al-Jannah wa an-Naar - In The Light of the Qur'aan and Sunnah - Part 2   Based on the Book by Dr. Umar Sulaiman al-Ashqar   Paradise: the Eternal Abode     Paradise is the tremendous reward which Allaah (swt) has prepared for His beloved (awliyaa) and those who obey Him. It is complete joy and pleasure, where nothing is lacking and nothing can disturb its purity. What Allaah (swt) and His Messenger have told us about it makes out heads spin because our minds are not able to comprehend the greatness of such blessings. Listen to the words of Allaah (swt) in this hadith qudsi: "I have prepared for My righteous slaves that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard and has never crossed the mind of any human being". Then the Prophet (saw) said, "Recite, if you wish: "No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do". (32:17) The joys of Paradise are far greater than the pleasures of this world, which pale into insignificance in comparison. al-Bukhaari reports from Sahl ibn Sa'd as-Sa'idee that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said: "A space the size of a whip in Paradise is better than this world and al that is in it". (Fath al-Baari, 6/319, an-Nawawi's commentary on Muslim 17/166) Because admittance to Paradise and salvation from the Fire are according to Allaah's will and judgement, it is a great victory and tremendous success, as Allaah (swt) says: "Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden, will have indeed attained the object of life [or: been successful]" (3:185) "Allaah has promised to believers - men and women - Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein [forever], and beautiful mansions in Gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allaah. That is the supreme felicity [or success]". (9:72) "...and those who obey Allaah and His Messenger will be admitted to Gardens with rivers flowing underneath, to abide therein [forever] and that will be the supreme achievement". (4:13) Admittance to Paradise   There is no doubt that the joy of the believers will be incomparable when they are led, group by honourable group, to the blessed Gardens of Paradise. When they reach Paradise its gates will be opened for them, and they will be welcomed by noble angels congratulating them on their safe arrival after suffering so much hardship and witnessing so much horror: "And those who feared their Rabb will be led to the garden in crowds, until, behold, they arrive there; its gates will be opened and its keepers will say "Peace be upon you! Well have you done! Enter here, to dwell therein". (39:73) In other words, your words, thoughts and deeds were good so your hearts and souls became pure and for that you deserve Paradise. The Believers Will Be Purified Before They Enter Paradise   After the Believers have passed over as-Siraat (the bridge over Hell), they will be kept on a bridge between Paradise and Hell, where they will be purified by means of their settling any wrongs that existed between any of them in this world. THen when they enter paradise they will be pure and clean, none of them bearing any ill-will towards another or demanding anything of another.al-Bukhaari reported from Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri (ra) that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said: "The believers will be saved from the Fire then they will be kept on a bridge between Paradise and Hell. They will settle their accounts with one another for any wrongs that existed between them in this world, until they are purified and cleansed, and will be permitted to enter Paradise. By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, each of them will know his dwelling in Paradise better than he knew his dwelling in this world". (Sahih al-Bukhaari, Kitaab ar-Riqaaq, Baab al-Qisas Yawm al-Qiyamah, Fath al-Baari, 11/395) Our Prophet (saw) will be the first to ask for the gates of paradise to be opened, after Aadam, the father of mankind, and all the other great Prophets refuse this task. The First People to Enter Paradise   The first of mankind to enter Paradise will be our Prophet Muhammad (saw) and the first nation to enter Paradise will be his ummah. The first member of this ummah to enter will be Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (ra). Ibn Katheer quotes a number of Hadith [an-Nihayah, 2/213] that state this such as the report of Muslim from Anas (ra) according to which the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "I will be the first one to knock at the gates of Paradise". Muslim also reported from Anas that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said: "I will come to the gates of paradise and ask for it to be opened. The gatekeeper will ask, "Who are you?" I will say, "Muhammad". The gatekeeper will say, "I was ordered not to open the gate for anyone else before you"". al-Bukhaari, Muslim and an-Nasaa'ee report from