Every Muslim’s greatest desire is that on the Day of Judgment Allah Almighty protects him from the torment of Hellfire and admits him into Paradise, because this is the true success. All the worldly successes hold no value compared to this success.
Allah Almighty’s noble command is:
The Noble Verse
﴿ فَمَنْ زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَ اُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّۃَ فَقَدْ فَازَ وَ مَا الْحَیٰوۃُ الدُّنْیَآ اِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُوْرِ ﴾
Translation
“Then whoever is saved from the Hellfire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. And the life of this world is nothing but a deceiving enjoyment.”
Now the question arises: What are the deeds and means through which a Muslim can attain salvation from Hellfire? Below, in the light of the Quran and Sunnah, these means are mentioned.
❶ Tawheed (Monotheism)
The very first and greatest cause of salvation from Hellfire and entry into Paradise is Tawheed.
That is, to believe in Allah alone in His essence, attributes, and acts of worship, to associate no partners with Him, and to sincerely believe in ’’لَا إِلٰہَ إِلَّا اللّٰہ‘‘.
The Noble Hadith
Hazrat Ubada bin Samit (RA) narrates:
I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say:
( مَنْ شَھِدَ أَن لَّا إِلٰہَ إِلَّا اللّٰہُ ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَّسُولُ اللّٰہِ حَرَّمَ اللّٰہُ عَلَیْہِ النَّارَ )
Translation
“Whoever testifies that there is no true deity except Allah and that Muhammad (ﷺ) is the Messenger of Allah, Allah forbids Hellfire for him.”
Blessed Hadith
Hazrat Umar bin Khattab (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
( إِنِّی لَأعْلَمُ کَلِمَۃً لَا یَقُولُہَا عَبْدٌ حَقًّا مِّنْ قَلْبِہِ فَیَمُوتُ عَلٰی ذَلِکَ إِلَّا حَرَّمَہُ اللّٰہُ عَلَی النَّارِ )
Translation
“I know a word which, if a servant says it sincerely from the depths of his heart and dies in that state, Allah forbids Hellfire for him.”
Blessed Hadith
Hazrat Utban (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
( إِنَّ اللّٰہَ حَرَّم عَلَی النَّارِ مَنْ قَالَ : لَا إِلٰہَ إِلَّا اللّٰہُ یَبْتَغِیْ بِذٰلِکَ وَجْہَ اللّٰہِ )
Translation
“Indeed, Allah forbids Hellfire for the person who says ‘Lā ilāha illā Allāh’ purely for the sake of Allah’s pleasure.”
From these blessed hadiths, it is understood that pure monotheism (Tawheed) is the greatest cause of salvation from Hellfire, whereas its opposite, polytheism (shirk), is a certain cause of entering Hellfire.
Blessed Hadith
Hazrat Jabir (RA) narrates that a person came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and asked:
“O Messenger of Allah! What are the two deeds that become obligatory (i.e., necessary) for a person?”
He (ﷺ) said:
( مَنْ مَّاتَ لَا یُشْرِکُ بِاللّٰہِ شَیْئًا دَخَلَ الْجَنَّۃَ ، وَمَنْ مَّاتَ یُشْرِکُ بِاللّٰہِ دَخَلَ النَّارَ )
Translation
“Whoever dies in a state that he does not associate anyone with Allah, he will enter Paradise, and whoever dies associating partners with Allah will enter Hell.”
The Reality of Tawheed and Shirk
Tawheed (monotheism) and shirk (polytheism) are two opposing things; both cannot coexist in one heart.
Whoever sincerely believes in Allah alone and remains steadfast on pure Tawheed is protected from shirk.
And whoever falls into shirk is deprived of the light of Tawheed.
In terms of outcome, the difference is also clear — the one with Tawheed will be in Paradise, and the one who commits shirk will be in Hell.
The Noble Verse
Allah Almighty says:
﴿ اِنَّہُ مَنْ یُّشْرِکْ بِاللّٰہِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللّٰہُ عَلَیْہِ الْجَنَّۃَ وَمَاْوَاہُ النَّارُ ﴾
Translation
“Indeed, whoever associates others with Allah, Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and his refuge is the Fire.”
