Paradise
Jannah (Arabic: جنّة Jannah), is the Islamic conception of paradise. The Arabic word Jannah is a shortened version meaning simply "Garden". According to Islamic eschatology, after death, one will reside in the grave until the appointed resurrection on Yawm al-Qiyāmah/ Day of Judgement. Muslims believe that the treatment of the individual in the life of the grave will be according to his or her deeds in the worldly life. Jannah is often compared to Christian concepts of Heaven. According to Muslim belief, everything one longs for in this world will be there in Paradise.
Paradise itself is commonly described in the Qur'an. The highest level
of Paradise is Firdaws
(فردوس),
which is where the prophets,
the martyrs and the most
truthful and pious people will dwell. In contrast to Jannah, the words Ǧahannam and Nār
are used to refer to the concept of hell.
Descriptions of Paradise
The descriptions of paradise are mentioned in
significant detail in the Qur'an, hadiths
and traditional tafsīr
(exegesis). Paradise is
described as surrounded by eight principal gates, each level generally being
divided into a hundred degrees. The highest level is known as firdaws
(sometimes called Eden). It will be entered first by Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), then those who
lived in poverty, and then the most pious. Entrants will be greeted by angels
with salutations of peace
or As-Salamu
Alaykum.
"Gardens of perpetual bliss: they shall enter
there, as well as the righteous among their fathers, their spouses, and their
offspring: and angels shall enter unto them from every gate (with the
salutation):
"Peace unto you for that ye persevered in
patience! Now how excellent is the final home!"
The Islamic texts
describes life for its immortal inhabitants as: one that is happy — without hurt,
sorrow, fear or shame — where every wish is fulfilled. Traditions relate that
inhabitants will be of the same age (33 years), and of the same standing/equal.
Their life is one of bliss including: wearing fancy robes, bracelets, perfumes
as they partake in exquisite banquets, served in priceless vessels by immortal
youths, as they recline on couches inlaid with gold or precious stones. Other
foods mentioned include meats, scented wine and clear drinks bringing neither
drunkenness nor rousing quarrelling. Inhabitants will rejoice in the company of
their parents, spouses, and children (provided they were admitted to paradise)
— conversing and recalling the past.
The food in Jannah is reported by the
companions of the Prophet as never rotting and so sweet it will make any person
on earth live without feeling hunger forever.
The dwellings for inhabitants will be pleasant,
with lofty gardens,
shady valleys, fountains scented with camphor or ginger; rivers
of water, milk, honey and wines; delicious fruits of all seasons without
thorns;
One day in paradise is considered equal to a
thousand years on earth. Palaces are made from bricks of gold, silver, pearls,
among other things. Traditions also note the presence of horses and camels of "dazzling
whiteness", along with other creatures. Large trees are described,
mountains made of musk,
between which rivers flow in valleys of pearl and ruby.
The names of four rivers are Saihan (Syr Darya), Jaihan (Amu Darya), Furat (Euphrates) and Nil (Nile).[4] Salsabil is the name of a
spring that is the source of the rivers of Rahma (mercy) and Al-Kawthar (abundance).[5] Sidrat al-Muntaha is a Lote tree that marks the
end of the seventh heaven,
the boundary where no creation can pass.
In spite of the goodly dwellings given to the
inhabitants of paradise, the approval of God and nearness to Him is considered
greater. According to the Qur'an, God will bring the elect
near to His throne (ʿarš), a day on which "some faces shall be
shining in contemplating their Lord." The vision of God is regarded as the
greatest of all rewards, surpassing all other joys.
Conditions of going to Paradise
According to the Qur'an, the basic criteria for
salvation in afterlife is the belief in
one God (Tawḥīd), Last Judgment, good deeds,
and in all the messengers of
God, as well as believing that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)is the final prophet of God.
Though one must do good deeds and believe in
God, salvation can only be attained through God's judgement.
Conditions of going to Paradise according to
the Qur'an:
"Those who spend (freely), whether in
prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men;- for Allah loves those who do
good;-
And those who, having done something to be
ashamed of, or wronged their own souls, earnestly bring Allah to mind, and ask
for forgiveness for their sins,- and who can forgive sins except Allah?- and
are never obstinate in persisting knowingly in (the wrong) they have done.
For such the reward is forgiveness from their
Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath,- an eternal dwelling: How
excellent a recompense for those who work (and strive)!
—Qur'an, sura 3 (Al-i-Imran), ayat 134 -
136
"Allah did aforetime take a covenant from the Children of Israel, and we appointed twelve captains among them. And Allah said: "I am with you: if ye (but) establish regular prayers, practise regular charity, believe in my messengers, honour and assist them, and loan to Allah a beautiful loan, verily I will wipe out from you your evils, and admit you to gardens with rivers flowing beneath; but if any of you, after this, resisteth faith, he hath truly wandered from the path or rectitude."
—Qur'an, sura 5 (al-Māʾidah) ayah 12
"As in life there are many trials which one must face. This is also a condition individuals must encounter in order to enter Jannah.
Or do ye think that ye shall enter the Garden
(of bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you?
they encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that
even the Messenger and those of faith who were with him cried: "When (will
come) the help of Allah?" Ah! Verily, the help of Allah is (always) near!"
—Qur'an, sura 2 (al-Baqarah), ayah 214
"Did ye think that ye would enter Heaven without Allah testing those of you who fought hard (In His Cause) and remained steadfast?"
—Qur'an, sura 3 (Al-i-Imran), ayah 142
The Qur'an also asserts that those who reject the Prophets of God with their best knowledge are damned in afterlife[6] and if they reject in front of the Messenger of God, then they also face dreadful fate in this world and in afterlife (see Itmam al-hujjah). Conversely, a person who discovers monotheism not having been reached by a messenger is called Hanif.
