Part 18

al-Jannah wa an-Naar – In the Light of the Qur'aan and Sunnah

changes; rivers of wine delicious to those who drink; and rivers of clarified honey [clear and pure].." [47:15] Al-Tirmidhi reports, with a sahih isnaad, from Haakim ibn Mu'aawiyah that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "In Paradise there is a sea of honey, a sea of wine, a sea of milk and a sea of water, and the rivers flow out of these seas." [Jaami' al-Usool, 10/508] He also told us of a river called Baariq, which flows by the gate of Paradise. During the period of al-Barzakh [the time between death and the day of Judgement] the shuhadaa are beside this river: Ibn 'Abbaas narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "The shuhadaa [martyrs] are in a green dome beside the river of Baariq, near the gate of Paradise, from which provision comes to them morning and evening." [sahih al-Jaami' as-Sagheer, 3/235, no. 3636]

The Springs of Paradise In Paradise there are many springs that provide drinks of different tastes: "Truly al-Muttaqoon [the pious and righteous] will be amidst Gardens and Water-springs" [15:45] "Verily al-Muttaqoon shall be amidst shades and springs." [77:41] Concerning the two Gardens which Allaah (swt) has prepared for those who fear their Rabb, Allaah (swt) said, "In them [both] will be two springs flowing [free]." [55:50] And concerning the two Gardens beneath them, He said, "In them [both] will be two springs gushing forth water." [55:66] In Paradise there are two springs from which al-Muqarraboon will drink pure and undiluted, whilst the Abraar will drink their water mixed with something else. The first is the spring of Kafoor, as Allaah (swt) says: "Verily the Abraar [the pious, those who fear Allaah and avoid evil], shall drink a cup [of wine] mixed with water from a spring in Paradise called Kafoor, A spring wherefrom the slaves of Allaah will drink, causing it to gush forth abundantly." [76:5-6] He tells us that the pious will drink from it mixed with something else, whilst those close to Allaah will drink it pure and undiluted. The second spring is of Tasneem, as Allaah (swt) says: "Verily al-Abraar will be in delight [Paradise], On thrones, looking [at all things]. You will recognise in their faces the brightness of delight. They will b given to drink pure sealed wine, the last thereof [that wine] will be the smell of musk, and for this let [all] those who strive who want to strive [i.e. hasten earnestly to the obedience of Allaah]. It [that wine] will be mixed with Tasneem, a spring whereof drink those nearest to Allaah." [83:22-27] Another of the springs of Paradise is called al-Salsabeel as Allaah (swt) says: "And they will be given to drink there a cup [of wine] mixed with zanjabeel [ginger], a spring there, called Salsabeel". [76:17-18]

al-Jannah wa an-Naar – In the Light of the Qur'aan and Sunnah

This is probably the same spring as that mentioned above, i.e. Kafoor.

The Palaces and Tents of Paradise Allaah (swt) will build good and beautiful dwellings for the people of Paradise: "and beautiful mansions in Gardens of everlasting bliss" [9:72] In some places in the Qur'aan, Allaah (swt) described these dwellings as ghurafaat [chambers or dwellings]: "and they will reside in the high dwellings [Paradise] in peace and security." [34:37] The reward for the slaves of the all-Merciful will be: "Those will be rewarded with the highest place [in Paradise] because of their patience. Therein they shall be met with greetings and the word of peace and respect" [25:75] Allaah (swt) described these Ghurafaat: "But for those who fear Allaah and keep their duty to their Rabb [Allaah], for them are built lofty rooms, one above the other, under which rivers flow. [This is] the Promise of Allaah, and Allaah does not fail in [His] Promise." [39:20] Ibn Katheer said: "Allaah has told us about His blessed slaves who will have rooms [or dwellings] in Paradise: these will be lofty palaces, "lofty rooms, one above another - story upon story, well-constructed, strong and decorated. The Prophet (saw) described these palaces to us. According to a hadith narrated by Ahmad, and Ibn Hibbaan from Abu Maalik al-Ash'ari and by Al-Tirmidhi from 'Ali (ra) the Prophet (saw) said: "In Paradise there are dwellings whose inside can be seen from the outside, and the outside can be seen from inside. Allaah [swt] has prepared them for those who feed the hungry, and speak softly and gently, fast continuously and pray at night whilst the people are asleep." [sahih alJaami' as-Sagheer, 2/220, no. 2119] Allaah (swt) has told us that there are tents or pavilions in Paradise: "Houris [beautiful, fair females] restrained in pavilions" [55:72] These pavilions are wondrous tents, made of pearls, each one is made from a single, hollowed-out pearl. They are sixty miles high; according to some reports they are sixty miles wide. al-Bukhaari reports from 'Abdullaah ibn Qays that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "The tent is a hollowed out pearl, thirty miles high; in each corner of it the believer will have a wife whom no one else can see". Abu 'Abdus-Samad and al-Haarith reported from Abu 'Imraan that the wording was "sixty miles high" [Sahih alBukhaari, Kitaab Bid' al-Khalq, Baab Sifaat al-Jannah, Fath al-Baari, 6/318] Muslim reported from 'Abdullaah ibn Qays that the Prophet (saw) said: "The believer in Paradise will have a tent made out of a single, hollowed-out pearl, sixty miles long, in which he will have [a number of] wives, whom he will visit in turn, none of whom will see the others". [see also Muslim, Kitaab al-Jannah, Baab fi Sifaat Khiyaam al-Jannah, 4/2182, no. 2838]