This very belief in monotheism saves a person from Hell and shows the way to Paradise.
Pure monotheism is the means of direct connection between the servant and Allah.
The servant who sincerely maintains this connection comes under Allah’s protection.
❷ Sincerity
The second important reason for salvation from Hell is sincerity.
Sincerity means that a servant performs all his worship and deeds solely for the pleasure of Allah Almighty, not for show, fame, or to gain people’s praise.
Only those actions free from hypocrisy are accepted by Allah, and these save the servant from Hell.
Noble Hadith
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
( لَن یُّوَافِیَ عَبْدٌ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَۃِ یَقُولُ : لَا إِلٰہَ إِلَّا اللّٰہُ یَبْتَغِی بِہَا وَجْہَ اللّٰہِ إِلَّا حَرَّمَ اللّٰہُ عَلَیْہِ النَّارَ )
Translation
“Whoever on the Day of Resurrection stands before Allah Almighty having said ’لَا إِلٰہَ إِلَّا اللّٰہ‘ purely for Allah’s pleasure, Allah will forbid Hell for him.”
Sincerity of intention is the only criterion on which the acceptance of deeds depends.
If a deed involves hypocrisy, seeking fame, or any worldly benefit, that deed becomes invalid and brings a person closer to Hell.
On the Day of Judgment, the first three people whose deeds will be judged are those who performed deeds for the sake of showing off in this world.
Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“On the Day of Judgment, the first person whose case will be decided is a martyr.
He will be brought forward, Allah will remind him of His blessings, and he will admit to them.
Then Allah will say: What did you do in return for these blessings?
He will say: I fought in Your cause until I was martyred.
Allah will say: You lie; you fought so that people would call you brave. So it will be said to him,
Then the order will be given to drag him on his face and throw him into Hell.”
Then a person will be brought who acquired knowledge, taught, and recited the Quran.
Allah Almighty will remind him of His blessings, and he will acknowledge them.
Then it will be said: What did you do in return for these blessings?
He will say: I acquired knowledge, taught others, and recited the Quran for You.
Allah Almighty will say: You lie; you acquired knowledge so that people would call you a scholar, and you recited the Quran so that people would call you a reciter, and so it has been said.
Then the order will be given to drag him on his face and throw him into Hell.
Then a person will be brought who was given wealth by Allah.
He will be reminded of his blessings, and he will acknowledge them.
Then Allah Almighty will ask: What did you do in return for these blessings?
He will say: I spent it wherever You were pleased.
Allah Almighty will say: You lie, you spent it so that people would call you generous, and so it was said.
Then the order will be given to drag him on his face and throw him into Hell.”
Translation Summary
All three apparently performed good deeds, but since there was no sincerity in their intention and it was hypocrisy, they were all thrown into Hell.
❸ Supplication
The third effective cause of salvation from Hell is supplication.
That is, the servant himself begs Allah Almighty to protect him from the punishment of Hell and take him under His protection.
Allah Almighty has described the qualities of His righteous servants “Abad-ur-Rahman” and mentioned their supplication:
The Noble Verse
﴿ وَالَّذِیْنَ یَقُوْلُوْنَ رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَہَنَّمَ إِنَّ عَذَابَہَا کَانَ غَرَامًا ٭ إِنَّہَا سَآئَ تْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَّمُقَامًا ﴾
Translation
“And those who say, ‘Our Lord! Remove from us the punishment of Hell. Indeed, its punishment is ever adhering; indeed, it is evil as a settlement and residence.'”
This prayer is a sign of those believing servants who are always trembling with fear of Hell and seek refuge from it from Allah Almighty.
Blessed Hadith
Hazrat Anas (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
(مَنْ سَأَلَ اللّٰہَ الْجَنَّۃَ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ، قَالَتِ الْجَنَّۃُ: اَللّٰہُمَّ أَدْخِلْہُ الْجَنَّۃَ، وَمَنِ اسْتَجَارَ مِنَ النَّارِ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ، قَالَتِ النَّارُ: اَللّٰہُمَّ أَجِرْہُ مِنَ النَّارِ)
Translation
“Whoever asks Allah three times for Paradise, Paradise says: O Allah! Admit him to Paradise.
