong the matter, but keep it short: worship Allah without associating anything with Him! Perform the five daily prayers! Give the obligatory zakat! Perform Hajj to Baytullah! Observe the fast of Ramadan! Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you! Now step aside from the animal’s path!’” [320]