The contents of this article have been taken from Wasf al Jannah wa al Nar min Sahih al Sunnah wa al Athar (Description of Paradise and Hell from Authentic Sunnah and Reports) by Wahid ibn Abd al Salam Bali.
Most of the narrations from it are sahih and very few are da’if (weak) which I have made mention of in the hadiths’ footnotes, and who graded them as da’if (weak).
I have summarised the contents of each heading so it’s easier to get a good picture of what Jannah will be like, based on the Qur’an verses and authentic ahadith.
اللهم توفنا مسلمين وأحينا مسلمين وألحقنا بالصالحين غير خزايا ولا مفتونين
O Allah, let us die as Muslims, let us live as Muslims, and join us with the righteous, not disgraced and not tested in a way that leads us astray.
Navigation Menu For Summary
The fragrance of Paradise
The gates of Paradise
The first person for whom the gates of Paradise will be opened
The first people to enter Paradise
How the people of Paradise will enter
The levels of Paradise
The highest position in Paradise
The buildings and soil of Paradise
The palaces, rooms and tents of Paradise
Rivers of Paradise and their Springs
The Description of the Hawd (Lake Fount) of the Prophet ﷺ
The Trees of Paradise
The Food and Drink of the People of Paradise
The Clothing of the People of Paradise
Furnishings of Paradise
The Women of Paradise
Intimacy in Paradise
The Singing of the Maidens of Paradise
The Ornaments of the People of Paradise
The Handkerchiefs of Paradise
The Market of the People of Paradise
The People of Paradise Gazing at their Lord the Blessed and Most High
For the One who Fears the Standing before his Lord are Two Gardens
The Stature of the Believer in Paradise
Everlasting Pleasure and Allah’s Lasting Good Pleasure
Eternal Abiding
The Share of this Ummah in Paradise
The Last of the People of Paradise to Enter
Paradise Beyond Description
Navigation Menu For Full Article
The fragrance of Paradise
The gates of Paradise
The first person for whom the gates of Paradise will be opened
The first people to enter Paradise
How the people of Paradise will enter
The levels of Paradise
The highest position in Paradise
The buildings and soil of Paradise
The palaces, rooms and tents of Paradise
Rivers of Paradise and their Springs
The Description of the Hawd (Lake Fount) of the Prophet ﷺ
The Trees of Paradise
The Food and Drink of the People of Paradise
The Clothing of the People of Paradise
Furnishings of Paradise
The Women of Paradise
Intimacy in Paradise
The Singing of the Maidens of Paradise
The Ornaments of the People of Paradise
The Handkerchiefs of Paradise
The Market of the People of Paradise
The People of Paradise Gazing at their Lord the Blessed and Most High
For the One who Fears the Standing before his Lord are Two Gardens
The Stature of the Believer in Paradise
Everlasting Pleasure and Allah’s Lasting Good Pleasure
Eternal Abiding
The Share of this Ummah in Paradise
The Last of the People of Paradise to Enter
Paradise Beyond Description
Summary
The fragrance of Paradise
The Prophet ﷺ informed that the fragrance of Jannah is so strong that it can be perceived from a distance of forty years. Whoever kills a non Muslim who has a covenant will be deprived of even smelling this fragrance, which shows the greatness of the rights of those under the protection of the Sharia and the greatness of the fragrance of Jannah.
The gates of Paradise
Allah describes Jannah as gardens of everlasting residence whose gates are opened for the people of iman and taqwa, while the angels enter upon them from every gate saying that they have earned this by their patience and that this is the best end. The people of Jannah will be brought to its gates in groups, and when they reach it and the gates are opened, the keepers will greet them with salam and announce that they will live there for ever.
The Prophet ﷺ explained that Jannah has eight gates. Whoever bears witness to the oneness of Allah, that Muhammad ﷺ is His slave and Messenger, that Isa عليه السلام is His slave and Messenger, His word that He cast to Maryam and a spirit from Him, and that Jannah and the Fire are true, will be admitted to Jannah. In another wording he mentioned that such a person may enter through whichever of the eight gates he wishes.
He ﷺ also said that whoever spends a pair of things in the way of Allah will be called from the gates of Jannah. The people of salah will be called from the gate of salah, the people of jihad from the gate of jihad, and similarly for charity and fasting.
Abu Bakr as Siddiq رضي الله عنه asked if there will be someone who is called from all of these gates, and the Prophet ﷺ said that there will be such a person and that he hopes Abu Bakr will be one of them.
The distance between two sides of a gate of Jannah is forty years of travel, yet a time will come when it is crowded because of the number of people entering. In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ swore by Allah that the distance between two panels of the gates of Jannah is like the distance between Makkah and Hajr or between Hajr and Makkah.
The gates of Jannah are opened on Monday and Thursday. On these days every Muslim who does not commit shirk is forgiven, except those who have mutual hatred and have cut off one another. Concerning them it is said: “Leave these two until they make peace.”
Whoever performs wudu, completes it well, then says the shahadatayn is granted that the eight gates of Jannah are opened for him and he may enter from whichever he wishes.
The first person for whom the gates of Paradise will be opened
The Prophet ﷺ said that he will be the first for whom the gates of Jannah will be opened, and that no other prophet will enter it before him.
The first people to enter Paradise
Allah mentions that those who had taqwa of their Lord will be driven to Jannah in groups, and when they reach it and its gates are opened the angels will greet them with salam, testify that they did well, and invite them to enter to remain for ever.
The Prophet ﷺ informed that the poor Muslims will enter Jannah before the rich by half a day, which equals five hundred years. He also mentioned that the first three types who will enter Jannah are a martyr, a chaste person who stays away from what is haram and does not ask from people, and a slave who worships Allah well and fulfils the rights of his masters.
In another authentic narration the poor among the Muhajireen are mentioned as being the first to cross the bridge over Jahannam and to receive gifts in Jannah, including the best part of the liver of a great fish and the meat of a cow of Jannah, and they will drink from the spring of Salsabil.
How the people of Paradise will enter
Allah tells that those who believed and did righteous deeds will be admitted to gardens beneath which rivers flow, by the permission of their Lord, and that their greeting in Jannah will be salam. It is also said to some people whom others had belittled in the dunya that Allah has shown them mercy and they are told to enter Jannah with no fear and no sadness. The angels who take the souls of the righteous greet them with salam and give them the command to enter Jannah because of what they used to do. The people of taqwa will be told to enter Jannah in peace and safety.
The Prophet ﷺ said that from his Ummah seventy thousand will enter Jannah holding one another, each one taking hold of the other, the first not entering until the last enters. Their faces will be like the full moon on the night when it is complete.
He ﷺ also said that the first group to enter Jannah will have faces like the full moon. Those who come after them will have faces shining like the brightest stars. They will not urinate, defecate, spit or blow their noses.
Their combs will be of gold, their sweat will be musk, their incense burners will be of fragrant wood, and their wives will be from the hur al ayn fair women with wide beautiful eyes. Their character will be the character of one man, all upon the image of their father Adam عليه السلام, sixty cubits tall.
In another narration each one of them has two wives whose shanks can be seen through the flesh because of the beauty. There will be no differences or hatred between them, and their hearts will be as if one heart, while they glorify Allah morning and evening.
Authentic narrations mention that the people of Jannah will enter hairless on their bodies, without beards, with their eyes adorned with kohl and at the age of thirty three years. The one who dies as a child or as very old and everyone between them will be resurrected at this age. The people of Jannah will be upon the form of Adam عليه السلام, upon the beauty of Yusuf عليه السلام and upon the heart of Ayyub عليه السلام.
The levels of Paradise
Allah speaks of the highest degrees for the believer who comes to Him with iman and righteous deeds, and that the Hereafter has greater degrees and greater favour than the dunya. He differentiates between those who sit back from jihad and those who strive with their wealth and lives, giving them higher degrees, forgiveness and mercy. He raises in degrees those who have iman and those who were given knowledge. He also speaks of degrees among the people according to their deeds and that He sees all that they do.
The Prophet ﷺ said that the people of Jannah will see the people of the lofty rooms above them just as people see a bright star on the horizon, because of the excellence of what is between them. When asked whether those dwellings are only for the prophets he replied that they are also for men who believed in Allah and believed the messengers.
In another hadith he ﷺ mentioned that in Jannah there are one hundred levels that Allah has prepared for those who strive in His way, and the distance between each two levels is like the distance between the sky and the earth.
Al Firdaus is the highest part of Jannah and from it the rivers of Jannah flow, and above it is the Throne. Some narrations mention that Abu Bakr and Umar رضي الله عنهما will be among those in the highest degrees.
Allah raises the degree of the righteous believer in Jannah because of the seeking of forgiveness of his child for him. The companion of the Qur’an will be told to “Recite and rise” and to recite as he used to recite in the dunya, for his rank will be at the last verse he recites. Thus the reciter of the Qur’an is raised degree after degree.
The highest position in Paradise
When the muadhdhin calls to salah the believers are commanded to repeat what he says, then to send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ, for every single salah sent upon him receives ten mercies from Allah. Then they are encouraged to ask Allah to grant the Prophet ﷺ al Wasilah, which is a rank in Jannah that is only fitting for one slave among the slaves of Allah and the Prophet ﷺ hopes to be that one. Whoever asks al Wasilah for him will have intercession made permissible for him.
The buildings and soil of Paradise
The Prophet ﷺ described that whoever enters Jannah will live in it and never die, enjoy and never despair, his clothes will never wear out and his youth will never end. When asked about the buildings of Jannah he said that they are made of bricks of gold and silver, with mortar of perfumed musk, their soil is saffron and their pebbles are pearls and rubies.
Authentic reports mention that in Jannah there are stretches of soft ground made of musk, like the soft patches where riding animals tread. The Prophet ﷺ saw domes made of pearl in Jannah and its soil was musk.
The palaces, rooms and tents of Paradise
Allah speaks of pleasant dwellings in gardens of everlasting residence, of secure lofty rooms, and of rooms that are given as a reward for patience, in which the inhabitants receive greetings and salam. He also describes rooms built above rooms and beneath them rivers flow, all being a true promise. There are fair women with wide beautiful eyes kept in tents.