And whoever seeks refuge from Hell three times, Hell says: O Allah! Protect him from Hell.”
This is the excellence of the prayer that Hell itself prays for the servant who seeks refuge from it.
That is why the Prophet (ﷺ) himself used to seek refuge from Hell and taught his companions (RA) to do the same.
Blessed Hadith
Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) narrates:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught us this supplication with such care as if he were teaching a Surah from the Quran:
( اَللّٰہُمَّ إِنِّیْ أَعُوْذُ بِکَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَہَنَّمَ، وَأَعُوْذُ بِکَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَأَعُوْذُ بِکَ مِنْ فِتْنَۃِ الْمَسِیْحِ الدَّجَّالِ، وَأَعُوْذُ بِکَ مِنْ فِتْنَۃِ الْمَحْیَا وَالْمَمَاتِ )
Translation
“O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hell,
I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave,
I seek refuge in You from the trial of the False Messiah (Dajjal),
and I seek refuge in You from the trials of life and death.”
Blessed Verse
Similarly, the Noble Prophet ﷺ often used to supplicate:
﴿ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِی الدُّنْیَا حَسَنَۃً وَّفِی الْآخِرَۃِ حَسَنَۃً وَّقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ ﴾
Translation
“O our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire.”
These supplications are actually cries from the depths of a believer’s heart, which serve as a means for salvation from Hell and attaining Allah’s mercy.
❹ Taqwa (Piety)
The fourth reason for salvation from Hell is piety (Taqwa).
The word “Taqwa” is derived from the Arabic word “Wiqayah,” which means: protection or safeguarding.
This means that the concept of Taqwa is that a person places the fear of Allah as a barrier between himself and sins, avoids disobedience to Him, and keeps himself safe from evil deeds.
The person who refrains from evil out of fear of Allah is truly the one who attains salvation from Hell.
The Noble Verse
Allah Almighty says:
﴿ وَإِن مِّنكُمْ إِلَّا وَارِدُهَا كَانَ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ حَتْمًا مَّقْضِيًّا ٭ ثُمَّ نُنَجِّي الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا وَنَذَرُ الظَّالِمِينَ فِيهَا جِثِيًّا ﴾
Translation
“And there is none of you except he will come to it. This is upon your Lord an inevitability decreed.
Then We will save those who feared Allah and leave the wrongdoers within it, on their knees.”
From this noble verse, it is clear that salvation is only for those who adopt piety in this world, avoid sins, and keep the fear of Allah in their hearts.
The Noble Hadith
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked:
“What thing will cause people to enter Paradise the most?”
He (ﷺ) said:
( تَقْوَى اللّٰہِ وَحُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ )
Translation
“Fear of Allah (i.e., piety) and good character.”
Then he (ﷺ) was asked: “What thing will cause people to enter Hell the most?”
He (ﷺ) said:
( اَلْفَمُ وَالْفَرْجُ )
Translation
“The tongue and the private parts.”
These two organs often cause a person to fall into sins, which is why the Prophet (ﷺ) declared them the greatest causes leading to Hell.
Therefore, whoever protects his tongue and private parts attains the true essence of piety.
Protection of the Tongue
✿ It is necessary to keep the tongue safe from lying, backbiting, gossip, cursing, obscene speech, and slander.
✿ Only good, truth, and remembrance of Allah should come from the tongue.
✿ Fasting the tongue (i.e., refraining from harmful speech) is also a part of piety.
Protection of the Private Parts
Allah Almighty says:
The Noble Verse
﴿ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَافِظُونَ ٭ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ أَزْوَاجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ ٭ فَمَنِ ابْتَغَىٰ وَرَاءَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْعَادُونَ ﴾
Translation
“And those who guard their private parts, except from their wives or those whom their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed.
But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors.”
Noble Hadith
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
( حُفَّتِ الْجَنَّۃُ بِالْمَکَارِہِ وَحُفَّتِ النَّارُ بِالشَّہَوَاتِ )
Translation
“Paradise is surrounded by hardships, and Hellfire is surrounded by desires.”
Therefore, piety demands that a Muslim subjugates his desires to the Shariah, avoids selfish inclinations and lustfulness, and lives according to the commands of Allah Almighty.
