Paradise
God has created humanity to worship Him and has made it clear that the path to eternal bliss lies in righteous deeds and utilizing His blessings—such as health and free time—in virtuous activities. The transient nature of worldly life contrasts sharply with Paradise, which is the abode of reward that God has prepared for His righteous servants. In Paradise, they will find everlasting happiness and tranquility unmarred by turmoil. Those who delve into the verses and hadiths discussing Paradise often feel a longing for it, which motivates them to engage in good deeds and avoid prohibitions.
Paradise possesses levels numbering up to one hundred, and the disparity between these levels is as vast as the distance between the heavens and the earth. The highest of these levels is Al-Firdaus. Even the lowest-ranking inhabitants of Paradise will enjoy a joy that is equivalent to one-tenth of a king’s dominion in this world. The criteria for these distinctions are faith and righteous actions. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated, “The people of Paradise will observe the dwellers of the chambers above them just as you observe a distant star on the horizon.” The palaces of Paradise are made of gold and silver, and the soil is composed of saffron. Believers perceive its fragrance from remarkably far distances, and it contains all that their souls desire, including delightful foods and lush gardens laden with grapes. As for the women of Paradise, their purity and beauty surpass all imagination, while their garments are made of fine silk, brocade, and are eternal.
Beautiful Sayings About Paradise
God has created this world, wherein He predetermined happiness and sorrow, joy and sadness for His servants. However, human pleasure and ultimate happiness cannot be fully realized here, as life is a realm of contradictions. The wise person utilizes this life as a cultivation ground for the Hereafter. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised his companion, Ibn Umar, saying, “Be in this world as though you are a stranger or a passerby, and consider yourself among the inhabitants of the graves.” Those who prioritize the Hereafter will be blessed with inner richness, and they will receive their portion of this life without deficiency. True comfort for humanity is found only in entering Paradise, as God states, “And the one who believed said, ‘O my people, follow me; I will guide you to the right path. O my people, this worldly life is but enjoyment, and the Hereafter is the abode of permanence.'” Those who endure life’s trials and tribulations will ultimately attain bliss and eternal happiness in a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth—this is the precious commodity pursued by believers’ hearts. It is noteworthy that companions and those who followed them frequently spoke of Paradise in their gatherings, and here are some of the most beautiful expressions concerning the description and entry into Paradise:
- One of the righteous predecessors perceived Heaven and Hell as reality. When asked about it, he said, “I saw them with my own eyes, and seeing them through the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is more significant than seeing them through my own gaze.” Indeed, the believer has a Paradise in this world, attainable through the remembrance of God and obedience to Him.
- Those who find comfort in God’s companionship during their worldly life will have their loneliness alleviated in the Hereafter, with the entrance to Paradise contingent upon being pure and good.
- God gives glad tidings to the inhabitants of Paradise upon their death, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned that the Angel of Death addresses their pure souls upon exit: “O good soul, come forth to forgiveness from God and His pleasure.”
- After believers cross the Sirat (bridge), they will pass over a bridge to rectify any grievances, ensuring no lingering malice remains in their hearts, and they will enter Paradise in the best possible state.
- Believers will come upon a tree with two springs; drinking from the first will cleanse their hearts of any ill will, while the second brings them everlasting beauty, leaving them unaltered thereafter. Upon entering Paradise, they will do so in groups, filled with joy, just as they once gathered to do good in this life. At the gates of Paradise, entry will only be granted through the intercession of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), while the gates of Hell remain open as it is the abode of disgrace and humiliation.
- The gates of Paradise are eight, and among those entering are the patient, the fasting, the strivers, and the charitable.
- The beauty and splendor among the inhabitants of Paradise differ according to their ranks, but all possess pure hearts and gentle speech, with nothing to disturb their tranquility.
- In Paradise, blessings are abundant, and delights continuously flow without fatigue, as the inhabitants never feel thirst or hunger. As reported by Al-Tabarani, “The lowest-ranking person in Paradise will have ten thousand servants at his command, each carrying two trays—one of gold and another of silver.”
The Vision of God in Paradise
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “When the people of Paradise enter Paradise, God, Blessed and Exalted, will ask them: ‘Do you wish for anything more?’ They will respond: ‘Did You not make our faces white? Did You not enter us into Paradise and save us from the Fire?’ Then He will lift the veil, and nothing will be dearer to them than the sight of their Lord, the Exalted.” This hadith emphasizes the necessity of believing in Paradise as the abode of delight created by God for His righteous servants. It also indicates that believers will behold God in Paradise, in contrast to the here and now, where it is impossible to see Him, as detailed in the Quran, Sunnah, and by consensus among scholars. When Moses (peace be upon him) requested to see God in this world, he was told, “You cannot see Me.” Ultimately, the greatest joy that believers will experience in Paradise is the vision of their Lord. An essential means to attain this glorious sight is through frequent supplications of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as he would pray: “I ask You for the pleasure of seeing Your noble face and the yearning to meet You without affliction or misleading temptation,” in addition to being diligent about the dawn and afternoon prayers.