Paradise (part 2 of 2)

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Description: A two-part lesson providing a glimpse of Paradise and what it holds with reference to the Quran and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him. Part 2: Appearance of the faithful who will enter Paradise and the joys of Paradise.

By Imam Mufti

Published on 14 Dec 2011 - Last modified on 25 Jun 2019

Printed: 861 - Emailed: 2 - Viewed: 233,009 (daily average: 49)

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Objectives

·To learn about some of the joys that Paradise holds.

·To appreciate that the greatest joy will be seeing Allah in Paradise.

The Joys of Paradise

Those who enter Paradise will do so in their most perfect, beautiful form. Their hearts will be one. They will neither spit, nor blow their noses, or defecate. They will remain young forever, strong and potent without the inconveniences of body hair.

The worldly pleasures pretty much fade in the face of heavenly delights. The pleasures of this world are fleeting and short-lived, for ‘…short is the enjoyment of this world,’ whereas the joys of Paradise will be unending, as ‘…the provision is eternal.’

The fine clothes, delicious foods, soothing drinks, ornate jewels, and grand palaces in Paradise are far superior to what is in this world. The ‘real estate’ of Paradise is described by the Prophet to be better than the whole world!

Paradise is free of any pollutants, foul odors, pain, or discomfort. The hearts and speech will be pure. No one will be offended or insulted.

The delicious, ripe fruits of Paradise will be within easy reach, ready for its residents to pick whatever fruit one desires. Any food or drink will be available on demand. Paradise has seas of water, wine, milk, and honey from which rivers will flow out. You simply take your pick! It has fountains scented with camphor and ginger, and shady valleys. The wine will not cause hangovers. It is “delight for those who drink”, bringing neither drunkenness[1] nor rousing folly or quarrelling.

The inhabitants of Paradise will be served in gold and silver goblets and dishes. Their finest silk clothes will be decorated with gold, silver, and pearls…better than any man-made garment! The scent of Musk will emanate from their bodies.. Their palaces will distinguished by refined elegance and be fully furnished. They will be able to sit and recline in their gardens. The beautiful bright colored couches will be lined with silk brocade. Eye catching cushions and splendid carpets will add style and luxury. A cozy place most people can simply dream of in this world, and tranquil spot away from distractions; peaceful, comfortable, and richly decorated.

The faithful, who ‘will be served by immortal youths, with cups, and jugs, and a glass from the flowing wine;’ exquisite banquets served in priceless vessels.

The faithful will visit one another and reunite with family and friends who made it to Paradise. All wishes will be fulfilled, some in the strangest ways. The Messenger of Allah said:

“If the believer in Paradise wishes for a child, it will be conceived and delivered, and will grow to the desired age in an instant.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

Naturally, running after worldly pleasures at the cost of heavenly delights will be a cause of much sorrow for people who will enter Hell.

Spouses & Intimacy in Paradise

Just as some people can’t perceive colors, so we may be soul-blind and soul-deaf. The soul’s yearnings simply don’t get through to consciousness; or if they do, we try to numb ourselves to them with medications or frenzied activities. The resulting alienation within our very hearts bears its own loneliness. The soul wants to be attached and involved, because it is through such intimacy that it is nourished, initiated, and deepened. The faithful will enjoy earthly and heavenly spouses in Paradise to satisfy the soul’s cravings for companionship and intimacy. All the urgencies of the soul – the feeling of longing, the ache of desire for a beautiful, compatible partner, and the urgency to visit old friends – will be met. The select will rejoice in the company of the parents, spouses and children who were believers.

The faithful will be clothed in the richest silks and brocades, and adorned with bracelets of gold and silver, and crowns set with pearls, and will make use of silken carpets, couches, and pillows. In order to enjoy all these pleasures, Allah will grant them perpetual youth, beauty, and vigor. There is a hadeeth which states that they will enter Paradise “aged thirty-three years.” It is the most perfect age at which one is most able to enjoy physical pleasures, and the age at which one’s health and strength are most perfect. It is proven from the Prophet they “will never lose their youth.”

The faithful will enter Paradise in the best and most perfect condition in all senses. They will remain young forever, their eternal delight will be unending, and they will live a life of unspoiled joy.

The faithful will enjoy specially crafted maidens, or houris, of Paradise, created not of clay, as in the case of mortal women, but of pure musk, and free from all natural impurities, defects, and inconveniences. They will be beautiful, modest, and secluded from public view in pavilions of hollow pearls. Thus the body will have its share of gratification.

Vision of Allah

In heaven the faithful will see Allah, clearly and distinctly. Here on earth we “see” Him but indirectly through the mirror of creation.

In Paradise, no creature will stand between Allah and the faithful who will delight in His glimpse. The most wonderful melody of all will be the voice of Allah greeting the select.

Since in beholding Allah face to face the faithful will find perfect happiness and ultimate delight, the vision may be called “beatific”. The joy of looking at Him will be greater than any other joy of Paradise, the rivers, palaces, tents of pearl, the pure spouses or the food and drink. All other joys will pale in comparison to the joy of looking at the most beautiful Face of Allah.

He says:

“Some faces that Day shall be radiant looking at their Lord.” (Quran 75:22-23)

So the faces of the faithful will also radiate and become beautiful with His Light.

The Prophet said:

“When the people of Paradise enter Paradise, Allah will say, ‘Do you want anything more?’ They will say, ‘Have You not brightened our faces, admitted us to Paradise and saved us from Hell?’ Then the veil will be lifted and they will not have seen anything more dear to them than looking upon their Lord, may He be glorified and exalted. This is what is meant by ‘even more.’” Then he recited the verse:

“For those who have done good is the best reward and even more (i.e. having the honor of glancing at the Countenance of Allah)” (Quran 10:26)

Once you know that the people of Paradise will not be given anything dearer than looking upon the Face of their Lord, imagine the deprivation of the sinners described by Allah:

“Nay! Surely, they (evil doers) will be veiled from seeing their Lord that Day” (Quran 83:15)

People said: “O Messenger of Allah, will we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection?” The Messenger of Allah, may Allah praise him, said: “Do you doubt that you see the moon on the night when it is full?” They said, “No, O Messenger of Allah.” He said, ‘Do you doubt that you see the sun when there is no cloud?” They said, “No, O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “You will see Him likewise…”

Let us pray to Allah to keep us steadfast in this life and to grant us Paradise from His mercy in the life to come and to grant us His vision.

Footnotes:

[1]Non-intoxicating, as mentioned in Quran 56:19. There will be no need for intoxication in Paradise, as we will be in the highest state of pleasure.

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