Salam, Burrel.

Thank you for your question, the humility of which is most impressive. You know, in this world there may be kings, princes, and presidents, but in the next, there will be none.

I was driving by a mosque one evening recently and it was surrounded by many cars. In fact, the number of cars was blocking the traffic. They were there for a funeral. The taxi driver said to me that it must be the funeral of someone important. I replied, "He isn't important anymore!" Death is a great leveler.

No matter what we may have been, or what we may have had in this life, we go to the grave equal. We take no honors or riches with us.

There is a very beautiful passage in the noble Quran, which Muslims believe is the word of God, which means:

[O Mankind! We created you from a single soul, male and female. And We made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other. Verily, the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the greatest of you in piety. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.] (Al-Hujurat 49:13)

You see how in this verse it does not say the greatest of you is the one with the most money or the best job. It doesn't say that the greatest of you is the one with many servants or many at his beck and call.

No, Allah makes it quite clear to us that the most honored of us in His sight are the ones who are the most pious.

This is why, in the mosque, we choose the most knowledgeable in the congregation to lead the prayers. We don't ask the man with the biggest car to step forward as our imam, nor the one with the greatest number of suits in his wardrobe.

In the same way, as Muslims we pray together in congregation in rows. The front row is not reserved for the wealthiest, the second for those with good jobs, and so on. When our heads touch the ground in prayer, there are no princes in the mosque. There are only Muslims.

I was most impressed with the funeral of the last king of Saudi Arabia. Dignitaries from all over the world had come to pay their respects to one of the world's most important leaders, but when it came time for the burial, the king was wrapped in a simple white shroud and buried in an unmarked grave. This is Islam.

Your question is really a very beautiful one. How can simple people, like you and I, be admitted to Paradise and dwell there with all the prophets of old, including the final messenger to mankind, Muhammad (peace be upon them all)? How can we possibly, sinful and weak as we are, be in Paradise with the greatest men to have lived?

Allah Almighty tells us that on the Day of Resurrection:

[The trumpet shall be blown, and all who are in the heavens and who are in the Earth shall fall down fainting, except those that Allah shall spare. Then, it shall be blown again and they shall rise gazing around them.] (Az-Zumar 39:68)

As Muslims, we believe that on the Day of Judgment, we shall all stand naked before Allah and have to give an account for the way we lived our lives:

[Every man's work We have fastened on his own neck, And on the Day of Judgment We shall bring out for him a book Which he will se spread open, saying: "Read your own book! Enough for you this day that your own soul should call you to account."] (Al-Israa' 17:13-14)

Islam is for grown-ups! We need to take responsibility for the way we live. In Islam, there are no priests or popes to mediate on our behalf. We need to listen to the message of the Quran and the words of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and then take them to heart, God willing.

Allah Almighty has called us to be Muslim, and He will give us the strength we need to live up to that calling. He tells us:

[On no soul doth Allah place a burden Greater than it can bear.] (Al-Baqarah 2:286)

So, brother, whether you are new to Islam or you have been Muslim all your life, you are called to live each day in the presence of Allah, trying your best to live as a good Muslim. Most of our efforts are poor and half-hearted, but from time to time, we resolve to be better. As Muslims, we are all promised to inherit Paradise if we live in a way that pleases Allah.

Do not be put off by those Muslims whose external piety seems so difficult to match. Allah Alone knows the intentions of our hearts. Leave the judgment about who is a good Muslim to Him. Instead, strive to be faithful to prayer, to pay zakah, to fast in Ramadan and, if it is possible, to make the once in a lifetime pilgrimage to Makkah.

And finally, take great comfort from these words which Allah addresses to each one of us:

[Whoever believes in Allah and does righteousness, He will admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow, To dwell therein forever. Allah had indeed Made for him an excellent provision.]   (At-Talaq 65:11)

I hope that this answer is helpful. Please keep in touch.

Salam.

Useful links:

The Description of Paradise

Questions About Paradise

Motivation: Serve God or Win Paradise? 

Paradise… Not My Cup of Tea

Meeting Family in Paradise

Pleasures of Paradise (Part 1)

Pleasures of Paradise (Part 2)

How to Be a Good Muslim

Is Being 'Good' Enough?

Enjoying the Goodness of Creation