Sunday 25 June 2006

Descriptions of Paradise in Islam

The Creation of Paradise





Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:



"When Allah created Paradise and Hellfire, He sent Gabriel to Paradise, saying, ‘look at it and at what I have prepared therein for its inhabitants.’ So Gabriel went to it and looked at it and at what Allah had prepared therein for its inhabitants. Then Gabriel returned it Allah and said, ‘By Your glory, no one hears of it without entering it.’ So Allah ordered that it be encompassed by forms of hardship, and He said, ‘Return to it and look at what I have prepared therein for its inhabitants! So, Gabriel returned to it and found that it was encompassed by forms of hardship. Then he returned to Allah and said, ‘By Your glory, I fear that no one will enter it, Allah said, ‘Go to Hellfire and look at it and at what I have prepared therein for its inhabitants.’ Gabriel found that it was in layers, one above the other. Then Gabriel returned to Allah and said, ‘By Your glory, no one who hears of it will enter it.’ So Allah ordered that it be encompassed by lusts. Then He said, ‘Return to it and Gabriel returned to it and said, ‘By Your glory, I am frightened that no one will escape from entering it.’
[at-Tirmidhi, abu Dawud and An-Nasa'i]



Masruuq (radiAllahu anhu) said: "We asked Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud about this verse: “And do not regard those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead, rather, they are alive with their Lord and being provided for."
[Surah ali' Imran, 3: 169]



He said, ‘We asked about that and the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, “Their souls are in the insides of green birds, having lanterns suspended from the Throne, roaming freely in Paradise where they please, then taking shelter in those lanterns. Their Lord cast a glance at them and said, ‘Do you wish for anything?’ They said, ‘What shall we wish for when we roam freely in Paradise where we please?’ And He did that with them three times- when they saw that they would not be spared from being asked again, they said, ‘Oh Lord! We would like for You to put our souls back into our bodies so that we might fight for Your sake once again.’ When Allah saw that they were not in need of anything, they were let be.’


[Muslim, at-Tirmidhi, an-Naa'i and Ibn Majah]







The Gates of Paradise



"Gardens of perpetual bliss – they shall enter them as well as the righteous among their fathers, their spouses and their offspring. And angels shall enter upon them from every gate.”
[Surah al-Rad, 13: 23]



“This is a reminder. Verily, for the righteous is a beautiful place of final return – garden of eternity, whose doors will always be open to them.”
[Surah Saad, 38: 49-50]



“And those who feared their Lord will be led to the Garden in crowds until behold, they arrive there. Its gates will be opened, and its keepers will say, ‘Peace be upon you! Well have you done, so enter it, abiding in it eternally.’”
[Surah Al Zumar, 39: 73]



Sahl bin Sa’d (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:

“Paradise has eight gates, and one of them is called ar-Rayyaan, through which none will enter but those who observe fasting.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari]



Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:

“Whoever spends two things in the way of Allah will be called from the agates of Paradise and will be addressed, ‘O slave of Allah, here is prosperity!’ So whoever was among the people who used to offer their prayers will be called from the gate of the prayer; and whoever was among the people who used to participate in jihad will be called from the gates of jihad; and whoever was among those who used to observe fasts will be called from the gate of ar-Rayyaan; and whoever was among those who used to give in charity will be called from the gate of charity.” Abu Bakr said, ‘Let my parents be sacrificed for you, Oh Allah’s Apostle! No distress or need will befall him who will be called from those gates Will there by anyone who will be called from these gates?” The Prophet (SAW) replied, “Yes. And I hope you will be one of them.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari]



Uqba bin Amir (radiAllahu anhu) said: “We were entrusted with the task of tending the camels – On my turn, when I came back in the evening after grazing them in the pastures, I found Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) stand and address the people. I heard these words of his,


‘If any Muslim performs ablution well, then stands and prays two rak’ahs, setting about them with his heart as well as his face, Paradise will be guaranteed to him.’ I said, ‘What a fine thing this is!’ A narrator who was before me said, ‘The first was even better than this.’ When I cast a glance, I saw that it was Umar who said, ‘I see that you have just come and observed. If anyone among you performs the ablution, completes the ablution well and says, “I testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the servant of Allah and His Messenger,” then the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him and he may enter by whichever of them he wishes.’”

[Muslim]



“The gates of Paradise will be opened on Mondays and on Thursdays, and every servant of Allah who associates noting with Allah will be forgiven, except for the man who has a grudge against his brother. About them it will be said, ‘Delay these two until they are reconciled. Delay these two until they are reconciled. Delay these two until they are reconciled.’”


[Muslim, Malik and abu Dawud]






Paradise - Never imagined by a Human-being



“Be foremost (in seeking) forgiveness from your Lord. And a garden of bliss, the width of the heavens and the earth prepared for those who believe in Allah and His messengers - that is the grace of Allah which He bestows on whom He pleases, and Allah is the Lord of abounding grace.”

[Al Hadid, 57:21]



Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said that Allah (subhanahu wa Ta'ala) said:

“I have prepared for My righteous servants what no eye has seen and no ear has heard, nor has it occurred to the human heart. Thus, recite if you wish, ‘And no soul knows what joy has been kept hidden for them.”’

[Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim, at-Tirmidhi, and ibn Majah, Surah Al Sajdah, 32: 17]



Sahl bin Sa’d (radiAllahu anhu) narrated Allah’s Apostle (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: “A place in Paradise equal to the size of a lash is better than the whole world and whatever is in it.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari]




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Has not the time yet come for those who believe

that their hearts should be humble for the remembrance of Allah and what has

come down of the truth?

[57:16]



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