The Prophet ﷺ said that the believer will have in Jannah a tent carved from a hollow pearl, its height in the sky being sixty miles. In each corner of it will be families whom the believer visits in turn, while they do not see one another.
He ﷺ informed that there are rooms in Jannah whose inside can be seen from outside and whose outside can be seen from inside. Allah has prepared them for those who feed others, speak gently, spread salam, and pray at night while people sleep.
Jibril came to the Prophet ﷺ with glad tidings for Khadijah رضي الله عنها of a house in Jannah made of hollow pearl, in which there will be no loud noise and no tiredness.
Whoever builds a masjid for Allah, even as small as the nest of a desert bird where it lays its egg, Allah builds for him a house in Jannah. Whoever prays twelve voluntary rak’ahs in a day and night is also granted a house in Jannah.
The Prophet ﷺ saw a palace in Jannah made of gold and was told that it belongs to Umar ibn al Khattab رضي الله عنه.
When the believers are saved from the Fire they will be detained on a bridge between Jannah and the Fire to settle their mutual wrongs. After they are purified and cleansed they will be permitted to enter Jannah. Each one will recognise his home in Jannah more clearly than he recognised his home in the dunya.
Rivers of Paradise and their springs
Allah often describes Jannah as gardens beneath which rivers flow, and He promises rivers of pure water that does not become stale, rivers of milk whose taste does not change, rivers of wine which is a delight for those who drink, and rivers of purified honey. The people of Jannah will have in it every kind of fruit. He mentions that those who have taqwa will be in gardens and springs, and that in the two higher gardens are two flowing springs, while in the two lesser gardens are two gushing springs.
The Prophet ﷺ said that in Jannah there is a sea of water, a sea of honey, a sea of milk and a sea of wine, and from them the rivers branch out and flow.
He ﷺ explained that al Kawthar is a river in Jannah. Its banks are of gold, its bed is over pearls and rubies, its soil is more fragrant than musk, and its water is sweeter than honey and whiter than snow. He saw a river in Jannah whose banks were domes of hollow pearl and was told that it is al Kawthar which Allah has given him. When the angel struck his hand into its soil it was a strong fragrant musk.
The Prophet ﷺ said that al Kawthar is a river Allah has given him in Jannah that is whiter than milk and sweeter than honey, and that in it are birds whose necks are like the necks of young camels. When Umar رضي الله عنه remarked that these birds will live in luxury the Prophet ﷺ replied that those who eat them will live in more luxury than them.
There are authentic reports from Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما that the land of Jannah is a smooth white land of silver, its light like the gentle light of sunrise without sun or bitter cold, its rivers flowing on the surface of the land without trenches, not overflowing to right or left, and that Allah simply said to them “Be” and they were. He also described a tree whose fruit is like large jars, from which garments of Jannah split forth in many colours.
The martyrs are by a river called Barq at the gate of Jannah in a green dome, and their provision comes to them from Jannah morning and evening.
The description of the Hawd (Lake Fount) of the Prophet ﷺ
Allah says that He has given the Prophet ﷺ al Kawthar. The authentic narrations clarify that the Hawd, or Lake Fount, is connected to al Kawthar and is for the Ummah on the Day of Resurrection.
The Prophet ﷺ said that his Hawd is the distance of a month of travel, its water is whiter than milk, its fragrance better than musk, and its vessels are like the stars of the sky. Whoever drinks from it will never be thirsty again. In another narration he said its size is like the distance between Aylah and Sana in Yemen, and that its vessels are as numerous as the stars.
He ﷺ said he will be at the Hawd before his Ummah. Whoever passes by him will drink, and whoever drinks will never be thirsty. Some people will come whom he recognises and they recognise him, but a barrier will be placed between him and them. He will be told that he does not know what they introduced after him and he will say: “Away, away for those who changed after me.”
He ﷺ mentioned that what lies between his house and his pulpit in his masjid is a garden from the gardens of Jannah and that his pulpit is upon his Hawd. Asma bint Abi Bakr رضي الله عنها narrated that he will watch at the Hawd to see who comes to him, but some people will be taken away because they turned back on their heels after him, and he used to seek refuge for his Ummah from this.
Abu Dharr رضي الله عنه narrated that the vessels of the Hawd are more than the stars of the sky on a clear night. They are the vessels of Jannah. A downspout from Jannah pours into it. Whoever drinks from it will never be thirsty. Its width is like its length, like the distance between Oman and Aylah, its water whiter than milk and sweeter than honey.
Abdullah ibn Amr رضي الله عنهما narrated that the fountain of the Prophet ﷺ is like the distance between Adan and Amman, cooler than ice, sweeter than honey, more fragrant than musk, its cups as numerous as the stars, and that the first to reach it are poor emigrants with dishevelled hair and dusty faces whom rulers do not honour, but who fulfil others’ rights and do not seek their own.
The Prophet ﷺ also said that he is the farat of his Ummah at the Hawd the one who goes ahead to prepare water for them and that he has been given the keys of the treasures of the earth, but he does not fear shirk for his Ummah; rather he fears that they will compete with one another regarding the dunya.
The trees of Paradise
Allah describes for the people of the right lote trees with their thorns removed, banana trees layered with fruit, extended shade, water poured forth and abundant fruit. He promises two gardens to the one who fears standing before his Lord, each with spreading branches, and two other gardens beneath them that are intensely green. He also mentions that the people of taqwa will be in shade and springs.
The Prophet ﷺ said that in Jannah there is a tree under whose shade a rider travels for one hundred years without reaching its end, and he pointed to Allah’s saying about extended shade. In another narration he mentioned a tree under whose shade a fast racing horse travels for one hundred years and does not reach its end.
Concerning the Sidrah at the utmost boundary he said that a rider travels in the shade of one of its branches for one hundred years or that one hundred riders can shelter beneath it, and that it has coverings of gold and its fruits are like large water jars.
Reports from Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما mention that the trunks of the palm trees of Jannah are of green emerald, their branches are of red gold, their leaves are garments for the people of Jannah, and their fruits are like large jars, whiter than milk, sweeter than honey and softer than butter, with no stones inside.
The Prophet ﷺ said that Tuba is a tree in Jannah whose distance is one hundred years and that the garments of the people of Jannah come out from its sheaths. He also said that there is no tree in Jannah except that its trunk is of gold.
He ﷺ informed us that the chief of the aromatic plants of Jannah is henna.
The food and drink of the people of Paradise
Allah says that the people of Jannah will have fruit of whatever kinds they choose and the meat of birds from whatever they desire.
He describes them reclining and calling for many fruits and drink. He tells that the righteous will drink from a cup mixed with camphor and that it is a spring from which the slaves of Allah drink and cause to gush forth abundantly. He promises that the people of Jannah will be given provision without limit and that in Jannah there is whatever the souls desire and what delights the eyes.
The Prophet ﷺ said that the people of Jannah will eat and drink but will not spit, urinate, defecate or blow their noses. Their food will be digested in the form of belching ( the food leaves the body as a gentle release of air after without waste, discomfort, or impurity) and sweat, and their sweat will have the fragrance of musk. They will be inspired to glorify Allah and praise Him as naturally as they breathe.
He ﷺ described the birds of Jannah as being like large camels, grazing among the trees of Jannah. Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه said that those birds will live in ease and the Prophet ﷺ replied that those who eat them will live in more ease than them.
In answer to Abdullah ibn Salam رضي الله عنه when he asked about the first food the people of Jannah will eat, the Prophet ﷺ said that it will be the extra portion of the liver of a large fish.
Reports mention that fruits of Jannah will open to reveal many different types of food and that the shade trees will be changed so that their thorns become fruits, each fruit carrying many kinds of food, none resembling another.
Abu Umamah رضي الله عنه related that when a man from the people of Jannah desires a drink, the jug comes down to his hand and he drinks and it returns to its place.
The clothing of the people of Paradise
Allah describes the people of Jannah wearing bracelets of gold and pearl and garments of silk. He mentions them wearing green garments of fine silk and thick brocade, adorned with bracelets of gold and silver, reclining on couches, and being given a pure drink by their Lord.
The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever enters Jannah will enjoy and never suffer, his garments will never wear out and his youth will never fade.
In an authentic narration he mentioned that each person in the first group to enter Jannah will have two wives from the hur al ayn and that on each of them there are many garments, yet the marrow of the bone of their shins can be seen through the flesh and the garments, like a red drink shining in a clear white glass.
Furnishings of Paradise
Allah says that in Jannah there are raised couches, cups set in place ready for use, cushions lined up and carpets spread out. He describes people reclining upon couches whose inner linings are thick brocade and speaks of green coverings and beautiful fine carpets on which the people recline.
The Prophet ﷺ interpreted “raised couches” as couches whose height is like the distance between the heaven and the earth and that the distance between one couch and another is the journey of five hundred years, showing the greatness of their size and honour.
Ibn Masud رضي الله عنه commented on the verse about the linings being of brocade, saying that if this is only the inner lining then how will the apparent side be, which hints to the greatness of what is hidden from us.
The women of Paradise
Allah says:
وحور عين كأمثال اللؤلؤ المكنون
“They will have maidens with wide and lovely eyes, like hidden pearls.” (al Waqi’ah 22)
He also says:
إن للمتقين مفازاً حدائق وأعناباً وكواعب أتراباً
“Indeed for those who fear Allah there is success, gardens and grapevines and full breasted maidens of equal age.” (an Naba 33)
And He says:
إنا أنشأناهن إنشاء فجعلناهن أبكاراً عرباً أتراباً
“Indeed We have created them with a special creation. Then We made them virgins, loving and of equal age.” (al Waqi’ah 37)
The hur al ayn are like hidden pearls that have been protected from dust and touch. Al kaib is the young woman whose breasts have become prominent. Al atrab means those who are of the same age. Al urub are loving wives who show affection and playful love to their husbands.
The Prophet ﷺ said that going out in the path of Allah morning or evening is better than the entire universe and what it contains, and that the place covered by the bow of one of them in Jannah is better than the universe and what it contains. If a woman from the women of Jannah were to look down upon the earth she would fill what is between the heavens and the earth with fragrance and light, and the scarf on her head is better than the entire universe and what it contains.
