About Paradise dwellers (2)

Gates of Paradise:

Paradise has eight gates. It was reported in the Hadith of Sahl ibn Sa`d (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Paradise has eight gates, and one of them is called Ar-Raiyan through which none will enter but those who observe fasting."[1]

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever gives two kinds (of things or property) in charity for Allah's Cause will be called from the gates of Paradise and will be addressed: O servant of Allah! Here is prosperity. So, whoever was amongst the people who used to offer their Salah will be called from the gate of Salah; and whoever was amongst the people who used to participate in Jihad will be called from the gate of Jihad; and whoever was amongst those who used to observe fasting will be called from the gate of Ar-Raiyan; whoever was amongst 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, O Allah's Messenger! No distress or need will befall him who will be called from those gates. Will there be any one who will be called from all these gates? The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied:

Yes, and I hope you will be one of them."[2]

Al Qady `Iyad said: Imam Muslim mentioned four gates of Paradise in this Hadith and others mentioned the rest of the eight such as: The gate of repentance, the gate of those who restrain rage, the gate of the content people, and the right gate from which those who are not reckoned shall enter.

Keepers of Paradise:

Paradise has its keepers from angels. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "And those who kept their duty to their Lord (Al-Muttaqûn) will be led to Paradise in groups, till, when they reach it, and its gates will be opened (before their arrival for their reception) and its keepers will say: Salâmun 'Alaikum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein." [Surat Az-Zumar: 73].

A benefit:

Of the common errors is naming the chief of Paradise keepers with Radwan because there is no proof from the Qur'an and the Sunnah to this.

The soil of Paradise:

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "I said: What is paradise made of? He said: A brick of silver and a brick of gold and its mortar is musk, strong in scent, and its pebbles are pearls and rubies, and its soil is saffron. He who enters it will be well blessed, not sad. He will live for ever, never to die, there dresses will never wear out and their youth will never end."[3]

The dwellings of the people of Paradise:

Indeed, Paradise contains chambers, palaces, houses, and great tents:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "But those who fear their Lord (Allâh) and keep their duty to Him, for them are built lofty rooms; one above another under which rivers flow (i.e. Paradise). (This is) the Promise of Allâh: and Allâh does not fail in (His) Promise." [Surat Az-Zumar: 20]. Allah (Exalted be He) says: "And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Us (i.e. please Allâh), but only he who believes (in the Islâmic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds (will please Us); as for such, there will be twofold reward for what they did, and they will reside in the high dwellings (Paradise) in peace and security." [Surat Saba': 37].

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "While we were in the company of the Prophet (peace be upon him), he said:

"While I was asleep, I saw myself in Paradise and there I beheld a woman making ablution beside a palace, I asked: To whom does this palace belong? They (angels) said: To `Umar ibn Al Khattab. Then I recalled `Umar's Ghayrah (concerning women), and so I quickly went away from that palace. When `Umar heard this from the Prophet (peace be upon him), he wept and said: Do you think it is likely that I feel Ghayrah because of you, O Allah's Messenger?"[4]

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: Gabriel came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said: O Allah's Messenger! This is Khadijah coming to you with a dish having meat soup (or some food or drink). When she reaches you, greet her on behalf of her Lord (i.e., Allah) and on my behalf, and give her the glad tidings of having a Qasab palace in Paradise wherein there will be neither any noise nor any fatigue (trouble)."[5]

Abu Bakr ibn `Abdullah ibn Qays reported from his father (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "In Paradise the believer will have a tent made of a single hollowed pearl the breadth of which would be sixty miles. It would be meant for a believer and the believers would go around it and none would be able to see the others."[6]

The food of the people of Paradise:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "And with fruit that they may choose. * [And with the flesh of fowls that they desire." [Surat Al Waqi`ah: 20 - 21].

Allah described the fruit with the following:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Every time 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) and they shall have therein Azwâjun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives) and they will abide therein forever." [Surat Al Baqarah: 25].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "And fruit in plenty, * Whose supply is not cut off (by change of season), nor are they out of reach." [Surat Al Waqi`ah: 32 - 33].

The fruits of Paradise are near to their eaters:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "So he shall be in a life, well-pleasing. * In lofty Paradise, * The fruits in bunches whereof will be low and near at hand." [Surat Al Haqqah: 21 - 23].

