PARADISE ... 1
Description in the Qur'an of Paradise
Our final destination is the life of the Hereafter. Where
we end up, Jannah (Paradise) or Jahannam (Hell-fire) depends
on what we worked towards in this life. Paradise is the aim
and the hope of every Muslim. But like trying to attain any
goal, in order to achieve success, one must have a
well-defined plan, and it must be implemented to be
successful. Allah says, "O you who believe! Be careful of
(your duty to) Allah and seek means of nearness to Him and
strive hard in His way that you may be successful." [5:35] To
prepare for our journey, we need to find out what our
destination is like; who are its people, and most importantly,
how to get there.
The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, told us that
within Paradise are things that no eyes have ever seen, nor
ears have ever heard, and that things in it are beyond our
imagination and comprehension, but we all have our own
personal ideas of what eternal bliss would probably be like. I
remember a few years ago, I overheard my niece and my nephew
discussing the landscape, and the privileges of living in
Jannah. My nephew was telling my niece that in Jannah, they
would be able to eat all the candy that they wanted and that
there would be streams of chocolate and trees of ice cream. I
always tell people, that Paradise for me, would be being able
to eat all the cheesecake and chocolate that I wanted, without
gaining a pound. But what Allah has in store for the believers
is so much more than this. He, in His Book, and through His
Messenger, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, has given us a clear
picture of our goal, so that we can keep it in front of us at
all times. By keeping our eyes on the prize, no matter our
hardships in this worldly life, we can strive that much harder
to attain it.
Allah says, "And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives
for it as he ought to strive and he is a believer; (as for)
these, their striving shall surely be accepted." [17:19] Allah
has also described Paradise in many places in the Qur'an, so
let us now take a look at what He has in store for the
believers.
Description in the Qur'an of Paradise
“The description of Paradise which the Muttaqoon have been
promised is that in it are rivers of water, the taste and
smell of which are never changed. Rivers of milk the taste of
which will remain unchanged. Rivers of wine that will be
delicious to those who drink from it and rivers of clear, pure
honey. For them will be every kind of fruit and forgiveness
form their Lord." [47:15]
"And their recompense shall be Paradise, and silken
garments, because they were patient. Reclining on raised
thrones, they will see there neither the excessive heat of the
sun, nor the excessive bitter cold, (as in Paradise there is
no sun and no moon). The shade will be close upon them, and
bunches of fruit will hang low within their reach. Vessels of
silver and cups of crystal will be passed around amongst them,
crystal-clear, made of silver. They will determine the measure
of them according to their wishes. They will be given a cup
(of wine) mixed with Zanjabeel, and a fountain called
Salsabeel. Around them will (serve) boys of perpetual youth.
If you see them, you would think they are scattered pearls.
When you look there (in Paradise) you will see a delight (that
can not be imagined), and a Great Dominion. Their garments
will be of fine green silk and gold embroidery. They will be
adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord will give
them a pure drink." [76:12-21]
"And those foremost (In Tawheed and obedience to Allah and
His Messenger in this life) will be foremost (in Paradise).
They will be those nearest to Allah in the Gardens of Delight.
A multitude of those (the foremost) will be from the first
generation (who embraced Islam) and a few of those (the
foremost) will be from the later (generations). They will be
reclining, face to face, on thrones woven with gold and
precious stones. They will be served by immortal boys, with
cups and jugs, and a glass from the flowing wine, from which
they will have neither any headache, nor any intoxication.
They will have fruit from which they may choose, and the flesh
of fowls that they desire. There will be Houris with wide,
lovely eyes (as wives for the pious), like preserved pearls, a
reward for deeds that they used to do. They will hear no vain
or sinful speech (like backbiting, etc.) but only the saying
of: Salam, Salam, (greetings of peace). And those on the Right
Hand, who will be those on the Right Hand? They will be among
thorn-less lote-trees among Talh (banana trees) with fruits
piled one above another, in long-extended shade, by constantly
flowing water, and fruit in plenty, whose season is not
limited, and their supply will not be cut off. They will be on
couches or thrones raised high. Verily, We have created for
them (maidens) of equal age, loving (their husbands only). For
those on the Right Hand." [56:10-38]
"Verily, the dwellers of Paradise that Day, will be busy in
joyful things. They and their wives will be in pleasant shade,
reclining on thrones. They will have therein fruits (of all
kinds), and all that they will ask for. (It will be said to
them): "Salamun" (Peace be on you), a Word from the Lord, Most
Merciful." [36:55-58]
Can you imagine? Wearing the finest silk clothing and
sitting on chairs made of gold and precious stones? Those who
disbelieve in the words of Allah, say that this is all a
fairy-tale, made up by a would-be prophet. But we know, that
Allah is the Truthful and that His Messenger, sallallahu
alayhe wasallam, spoke only what was revealed to from the Most
Truthful. And even though Allah describes Paradise for us in
the Qur'an, He still says, "So no soul knows the delights of
the eyes which is hidden for them; a reward for what they
did." [32:17]
Apart from the Qur'anic descriptions of Paradise, the
Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, would often
describe Paradise to his companions. His descriptions were
oftentimes so vivid and moving, that many-a-companion would
hurriedly rush towards it. This was the case, as Anas narrated
that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, and
his companions proceeded towards Badr and arrived there before
the disbelievers (of Makkah). When the disbelievers arrived,
the Messenger of Allah said, "None of you should step forward
ahead of me to do anything." Then the disbelievers advanced
(towards us), and the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhi
wasallam, said, "Rise to enter Paradise whose width is equal
to the Heavens and the Earth." Umayr Ibnul Humam al-Ansari
asked, "O Messenger of Allah, is Paradise equal in width to
the heavens and the earth?" He, sallallahu alayhe wasallam,
said, "Yes." Umayr said, "Bak'hin! Bak'hin!" (An Arabic word
denoting excitement and astonishment) The Messenger of Allah,
sallallahu alayhe wasallam, asked him, "What made you say
these words: Bak'hin, Bak'hin?" He said, "Messenger of Allah,
nothing but the desire to be amongst its residents." He,
sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said, "You are surely among its
residents." He then took some dates form his bag and began to
eat them. Then he said, "If I were to live until I had eaten
all of the dates, indeed this life would be too long." Anas
then said, "He threw away the remaining dates he had with him.
He then fought (the disbelievers) until he was killed."
(Muslim)
What words could have inspired Umair and others like him to
long for, and to pay the ultimate price for a place in
Paradise? Let's now take a look at what the Messenger of
Allah, had to say about Paradise.
Last modified:
July 19, 2007
Related Reading: |