He ﷺ described that each person of Jannah has two wives and that the flesh of their legs can be seen from behind because of the perfection of their beauty. Nothing in Jannah is barren; everything is perfect, living and fruitful.
He ﷺ also said that no woman harms her husband in this dunya except that his wife from the maidens of Jannah says: “Do not harm him, may Allah fight you, for he is only with you as a guest, soon he will leave you and come to us.”
Intimacy in Paradise
Allah says:
وفيها ما تشتهيه الأنفس وتلذ الأعين
“And there will be in it whatever the beings desire and what delights the eyes.” (az Zukhruf 71)
A Jew once asked the Prophet ﷺ about the people of Jannah eating and drinking there. The Prophet ﷺ swore by Allah that each one of them will be given the strength of one hundred men in eating, drinking and intimacy. When the Jew argued that whoever eats and drinks must use the toilet, the Prophet ﷺ explained that their need will be in the form of sweat that flows from their bodies with the fragrance of musk and their bellies will become slim.
In another authentic narration the Prophet ﷺ said that the believer will be given in Jannah the strength of one hundred men for intimacy.
The singing of the maidens of Paradise
The Prophet ﷺ said that the wives of the people of Jannah will sing to their husbands with the most beautiful voices ever heard. Among their words are that they are the pure and beautiful maidens, the wives of noble men who look with coolness of eyes, and that they will remain without dying, safe without fear, dwelling without leaving.
He ﷺ also said that every servant who enters Jannah will have at his head and feet two maidens from the maidens of Jannah who sing to him with the most beautiful voice heard by humans and jinn. Their song is not the music of shaytan but is tasbih and praise of Allah.
In another narration the maidens of Jannah say in their song: “We are the beautiful maidens, kept for noble husbands.”
The ornaments of the people of Paradise
Allah tells that the people of Jannah are adorned with bracelets of gold and pearl and that their clothing is silk. He also mentions bracelets of silver and a pure drink given by their Lord.
The Prophet ﷺ said that if the jewellery of the person in the lowest rank in Jannah were compared to the jewellery of the people of the entire universe, the adornment that Allah gives him in the Hereafter would be better than all the jewellery of the people of the universe.
He ﷺ also mentioned regarding the martyr that a crown of honour will be placed on his head, and a single ruby in it will be better than the entire universe and what it contains.
The handkerchiefs of Paradise
A robe of fine silk was gifted to the Prophet ﷺ, and the people marvelled at it, although he used to forbid silk for men. He said: “By the One in whose hand is the being of Muhammad, the handkerchiefs of Sad ibn Muadh in Jannah are better than this.”
The market of the people of Paradise
The Prophet ﷺ said that in Jannah there is a market which the people visit every Jumuah. The north wind blows fragrance over their faces and garments, and they increase in beauty and loveliness. When they return to their families after this visit, their families say that they have increased in beauty and loveliness, and they reply that their families have also increased in beauty and loveliness.
The people of Paradise gazing at their Lord the Blessed and Most High
Allah says:
وجوه يومئذ ناضرة إلى ربها ناظرة
“Faces on that day will be radiant, gazing at their Lord.” (al Qiyamah 22 to 23)
When some people asked the Prophet ﷺ whether they will see their Lord on the Day of Resurrection, he asked if they doubt seeing the full moon on a clear night or the sun without clouds. When they said no, he said that they will see their Lord in the same way, clearly and without crowding.
Suhayb رضي الله عنه narrated that when the people of Jannah enter Jannah, Allah will say: “Do you want anything more that I may increase you.” They will say that He has brightened their faces, admitted them to Jannah and saved them from the Fire, so what more could there be. Then He will remove the veil, and they will not be given anything more beloved to them than looking at their Lord. The Prophet ﷺ then recited: “For those who do good is the best reward and extra.”
For the one who fears the standing before his Lord are two gardens
Allah says that for the one who fears the standing before his Lord there are two gardens, each with spreading branches, with two flowing springs and with two kinds of every fruit.
Abu Musa رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said that in Jannah there is a tent from a single hollow pearl, sixty miles in width, in each corner of which are families who do not see one another while the believer goes around visiting them. He also mentioned two gardens of silver, their vessels and everything in them of silver, and two gardens of gold, their vessels and everything in them of gold. Between the people of these gardens and their seeing their Lord is only the veil of majesty over His Face in the gardens of everlasting residence.
The stature of the believer in Paradise
The Prophet ﷺ said that Allah created Adam عليه السلام upon his form, his height being sixty cubits. When he was created he was told to greet a group of angels and to listen to how they reply, for that would be the greeting of him and his descendants.
He said: “As salam alaykum” and they replied: “As salam alayka wa rahmatullah.” They added “wa rahmatullah” and this became the complete salam. The Prophet ﷺ said that everyone who enters Jannah will be upon the form of Adam عليه السلام, sixty cubits tall, and that the creation has continued to diminish in size after him until now.
Other authentic narrations mention that the people of Jannah will be thirty three years of age, hairless on their bodies, without beards, with eyes adorned with kohl, and having perfect and complete bodies.
Everlasting pleasure and Allah’s lasting good pleasure
Allah says that those who had taqwa will have gardens beneath which rivers flow, purified spouses and the good pleasure of Allah, and that He is All Seeing of His servants. He also says that those who believe and do righteous deeds are the best of creation. Their reward is gardens of everlasting residence beneath which rivers flow in which they abide for ever, and Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. This is for the one who fears his Lord.
The Prophet ﷺ said that Allah will call the people of Jannah: “O people of Jannah.” They will respond: “We are at Your service our Lord and all good is in Your hand.” He will ask if they are pleased. They will reply that why should they not be pleased when He has given them what He has not given any of His creation. He will then say: “Shall I not give you something better than that.” They will ask what could be better. He will say: “I bestow upon you My pleasure and I will never be angry with you after this ever.”
Eternal abiding
Allah says that those who believe and do righteous deeds will have gardens of al Firdaus as hospitality, where they will abide for ever and will never seek to change from it.
The Prophet ﷺ informed that when the people of Jannah enter Jannah a caller will announce that they will have health and never fall sick, life and never die, youth and never grow old, enjoyment and never be miserable. He recited Allah’s saying that it will be announced to them that this is the Jannah they have been made to inherit because of what they used to do.
He ﷺ also said that death will be brought in the form of a speckled ram and placed between Jannah and the Fire. The people of Jannah and the people of the Fire will recognise it as death. Then it will be slaughtered and it will be announced: “O people of Jannah, everlasting life and no death. O people of the Fire, everlasting life and no death.” He then recited Allah’s verse warning of the Day of Regret when the matter is decided.
The share of this Ummah in Paradise
The Prophet ﷺ said that he hopes this Ummah will be half of the people of Jannah. He explained that none will enter Jannah except a being who is Muslim, and that this Ummah, among the people of shirk, is like a white hair on the skin of a black bull or a black hair on the skin of a red bull.
The last of the people of Paradise to enter
In a long authentic hadith the Prophet ﷺ described how the people will follow what they worshipped, the bridge will be placed over Jahannam, and he will be the first of the messengers to cross with his Ummah, while the speech of the messengers will be: “O Allah grant safety.” Hooks like the thorns of as Saadan will snatch people according to their deeds. Some will be destroyed and some will be scratched then released.
When Allah Wills mercy for people from the Fire He will command the angels to bring out whoever used to worship Allah. They will be recognised by the marks of prostration which the Fire is forbidden to consume. They will be taken out burnt and then sprinkled with the water of life, and they will grow as a seed grows in the silt carried by a flood.
After Allah finishes judging between the servants there will remain a man between Jannah and the Fire who will be the last of the people of the Fire to enter Jannah. He will face the Fire and ask his Lord to turn his face away because its wind and blaze have harmed him. Allah will take a covenant from him that he will not ask for more, then turn his face away.
When he sees Jannah he will remain quiet then ask to be brought near its gate, again giving promises not to ask more. When he stands at its gate and sees its joy and beauty he will again ask to enter, while Allah reminds him of his promises and says: “Woe to you son of Adam, how treacherous you are.” The man will insist that he does not want to be the most miserable of creation. Allah will laugh at him and permit him to enter and tell him to wish.
He will wish and wish until his wishes are cut off. Then Allah will remind him and tell him to wish for more, and finally say to him: “That is for you and its like with it.” This man will be the last of the people of Jannah to enter Jannah, yet he will receive a kingdom many times over what he could imagine.
Paradise beyond description
Allah says:
فلا تعلم نفس ما أخفي لهم من قرة أعين جزاء بما كانوا يعملون
“No being knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for the eyes as a reward for what they used to do.” (as Sajdah 17)
In a hadith qudsi the Prophet ﷺ reported that Allah says He has prepared for His righteous servants in Jannah what no eye has seen, no ear has heard and has never crossed the heart of any human.
He ﷺ said that the place of a whip in Jannah is better than the entire universe and what it contains, and that the space of the bow of one of them in Jannah is better than whatever the sun rises or sets upon.
He ﷺ also narrated that the person in the lowest rank in Jannah has so many servants that ten thousand stand above him, each with two plates one of gold and one of silver, which hints to a level of honour and joy far beyond what our minds can reach.
All of these authentic narrations together give a connected and coherent description of Jannah its gates, ranks, dwellings, rivers, trees, food and drink, garments, ornaments, light, fragrance, gatherings, markets, and above all the eternal pleasure of Allah and the joy of looking at His Noble Face.
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The fragrance of Paradise
Allah the Exalted said:
رَحِيقٍ مَخْتُومٍخِتَامُهُ مِسْكٌۚ وَفِي ذَٰلِكَ فَلْيَتَنَافَسِ الْمُتَنَافِسُونَ
“A drink of sealed pure wine, whose last sip will smell like musk. So let whoever aspires to this strive.” (Surah al Mutaffifin 25–26).
He also said said:
فَأَمَّا إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَفَرَوْحٌ وَرَيْحَانٌ وَجَنَّتُ نَعِيمٍ
“So if the person is among those brought near, then there is comfort, and fragrant herbs, and a Garden of Bliss.” (Surah al Waqi‘ah 88–89).
- Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al As, may Allah be pleased with them both, said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever kills a non Muslim who has a covenant will not smell the fragrance of Paradise, even though its fragrance can be found from a distance of forty years.” (Sahih al Bukhari 3166, Fath al Bari, 6/269)
The gates of Paradise
Allah the Exalted said:
جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا وَمَن صَلَحَ مِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَأَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ وَالمَلائِكَةُ يَدْخُلُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ بَابٍسَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِمَا صَبَرْتُمْ فَنِعْمَ عُقْبَى الدَّارِ
“Gardens of perpetual residence which they will enter, along with whoever was righteous among their fathers, their wives and their offspring. And the angels will enter upon them from every gate, saying: Peace be upon you for the patience you had, so how excellent is the final home.” (Surah al Ra’d 23–24)
And He, the Exalted, said:
هَذَا ذِكْرٌ وَإِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ لَحُسْنَ مَآبٍجَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ مُفَتَّحَةً لَهُمُ الأَبْوَابُ
“This is a reminder, and for those who have taqwa is surely a good return, gardens of perpetual residence whose gates are opened for them.” (Surah Sad 49–50)
And He, the Exalted, said:
وَسِيقَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى الجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا حَتَّى إِذَا جَاءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَادْخُلُوهَا خَالِدِينَ
“And those who had taqwa of their Lord will be driven to Paradise in groups. When they reach it and its gates have been opened, its keepers will say to them: Peace be upon you, you have done well, so enter it to remain forever.” (Surah az Zumar 73)
- Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever spends a pair of things in the way of Allah will be called from the gates of Paradise: O slave of Allah, this is good. So whoever was among the people of prayer will be called from the gate of prayer, whoever was among the people of jihad will be called from the gate of jihad.” Abu Bakr as Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “May my father and mother be ransomed for you, O Messenger of Allah. There is no hardship upon the one who is called from these gates. Will there be anyone who is called from all of these gates together?” He ﷺ said: “Yes, and I hope that you will be one of them.” (Sahih al Bukhari 1897, Fath al Bari, 4/11; Sahih Muslim, Sharh Sahih Muslim, 7/116)
- Khalid ibn Umayr said: Utbah ibn Ghazwan delivered a sermon to us. He praised Allah and glorified Him, then said: “To proceed: The dunya has announced that it is ending, and it has turned away quickly. Nothing remains of it except a little like the small remainder of water at the bottom of a container which its owner tilts to drink the last of it. You are moving from it to a home that never comes to an end, so move with the best provision that is present with you. It has been mentioned to us that the distance between two panels of the gates of Paradise is the distance of forty years, and a day will come when they will be crowded with people.” (Sahih al Bukhari, Fath al Bari, 6/474; Sahih Muslim, Sharh Sahih Muslim, 1/227)
- Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “By the One in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, the distance between two panels of the gates of Paradise is like the distance between Makkah and Hajr, or between Hajr and Makkah.” (Riyad as-Salihin 1866, Bukhari and Muslim, Fath al Bari, 4/11; Sharh Sahih Muslim, 7/116)
- Sahl ibn Sa’d, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “In Paradise there are eight gates.” (Sahih al Bukhari, Fath al Bari, 6/328; Sahih Muslim, Sharh Sahih Muslim, 3/69)
Imam Ahmad also narrated from Utbah ibn Abd as Sulami with the wording: “Paradise has eight gates, and the Fire has seven gates.” (The narration of Ahmad was judged authentic by al Albani in Silsilat al Ahadith as Sahihah, hadith 1812.)
- Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The gates of Paradise are opened on Monday and Thursday. Every Muslim slave who does not associate anything with Allah is forgiven, except for a man between whom and his brother there is hatred. It will be said about them: Leave these two until they make peace, leave these two until they make peace, leave these two until they make peace.” (Riyad as-Salihin 1593, Sharh Sahih Muslim, 16/122)
- Umar ibn al Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “There is not one of you who performs wudu and completes the wudu, then says: I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger, except that the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him and he may enter through whichever of them he wishes.” (Sahih Muslim; Jami at Tirmidhi)
The first person for whom the gates of Paradise will be opened
The first people to enter Paradise
Allah the Exalted said:
وَسِيقَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى الجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا حَتَّى إِذا جَاؤُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَادْخُلُوهَا خَالِدِينَ
“And those who had taqwa of their Lord will be driven to Paradise in groups. When they reach it and its gates have been opened, its keepers will say to them: Peace be upon you, you have done well, so enter it to remain forever.” (Surah az Zumar 73)
The Jew said: We only call him by the name that his people gave him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: My name is Muhammad, the name by which my family named me.
Then the Jew said: I have come to ask you something.
The Prophet ﷺ said: Will it benefit you if I tell you?
He said: I will listen with my ears.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ began to draw lines in the ground with a stick that he had, then said: Ask.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: They will be in darkness beneath the bridge over Jahannam.
He said: Who will be the first people to cross over it?
He said: The poor among the (Muhajireen) emigrants.
He said: What will be their gift when they enter Paradise?
He said: The extra portion of the liver of the large fish.
He said: What will be their food after that?
He said: An ox of Paradise will be slaughtered for them which used to graze on its edges.
He said: What will be their drink with that?
He said: From a spring there called Salsabil.
He said: You have spoken the truth.” (Sahih Muslim 315a, Sharh Sahih Muslim, 3/226)
The phrase “a scholar from the Jews” means one of their learned men. The phrase “the extra portion of the liver of the large fish” refers to the best, tastiest part of the liver of a great fish.
- Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The poor Muslims will enter Paradise before the rich by half a day, which is five hundred years.” (Jami at Tirmidhi 2354, Tirmidhi said: it is hasan sahih.)
- He, may Allah be pleased with him, also reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:”The first three who will enter Paradise were presented to me: a martyr, a chaste person who restrains himself from what is forbidden and asks people for nothing, and a slave who worships Allah well and fulfils his duty towards his masters.” (Jami at Tirmidhi 1642, Tirmidhi said it is hasan sahih.)
How the people of Paradise will enter
Allah the Exalted said:
وَأُدْخِلَ الَّذِينَ آمنوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ تَحِيَّتُهُمْ فِيهَا سَلَامٌ
“And those who believed and did righteous deeds will be admitted to gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein by permission of their Lord, and their greeting therein will be: peace.” (Surah Ibrahim 23)
And He, the Exalted, said:
أَهْؤُلاءِ الَّذِينَ أَقْسَمْتُمْ لَا يَنَالُهُمُ اللَّهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ ادْخُلُوا الجَنَّةَ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَا أَنْتُمْ تَحْزَنُونَ
“Are these the ones whom you used to swear that Allah would never show mercy to? Enter Paradise, no fear will be upon you, nor will you grieve.” (Surah al A’raf 49)
And He, Mighty and Majestic, said:
الَّذِينَ تَتَوَفَّاهُمُ المَلَائِكَةُ طَيِّبِينَ يَقُولُونَ سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمُ ادْخُلُوا الجَنَّةَ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
“Those whose souls the angels take while they are good, saying to them: Peace be upon you, enter Paradise for what you used to do.” (Surah an Nahl 32)
And He, Glorious in His speech, said:
إِنَّ المُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَعُيُونٍ ادْخُلُوهَا بِسَلَامٍ آمِنِينَ
“Indeed, those who had taqwa will be among gardens and springs. It will be said to them: Enter it in peace, secure.” (Surah al Hijr 45–46)
- Sahl ibn Sa’d, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “From my nation, seventy thousand will certainly enter Paradise, holding on to one another, each one taking hold of the other. The first of them will not enter until the last of them enters. Their faces will be like the moon on the night when it is full.” (Sahih al Bukhari, Fath al Bari, 6/319; Sahih Muslim, Sharh Sahih Muslim, 3/92)
- Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The first group who will enter Paradise will have faces like the full moon on a clear night. Those who come after them will have faces like the brightest shining star in the sky. They will not urinate, they will not pass stool, they will not blow their noses and they will not spit. Their combs will be of gold, their sweat will be musk, and their incense burners will be aluwah, which is al anjaj, a type of fragrant wood. Their wives will be fair women with wide beautiful eyes. Their character will be the character of one man, upon the image of their father Adam, who was sixty cubits tall in the sky.” (Sahih al Bukhari 3254, Fath al Bari, 6/362; Sahih Muslim, Sharh Sahih Muslim, 17/117)
- Muadh ibn Jabal, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:”The people of Paradise will enter it hairless on their bodies, without beards, their eyes adorned with kohl, thirty three years of age.” (Jami at Tirmidhi 2545, 4/88; al Haythami graded it hasan in Majma az Zawaid, 10/399.)
- Al Miqdam, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “There is no one who dies as a miscarried child or as a very old person, and people are between these two, except that he will be resurrected at the age of thirty three years. If he is among the people of Paradise, he will be upon the form of Adam, the beauty of Yusuf, and the heart of Ayyub. If he is among the people of the Fire, they will be made huge and great in size like great mountains.” (Hasan due to supporting narrations. Graded by al Albani in al Silsilah al Sahihah, 2512; Al Bayhaqi, with a good chain as mentioned by al Mundhiri in at Targhib wa at Tarhib, 6/273.)
The lowest position in Paradise
He will say: I am pleased, my Lord.
He will say: You will have that and its like and its like and its like and its like.
He will say, when it becomes the fifth time: I am pleased, my Lord.
He will say: I am pleased, my Lord.
Musa said: My Lord, what about those who have the highest position?
The levels of Paradise
Allah the Exalted said:
وَمَنْ يَأْتِهِ مُؤْمِنًا قَدْ عَمِلَ الصَّالِحَاتِ فَأُولَئِكَ لَهُمُ الدَّرَجَاتُ العُلَى
“And whoever comes to Him as a believer, having done righteous deeds, for them there will be the highest degrees.” (Surah Ta Ha 75)
And He, the Exalted, said:
كُلًّا نُمِدُّ هَؤُلَاءِ وَهَؤُلَاءِ مِنْ عَطَاءِ رَبِّكَ وَمَا كَانَ عَطَاءُ رَبِّكَ مَحْظُورًا انْظُرْ كَيْفَ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ وَلَلْآخِرَةُ أَكْبَرُ دَرَجَاتٍ وَأَكْبَرُ تَفْضِيلًا
“To all these and those We extend from the gift of your Lord, and the gift of your Lord is not restricted. See how We have favoured some of them over others, but the Hereafter is greater in degrees and greater in favouring.” (Surah al Isra 20–21)
And He, the Exalted, said:
لَا يَسْتَوِي القَاعِدُونَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ غَيْرُ أُولِي الضَّرَرِ وَالمُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ فَضَّلَ اللَّهُ المُجَاهِدِينَ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ عَلَى القَاعِدِينَ دَرَجَةً وَكُلًّا وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الحُسْنَى وَفَضَّلَ اللَّهُ المُجَاهِدِينَ عَلَى القَاعِدِينَ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا دَرَجَاتٍ مِنْهُ وَمَغْفِرَةً وَرَحْمَةً وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا
“Not equal are those believers who sit at home, except those who have a disability, and those who strive in the way of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has preferred those who strive with their wealth and their lives over those who sit, by one degree, and Allah has promised good to all. But Allah has preferred those who strive over those who sit with a great reward, degrees from Him and forgiveness and mercy, and Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.” (Surah an Nisa 95–96)
And He, the Exalted, said:
يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمنوا مِنْكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا العِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
“Allah will raise those who believed among you and those who were given knowledge by degrees, and Allah is aware of what you do.” (Surah al Mujadilah 11)
And He, the Exalted, said:
أَفَمَنِ اتَّبَعَ رِضْوَانَ اللَّهِ كَمَنْ بَاءَ بِسَخَطٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَمَأْوَاهُ جَهَنَّمُ وَبِئْسَ المَصِيرُ هُمْ دَرَجَاتٌ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ
“Is one who follows the pleasure of Allah like one who earns the anger of Allah and whose refuge is Jahannam, what an evil destination. They are in varying ranks with Allah, and Allah sees what they do.” (Surah Aal Imran 162–163)
“O Messenger of Allah, are those the homes of the prophets that no one will reach except them?”
- Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “In Paradise there are one hundred levels that Allah has prepared for those who strive in His way. The distance between each two levels is like the distance between the sky and the earth.” (Sahih al Bukhari 2790, Fath al Bari, 6/11)
- Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “Harithah was struck on the day of Badr. He was a young man. His mother came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, you know the position of Harithah in my heart. If he is in Paradise, I will be patient and seek reward, but if it is otherwise, then you will see what I do.’
- Abu Sa’id al Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, reported from the Prophet ﷺ that he said: “The people of the highest degrees will be seen by those below them just as you see the rising star on the horizon of the sky. And Abu Bakr and Umar will be among them, and how excellent they are.” (It was reported by Abu Dawud (3987) with similar wording, by al Tirmidhi (3658), and by Ibn Majah (96) with a slight difference. His saying, “The people of the highest levels will be seen by those below them just as you see a rising star on the horizon of the sky,” has its basis in Sahih al Bukhari (3256) and Muslim (2831)).
- Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Allah will certainly raise the degree of the righteous slave in Paradise, so he will say: My Lord, how is this for me?
- Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al As, may Allah be pleased with them both, reported from the Prophet ﷺ that he said: “It will be said to the companion of the Qur’an: Recite and rise, and recite carefully as you used to recite carefully in the dunya, for your position will be at the last verse you recite.” (Sunan Abi Dawud 1464; Jami at Tirmidhi, who said: it is hasan sahih.)
- Fudalah ibn Ubayd and Tamim ad Dari, may Allah be pleased with them both, reported from the Prophet ﷺ that he said: “Whoever recites ten verses in a night will have a qintar written for him, and the qintar is better than the dunya and everything in it. Then on the Day of Resurrection your Lord, Mighty and Majestic, will say: Recite and rise, with every verse a degree, until he reaches the last verse he has with him. Then Allah, Mighty and Majestic, will say to the slave: Take, and he will take with his hand and say: My Lord, You know best. He will say: By this, everlasting life and by this, bliss.” (Very weak. Graded by al Albani in Da‘if al Targhib, 374)
The highest position in Paradise
The buildings and soil of Paradise
It was said:”O Messenger of Allah, what is its building like?”
27. Sahl ibn Sa’d, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Indeed in Paradise there are stretches of soft ground made of musk, like the soft patches of ground that your riding animals tread in the dunya.” (At Tabarani, with a hasan chain, as mentioned by al Mundhiri in at Targhib wa at Tarhib, 6/287.)
The palaces, rooms and tents of Paradise
Allah the Exalted said:
وَمَسَاكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِي جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ
“And pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence.” (Surah at Tawbah 72)
And He, the Exalted, said:
وَهُمْ فِي الغُرُفَاتِ آمِنُونَ
“And they will be secure in lofty rooms.” (Surah Saba 37)
And He, the Exalted, said:
أُولَئِكَ يُجْزَوْنَ الغُرْفَةَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا وَيُلَقَّوْنَ فِيهَا تَحِيَّةً وَسَلَامًا
“Those will be given the room as a reward for what they patiently endured, and they will be met therein with greetings and peace.” (Surah al Furqan 75)
And He, Glorious, said:
لَكِنِ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا رَبَّهُمْ لَهُمْ غُرَفٌ مِنْ فَوْقِهَا غُرَفٌ مَبْنِيَّةٌ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَارُ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ لَا يُخْلِفُ اللَّهُ المِيعَادَ
“But those who had taqwa of their Lord will have rooms built above them, with rooms above them, constructed, beneath which rivers flow. The promise of Allah, Allah does not break His promise.” (Surah az Zumar 20)
And He, the Exalted, said:
حُورٌ مَقْصُورَاتٌ فِي الخِيَامِ
“They will have fair women with wide eyes, kept in their tents.” (Surah ar Rahman 72)
- Abu Malik al Ash’ari, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “In Paradise there are rooms whose outside can be seen from the inside and whose inside can be seen from the outside. Allah has prepared them for those who give food, speak gently, and pray at night while the people are asleep.” (It was reported by Ahmad (6615), by al Tabarani (13/43) (103), and by al Hakim (270), all of them with similar wording, except for the phrase, “and spread peace.”; al Mundhiri graded it hsan in at Targhib wa at Tarhib, 2/24; al Haythami followed him in Majma az Zawaid, 2/254; it is in Sahih al Jami, 2/220.)
- Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “Jibril came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: O Messenger of Allah, Khadijah has come to you with a vessel containing food or some drink. When she comes to you, give her greetings of peace from her Lord and from me, and give her the glad tidings of a house in Paradise made of hollowed pearl, in which there will be no loud noise and no tiredness.” (Sahih Al Bukhari 7497)
- Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever builds a masjid for Allah, even if it is as small as the nest of a sandgrouse where it lays its egg, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.” (It was reported by Ibn Abi Shaybah (3174), by al Bayhaqi (4349) with a slight difference, and by al Tabarani in al Muʿjam al Saghir (1105); Musnad Ahmad; Ibn Majah 738 ; authenticated by al Albani in Sahih al Jami, 5/265; it is also in the two Sahihs from Uthman ibn Affan.)
- Umm Habibah, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever prays twelve voluntary rak’ahs in a day and night, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.” (Sahih Muslim 728a; also in Sahih al Jami, hadith 6234.)
- Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “I entered Paradise and came to a palace made of gold, so I said: For whom is this palace?
They said: For a young man from Quraysh.
I thought that it was me, so I said: Who is he?
They said: It is Umar ibn al Khattab.” (Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
Rivers of Paradise and their Springs
Allah the Exalted said:
وَبَشِّرِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَارُ
“Give glad news to those who believe and do righteous deeds that they will have gardens beneath which rivers flow.” (al Baqarah 25)
He the Most High also said:
مَثَلُ الجَنَّةِ الَّتِي وُعِدَ المُتَّقُونَ فِيهَا أَنْهَارٌ مِنْ مَاءٍ غَيْرِ آسِنٍ وَأَنْهَارٌ مِنْ لَبَنٍ لَمْ يَتَغَيَّرْ طَعْمُهُ وَأَنْهَارٌ مِنْ خَمْرٍ لَذَّةٍ لِلشَّارِبِينَ وَأَنْهَارٌ مِنْ عَسَلٍ مُصَفًّى وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا مِنْ كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ
“The description of the garden promised to those who have taqwa is that in it are rivers of water that do not become stagnant, rivers of milk whose taste does not change, rivers of wine, a delight for those who drink it, and rivers of purified honey, and they will have in it every kind of fruit.” (Muhammad 15)
The phrase “غير آسِن” means clear water in which there is no turbidity or filth.
He the Almighty said:
إِنَّ المُتَّقِينَ فِي مَقَامٍ أَمِينٍ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَعُيُونٍ
“Surely those who have taqwa will be in a secure place, in gardens and springs.” (ad Dukhan 51–52)
He the Exalted said:
فِيهِمَا عَيْنَانِ تَجْرِيَانِ
“In them are two springs that flow.” (ar Rahman 50)
And He said:
فِيهِمَا عَيْنَانِ نَضَّاخَتَانِ
“In them are two gushing springs.” (ar Rahman 66)
These two springs are at a lower rank than the two mentioned before them.
- Muawiyah may Allah be pleased with him, narrated from the Prophet ﷺ that he said: “In Paradise there is a sea of water, a sea of honey, a sea of milk and a sea of wine. Then the rivers split and flow out after that.” (Narrated by al Tirmidhi 2571, and he said it is hasan sahih.)
- Abdullah ibn Umar may Allah be pleased with them both, said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Al Kawthar is a river in Paradise. Its banks are of gold and its course runs over pearls and rubies. Its soil is more fragrant than musk, its water is sweeter than honey and whiter than snow.” (Narrated by al Tirmidhi 5/120, who said it is sound and good, and by Ibn Majah 4334)
- Anas may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “While I was walking in Paradise, I came to a river whose banks were domes of hollow pearl. I said: ‘What is this, O Jibril?’ He said: ‘This is al Kawthar which your Lord has given you.’ The angel struck his hand in it and its clay was a strong fragrant musk.” (Narrated by al Bukhari 6581 and by al Tirmidhi 5/199.)
