notes from Key to Paradise - by Hassan Somali (31/10/25 @ Cardiff University)

Key to Paradise -

 by Hassan Somali (31/10/25 @ Cardiff University)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

 

Notes 

The key to paradise is لا إله إلا الله

We ask Allah for Jannah and seek protection from the hellfire.

Book of Funerals by Bukhari (1^st Chapter)

Narrated Mu’adh bin Jabal :

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: If anyone's last words are "There is no god but Allah" he will enter Paradise.

(Sunan Abi Dawud 3116)

So لا إله إلا الله is the key to paradise according to the Qur’an and Sunnah – however every key has ridges  - if you have the correct ridges, the door will open.

Those ridges are the 7 conditions of لا إله إلا الله

The first Condition: al-Ilm – Knowledge

The Second Condition: Al-Yaqeen – Certainty

Third Condition: al-Qabool – Acceptance

Fourth Condition: Al-Inqiyaad – Submission & Obedience

Fifth Condition: Sidq – Truthfulness

Sixth Condition:: Al-Ikhlaas – Sincerity

Seventh Condition: Al-Muhabbah – Love

 

You have to implement it and mean it:

لا إله إلا الله – ‘There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah

 

More than this, no one is to be worshipped or prostrated to except Allah

لا إله إلا الله – It is the first and last obligation

You say the shahadah to enter into Islam and it should be your last words

It is the 1^st pillar of Islam an without this, you are not a Muslim

Noone who dies upon La ilaha illlah will not be in the hellfire forever

 

If you die upon shirk – you will NOT enter paradise

Narrated Anas: The Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever said "None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and has in his heart good (faith) equal to the weight of a barley grain will be taken out of Hell. And whoever said: "None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and has in his heart good (faith) equal to the weight of a wheat grain will be taken out of Hell. And whoever said, "None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and has in his heart good (faith) equal to the weight of an atom will be taken out of Hell".

Sahih al-Bukhari 44 (Book 2, Hadith 37)

Shirk is the worst sin and will not be forgiven

A major sin less that shirk, you are under the will of Allah

 

In the hadith 34, 40 Hadith Qudsi.

On the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: Allah the Almighty said: O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it

. It was related by at-Tirmidhi (also by Ahmad ibn Hanbal). Its chain of authorities is sound.

 

It is a very good ending to die upon La ilalah illah.

Good book is The disease and its cure – Ibn Qayyim

 

La ilaha illlah removes stress – It gives you a way out – tawfeek

Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) was in 3 layers of darkness

The dua that Yunus said when he was in the whale. If you use this dua, Allah will answer

لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

There is no god but You. Pure are You. Indeed I was among the wrongdoers.

 

Those most tested amongst the people were the Prophets.

 

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As:

that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Indeed Allah will distinguish a man from my Ummah before all of creation on the Day of Judgement. Ninety-nine scrolls will be laid out for him, each scroll is as far as the eye can see, then He will say: 'Do you deny any of this? Have those who recorded this wronged you?' He will say: 'No, O Lord!' He will say: Do you have an excuse?' He will say: 'No, O Lord!' So He will say: 'Rather you have a good deed with us, so you shall not be wronged today." Then He will bring out a card (Bitaqah); on it will be: "I testify to La Ilaha Illallah, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger." He will say: 'Bring your scales.' He will say: 'O Lord! What good is this card next to these scrolls?' He will say: 'You shall not be wronged.' He said: 'The scrolls will be put on a pan (of the scale), and the card on (the other) pan: the scrolls will be light, and the card will be heavy, nothing is heavier than the Name of Allah.'"

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2639

 

لا إله إلا الله – is the best form of dhikr

 

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said," Whoever says: "La ilaha illal-lah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu-l-mulk wa lahul- hamd wa huwa 'ala kulli shai'in qadir," one hundred times will get the same reward as given for manumitting ten slaves; and one hundred good deeds will be written in his accounts, and one hundred sins will be deducted from his accounts, and it (his saying) will be a shield for him from Satan on that day till night, and nobody will be able to do a better deed except the one who does more than he."

 

Sahih al-Bukhari 6403

The Importance of Knowing Your Religion as a Muslim Woman

 The Importance of Knowing Your Religion as a Muslim Girl/ Woman

In a world where misinformation spreads rapidly and cultural traditions are often mistaken for religious obligations, Islamic knowledge is a powerful tool—especially for Muslim women.

