Encyclopedia of Prophetic Hadiths

"When Allah created Paradise and Hellfire, He sent Jibrīl (Gabriel) (peace be upon him) to Paradise, saying: 'Look at it and at what I have prepared in it for its inhabitants.' So, he looked at it, returned, and said: 'By Your Honor, no one will hear of it except that he will enter it.' Then, He gave the order for it to be surrounded with hardships. He said: 'Return to it and look at it, and at what I have prepared in it for its inhabitants.' So, he returned to it and found it surrounded with hardships. He said: 'By Your Honor, I fear that no one will enter it.' He said: 'Go to Hellfire and look at it and at what I have prepared in it for its inhabitants.' So, he looked at it and found that its parts are piling up one over another. Then, he returned and said: 'By Your Honor, none will enter it.' He gave the order for it to be surrounded with desires. Then, He said: 'Return and look at it.' He looked at it and found it surrounded with desires. He returned and said: 'By Your Honor, I fear that no one will be saved from it except that he will enter it.'"

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." Then, he was asked about the things that most lead people to Hellfire, and he said: "The tongue and the private parts."