The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about the foremost deed that leads people to Paradise, and he replied: "Fear of Allah and good character

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out that the greatest means that lead one to Paradise are: Fear of Allah and good character. Fear of Allah (taqwa) is to make wiqāya (shield) between oneself and the punishment of Allah, by observing His commands and prohibitions. Good character: by having a cheerful face, doing good to others, and averting harm from them. And that the greatest causes for a person's entry into Hellfire are: The tongue and the private parts. The sins committed by the tongue include: lying, backbiting, and tale-bearing. The sins committed by the private parts include: adultery, sodomy, etc.

Lessons

• There are causes for entering Paradise related to Allah Almighty, like fear of Him, and causes related to people, like a good character.
• The Hadīth highlights the danger of the tongue and that it is one of the causes of entering Hellfire.
• It demonstrates the danger of desires and immoralities to people and that they are among the most common causes of entering Hellfire.