Jannah Surrounded by Difficult Things

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “When Allah created Paradise, He said to Jibreel: ‘Go and look at it.’ Jibreel went and looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy might, no one who hears of it will fail to enter it.’

Allah then surrounded it with disagreeable things, and said: ‘Go and look at it, Jibreel.’ He went and looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy might, I am afraid that no one will enter it.’

When Allah created Hell, He said: ‘Go and look at it, Jibreel.’ Jibreel went and looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy might, no one who hears of it will enter it. ‘

Allah then surrounded it with desirable things and said: ‘Go and look at it, Jibreel.’ Jibreel went, looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy might and power, I am afraid that no one will remain who does not enter it.’

[Abu Daud]

Hellfire is surrounded by tempting things and sin appears attractive to us; but where sin leads to is horrific. On the other hand, Jannat is surrounded by difficult things such as sharing wealth, exercising self control and sacrifice; yet these deeds lead to unimaginable beauty and hapiness.

In school, for instance, we do not consider it fair to give the student who worked hard and did well the same grade as one who did not bother with his or her studies. Similarly, Allah’s justice does not allow the compensation of the doer of evil and the doer of good to be the same either. It would not be fair for human beings to be given eternal life and eternal happiness without our having at least attempted to earn it.