This attitude is the means of salvation from Hellfire, while following desires inevitably leads a person towards Hellfire.
❺ Fasting
The fifth cause of protection from Hellfire is fasting.
Fasting is essentially a spiritual shield that protects a person from desires and sins.
The fasting person refrains from eating, drinking, and lust out of fear of Allah, and this state will become a shield for him on the Day of Judgment against Hellfire.
Noble Hadith
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
( اَلصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ مِّنَ النَّارِ كَجُنَّةِ أَحَدِكُمْ مِنَ الْقِتَالِ )
Translation
“Fasting is a shield from the fire of Hell, just as one of you takes a shield in battle for protection.”
Hadith Sharif
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
( مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا فِي سَبِيلِ اللّٰهِ إِلَّا بَاعَدَ اللّٰهُ بِذٰلِكَ الْيَوْمِ وَجْهَهُ عَنِ النَّارِ سَبْعِينَ خَرِيفًا )
Translation
“Whoever fasts for one day in the way of Allah, Allah will distance his face from Hellfire by seventy years.”
Hadith Sharif
The Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
( مَنْ صَامَ يَوْمًا فِي سَبِيلِ اللّٰهِ جَعَلَ اللّٰهُ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ النَّارِ خَنْدَقًا كَمَا بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ )
Translation
“Whoever fasts for one day in the path of Allah, Allah will create a trench between him and Hellfire as vast as the distance between the earth and the sky.”
Fasting is not only a means of protection from Hellfire but also a means of erasing sins.
That is why the Shariah has prescribed fasting as expiation for certain sins:
For example:
① Accidental killing
② Zihar (a form of divorce)
③ Having intercourse with one’s wife during the days of Ramadan
④ Expiation for breaking an oath
All these examples indicate that fasting washes away sins, and when sins are erased, by the grace of Allah, a person is freed from Hellfire.
❻ Performing congregational prayer with Takbeer al-Ula for forty days
The sixth cause of salvation from Hellfire is:
Performing congregational prayer with Takbeer al-Ula for forty days.
Prayer is actually a sign of faith and a means of disassociation from hypocrisy, and the servant who continuously performs congregational prayer with Takbeer al-Ula (i.e., the first Takbeer “Allahu Akbar” with the Imam) for forty days is granted two great blessings:
① Salvation from the fire of Hell.
② Disassociation from hypocrisy.
Blessed Hadith
The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:
( مَنْ صَلَّى لِلّٰهِ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْمًا فِي جَمَاعَةٍ يُدْرِكُ التَّكْبِيرَةَ الْأُولَىٰ، كُتِبَ لَهُ بَرَاءَتَانِ: بَرَاءَةٌ مِنَ النَّارِ، وَبَرَاءَةٌ مِنَ النِّفَاقِ )
Translation
“Whoever prays in congregation for forty days in such a way that the Takbeer al-Ula is not missed, two things are recorded for him as salvation:
Freedom from the fire of Hell, and disassociation from hypocrisy.”
Although this practice seems easy on the surface, consistently performing it requires strong faith and determination.
Forty days of prayers equal a total of 200 prayers, and consider that these 200 steps are towards Paradise.
If through so much worship a servant obtains a pass to salvation from Hell, then this bargain is certainly very cheap.
Therefore, a believer should firmly resolve to adopt this practice, seek help from Allah, and safeguard their prayers.
❼ Observance of Fajr and Asr Prayers
The importance of all prayers is established, but Fajr and Asr prayers hold special virtue in Shariah.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ gave the glad tidings of salvation from Hell and entry into Paradise for the Muslim who consistently and timely performs these two prayers.
Noble Hadith
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
( لَنْ یَّلِجَ النَّارَ أَحَدٌ صَلّٰی قَبْلَ طُلُوْعِ الشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ غُرُوْبِہَا ) یعنی الفجر والعصر
Translation
“The person who prays before sunrise (i.e., Fajr prayer) and before sunset (i.e., Asr prayer) will never enter Hell.”
Blessed Hadith
Hazrat Abu Musa Ash’ari (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
( مَنْ صَلَّی الْبَرْدَیْنِ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّۃَ )
Translation
“The person who consistently performs the two cool prayers (Fajr and Asr) will enter Paradise.”
