Part 19

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

growing beautifully, and bearing such abundant fruit that a single fruit will have seventy kinds of taste and colour that resemble one another. So how do you think the trees that are grown for their fruit on earth will be in Paradise, like apple trees, date palms, grape vines and so on? How do you think the flowers will be? In short, there will be what no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no human heart can comprehend and we ask Allaah (swt) to grant us some of this, by His Grace" [an-Nihaayah, 2/262] The trees of Paradise bear fruit constantly, unlike the trees of this world, which bear fruit only at certain times or seasons. The trees of Paradise always bear fruit and offer shade: "The description of the Paradise which the Muttaqoon have been promised! -Underneath it rivers flow, its provision is eternal and so is its shade" [13:55] "And fruit in plenty, whose season is not limited, and their supply will not be cut off" [56:32-33] The supply is continuous and the people of Paradise are never denied. one of the delights that the people of Paradise will enjoy is finding that its fruits are similar in appearance, but different in taste: "Everytime they will be provided with a fruit therefrom, they will say, "This is what we were provided with before", and they will be given things in resemblance [i.e. in the same form but different in taste]" [2:25] The trees of Paradise are of rich and lush foliage - "With spreading branches" [55:48], and they are intensely green - "dark and green [in colour]" [55:64]. The intensity of the colour is because of the density of the trees in Paradise. The fruits of the trees will be low-hanging, in easy reach of the people of Paradise: "Reclining upon the couches lined with silk brocade, and the fruits of the two Gardens will be near at hand" [55:54] The shade of these trees will be as Allaah (swt) says: "..and We shall admit them to shades wide and ever deepening". [4:57] "In shade long-extended" [56:30]

(ii) Some of the trees of Paradise The Messenger of Allaah (saw) told us wondrous things about some of the trees of paradise which indicates that they are so amazingly huge that trying to imagine them makes one's head spin. We shall quote some examples here:

(a) A tree whose shadow it takes one hundred years to cross. This is a huge tree, whose true size is known only to its Creator. The Prophet (saw) conveyed an impression of its size when he said that "In Paradise there is a tree which the rider of a swift horse would need one hundred years to pass beneath" [al-Bukhaari, Kitaab ar-Riqaaq, Baab Sifaat al-Jannah, Fath al-Baari,

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

11/416; Muslim, Kitaab al-Jannah, Baab inna fil-Jannah Shajarah, 2/2176, no. 2828, from Abu Sa'eed alKhudri; see also al-Bukhaari, Kitaab Bid' al-Khalq, Baab ma jaa'a fi Sifaat al-Jannah, Fath al-Baari, 6/319] And in the narration of Muslim from Abu Hurayrah and Sahl ibn Sa'd it is said that "In Paradise there is a tree under whose shade a traveller could travel for one hundred years and not reach the edge of it" [Muslim, Kitaab al-Jannah, Baab in fil-Jannah Shajarah Yaseer al-Raakib fi dhiliha mi'ah 'aam, hadith no 2826, 2827]

(b) Sidrat al-Muntaha There is a tree in paradise which Allaah has mentioned in a clear and unambiguous revelation. Allaah (swt) told us that our Prophet Muhammad (saw) saw Jibreel in the form in which Allaah created him at that tree. He also told us that it was veiled with something known only to Allaah (swt) when the Prophet (saw) saw it: "And indeed he [Muhammad] saw him [Jibreel] at a second descent [i.e. a second time] near Sidrat al-Muntaha [the Lote-tree of the utmost boundary beyond which none may pass] near it is the Paradise of Abode. When that covered the lote-tree which covered it! The sight of [Muhammad] turned not aside [right or left], nor did it transgress beyond [the] limit [ordained for it]" [53:13-18] The Prophet (saw) told us about what he saw of this tree: "Then I was taken up until I reached Sidrat al-Muntaha and I saw its Nabq [fruits] which looked like the clay jugs of Hajar, its leaves were like the ears of elephants, and one of these leaves could cover the whole of this ummah. It was veiled in colours indescribable. Then I entered Paradise, and its lights were pearls and its soil was musk". [sahih al-Jaami' as-Sagheer, 4/82, no. 4075, alBukhaari and Muslim; see also al-Bukhaari, Ahmad, Al-Tirmidhi and Muslim, sahih al-Jaami', 3/18, no. 2861]

(c) Tooba. This is a huge tree which produces the fabric for the clothing of the people of Paradise. Ahmad Ibn Jareer and Ibn Hibbaan report from Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "Tooba is a tree in Paradise, as big as a hundred year's journey; the clothes of the people of Paradise comes from its calyces [the outer parts of its flowers]" [Silsilat al-Hadith as-Saheehah, 4/639, no. 1985, the isnaad is hasan] Narrated by Ahmad from 'Abdullaah ibn 'Amr, who said, "A man came to the Prophet (saw) and asked, "O Messenger of Allaah, tell us about the clothes of the people of Paradise; are they created or are they woven?" Some of the people laughed. The Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "Why are you laughing? Because someone who does not know has asked someone who does know?" Then he turned and asked, "Where is the one who asked the question?" The man said, "Here I am, O Messenger of Allaah". He said, "No, they are produced by the fruits of Paradise" three times" [Silsilat al-Hadith as-Saheehah, 4/640]

