or any of its adornments. Hence, the scholars have said that payment may not validly be taken for acts performed exclusively as worship, such as giving the call to prayer, leading the prayer, reciting the Quran, and the like. There is no harm, however, in receiving something from the public treasury for services of general benefit, such as giving the call to prayer, leading the prayer, teaching, and the like.

The second is that one must follow the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and his family and grant them peace—in performing the deed; that is, one follows the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—by doing what he did and leaving undone what he left undone. Whatever the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—performed as worship when the reason for it existed, the Sunnah is to perform whenever that reason exists. Whatever had a reason that existed during the Messenger’s lifetime—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—but he did not perform, the Sunnah is to leave undone.

﴿For them is a reward﴾—that is, a recompense—﴿unceasing﴾—that is, never cut off. Rather, it will continue forever and ever. The verses affirming the everlasting nature of Paradise are numerous and well known in the Quran and Sunnah. The reward of the Hereafter will therefore never end. It is unlike this world, where there is a season in which trees bear fruit and a season in which they do not, or a time when the earth produces vegetation and a time when it does not. In Paradise, the reward is perpetual: ﴿They will have their provision therein, morning and evening﴾ ﴿Maryam: 62﴾. We ask Allah Most High to make us among the believers who perform righteous deeds and avoid evil deeds. He is Bountiful and Generous. May Allah bless and grant peace to our Prophet Muhammad and to all his family and Companions.