Virtue of Fajr Prayer
The virtue of performing Fajr prayer in congregation is so great that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
( مَنْ صَلَّی الْعِشَاءَ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَامَ نِصْفَ اللَّيْلِ، وَمَنْ صَلَّی الصُّبْحَ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ فَكَأَنَّمَا صَلَّی اللَّيْلَ كُلَّهُ )
Translation
“Whoever prays Isha in congregation, it is as if he has prayed half the night, and whoever prays Fajr in congregation, it is as if he has prayed the entire night.”
Importance of Asr Prayer
Allah Almighty said in the Holy Quran:
Blessed Verse
﴿ حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلَاةِ الْوُسْطَىٰ وَقُومُوا لِلّٰهِ قَانِتِينَ ﴾
Translation
“Guard strictly the prayers, especially the middle prayer (i.e., Asr prayer). And stand before Allah with devotion.”
The Harm of Leaving Asr Prayer
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
( اَلَّذِیْ تَفُوْتُهُ صَلَاةُ الْعَصْرِ كَأَنَّمَا وُتِرَ أَهْلُهُ وَمَالُهُ )
Translation
“The person whose Asr prayer is missed, it is as if his family and wealth have been taken away from him.”
And in another narration, it is said:
( مَنْ تَرَكَ صَلَاةَ الْعَصْرِ فَقَدْ حَبِطَ عَمَلُهُ )
Translation
“Whoever abandons the Asr prayer, all his deeds become void.”
❽ Observance of four Rak’ahs before and after Dhuhr
A special virtue of Nafl prayers at the time of Dhuhr has been mentioned.
Blessed Hadith
Hazrat Umm Habiba (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
( مَنْ حَافَظَ عَلَىٰ أَرْبَعِ رَكَعَاتٍ قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ وَأَرْبَعٍ بَعْدَهَا حَرَّمَهُ اللّٰهُ عَلَى النَّارِ )
Translation
“Whoever consistently prays four Rak’ahs before Dhuhr and four Rak’ahs after it, Allah forbids Hellfire for him.”
❾ Weeping out of fear of Allah
Tears shed out of fear of Allah become a means of salvation from Hellfire for the servant.
Blessed Hadith
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
( لَا یَلِجُ النَّارَ رَجُلٌ بَكَى مِنْ خَشْیَةِ اللّٰهِ حَتَّى یَعُودَ اللَّبَنُ فِی الضَّرْعِ، وَلَا یَجْتَمِعُ غُبَارٌ فِی سَبِیلِ اللّٰهِ وَدُخَانُ جَهَنَّمَ فِی مِنْخَرَیْ مُسْلِمٍ )
Translation
“Whoever weeps out of fear of Allah will not enter Hellfire until the milk returns to the udder (i.e., never), and whoever is covered in dust in the path of Allah, the smoke of Hellfire cannot enter his nostrils.”
Blessed Hadith
The Prophet ﷺ said:
( ثَلَاثَةٌ لَا تَرَى أَعْيُنُهُمُ النَّارَ یَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ: عَيْنٌ بَكَتْ مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اللّٰهِ، وَعَيْنٌ حَرَسَتْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّٰهِ، وَعَيْنٌ غَضَّتْ عَنْ مَحَارِمِ اللّٰهِ )
Translation
“On the Day of Resurrection, three eyes will not see Hellfire:
① The eye that wept out of fear of Allah,
② The eye that kept watch in the way of Allah,
③ And the eye that refrained from looking at what Allah has forbidden.”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“There will be seven types of people whom Allah will shade with His shade on the Day when there is no shade except His shade, among them is a person who remembered Allah in seclusion and his eyes overflowed with tears.”
❿ Being Dusty on the Path of Allah
Blessed Hadith
The Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
( مَنِ اغْبَرَّتْ قَدَمَاهُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّٰهِ فَهُمَا حَرَامٌ عَلَى النَّارِ )
Translation
“Whoever’s feet become dusty on the path of Allah, both of his feet will be forbidden from Hellfire.”
This “path of Allah” is not limited to Jihad alone but includes every action done for the pleasure of Allah.
Coming on foot for the Friday prayer is also included in this.