(iii) The best aromatic plants in Paradise Allaah told us that in Paradise there are aromatic plants:

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

"[there is for him] rest and provision [Rayhaan - literally - sweet smelling plants, here used as symbolical of complete satisfaction and delight]" [56:89] In Mu'jam at-Tabaraanee al-Kabeer, a report from 'Abdullaah ibn 'Amr whose isnaad is sahih according to the conditions of al-Bukhaari and Muslim states that the Prophet (saw) said, "The best of the aromatic plants of Paradise is henna." [SilSilah as-Saheehah, 3/407, no. 1420]

(iv) The trunks of the trees of Paradise are of Gold One of the wondrous things that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) told us is that the trunks of the trees are gold: "There is no tree in Paradise that does not have a trunk made of gold" [Ibn Hibbaan, Al-Tirmidhi, alBayhaqee, from Abu Hurayrah, sahih al-Jaami' as-Sagheer 5/150 sahih]

(v) How can the Believer increase his share of the trees of Paradise? al-Khaleel ar-Rahmaan and the Father of the Prophets, Ibraaheem (as) asked our Prophet Muhammad (saw) on the night of the Israa' to convey his greetings to this ummah and to tell them the way in which they could increase their share of the trees of Paradise. Al-Tirmidhi reported with a hasan isnaad from Ibn Mas'oud that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said: "I met Ibraaheem...and he said, "O Muhammad, tell your ummah that Paradise is a a land whose soil is good and its water is sweet. It is an empty plain, which will be planted with SubhaanAllaah, al-Hamdulillaah, and Allaahu Akbar" [sahih al-Jaami' as-Sagheer, 5/34, no. 5028]

The Animals and Birds of Paradise The kinds of birds and animals that exist in Paradise are known only to Allaah. He ta'ala told us that among the delights enjoyed by the people of Paradise will be: "..and the flesh of fowls any that they may desire" [56:21] Al-Tirmidhi reports from Anas that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) was asked, "What is al-Kawthar?" He said, "That is a river that Allaah has given me... and in it are birds with necks like the necks of camels". 'Umar said, These birds will be in bliss". The Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "Those who eat them will be more blissful"". [Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 2/91] al-Haakim and Abu Na'eem reported from Ibn Mas'oud that "a man brought a haltered she-camel and said, "O Messenger of Allaah, this she-camel is for the sake of Allaah". He said, "You will have seven hundred haltered she-camels in Paradise" [Silsilat as-Saheehah, 2/228 no. 634; a similar report is narrated by Muslim, Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 2/350, 3799]

The People of Paradise: The Deeds for Which People Will Deserve to Enter Paradise

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

The people of Paradise are the believers and strict monotheists. All those who associate others with Allaah or disbelieve in Him, or deny any of the principles of faith will not be allowed to enter Paradise. Their destination will be Hellfire. The Qur'aan often states that the people of Paradise are the believers who do righteous deeds, to quote one of many examples: "But whoever comes to Him as a believer [in tawhid] and has done righteous good deeds, for such are the high ranks [in the Hereafter] - 'Adn [Eden] Paradise [everlasting gardens [under which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever: such is the reward of those who purify themselves". [20:75-76]

Believers may earn Paradise through their eemaan and Islaam:

"My worshippers! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve - [you] who believed in Our aayaat and were Muslims, enter Paradise you and your wives in happiness" [43:68-70]

Or because they were sincere in their devotion to Allaah:

"Save the chosen slaves of Allaah [al-Mukhliseen]. For them there will be a known provision, fruits and they shall be honoured, in the gardens of delight." [37:40-43]

Or for the strength of their relationship with Allaah, their longing for Him and worship of Him:

"Only those who believe in our aayaat who, when they are reminded of them fall down prostrate, and glorify the praises of their rabb, and they are not proud. Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Rabb in fear and hope, and they spend [charity in Allaah's Cause] our of what We have bestowed on them". [32:15-16]

Or for their patience and reliance upon Allaah:

"..Excellent is the reward of the workers, those who are patient and put their trust [only] in their Rabb" [29:58-59]

Or for their steadfastness in faith:

"Verily those who say "Our Rabb is Allaah" and remain firm [on that path], on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. Such shall be the Companions of the Garden dwelling therein: a recompense for their good deeds". [46:13-14]

"Verily those who believe and do righteous deeds and humble themselves [in repentance and obedience] before their Rabb - they will be dwellers of Paradise to dwell therein forever" [11:23]