- He, Anas may Allah be pleased with him, also said: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked: ‘What is al Kawthar?’ He said: ‘It is a river which Allah has given me in Paradise, whiter than milk and sweeter than honey. In it are birds whose necks are like the necks of young camels.’ Umar said: ‘Those birds will be in luxury.’ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘The one who eats them will be in more luxury than them.’” (The word “al jazar” is the plural of jazur, meaning a young camel. Narrated by al Tirmidhi 2542, and he graded it hasan.)
- Samak said: “He met Abdullah ibn Abbas in Madinah after his eyesight had gone. He said: ‘O Ibn Abbas, what is the land of Paradise like?’ He said: ‘A smooth white land of silver, as if it were a mirror.’ I said: ‘What is its light?’ He said: ‘Have you not seen the time when the sun rises and its light is gentle? That is its light, except that there is no sun there and no bitter cold.’ I said: ‘How are its rivers? Are they in trenches?’ He said: ‘No. Rather they flow on the surface of the land of Paradise, hidden, they do not overflow here and there. Allah said to them, “Be,” and they were.’ I said: ‘What about the garments of Paradise?’ He said: ‘There is a tree in it whose fruit is like large water jars. When one of the close friends of Allah wants clothing from it, a branch comes down to him, then it splits open for him and from it come out seventy garments of different colours, one after another. Then it closes and returns as it was.’” (Narrated by Ibn Abi al Dunya with a hasan chain, as al Hafidh al Mundhiri said in al Targhib 6/291.)
- Ibn Abbas may Allah be pleased with them both, narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The martyrs are by a river called Barq at the gate of Paradise, in a green dome. Their provision comes out to them from Paradise morning and evening.” (Its chain of narration is authentic. Graded by Shuʿayb al Arnaʾut in Takhrij Zad al Maʿad, 3–83).
The Description of the Hawd (Lake Fount) of the Prophet ﷺ
Allah the Most High said:
إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الأَبْتَرُ
“Surely We have given you al Kawthar. So pray to your Lord and sacrifice. Verily the one who hates you, he is the one cut off.” (Surah al Kawthar)
- Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al As may Allah be pleased with them both, narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “My Hawd (Lake Fount) is the distance of a month’s travel. Its water is whiter than milk and its fragrance is better than musk. Its vessels are like the stars of the sky. Whoever drinks from it will never be thirsty again.” (Narrated by al Bukhari 6579 and by Muslim 15/64.)
- Anas may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The size of my Hawd is like the distance between Aylah and Sanaa in Yemen. In it there are vessels as numerous as the stars in the sky.” (Narrated by al Bukhari 11/464 and by Muslim 2303a)
- Abu Hazim narrated from Sahl ibn Sad may Allah be pleased with him that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “I will be at the Hawd before you. Whoever passes by me will drink, and whoever drinks will never be thirsty again. Some people will come to me whom I will recognise and they will recognise me, then a barrier will be placed between me and them.” (Sahih Al Bukhari 7050)
- Abu Hurayrah may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “What is between my house and my pulpit is a garden from the gardens of Paradise, and my pulpit is upon my Hawd.” (Narrated by al Bukhari 1196 and by Muslim 9/62.)
- Asma bint Abi Bakr may Allah be pleased with them both, said: “The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘I will be at the Hawd, watching to see who from you comes to me. People will be taken away from me, so I will say: “O Lord, these are from me and from my Ummah.” It will be said: “Do you know what they did after you? By Allah, they did not cease turning back on their heels.”’”
- Abu Dharr may Allah be pleased with him, said: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what are the vessels of the Hawd like?’ He said: ‘By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, its vessels are more than the number of the stars of the sky and its planets on a clear, cloudless night. They are the vessels of Paradise. Whoever drinks from them will never be thirsty so long as he remains. A downspout from Paradise pours into it. Whoever drinks from it will never be thirsty. Its width is like its length, like the distance between Oman and Aylah. Its water is whiter than milk and sweeter than honey.’” (Narrated by Muslim 2300)
- Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “My fountain is like the distance between ‘Adan and ‘Amman, cooler than ice, sweeter than honey, its fragrance more pleasant than musk, its cups as numerous as stars in the sky. Whoever drinks from it will never be thirsty afterward forever. The first people to arrive at it are homeless among the emigrants.” Someone said, “Who are they, O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet said, “Their hair is disheveled, their faces disfigured, and their clothes stained. The gates of the rulers are not opened for them and they are not favored in marriage, yet they fulfill every right over them and do not take any right belonging to them.” (Narrated by Ibn Abi Asim in Kitab al Sunnah 2/347, and al Albani declared it authentic in Dhilal al Jannah number 747 and in his Sahih number 1082.)
- Uqbah may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet ﷺ came out one day and prayed over the martyrs of Uhud as one prays over the dead. Then he returned and went up on the pulpit and said: “Indeed I am your farat at the Hawd, and I am a witness over you. By Allah, I am looking now at my Hawd. And I have been given the keys of the treasures of the earth. By Allah, I do not fear that you will associate partners with Allah after me, but I fear that you will compete with one another for it.” (Narrated by al Bukhari 4085 and by Muslim 15/57.)
The Trees of Paradise
Allah the Most High said:
وَأَصْحَابُ اليَمِينِ مَا أَصْحَابُ اليَمِينِ فِي سِدْرٍ مَخْضُودٍ وَطَلْحٍ مَنْضُودٍ وَظِلٍّ مَمْدُودٍ وَمَاءٍ مَسْكُوبٍ وَفَاكِهَةٍ كَثِيرَةٍ
“And the people of the right, what of the people of the right. They will be among lote trees with their thorns removed, and among banana trees layered with fruit, and in shade that is extended, and water that is poured forth, and abundant fruit.” (al Waqi’ah 27–32)
He the Exalted said:
وَلِمَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِ جَنَّتَانِ فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ذَوَاتَا أَفْنَانٍ
“And for the one who fears standing before his Lord there will be two gardens. So which of the favours of your Lord will you both deny. Both of them with branches spreading.” (ar Rahman 46–48)
He also said:
وَمِنْ دُونِهِمَا جَنَّتَانِ فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ مُدْهَامَّتَانِ
“And beneath them are two other gardens. So which of the favours of your Lord will you both deny. Both intensely green.” (ar Rahman 62–64)
He the Mighty said:
إِنَّ المُتَّقِينَ فِي ظِلَالٍ وَعُيُونٍ
“Surely those who have taqwa will be in shade and springs.” (al Mursalat 41)
- Anas ibn Malik may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Indeed in Paradise there is a tree under whose shade a rider travels for one hundred years without reaching its end. If you wish, recite: ‘and shade that is extended.’” (Narrated by al Tirmdihi 3293; Al Tirmidhi graded it hasan sahih)
- Abu Saeed al Khudri may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Indeed in Paradise there is a tree such that a rider on a fine, fast race horse travels for one hundred years and does not reach its end.” (Narrated by al Bukhari 11/416 and by Muslim 2827, 2828)
- Asma bint Abi Bakr may Allah be pleased with them both, said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ mention the Lote Tree of the utmost boundary. He said: ‘A rider travels in the shade of one of its branches for one hundred years, or one hundred riders can shelter beneath it’ – Yahya was unsure which. ‘On it are coverings of gold and its fruits are like large water jars.’” (Narrated by al Tirmidhi 2541, and he said it hasan gharib.)
- Ibn Abbas may Allah be pleased with them both, said: “The palm trees of Paradise, their trunks are of green emerald and their branches are of red gold. Their leaves are garments for the people of Paradise, from them are their cloaks and their robes. Their fruits are like large jars and buckets, whiter than milk, sweeter than honey and softer than butter, and they have no stones inside them.” (Narrated by Ibn Abi al Dunya with this wording as a statement of Ibn Abbas, and its chain is good as al Hafiz al Mundhiri said in al Targhib 4/380)
- Abu Saeed al Khudri may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Tuba is a tree in Paradise, the distance of a hundred years. The garments of the people of Paradise come out from its sheaths.” (It was reported by Ahmad (11673), by Abu Ya‘la (1374) at length, and by Ibn Hibban (7413); al Albani graded it hasan in Sahih al Jami number 5523.)
- Abu Hurayrah may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “There is no tree in Paradise except that its trunk is of gold.” (Narrated by al Tirmidhi 2525, and al Albani graded it authentic in Sahih al Jami number 5523.)
- Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al As may Allah be pleased with them both, narrated from the Prophet ﷺ that he said: “The master of the sweet scented plants of Paradise is henna.” (Narrated by al Tabarani in al Kabir, and al Albani declared it authentic in al Silsilah al Sahihah 3/407 number 1420.)
- Ibn Masud may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “I met Ibrahim on the night I was taken up. He said: ‘O Muhammad, convey salam to your Ummah from me and tell them that Paradise has good soil and sweet water and that it is a flat plain, and that its plants are: Subhan Allah, and al hamdu lillah, and la ilaha illa Allah, and Allahu akbar.’” (Narrated by al Tirmidhi 3462; Graded Da’if.)