Blessed Hadith
The Prophet ﷺ said:
( مَنْ غَسَّلَ یَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَاغْتَسَلَ، وَبَكَّرَ وَابْتَكَرَ، وَمَشَى وَلَمْ یَرْكَبْ، وَدَنَا مِنَ الْإِمَامِ، فَاسْتَمَعَ وَلَمْ یَلْغُ، كَانَ لَهُ بِكُلِّ خُطْوَةٍ عَمَلُ سَنَةٍ، أَجْرُ صِیَامِهَا وَقِیَامِهَا )
Translation
“Whoever takes a bath on Friday, then goes early, walks, sits near the Imam, listens attentively to the sermon, and refrains from idle talk, will receive the reward of fasting and standing in prayer for a whole year at every step.”
⓫ Raising and Nurturing Daughters
Granting offspring is a special prerogative of Allah Almighty. He grants sons to whom He wills, daughters to whom He wills, both to whom He wills, and to whom He wills He grants none.
Blessed Verse
﴿ لِلّٰہِ مُلْکُ السَّمٰوَاتِ وَالْاَرْضِ یَخْلُقُ مَا یَشَاءُ یَہَبُ لِمَنْ یَشَاءُ إِنَاثًا وَیَہَبُ لِمَنْ یَشَاءُ الذُّكُورَ ٭ أَوْ یُزَوِّجُهُمْ ذُكْرَانًا وَّإِنَاثًا وَیَجْعَلُ مَنْ یَشَاءُ عَقِیْمًا إِنَّهُ عَلِیمٌ قَدِیرٌ ﴾
Translation
“The dominion of the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah alone. He creates whom He wills; He gives daughters to whom He wills, and sons to whom He wills, or both sons and daughters; and He renders barren whom He wills. Indeed, He is Knowing and Powerful.”
Therefore, whoever Allah grants daughters should not consider it a disgrace or burden but should raise them well. Because the Prophet ﷺ said that these daughters will serve as a shield from Hellfire on the Day of Judgment.
Blessed Hadith
The Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
( مَنِ ابْتُلِیَ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْبَنَاتِ بِشَیْءٍ فَأَحْسَنَ إِلَیْهِنَّ كُنَّ لَهُ سِتْرًا مِنَ النَّارِ )
Translation
“Whoever is tested with daughters and then treats them well, those daughters will become a shield for him from Hell.”
Hadith Mubarak
Hazrat Aisha (RA) narrates that a poor woman came to me with her two daughters. I gave her three dates.
She gave one date each to her two daughters, then picked up the third date for herself, but the daughters also asked for it.
So she divided the date into two parts and gave both parts to her daughters, eating nothing herself.
When I told this to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he said:
( إِنَّ اللّٰهَ قَدْ أَوْجَبَ لَهَا بِهَا الْجَنَّةَ، أَوْ أَعْتَقَهَا بِهَا مِنَ النَّارِ )
Translation
“Indeed, Allah has made Paradise obligatory for this woman, or He has freed her from Hell.”
⓬ Defending the Honor of a Muslim Brother
If in any gathering, the honor of a Muslim is attacked or backbitten, then defending him at that moment is a great deed.
Hadith Mubarak
The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:
( مَنْ ذَبَّ عَنْ عِرْضِ أَخِیهِ بِالْغَیْبَةِ كَانَ حَقًّا عَلَى اللّٰهِ أَنْ یُعْتِقَهُ مِنَ النَّارِ )
Translation
“Whoever defends the honor of his brother at the time of backbiting, Allah has the right to free him from Hellfire.”
Therefore, if someone speaks ill or accuses a Muslim in front of others, it is the duty of the listener to defend his brother, forbid the bad talk, and not participate in such backbiting themselves.
Such a person becomes deserving of honor and reward in the sight of Allah.
⓭ Freeing a Muslim
Freeing a Muslim prisoner or slave is a cause of salvation from Hellfire.
Hadith Mubarak
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
( أَیُّمَا امْرِیءٍ مُسْلِمٍ أَعْتَقَ امْرَأً مُسْلِمًا كَانَ فِكَاكَهُ مِنَ النَّارِ، یُجْزِیءُ كُلُّ عُضْوٍ مِّنْهُ عُضْوًا مِّنْهُ… )
Translation
“Whoever frees a Muslim, that act becomes a cause for his release from Hellfire. For every limb of the freed person, Allah frees a limb of the one who freed him from Hellfire.”