Birds of Paradise:

It was reported in the Hadith of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked about Al Kawthar, and he said: "It is a river which my Lord granted me which is whiter than milk, sweeter than honey, and contains birds which their necks are like the necks of camels. `Umar said: O Messenger of Allah, these are prosperous birds. He (the Prophet) said: Their eaters are more prosperous, O `Umar."[7]

The food of Paradise is permanent:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "its provision is eternal and so is its shade." [Surat Ar-Ra`d: 35]

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "(It will be said to them): Verily, this is Our Provision which will never finish." [Surat Sad: 54]. The Hadith which we have mentioned is a proof that the Paradise dwellers eat and drink, and their food is cod liver oil, and the bulls of Paradise. It was reported in the Hadith of Thawban, the freed slave of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), "I was standing beside the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) when one of the Jewish rabbis came and said: Peace be upon you, O Muhammad. I gave him a shove that almost made him fall over. He said: Why did you push me? I said: Why do not you say: O Messenger of Allah? The Jew said: We only call him by the name that his family gave him. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: My name is Muhammad, (a name) that my family gave to me. The Jew said: I have come to ask you something. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Will it benefit you anything if I tell you? He said: I will listen. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) scratched the ground with a stick that he had with him, and said: Ask. The Jew said: Where will the people be on the Day when the earth is changed to another earth, and the heavens (likewise)? The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: They will be in darkness near the Bridge. He said: Who will be the first people to cross (the Bridge)? He said: The poor Muhajirin (emigrants). The Jew said: What will be presented to them when they enter Paradise? He said: The caudate (extra) lobe of the fish liver. He said: What food will be given to them after that? He said: The bull of Paradise, which used to graze along its edges, will be slaughtered for them. He said: What will their drink be? He said: From a spring there that is called Salsabil. He (the Jew) said: You have spoken the truth."[8]

The drink of Paradise:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Verily, the Abrâr (the pious believers of Islamic Monotheism), shall drink a cup (of wine) mixed with (water from a spring in Paradise called) Kâfûr. * A spring wherefrom the slaves of Allâh will drink, causing it to gush forth abundantly." [Surat Al Insan: 5 - 6].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "And they will be given to drink there a cup (of wine) mixed with Zanjabîl (ginger), * A spring there, called Salsabîl." [Surat Al Insan: 17 - 18].

So, the drink of Paradise dwellers is composed of two things: Camphor and ginger.

The rivers of Paradise:

Paradise contains multiple rivers:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise)." [Surat Al Baqarah: 25].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise)." [Surat At-Tawbah: 100].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "Under them will flow rivers in the Gardens of Delight (Paradise)." [Surat Yunus: 9]

It is noted that rivers do exist in real and they are flowing under their chambers, palaces, and gardens.

The water of worldly rivers is part of Paradise:

It was reported in the Hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "So, when you ask Allah (for something), ask for Al Firdaws which is the best and highest part of Paradise. Above it (i.e. Al Firdaws) is the Throne of the Beneficent (i.e. Allah), and from it originate the rivers of Paradise."[9]

From the rivers of Paradise:

Seyhan River, Ceyhan, Euphrates, and the Nile. It was reported in the Hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Sayhan (Oxus), Jayhan (Jaxartes), Al Furat (Euphrates) and An-Nil (Nile) are all from the rivers of Jannah."[10]

Containers of Paradise:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them." [Surat Az-Zukhruf: 71].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "And amongst them will be passed round vessels of silver and cups of crystal - * Crystal-clear, made of silver. They will determine the measure thereof (according to their wishes)." [Surat Al Insan: 15 - 16].

Cups are made of gold and silver. It was reported in Sahih Al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim from the Hadith of Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Do not drink in silver or golden vessels, do not wear silky wears for these things are for them (unbelievers) in this world and for you in the Hereafter."[11]

The wears of Paradise dwellers:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Dressed in fine silk and (also) in thick silk, facing each other," [Surat Ad-Dukhan: 53].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "They will wear green garments of fine and thick silk. They will recline therein on raised thrones. How good is the reward, and what an excellent Murtafaq (dwelling, resting place.)!" [Surat Al Kahf: 31].

