The journey to Jannah, our permanent abode

The holy month of Ramadan is a precious chance to rediscover the meaning and purpose of worship and start a spiritual journey towards paradise. This was affirmed by Jeddah-based scholar Wajdi Akkari on Sunday night at the 13th annual Ramadan Forum being held at Zabeel Hall at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Filipino scholars Omar Penalber (left) and Nuh Caparino (right) giving a presentation in Tagalog on Saturday night. — Supplied photos

In his insightful lecture in English titled ‘The Permanent Abode’, Sheikh Akkari enthralled the audience with an elaborate depiction of the Islamic concept of eternal paradise. He offered an incisive and thought-provoking analysis on the worthlessness of acts of worship that are devoid of a spiritual underpinning or lack a sufficient understanding of the purpose of worship.

Wajdi Akkari giving an insightful lecture on Jannah. — Supplied photo

“We often get consumed in the act of worship, to the point where we forget the purpose of worship. An act of worship is essentially a spiritual journey towards Jannah or paradise,” he said.

A Muslim’s acts of worship must not become perfunctory or simply a mechanical exercise devoid of meaning or purpose, he warned. “Every time you pray, every time you fast, every time you mention (the name of) Allah — truthfully and from your heart — you are effectively taking a step towards eternal paradise.”

When was the last time you looked forward to seeing Allah on the Day of Judgment, he asked. “Today most of us are preoccupied with worldly pursuits, and are constantly influenced by the glamour and distractions around us.”

It is time we re-prioritised our life, he said. “We must reset our objectives and make this Ramadan the beginning of our journey towards Allah. Remember, those who fail to observe the obligatory duties of Sunnah technically relinquish their right to enter paradise.”

During his hour-long lecture, Akkari gave a fascinating account of Jannah as detailed in the Holy Quran, emphasising how the eternal home is a place devoid of negative feelings such as resentment or anger or envy. “The vastness of Jannah is such that to compare it with the world we now inhabit is like dipping your finger in the ocean — the water on your fingertip is the world we live in, while Jannah is the limitless ocean that stretches out there,” Akkari said.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE