There is no doubt that Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala created his creation to worship him and there is no way to accomplish that purpose except by following the orders of Allaah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala and his messenger and to turn away and distance oneself from the prohibitions. For the one who does this creates a pathway to the pleasure of Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala and thus, his lord acknowledges him with forgiveness and mercy. Through this, the servant obtains admission into Jannah and salvation from Jahannum. The one who wishes to attain Jannah and Success – The Pathway is clear and known. And like this, the pathway of salvation from the Fire is also known. For no one is heedless of this except animals and those who lack knowledge of this or the one who resembles such characteristics from the Humans. So, Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala through his immense wisdom and knowledge (which encompasses everything) created pathways of goodness and evil. Thus Allaah Ta’ala says:
إِنَّا هَدَيْنَاهُ السَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا
Indeed, We guided him to the way, be he grateful or be he ungrateful. (Surah Insaan Verse 3)
And Allaah also mentions:
وَهَدَيْنَاهُ النَّجْدَيْنِ
And have shown him the two ways? (Surah Al-Balad Verse 10)
So, it is mandatory upon the servant to be wise and use his intellect and to work for the path that leads to the pleasure of Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aala and consequently, to Jannah, which is as wide as the Heavens and the Earth. And certainly, the Prophet SAW called towards this with such clear words that one does not need to look into tafseer or further clarification as he spoke about the pathway to Good and Evil; that is Jannah and Jahannum. So, he spoke about that which surrounds these 2 abodes and called the servant to work deeds that will lead to admittance into Jannah and to be cautious and turn away from acts (of disobediance) so, they may be saved from the Fire. Thus, the prophet SAW said:
حفت الجنة بالمكاره ، وحفت النار بالشهوات
Jannah is surrounded by Hardship and the Fire is surrounded by desires (Sahih Al Jaami’)
From this perspective, it is incumbent upon the servant who travels through this dunya to struggle and exert effort to satisfy his lord and renounce desires and sins. For the one who follows his desires, it becomes a reason for him (servant) to be involved in disobediance and (the ways of) Shaytaan becomes attractive to him. Resultingly, the servant is driven by disobediance and commits sins to an extent, that he becomes heedless of the evil end that he will obtain due to the persistence of sinning.
Allaah Ta’aala says:
فخلف من بعدهم خلف أضاعوا الصلوات واتبعوا الشهوات فسوف يلقون غياً
But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil (Surah Maryam verse 59)
