1/36. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 85b — Deeds Nearer to Paradise
Clarifying that faith in Allah most high is the best of deeds
Deeds Nearer to Paradise: Prayer on Time and Kindness to Parents
Sahih Muslim : 85b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 85b
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ الْمَكِّيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا مَرْوَانُ الْفَزَارِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو يَعْفُورٍ، عَنِ الْوَلِيدِ بْنِ الْعَيْزَارِ، عَنْ أَبِي عَمْرٍو الشَّيْبَانِيِّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ أَىُّ الأَعْمَالِ أَقْرَبُ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ قَالَ " الصَّلاَةُ عَلَى مَوَاقِيتِهَا " . قُلْتُ وَمَاذَا يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ قَالَ " بِرُّ الْوَالِدَيْنِ " . قُلْتُ وَمَاذَا يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ قَالَ " الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ " .
Abdullah ibn Mas'ud Narrated from:
I said: Messenger of Allah, which of the deeds (takes one) nearer to Paradise? He (the Holy Prophet) replied: Prayer at its proper time, I said: What next, Messenger of Allah? He replied: Kindness to the parents. I said: What next? He replied: Jihad in the cause of Allah.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 85bIn-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 159USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 1, Hadith 152
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 85b
This narration asks the question in a warm and direct way: which deeds take a person nearer to Paradise? The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم answered with prayer at its proper time. Then he mentioned kindness to parents. Then he mentioned Jihad in the cause of Allah. For people searching deeds nearer to Paradise hadith, this text gives a short and practical list. It begins with daily worship, then family duty, then struggle in Allah's cause. The Hadith does not say these are the only deeds that bring a person near to Paradise. It answers this question with these three actions. The wording helps a Muslim focus on worship, parents, and sincere effort.
What we learn from this hadith
- Prayer at its proper time is linked with nearness to Paradise.
- Kindness to parents is listed right after prayer.
- Jihad in Allah's cause is mentioned as another major deed.
- The Hadith gives a focused answer, not a full list of every good deed.
