THE DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaumul Arbaā, 7th day of Rabeeul Awwal 1440, (Wednesday, 14th November, 2018). EASY ROAD TO PARADISE. BismilLaahir Rahmaanir Raheem. ALLAH (Al-Ghaffar, The Ever Forgiving) says in the Qur’an; “O believers! Fear ALLAH as HE aught to be feared” which means “O believers! Do not approach that which HE has forbidden you, and do not delay in fulfilling what HE has ordered you to do.” Then ALLAH continues: “and die not except in a state of Islam.” It is clear that death is not within our control. However, what is in our control is our condition at the time of death, that it may be auspicious for us. The way to achieve that is to protect ourselves from every form of sin at all times, and whenever a sin is committed, to hasten towards Taubah (repentance) and Istighfar (begging forgiveness from Allah). ALLAH (swt) has kept the doors of repentance open, so that a person keeps committing sins and keeps repenting and ALLAH keeps forgiving, until the time when the angels of death become visible to the person and the throes of death begin, for at that time the door of repentance closes. However, if one is habituated to Taubah and Istighfar, then even if, ALLAH forbid, death comes to him while he is committing a sin, there will only be that one sin for which he did not have a chance to make Taubah. The uncertainty of death is a very important reason why one should always be concerned about staying away from sins. Today, however, a flood of mischief has engulfed the entire society. In this situation, how can a person save oneself from sins? How can one protect one’s eyes, ears, hands, etc. from indulging in forbidden acts? To protect oneself from sins under these circumstances is easier said than done. To overcome this problem, the Qur’an has ordered us and so have the ‘Ulama (scholars) and pious elders of Islam, to acquire the company of the righteous people and to try to spend as much time as possible with them by listening to them, reading their books etc. This is so that by being in their company, the heart may develop a fondness for good deeds and a fear and distaste for sins, and, consequently, it may become easier to save oneself from sins and do good deeds. Allah says in the Qur’an [at-Taubah 9:119]: O you who believe! Fear Allah and be with the righteous people. The truth is that once a strong connection with ALLAH is developed, a person cannot commit a sin even if he tries. The heart is filled with such nur (light) that one is afraid even when coming close to sin. Thereafter, Allah (swt) turns his heart away from sin and creates such circumstances that, even without any conscious intention, he continues to be protected from sin. It is due to Allah’s immense generosity that HE (swt) saves man from sin. May ALLAH (Al-Khaliq, The Creator) keep guiding us all and protect us from any satanic influences. Aameen.