Each one of us pines after an entrance to Paradise, the ultimate sanctuary reserved for the believers in the hereafter. Granted, we all want rite of passage to that beautiful abode of eternal bliss, but one must pause and think, are we sincerely striving to attain our place in it? Or do we sometimes get too ‘attached’ to this transitory world and forget the higher purpose?

Every Muslim should do everything in their power to attain the pleasure of Allah and to work towards attaining the highest ranks in Jannah. But only the righteous deeds in this world can pave the way for an eternal life in Paradise.

This article highlights ten easy ways through which every Muslim can attain the pleasure of Allah and in turn, book their ticket to Paradise, God willing.

1- Believe and Do Righteous Deeds

This verse is one of the many verses in the Quran where Allah stresses greatly on the essential role of ‘faith’ and ‘good deeds’ in our entrance to Jannah.

The shahadah, belief in the oneness of Allah, and being a good person, carrying out righteous deeds in this world along with being a decent human being, lies at the core of Islam.

Faith, on its own, renders as insufficient; our belief needs to be backed up by our actions as well. Only firm belief in Allah and His Powers will allow an individual to believe in an Afterlife and the idea of an eternal Heaven and Hell.

This faith, in turn, allows one to be more self-aware and more conscious of carrying righteous deeds in this World in order to attain Allah’s pleasure and a place in Heaven in the next world.

2- Repent Constantly

No human is perfect, and consequently, no one is sinless. Some sins are committed on purpose and some unconsciously. Therefore, repentance is our saving grace. If we atone for our sins and Allah accepts it, our sins are wiped away and we are granted a clean slate.

3- Never Stop Being Grateful

Make it a habit to be grateful. Be thankful to Allah for all that He has given you and for what He deprives you of, for He knows best for His servants. We should look towards the favors and blessings that he bestows on us every single day and the calamities that He protects us from.

4- Offer Tahajjud

Allah loves those who sacrifice their sleep just to seek the pleasure of Him. According to the Prophet Muhammad:

The best Salat (prayer) next after the prescribed Salat is Salat at night (Tahajjud prayers). (Sahih Muslim, 1246, book 9)

Praying Tahajjud grants us a higher status in Jannah. Hence, we should overcome our desire to sleep and take out time to stand in front of our Lord and pour our heart out.

The time of Tahajjud is also one of the most opportune times for Allah to listen to His believers. So if we pray with our heart, our prayers will surely be accepted.

5- Be Kind to Your Parents

Kindness and obedience towards one’s parents is one of the most emphasized matters in Islam. Allah enjoins us to treat our parents with nothing but love and respect and to take care of them without so much as a ‘huff’ of complaint, for they are most precious.

The Quran says:

6- In the Face of Hardships, Be Patient

Trials and hardships are all part of our ultimate test in this world and what matters most is how we react to them. Whatever trials and tribulations we go through in this world, we will be compensated for them in the next world. But that is only if we choose to adopt a patient approach and endure the difficulties with a steady heart and unwavering trust in Allah and His Will.

God loves those who bear calamities with patience and resilience, rather than hopelessness and despondence. We need to have faith in the fact that everything happens for a good reason. And we must have faith in God, for He only ever wants good for His servant.

The hardships and trials in this world only pave the way for a surer passage of rewards and Paradise. Whenever you feel like hope and strength is slipping away, turn to Allah. Surrender yourself and your afflictions to Him and He will never let you down. Have faith in Him and He will never leave you alone.

7- Be Kind and Just to the People Around You

Allah loves those who are good to His creation. We are instructed to integrate kindness in our everyday dealings with the people around us and to act justly towards them. Kindness comes in all shapes and forms, be it helping out your neighbor, doing a favor for a friend, supporting a person in need etc.

Verily Allah is kind and He loves kindness and confers upon kindness which he does not confer upon severity and does not confer upon anything else besides it (kindness). (Sahih Muslim, 2593)

8- Recite Ayat-ul-Qursi After Every Prayer

Every Muslim is well aware of the importance of offering the daily salah and its rewards. However, one simple task that can increase your blessings and reserve a place for you in Paradise. Recite the Ayat-ul-Kursi after each prayer. It barely takes half a minute to recite but the rewards and blessings it incites as a consequence can last forever.

9- Forgive