Parable of a Straight Path

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas’ud: Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: Allah has set forth a parable of a straight path. On both sides of the path there are two enclosures in which there are open doors, and hanging upon each door are curtains. There is at the end of the path an admonisher saying: Adhere to the path and don’t go astray. Above that there is an announcer who announces as often as anyone intends to open the doors: Woe be to thee! Don’t open it for if you open it you shall have to enter it. He then explained (this parable) and said: Verily the path is al-Islam; the open doors are the prohibitions made by Allah; the hanging curtains are the limits set by Allah; the announcer at the end of the path is the Qur’an; and the announcer over it, is Allah’s Preacher in every heart [Tirmidhi, 191].