The Food and Drink of the People of Paradise
Allah the Exalted said:
وَفَاكِهَةٍ مِمَّا يَتَخَيَّرُونَ وَلَحْمِ طَيْرٍ مِمَّا يَشْتَهُونَ
“And fruit of whatever kinds they choose, and the meat of birds from whatever they desire.” (al Waqi’ah 20–21)
He the Most High said:
هَذَا ذِكْرٌ وَإِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ لَحُسْنَ مَآبٍ جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ مُفَتَّحَةً لَهُمُ الأَبْوَابُ مُتَّكِئِينَ فِيهَا يَدْعُونَ فِيهَا بِفَاكِهَةٍ كَثِيرَةٍ وَشَرَابٍ
“This is a reminder, and indeed for those who have taqwa there is surely a good final place, gardens of everlasting residence whose gates are opened for them. Reclining therein, they call therein for many fruits and drink.” (Sad 49–51)
He the Mighty said:
إِنَّ الأَبْرَارَ يَشْرَبُونَ مِنْ كَأْسٍ كَانَ مِزَاجُهَا كَافُوراً عَيْناً يَشْرَبُ بِهَا عِبَادُ اللَّهِ يُفَجِّرُونَهَا تَفْجِيراً
“Indeed the righteous drink from a cup whose mixture is camphor, a spring from which the slaves of Allah drink, making it gush forth abundantly.” (al Insan 5–6)
He said:
مَنْ عَمِلَ سَيِّئَةً فَلَا يُجْزَى إِلَّا مِثْلَهَا وَمَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحاً مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثَى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُولئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ الجَنَّةَ يُرْزَقُونَ فِيهَا بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
“Whoever does an evil deed will only be repaid with something equal to it, and whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer, then such people will enter Paradise and will be provided for in it without limit.” (Ghafir 40)
He the Exalted said:
وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِيهِ الأَنْفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ الأَعْيُنُ
“And there will be in it all that the souls desire and that delights the eyes.” (az Zukhruf 71)
- Jabir may Allah be pleased with him, said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: ‘Indeed the people of Paradise will eat in it and drink, but they will not spit, nor will they urinate, nor defecate, nor blow their noses.’ They said: ‘What will happen to the food?’ He said: ‘They will belch and sweat, and their sweat will have the fragrance of musk. They will be inspired to glorify Allah and praise Him as you are inspired to breathe.’” (Narrated by Muslim 2835c)
- Anas may Allah be pleased with him, said: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Indeed the birds of Paradise are like large, long necked camels, grazing among the trees of Paradise.’ Abu Bakr may Allah be pleased with him said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, those birds will certainly live in ease.’ He said: ‘Those who eat them will live in more ease than them’ – he said it three times – ‘and I hope that you will be among those who eat from them.’” (It was reported by Ahmad (13311) with a good chain as al Mundhiri said in al Targhib 6/298 and by al Diya’ in al Ahadith al Mukhtarah (1614); and al Iraqi said its chain is authentic number 3008.)
- Sulaim ibn Amir may Allah be pleased with him, said: “The companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to say: ‘Allah benefits us by means of the desert Arabs and their questions.’ One day a desert Arab came and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, Allah the Mighty and Majestic has mentioned in Paradise a tree that harms. I did not think that there would be in Paradise a tree that harms its owner.’ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘And what is it?’ He said: ‘The lote tree, for it has thorns that harm.’ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him: ‘Does not Allah say: “among lote trees with their thorns removed”? Allah has removed its thorns and in place of every thorn He has put a fruit. It certainly bears fruits from which each fruit opens up into seventy two types of food, none of the types resembling the other.’” (Reported by al Bayhaqi in al Ba‘th wa al Nushur 276 with this wording, and by Abu Nu‘aym in Tarikh Asbahan 2/330 in an abridged form.; Narrated by Ibn Abi al Dunya, and al Hafiz al Mundhiri said in al Targhib 6/300 that its chain is authentic.)
- Anas may Allah be pleased with him, said: “Abdullah ibn Salam heard of the arrival of the Prophet ﷺ in Madinah, so he came to him and said: ‘I am going to ask you about three matters that no one knows except a prophet. What is the first of the signs of the Hour? What is the first food that the people of Paradise will eat? And from what does the child take after his father, and from what does he take after his maternal uncles?’ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Jibril has just informed me about them.’ Abdullah said: ‘That is the enemy of the Jews among the angels.’ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘As for the first of the signs of the Hour, it is a fire that will gather the people from the east to the west. As for the first food that the people of Paradise will eat, it is the extra piece of liver of the fish. As for resemblance in the child, if the man’s fluid comes first, then the child will resemble him, and if her fluid comes first, then the child will resemble her.’ He said: ‘I bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allah.’ Then he said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, the Jews are a people of false accusation. If they know of my Islam before you ask them about me, they will accuse me in your presence.’ The Jews came, and Abdullah entered the house. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to them: ‘What kind of man is Abdullah ibn Salam among you?’ They said: ‘He is our most knowledgeable one and the son of our most knowledgeable one. He is our best and the son of our best.’ He said: ‘What would you say if Abdullah became Muslim?’ They said: ‘May Allah protect him from that.’ Then Abdullah came out to them and said: ‘I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.’ They said: ‘He is our worst one and the son of our worst one,’ and they reviled him.” (Narrated by al Bukhari 4480.)
- Abu Umamah may Allah be pleased with him, said: “Indeed the man from the people of Paradise will desire a drink from the drinks of Paradise. The jug will come and fall into his hand; then he will drink, and it will return to its place.” (Narrated by Ibn Abi al Dunya 133 as a statement of Abu Umamah, and al Mundhiri said in al Targhib 6/296 that its chain is hasan.)
The Clothing of the People of Paradise
Allah the Exalted said:
يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ وَلُؤْلُؤاً وَلِبَاسُهُمْ فِيهَا حَرِيرٌ
“They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearl, and their clothing there will be silk.” (al Hajj 23)
He the Most High said:
يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ وَيَلْبَسُونَ ثِيَاباً خُضْراً مِنْ سُنْدُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُتَّكِئِينَ فِيهَا عَلَى الأَرَائِكِ نِعْمَ الثَّوَابُ وَحَسُنَتْ مُرْتَفَقاً
“They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and they will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade, reclining therein upon couches. Excellent is the reward and what a fine resting place.” (al Kahf 31)
He also said:
عَالِيَهُمْ ثِيَابُ سُنْدُسٍ خُضْرٌ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٌ وَحُلُّوا أَسَاوِرَ مِنْ فِضَّةٍ وَسَقَاهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ شَرَاباً طَهُوراً
“Upon them will be garments of green fine silk and heavy brocade, and they will be adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord will give them a pure drink.” (al Insan 21)
- Abu Hurayrah may Allah be pleased with him, narrated from the Prophet ﷺ that he said: “Whoever enters Paradise will enjoy and never suffer, his garments will never wear out and his youth will never fade.” (Narrated by Muslim 2836)
- Abdullah ibn Masud may Allah be pleased with him, narrated from the Prophet ﷺ that he said: “The first group to enter Paradise will have faces like the full moon on a clear night, and the group after them will have faces like the brightest shining star in the sky. Each one of them will have two wives from the hur al ayn. On each wife there will be seventy garments, yet the marrow of the bone of their shins will be seen through their flesh and garments, just as a red drink is seen in a clear white glass.” (It was reported by al Bazzar (1855), by al Tabarani (10/199) (10321), and the wording is his, and by al Bayhaqi in al Ba‘th wa al Nushur after the hadith numbered (300); al Mundhiri said in al Targhib 6/301.)
- Abdullah ibn Amr may Allah be pleased with them both, said: “A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, tell us about the clothing of the people of Paradise. Is it created and then worn, or is it woven and then sewn?’ Some of the people laughed. The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Why do you laugh? At an ignorant man who asked one who knows?’ Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ lowered his head, then he raised it and said: ‘Where is the questioner?’ He said: ‘Here I am, O Messenger of Allah.’ He said: ‘Rather it splits forth from the fruits of Paradise.’ He said it three times.” (Its chain of narration is weak. Narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr. Graded by Shuʿayb al Arnaʾut in Takhrij al Musnad, 7095)..)
Furnishings of Paradise
Allah said:
فيها سرر مرفوعة وأكواب موضوعة ونمارق مصفوفة وزرابي مبثوثة
Therein are raised couches, and cups set in place, and cushions lined up, and carpets spread out. (al Ghashiyah 13–16)
And He the Exalted said
متكئين على فرش بطائنها من إستبرق
Reclining upon couches whose linings are of thick brocade. (ar Rahman 54)
And He the Mighty and Majestic said
متكئين على رفرف خضر وعبقري حسان
Reclining upon green coverings and beautiful fine carpets. (ar Rahman 76)
Ar rafraf are the meadows of Paradise, and it is also said: the cushions.
Al abqari are the carpets of the people of Paradise.
- Abu Saeed al Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated from the Prophet ﷺ regarding the saying of Allah the Most High “and raised couches” that he said: “Their height is like the distance between the heaven and the earth, and the distance between them is the journey of five hundred years.” (Narrated by Ibn Abi ad Dunya and at Tirmidhi 2540 who said: It is sound and strange; we do not know it except from the narration of Rushdin ibn Saad. I say: Rather Ibn Wahb followed him in Ibn Hibban and al Bayhaqi as al Hafiz Ibn Kathir mentioned 4/312. Then I found another route with Imam Ahmad; Ibn Kathir 4/312 also brought it from the narration of Ibn Lahiah, and he clearly said “he narrated to us” from Darraj, so the possibility of his tadlis is removed. Thus the hadith is good and strong through its routes, and all praise is for Allah)
- And from Ibn Masud, may Allah be pleased with him, regarding the saying of Allah the Most High “whose linings are of thick brocade”, he said: “You have been informed about the linings, so how about the apparent side.” (Narrated by al Bayhaqi as a statement of Ibn Masud with a sound chain, as al Hafiz al Mundhiri said 6/303)
The Women of Paradise
Allah said:
وحور عين كأمثال اللؤلؤ المكنون
And maidens with wide and lovely eyes, like hidden pearls. (al Waqiah 22)
Al maknun is that which is hidden and protected, whose clear colour has not been affected by the light of the sun or the touch of hands.
And He the Exalted said
إن للمتقين مفازاً حدائق وأعناباً وكواعب أتراباً
Verily for those who fear Allah there will be success, gardens and grapevines, and full breasted maidens of equal age. (an Naba 31–33)
Al kaib is the beautiful woman whose breasts have become prominent.
Al atrab are those close to one another in age.
And He the Exalted said
إنا أنشأناهن إنشاء فجعلناهن أبكاراً عرباً أتراباً
Verily We have created them with a special creation, then We made them virgins, loving and of equal age. (al Waqiah 35–37)
Abkar are virgins.
Al urub are those who show love and affection to their husbands.
- Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “A going out in the path of Allah in the morning, or a going out in the evening, is better than the universe and all that is in it. And the place where the bow of one of you or the space his whip covers in Paradise is better than the universe and all that is in it. And if a woman from the women of the people of Paradise looked down upon the earth, she would fill what is between them with fragrance, and she would illuminate what is between them, and the scarf on her head is better than the universe and all that is in it.” (Narrated by al Bukhari 2796)
- Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “The first group to enter Paradise will be in the form of the moon on the night when it is full, and the group that follows them will be like the brightest shining star in the sky. Each of them will have two wives, and the flesh of their legs will be seen from behind the flesh because of the beauty. And there is nothing in Paradise that is barren.” (Narrated by al Bukhari 2834e)
- Abu Saeed al Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that he said: “The man will recline in Paradise for seventy years before he turns. Then his wife will come to him, and he will see his face in the side of her cheek more clearly than he sees it in a mirror. And the lowest pearl upon her will light up what is between the east and the west. She will greet him with salam and he will return the salam, then he will ask her: Who are you. She will say: I am from the extra increase. And upon her will be seventy garments, the lowest of them like red flowered cloth from Tuuba, yet his sight will penetrate them until he sees the marrow of her shin from behind that. And upon her will be crowns, and the lowest pearl among them will light what is between the east and the west.”
Her saying “I am from the extra increase” refers to His saying the Exalted:
لهم ما يشاءون فيها ولدينا مزيد
“They will have whatever they wish therein, and with Us is more.”
(Qaaf 50–35)
An nuumaan is a high mountain at Arafah.
“His sight will penetrate them” means his gaze passes through all those garments.
Tuuba is the tree from which the clothes of the people of Paradise split forth.
(It was reported by al Tirmidhi after the hadith numbered (2562) in an abridged form, and by Ahmad (11715) with a slight difference; Al Albani mentions this hadith in his Da‘eef al Targhib 2213)
Intimacy in Paradise
Allah said:
وفيها ما تشتهيه الأنفس وتلذ الأعين
And therein will be whatever the beings desire and what delights the eyes.
(az Zukhruf 71)
- Zayd ibn Arqam, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated: “A man from the Jews came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said: O Abul Qasim, do you not claim that the people of Paradise eat and drink therein. Then he said to his companions: If he acknowledges this for me, I will argue against him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Yes, by the One in Whose hand is my being, indeed one of them will be given the strength of one hundred men in eating, drinking and intimacy. The Jew said: The one who eats and drinks will have to relieve himself. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Their need will be sweat that flows from their skins with the fragrance of musk, then their stomachs will become thin.” (Narrated by an Nasai in al Kubra with a sound chain, as al Hafiz al Iraqi said in Takhrij al Ihya number 3007; Al Tirmidhi 1174)
- Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “The believer will be given in Paradise such and such strength for intimacy.” It was said: O Messenger of Allah, will he be able to bear that. He said: “He will be given the strength of one hundred men.” (Narrated by at Tirmidhi 2536 who said: It is sound and strange. It has supporting narrations which strengthen it, including the hadith before it and others. See Mishkat al Masabih 3/90)
The Singing of the Maidens of Paradise
- Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Indeed the wives of the people of Paradise will sing to their husbands with the most beautiful voices that anyone has ever heard. And among what they sing is: We are the good and beautiful maidens, the wives of noble people who look with coolness of eyes. And among what they sing is: We are those who will remain and never die, we are safe and will never fear, we are those who dwell and will never depart.” (It was reported by al Tabarani in al Mu‘jam al Awsat (4917), by al Wahidi in al Tafsir al Wasit (27), and by al Diya’ in al Ahadith al Mukhtarah (303), Sifat al Jannah by Abu Nu‘aym 430; It was not narrated from Zayd except by Muhammad; Sa‘id ibn Abi Maryam was alone in reporting it.)
- Abu Umamah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “There is no servant who enters Paradise except that there will sit at his head and at his feet two maidens from the maidens of Paradise, who sing to him with the most beautiful voice heard by humans or jinn. It is not the pipe of the shaytan, rather it is with praise of Allah and glorifying Him.” (It was reported by al Tabarani (8/113) (7478), by Abu Nu‘aym in Sifat al Jannah (2/272), and by al Bayhaqi in al Ba‘th wa al Nushur (379), with a hasan chain, as al Hafiz al Iraqi said in Takhrij al Ihya number 3011)
- Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Indeed the maidens of Paradise will sing in Paradise and they will say: We are the beautiful maidens, kept for noble husbands.” (It was reported by al Tabarani in al Mu‘jam al Awsat (6497), by Abu Nu‘aym in Sifat al Jannah (432), and by al Bayhaqi in al Ba‘th wa al Nushur (378) with a slight difference; Albani mentioned it in Sahih al Jami‘ 1602)
The Ornaments of the People of Paradise
Allah said:
يحلون فيها من أساور من ذهب ولؤلؤاً ولباسهم فيها حرير
They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments therein will be silk.
(al Hajj 23)
And He the Exalted said
وحلوا أساور من فضة وسقاهم ربهم شراباً طهوراً
And they will be adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord will give them a pure drink.
(al Insan 21)
- Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “If the jewellery of the person in the lowest rank of the people of Paradise were compared to the jewellery of the people of the whole universe, then what Allah will adorn him with in the Hereafter would be better than the jewellery of the people of the entire universe.” (It was reported by al Bayhaqi in al Baʿth wa al Nushur number 302,; This hadith was not narrated from Ibn Thawban except by Asad ibn Musa; Sahih al Jami 2/58 number 1598)
- Al Miqdam ibn Madikarib narrated from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, in mentioning the qualities that the martyr is given: “And a crown of honour will be placed on his head, a ruby of which is better than the universe and all that is in it.” (Narrated by at Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah with a sound chain 1663, see Mishkat al Masabih 3/358)
The Handkerchiefs of Paradise
The Market of the People of Paradise
The People of Paradise Gazing at their Lord the Blessed and Most High
Allah said:
وجوه يومئذ ناضرة إلى ربها ناظرة
Faces on that day will be radiant, gazing at their Lord.
(al Qiyamah 22–23)
- Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that some people said: O Messenger of Allah, will we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Do you doubt seeing the moon on the night when it is full.” They said: No, O Messenger of Allah. He said: “Do you doubt seeing the sun when there are no clouds before it.” They said: No. He said: “So indeed you will see Him in the same way.” (Narrated by al Bukhari 806 and Muslim 17/3)
- Suhayb, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “When the people of Paradise have entered Paradise Allah the Exalted will say: Do you want anything more that I may increase you. They will say: Have You not brightened our faces. Have You not admitted us to Paradise and saved us from the Fire. He will then remove the veil, and they will not be given anything more beloved to them than looking at their Lord. Then he recited:
“For those who do good is the best reward and something extra.”
(Yunus 26) (Narrated by Muslim 181a)
For the One who Fears the Standing before his Lord are Two Gardens
Allah said:
ولمن خاف مقام ربه جنتان فبأي آلاء ربكما تكذبان ذواتا أفنان فبأي آلاء ربكما تكذبان فيهما عينان تجريان فبأي آلاء ربكما تكذبان فيهما من كل فاكهة زوجان فبأي آلاء ربكما تكذبان
And for the one who fears the standing before his Lord there are two gardens. So which of the favours of your Lord will you both deny. With branches spreading. So which of the favours of your Lord will you both deny. In both of them are two flowing springs. So which of the favours of your Lord will you both deny. In both of them are two kinds of every fruit. So which of the favours of your Lord will you both deny.
(ar Rahman 46–53)
The Stature of the Believer in Paradise
Everlasting Pleasure and Allah’s Lasting Good Pleasure
Allah said:
الذين اتقوا عند ربهم جنات تجري من تحتها الأنهار خالدين فيها وأزواج مطهرة ورضوان من الله والله بصير بالعباد
Those who feared Allah will be, with their Lord, gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein, and purified spouses, and the pleasure of Allah, and Allah is All Seeing of His servants.
(Aal Imran 15)
And He the Exalted said
إن الذين آمنوا وعملوا الصالحات أولئك هم خير البرية جزاؤهم عند ربهم جنات عدن تجري من تحتها الأنهار خالدين فيها أبداً رضي الله عنهم ورضوا عنه ذلك لمن خشي ربه
Indeed those who believe and do righteous deeds, they are the best of creation. Their reward with their Lord is gardens of everlasting residence beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. That is for the one who fears his Lord.
(al Bayyinah 7–8)
Eternal Abiding
Allah said:
إن الذين آمنوا وعملوا الصالحات كانت لهم جنات الفردوس نزلاً خالدين فيها لا يبغون عنها حولاً
Indeed those who believe and do righteous deeds will have gardens of al Firdaws for hospitality, abiding therein, they will never seek any change from it.
(al Kahf 107–108)
They will not seek any change from it means they will not choose any place instead of it, nor will they love to move away from it.
ونودوا أن تلكم الجنة أورثتموها بما كنتم تعملون
وأنذرهم يوم الحسرة إذ قضي الأمر وهم في غفلة وهم لا يؤمنون
The Share of this Ummah in Paradise
The Last of the People of Paradise to Enter
Paradise Beyond Description
Allah said:
فلا تعلم نفس ما أخفي لهم من قرة أعين جزاء بما كانوا يعملون
No being knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for the eyes, as a reward for what they used to do. (as Sajdah 17)
- Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated from the Prophet ﷺ that he said: “Allah the Exalted said: I have prepared for My righteous servants what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and has never crossed the heart of any human. That is confirmed by the Book of Allah: ‘No being knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for the eyes as a reward for what they used to do.'” (Narrated by al Bukhari 7498 and Muslim 3/81)
- Sahl ibn Sad as Saidi, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The place of a whip in Paradise is better than the universe and all that is in it.” (Narrated by al Bukhari 6415)
- Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The space of the bow of one of you in Paradise is better than whatever the sun rises upon or sets upon.” (Narrated by al Bukhari 6/320)
- Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Indeed the person who is in the lowest rank of the people of Paradise is the one over whose head there stand ten thousand servants, in the hand of each of them there are two plates, one made of gold and the other of silver.” (It was reported by Ibn Abi al Dunya in Sifat al Jannah (208) in an abridged form, by al Tabarani in al Mu‘jam al Awsat (7674), and by Abu Nu‘aym in Hilyat al Awliya’ (6/175) with a slight difference; with a strong chain, as al Hafiz mentioned in Fath al Bari 6/324)