al-Jannah wa an-Naar – In the Light of the Qur'aan and Sunnah

The Prophet (saw) told us about the characteristics of the palaces of some of his wives and companions. alBukhaari and Muslim report that Abu Hurayrah (ra) said, "Jibreel came to the Prophet (saw) said, "O Messenger of Allaah, Khadeejah is coming, carrying a container of food. When she comes to you, convey to her greetings of peace from her Rabb and from me, and give her the glad tidings of a house in Paradise made of brocade, in which there is no noise or exhaustion."" [Mishkaat alMasaabeeh, 3/266] al-Bukhaari and Muslim report from Jaabir that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "I entered Paradise, where I saw ar-Rumaysa', the wife of Abu Talhah. And I heard footsteps and asked, "Who is that?" He [Jibreel] said, "That is Bilaal." And I saw a palace with women in its courtyard. I asked, "Whose is this?" They said, "It is for 'Umar ibn al-Khattab". I had wanted to go in and look at it, but I remembered your jealousy [where women are concerned]." 'Umar said, "May my mother and father be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allaah (saw), would I feel jealous from you?" [Mishkaat alMasaabeeh, 3/226] The Prophet (saw) has told us of the way in which the believer may acquire more than one house in Paradise: Ahmad reports with a sahih isnaad from Ibn 'Abbaas that the Prophet (saw) said, "Whoever builds a masjid for Allaah, even if it is as small as the nestling-place scratched out by the sane grouse for its eggs, Allaah (swt) will build a house for him in Paradise". [sahih al-Jaami' as-Sagheer, 5/265, no. 6005] Ahmad, al-Bukhaari, Muslim, Al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah report from 'Uthmaan that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said "Whoever builds a mosque for Allaah (swt), Allaah (swt) will build something similar for him in Paradise". [sahih al-Jaami' as-Sagheer, 5/265, no. 6007] Muslim, Abu Dawud, Ahmad, an-Nasaa'ee, and Ibn Maajah report from Umm Habeebah that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "Whoever prays twelve extra [supererogatory] rak'ahs every day, Allaah (swt) will build for him a house in Paradise." [sahih al-Jaami', 5/316, no. 6234]

The Light of Paradise al-Qurtubee said, "The scholars said there is no night and day in Paradise, rather they will be in eternal everlasting light. They will know when night comes because curtains or screens will be put up and doors will be closed, and they will know when day comes because the curtains or screens will be taken down and the doors will be opened. This was mentioned by Abul-Faraj ibn al-Jawzee" [al-Qurtubee, at-Tadhkirah, p. 504] Ibn Katheer in his commentary on the aayah: "And they will have therein their sustenance, morning and evening. Such is the Paradise, which We shall give as an inheritance to those of Our slave who have been al-Muttaqoon [pious and righteous]" [19:62-63] said, "This means something approximate to the times of day and night, it does not mean that there will be a day and night there. They will know the passing of time by the changes in the light" [Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 4/471] On the same subject, Ibn Taymiyyah said, "There is no sun and moon in Paradise, and no day or night, but they will know morning and evening from a light that shines from the direction of the Throne" [Majmu' Fataawa Shaikh al-Islaam, 4/312]

al-Jannah wa an-Naar – In the Light of the Qur'aan and Sunnah

Paradise is filled with a pure and beautiful fragrance, which the believers will be able to discern from a great distance. Ahmad, an-Nasaa'ee, Ibn Maajah and al-Haakim report with a sahih isnaad that the Messenger (saw) said, "Whoever kills a man of Ahl ad-Dhimmah [non-Muslims living under Islaamic rule] will not smell the fragrance of Paradise, even though its fragrance can be discerned from a distance of forty years' travelling." [sahih al-Jaami as-Sagheer, 5/235, no. 6324 adn 5/337 no. 6333]

The Trees and Fruits of Paradise (i) Its trees and fruits are of many kinds and everlasting The trees of Paradise are abundant and good and of many kinds. Allaah has told us that there are grapevines, datepalms and pomegranate trees in Paradise, as well as lotus trees and acacia trees: "Verily, for the muttaqoon, there will be a success [Paradise], gardens and grape yards" [78:3132] "in them [both will be fruits, date palms and pomegranates" [55:68] "And those on the Right Hand - who will be those on the Right Hand? [They will be] among thornless lote-trees, Among Talh trees with fruits piled one above another, In shade longextended, By water flowing constantly, And fruit in plenty" [56:27-32] The lotus tree [ad-Sidr] is a thorny plant, but in Paradise it will be thornless. at-Talh [acacia tree] is a tree of Hijaaz, a kind of 'idah [a fair sized thorny shrub], but in Paradise its fruits will be ready to eat, with no effort required. What Allaah (swt) has told us about the trees of Paradise is only a small part of what Paradise contains. Hence Allaah told us "In them [both] will be every kind of fruit in pairs" [55:52] Because of its abundance, people will be able to leave what they want and take what they want: "...and therein they will call for fruits in abundance and drinks". [38:51] "With fruits, any that they may select" [56:20] "Verily the Muttaqoon shall be amidst shades and springs, And fruits - such as they desire" [77:4142] In short, Paradise contains all kinds of fruits and other joys that one's heart could desire: "Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them, [there will be] therein all that one's soul could desire, all that the eyes could delight in, and you will abide therein forever" [43:71] Ibn Katheer spoke very cleverly about the greatness of the fruits of Paradise, and concluded that by means of understatement, Allaah (swt) conveyed the abundance and greatness of those fruits. He said, "The lotus tree [as-Sidr] does not bear any fruit other than some insignificant, inferior fruits, and it is thorny. The acacia tree [at-Talh] is only used for shade in this world [not for fruit] but in Paradise there will be many of them,