Mujibat al-Janna li-Ibn al-Fakhir

Author died
564 AH
Editions
Maktabat 'Ibad al-Rahman

Mujibat al-Janna (The Actions That Entail Paradise) is a specialized hadith compilation focusing on the virtues, deeds, and moral qualities that lead to entry into Paradise, compiled by the Isfahan-based traditionist Ibn al-Fakhir (d. 564 AH / 1168–1169 CE) .

Author and Purpose

The author, Abu Ahmad Mu'ammar ibn Abd al-Wahid ibn Raja' ibn Abd al-Wahid ibn Muhammad ibn al-Fakhir al-Qurashi al-Abshami al-Isfahani, was a widely traveled Sunni hadith scholar and preacher from Isfahan .

In the preface to the work, Ibn al-Fakhir explains that he aimed to assemble prophetic traditions and early reports detailing the specific acts of obedience, righteous character traits, and sayings that earn a believer the reward of Paradise . He also sought to append descriptions of Paradise itself—including its tiers, palaces, rivers, trees, maidens (hur), clothing, and nourishment—in order to motivate and encourage striving believers .

Structure and Contents

The work is arranged topically under descriptive thematic chapter headings (abwab). Among the central themes and chapter units covered are:

  • Faith and Godly Hope: Chapters highlighting the sincere declaration of faith (la ilaha illa Allah) and maintaining good expectations of God (husn al-zann billah) as the foundational price for entering Paradise .
  • The Keys to Paradise (Mafatih al-Janna): Dedicated sections discussing deeds identified in prophetic traditions as "keys," including the testimony of monotheism, the performance of ritual prayer (al-salah), affection and charity toward the poor and destitute (hubb al-masakin), and martyrdom or striving (jihad) .
  • Eschatological Descriptions: Narrations describing the physical and spiritual delights of Paradise and its inhabitants .

Method and Transmission

Ibn al-Fakhir narrates the traditions with complete chains of transmission (isnad) tracing back to the Prophet ﷺ or the Companions through his own teachers in Isfahan, Baghdad, and other scholarly centers . In certain places, he provides critical commentary on rare or unique phrasings (gharib) within the reported texts and chains .

Publication

The book was edited by Nasir ibn Ahmad ibn al-Najjar al-Dumyati and published in Cairo by Maktabat 'Ibad al-Rahman in 2002 (1423 AH) .

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