 Islam is a religion that elevated the status of women over 1,400 years ago, granting them rights and dignity. Before Islam women were treated very badly and not given rights.. Knowing your religion is not just a right; it is an obligation and a means to protect your identity, honour, and relationship with Allah.

Women in Islam: Honoured by Allah

The West like to portray Muslim women as oppressed however, Islam granted women rights centuries before many modern societies recognised them. Muslim women were given the right to own property, choose their spouse, seek divorce, receive inheritance, and participate in social and political life during the time of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Women are Honoured in the Qur’an

Allah mentions women in the Qur’an with dignity and respect, and several chapters are named in honour of them, such as Surah An-Nisa (The Women) and Surah Maryam, named after Maryam (Mary), the mother of ‘Isa (Jesus) عليه السلام.

Allah says:

"Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women... Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward."
Surah Al-Ahzab (33:35)

This ayah lists both men and women in equal measure when describing piety, devotion, and the promise of reward—showing that women are spiritually equal to men in the sight of Allah.

Seeking Knowledge is an Obligation on Every Muslim

One of the most critical commands in Islam is the pursuit of knowledge. This applies equally to men and women.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

"Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim."
(Sunan Ibn Majah, 224)

This Hadith does not distinguish between male or female. It emphasizes that every Muslim has a duty to seek knowledge of the religion. Knowledge is what gives a woman the power to practice her faith correctly, understand her rights, and challenge cultural practices that contradict Islam.

The First Revelation Was About Knowledge

The first words revealed to our beloved Prophet ﷺ were:

"Read in the name of your Lord who created."
 Surah Al-‘Alaq (96:1)

This powerful beginning shows that Islam is built on knowledge, understanding, and learning. A woman who knows her faith knows her Lord—and it can be a means of protection from manipulation or misguidance.

Islam vs. Culture: Why Knowledge Matters

In many societies, cultural practices are mistakenly passed off as religious obligations. These may include denying women education, forcing marriages, or silencing their voices. These practices are not from Islam.

A knowledgeable Muslim woman can differentiate between the religion and culture. She can respond with confidence and clarity when faced with oppression disguised as piety.

The Prophet ﷺ himself warned about this:

"Whoever introduces into this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) something which is not from it, it is to be rejected."
(Sahih al-Bukhari & Muslim)

Knowledge equips a woman to protect herself and others from falsehood. 

It allows her to raise her children with correct Islamic values and to uphold justice within her home and community.

Examples from the Life of the Prophet ﷺ

The Prophet ﷺ empowered women to seek knowledge and even become scholars.

Aisha bint Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with her) the Prophet’s wife was a leading and great scholar. She narrated over 2,000 Hadith. Men and women alike would come to her for religious rulings and understanding. Her intellect, memory, and piety were recognised by the companions of the Prophet.

Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (May Allah be pleased with her) the Prophet’s wife was the first to embrace Islam, she supported and strengthened the Prophet during the hardest years. She was also a successful businesswoman.

The Prophet (peace be upon him)  also said:

"The best of you are those who are best to their women."
 (Tirmidhi)

This Hadith is a powerful reminder that honouring women is a sign of the best character.

Rights of Women in Islam

Some of the key rights Islam gave to women include:

* The right to education

*The right to inheritance 

For men there is a share in what their parents and close relatives leave, and for women there is a share in what their parents and close relatives leave—whether it is little or much. ˹These are˺ obligatory shares.
(Qur’an 4:7)

*The right to choose or refuse marriage 

*The right to own and manage property independently

*The right to work and earn a livelihood

*The right to be treated with kindness and respect

Allah says:

"And live with them in kindness."
Surah An-Nisa (4:19)

This instruction to men about their wives is not a suggestion—it is a  command from Allah.

Conclusion: Knowledge is Your connection with Allah, protection and Your power

 As a Muslim woman, knowing your religion is one of the most empowering steps you can take. It brings you closer to Allah, protects you from harmful customs, and equips you to fulfil your purpose with dignity and strength.

You are not weak. You are not voiceless. Allah honoured you with Islam. You owe it to yourself—and to your Creator—to learn what He has prescribed for you.

Abu Hurairah reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying:

"Whoever follows a path in pursuit of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise."
(Sunan Abi Dawud 3643)

May Allah grant all Muslim women the knowledge of His Deen, the strength to practice it, and the wisdom to pass it on to future generations.
Ameen.