The jewelries of Paradise dwellers:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Therein they will be adorned with bracelets of gold." [Surat Al Kahf: 31].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "Wherein they will be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls and their garments therein will be of silk." [Surat Hajj: 23].

Servants of Paradise dwellers:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "And there will go round boy-servants of theirs, to serve them as if they were preserved pearls." [Surat At-Tur: 24].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "And round about them will (serve) boys of everlasting youth. If you see them, you would think them scattered pearls." [Surat Al Insan: 19].

Scholars spoke about those servants saying:

1- It was said: They are the children of Muslims who die in young age.

2- It was said: They were created as servants of Paradise such as houris which is the more correct, And Allah knows best!

Paradise market:

It was reported in the Hadith of Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "In Paradise there is a street to which they would come every Friday. The north wind will blow and would scatter fragrance on their faces and on their clothes and would add to their beauty and loveliness, and then they would go back to their family after having an added lustre to their beauty and loveliness, and their family would say to them: By Allah, you have been increased in beauty and loveliness after leaving us, and they would say: By Allah, you have also increased in beauty and loveliness after us."[12]

Women of Paradise:

There are two kinds of women in Paradise: They are the houris and the believing women of the world.

The first category is: The believing women of the world:

Allah (may He be Exalted) described them saying: "Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation. * And made them virgins." [Surat Al Waqi`ah: 35 - 36].

Ibn `Abbas said: Allah shall create them in a different shape and would make them virgins and in young age [33 of age] as was reported in the Hadith of Mu`adh ibn Jabal which we mentioned in this chapter.

The second category is: The houris:

The Glorious Qur'an described them in more than one position in the Qur'an, of which:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "So (it will be). And We shall marry them to Hûr (fair female) with wide, lovely eyes." [Surat Ad-Dukhan: 54].

Houris are the plural form of Houri which means a very beautiful and white young girl with black eyes. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "And they shall have therein Azwâjun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives) and they will abide therein forever." [Surat Al Baqarah: 25].

Allah described them as purified of menstruation, post childbirth blood, urination, defecation, spitting, and every filth that may corrupt their softness and beauty. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Wherein both will be Qâsirât-ut-Tarf [chaste females (wives) restraining their glances, desiring none except their husbands], with whom no man or jinni has deflowered before them." [Surat Ar-Rahman: 56].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "And beside them will be Qâsirât-at-Tarf [chaste females (wives), restraining their glances (desiring none except their husbands)], with wide and beautiful eyes." [Surat As-Safat: 48].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "And beside them will be Qâsirât-at-Tarf [chaste females (wives) restraining their glances (desiring none except their husbands)], (and) of equal ages." [Surat Sad: 52].

They lower their gazes and do not see but their husbands, and no one has ever had sexual intercourse with them either humans or jinns.

Mujahid said: The meaning of Atrab is of equal age. Abu `Ubaydah said: Peers. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Verily, for the Muttaqûn, there will be a success (Paradise); * Gardens and vineyards, * And young full-breasted (mature) maidens of equal age." [Surat An-Naba': 31 - 33].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "Loving (their husbands only), (and) of equal age." [Surat Al Waqi`ah: 37]. The meaning is: They shall be young full-breated (mature) maidens of equal age and loving their husbands only who treat their husbands kindly and softly. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "(In beauty) they are like rubies and coral." [Surat Ar-Rahman: 58].

Commentators said: He meant the clarity of sapphire in the whiteness of coral.

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Hûr (beautiful, fair females) guarded in pavilions;" [Surat Ar-Rahman: 72]. i.e., sitting in the tents.  

Qatadah said: Dedicating themselves to their husbands in tents made of pearls.

These are some descriptions of Paradise women.

The poet was truthful when he said:

Sleep distracted you from seeking wishes

and from those houris of Paradise.

Therein you shall live without death

and you shall play with beautiful houris.

So, you should wake up from sleep to recite the Qur'an.[13]

The poet also said:

O seeker of houris in their chambers

and exerting efforts to reach that

get up actively and do not be negligent

strive hard against your desires and observe patience.

When the night falls, stay up for worship

and fast the daytime as it is their dowry.[14]