in it. It was the Prophet’s statement—peace and blessings be upon him: “Whenever a Muslim performs ablution and performs it well, then stands and prays two units of prayer with his heart and face fully directed to the prayer, Paradise is assured for him.” Uqbah—may Allah be pleased with him—then expressed his admiration for this tremendous benefit, saying, “How excellent this is!” Umar ibn al-Khattāb—may Allah be pleased with him—heard him and had seen him when he entered. He told him, “What came before it is even better,” referring to a benefit that the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—had mentioned before Uqbah—may Allah be pleased with him—entered. This demonstrates the Companions’ eagerness for good and their cooperation in directing one another to the avenues of knowledge and matters of faith. Umar—may Allah be pleased with him—then told him that the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—had said: “No one among you performs ablution, completing—or performing thoroughly—his ablution, and then says, ‘I testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and that Muhammad is Allah’s servant and Messenger,’ without the eight gates of Paradise being opened for him, so that he may enter through whichever one he wishes.”

This shows the merit of performing ablution thoroughly by completing and perfecting it in the manner prescribed by the sunnah, as well as the merit of consistently reciting this magnificent remembrance after ablution. Whoever does so will have the eight gates of Paradise opened for him, so that he may enter through whichever one he wishes.

It is recommended to add to it: “O Allah, make me among those who constantly repent, and make me among those who purify themselves,” because this addition is authentically established in al-Tirmidhī’s narration, as previously stated. One may also say: “Glory and praise be to You, O Allah. None has the right to be worshipped except You. I seek Your forgiveness and repent to You.” This is based on the report narrated by al-Nasā’ī in The Practice of the Day and Night, al-Hākim in his Mustadrak, and others, from Abū Sa‘īd al-Khudrī—may Allah be pleased with him—who said that the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “Whoever performs ablution and then says, ‘Glory and praise be to You, O Allah. None has the right to be worshipped except You. I seek Your forgiveness and repent to You,’ these words are recorded on parchment and then stamped with a seal, which will not be broken until the Day of Resurrection.”1 The instrument used to seal it is a signet; in other words, it is sealed and will not be opened until the Day of Resurrection.