⓮ Good Character
Exhibiting good character is also a major means of freedom from Hellfire.
Whoever is soft-hearted, humble, and makes things easy for others is close to Allah.
Hadith Mubarak
The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:
( مَنْ كَانَ هَیِّنًا لَیِّنًا قَرِیبًا حَرَّمَهُ اللّٰهُ عَلَى النَّارِ )
Translation
“Whoever is gentle, sociable, and naturally kind, Allah Almighty forbids Hellfire for him.”
Blessed Hadith
Hazrat Umm al-Darda’ (رضی اللہ عنہا) narrates that her husband Abu al-Darda’ (رضی اللہ عنہ) used to supplicate throughout the night in Tahajjud prayer:
( اَللّٰهُمَّ أَحْسَنْتَ خَلْقِي فَحَسِّنْ خُلُقِي )
Translation
“O Allah! Just as You have created me well, make my character good as well.”
When asked the reason, he said:
( إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ الْمُسْلِمَ یُحَسِّنُ خُلُقَهُ حَتَّى یُدْخِلَهُ حُسْنُ خُلُقِهِ الْجَنَّةَ، وَیُسِیءُ خُلُقَهُ حَتَّى یُدْخِلَهُ سُوءُ خُلُقِهِ النَّارَ )
Translation
“Indeed, a Muslim enters Paradise because of his good character, and enters Hellfire because of his bad character.”
Blessed Hadith
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
( مَا مِنْ شَيْءٍ يُوضَعُ فِي الْمِيزَانِ أَثْقَلُ مِنْ حُسْنِ الْخُلُقِ، وَإِنَّ صَاحِبَ حُسْنِ الْخُلُقِ لَيَبْلُغُ بِهِ دَرَجَةَ صَاحِبِ الصَّوْمِ وَالصَّلَاةِ )
Translation
“On the Day of Resurrection, the heaviest thing on the scale will be good character, and the person with good character will reach the rank attained by those who fast and pray.”
⓯ Special Mention of Salvation from Hellfire
In the morning and evening remembrances, there is a special supplication which, if recited four times, frees one from Hellfire.
Blessed Hadith
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever recites this supplication once in the morning:
( اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أَصْبَحْتُ أُشْهِدُكَ وَأُشْهِدُ حَمَلَةَ عَرْشِكَ وَمَلَائِكَتَكَ وَجَمِيعَ خَلْقِكَ أَنَّكَ أَنْتَ اللّٰهُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ وَحْدَكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُكَ وَرَسُولُكَ )
Allah Almighty will free one-fourth of his share from Hellfire, and whoever recites it four times will be completely freed from Hellfire.”
Translation
“O Allah! I have entered the morning and call You, Your throne-bearing angels, all angels, and all Your creation as witnesses that You alone are the true God, there is no deity except You, You are alone, You have no partner, and Muhammad ﷺ is Your servant and Messenger.”
In the evening, in the same supplication, replace “أصبحتُ” with “أمسیتُ“.
Summary of the Topic
✿ Numerous means for salvation from Hellfire have been mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah.
✿ Among these, monotheism, sincerity, supplication, piety, fasting, adherence to prayer, good character, upbringing of daughters, and morning and evening remembrances hold special importance.
✿ Every Muslim should adopt these means themselves and encourage their family members to practice them as well.
Allah Almighty says:
The Noble Verse
﴿ یَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ ﴾
Translation
“O you who have believed! Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is men and stones.”
Conclusion
No matter how small the cause of salvation from Hellfire may seem, do not consider it insignificant.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
( اِتَّقُوا النَّارَ وَلَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَةٍ، فَمَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَبِكَلِمَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ )
Translation
“Save yourselves from Hellfire, even if it is by giving half a date in charity, and if you cannot, then by a good word.”
May Allah protect us, our parents, families, and all Muslims from the torment of Hellfire,
and admit us into Jannat al-Firdaws.
Ameen, O Lord of the Worlds.