Abu Hurayrah (ra) that the Prophet (saw) said: "We are the last, but we will be the first on the Day of Resurrection. We will be the first of mankind to enter Paradise". Abu Dawood reports from Abu Hurayrah (ra) that the Prophet (saw) said, "Jibreel came to me, and showed me the gate of Paradise through which my ummah will enter". Abu Bakr said, "O Messenger of Allaah (saw), would that I had been with you to see it!". The Messenger of Allaah (saw) "But you, O Abu Bakr, will be the first of my ummah to enter Paradise". Those Who Will Enter Paradise Without Being Called to Account     The first group of this ummah who will enter Paradise will be those who were pre-eminent in their imaan, taqwaa, righteous deeds and adherence to the true religion. They will enter Paradise in one rank: the first of them will not enter until the last of them enters, and they will be as beautiful as the full moon. Al-Bukhaari reports from Abu Hurayrah (ra) that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said: "The first group to enter Paradise will be as beautiful as the full moon. They will not spit, blow their noses or excrete. Their vessels will be fo gold, their combs of gold and silver, their incense o aloe, and their sweat of musk. Each of them will have two wives, the marrow of whose leg-bones will be visible through their flesh because of their extreme beauty. There will be no differences or hatred among them (the people of Paradise); their hearts will be as one, and they will glorify Allaah (swt) morning and evening". (Kitaab Bid' al-Khalq, Baab Ma Jaa' fi Sifaat al-Jannah, Fath al-Baari, 6/318; Muslim, at-Tirmidhi) al-Bukhaari reports from Sahl ibn Sa'd (ra) that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said: "Seventy thousand - or seven hundred thousand - of my ummah will enter Paradise; the first of them will not enter until the last of them does so, and their faces will look like the full moon". (Fath al-Baari, 6/319) It is true that with each one of these seventy, Allaah (swt) will give His Prophet seventy thousand. Ahmad reports with a saheeh isnaad from Abu Bakr (ra) that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said: "I have been given seventy thousand of my ummah, who will enter Paradise without being called to account. Their faces will be like the full moon, and their hearts will be as one. I asked my Rabb, may He be glorified, for more, and He gave me, along with each of them, seventy thousand more". (Saheeh al-Jaami', 1/350, no. 1068) Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Hibbaan report with a saheeh isnaad from Abu Umaamah that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "My Rabb promised me that seventy thousand of my ummah would enter Paradise without being called to account and without being punished, and with each one will be seventy thousand, and three handfuls of people picked up by my Rabb [i.e. it will be a great number]". (Saheeh al-Jaami' 6/108, no. 2988). The Prophet (saw) described the characteristics of these seventy thousand. al-Bukhaari reports from Ibn 'Abbaas that the Prophet (saw) said, "I was shown the nations, and I saw a Prophet pass by with a group of his people, and another with a band of his people, another with only ten, another with five, and another on his own (with no followers). Then I looked and saw a large crowd of people. I asked, "O Jibreel, are these my ummah?" He said, "No, but look at the horizon." So I looked, and saw a huge multitude of people. Jibreel said, "These are your ummah, and those seventy thousand in front will not be called to account or punished." I asked, "Why?" He said, "They did not treat themselves with branding (cauterisation) or with ruqyaa (charms) and they did not see evil omens in things (i.e they were not superstitious): they put their trust only in their Rabb"". 'Ukaasha ibn Mihsan stood up and said, "Pray to Allaah (swt) to make me one of them". The Prophet (saw) said, "O Allaah (swt) make him one of them". Then another man stood up and said, "Ask Allaah (swt) to make me one of them". The Prophet (saw) said, 'Ukaasha has preceded you". (Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Kitaab ar-Riqaaq, Baab Yadhkul al-Jannah Sab'un Alfan bi Ghayri Hisaab, Fath al-Baari, 11/405) These may be the ones whom Allaah (swt) has called al-Muqarraboon (those nearest to Allaah swt): "And those foremost [in faith] will be foremost [in the Hereafter]. These will be those nearest to Allaah [al-Muqarraboon], in the Gardens of Bliss". (56:10-12) More of them will come from the early generations than from the later generations: "A multitude of those [foremost] will be from the first generations [who embraced Islaam], and a few of those [foremost] will be from the later generations". (56:13-14) The Poor Will Enter Jannah Ahead of the Rich     Muslim reports from 'Abdullaah ibn 'Amr (ra) that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said "The poor of the Muhajireen will enter Paradise forty years ahead of the rich". (Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 2/663, no. 5235) at-Tirmidhi reported from Abu Sa'eed, and Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah reported from Abu Hurayrah, that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said: "The poor of the Muhajireen will enter Paradise five hundred years ahead of the rich of the Muhajireen" (Saheeh al-Jaami' 4/90, no.4104). Elsewhere the Prophet (saw) explained that these are the people who have nothing to be brought account for, and this is in addition to their jihaad and virtue. al-Haakim reported from 'Abdullaah ibn 'Amr that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "Do you know who will be the first of my ummah to enter Paradise?" I said, "Allaah and His Messenger know best". He said, "The poor of the Muhajireen. They will come to the gate of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection and ask for it to be opened. The gatekeepers will say to them, "Have you been brought to account?" They will say, "What do we need to be brought to account for? We were carrying our swords and fighting for the sake of Allaah (swt) until we died." Then the gates will be opened for them and they will stay there for forty years before anyone else enters". (Silsilah al-Hadith as-Saheehah, 2/532, no. 853, al-Haakim said it is sahih according to the conditions of al-Bukhaari and Muslim). al-Bukhaari reports from Usaamah ibn Zayd that the Prophet (saw) said, "I stood by the gate of Paradise and saw that the majority of those who entered were the poor and wretched. The rich [Muslims] were detained while the people of Hell were ordered to be taken to Hell". (Sahih al-Bukhaari, Kitaab ar-Riqaaq, BAab Sifaat al-Jannah, wan-Naar, Fath al-Baari, 2/345) Some of the hadith quoted above stated that the poor will enter Paradise forty years ahead of other people while others state that the difference will be five hundred years. The two statements may be reconciled by pointing out that the poor a re not all alike, neither are the rich. As al-Qurtubee suggested (at-Tadhkirah, p.470) the poor vary in the strength of their imaan and their achievements, and the same applies to the rich. If we think in terms of the first of the poor and the last of the rich to enter Paradise then the time-span will be five hundred years, but if we are thinking of the last of the poor and the first of the rich, then the time span is forty years. And Allaah knows best." (Ibn Katheer, an-Nihaayah, 2/345) The First Three to Enter Jannah   at-Tirmidhi reported with a hasan isnaad from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (saw) said: "I was shown the first three to enter Paradise: the Shaheed (the martyr); the one who is chaste and proud; and the slave who worships Allaah (swt) with devotion and is faithful and sincere towards his master" (Jaami' al-Usool, 10/535, attributed to Ahmad, al-Haakim and al-Bayhaqi) The Sinners Among the Believers Will Enter Paradise   (i) They will be brought forth from Hell and will enter Paradise by means of intercession. Muslim reports from Abu Sa'eed that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said: "The people of Hell will remain there, never dying, and never living. But there are people who will enter Hell because of their sins, and will be killed therein, so that they become like coals. Permission will be granted for intercession to be made, and they will be brought forth in groups and spread on rivers of Paradise, and it will be said, "O people of Paradise, pour water on them. Then they will grow like seeds in the silt left by a flood". [Muslim, Kitaab al-Imaan, Baab as-Shafa'ah wa Ikhraaj al-Muwahiddin min an-Naar, 1/172] Muslim also reports from Jaabir ibn 'Abdullaah that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "Some people will be brought out of the Fire, having been burnt all over except for their faces, and they will enter Paradise". [Muslim, Kitaab al-Imaam, Baab adna Ahl al-Jannah Manzilatan, 1/178] The people of Paradise will call these people who are brought out of Hell and admitted to Paradise, al-Jahannamiyyoon. al-Bukhaari reports from 'Imraan ibn Husayn (ra) that the Prophet (saw) said, "Some people will be brought out of Hell through the intercession of Muhammad (saw). They will enter Paradise and will be known as al-Jahannamiyyoon." [Sahih al-Bukhaari, Kitaab ar-Riqaaq, Baab Sifaat al-Jannah wan-Naar, Fath al-Baari, 11/418. They are also mentioned in a hadith narrated from Jaabir by Muslim, 1/179 and al-Bukhaari from Anas, Fath al-Baari 11/416] According to another sahih hadith narrated by Jaabir: "The Prophet (saw) said, "They will be brought out of the Fire through intercession, as if they are tha'areer". I asked, "What are tha'areer?" He said, "Daghabis [snake cucumbers]"". [al-Bukhaari, Kitaab ar-Riqaaq, Baab Sifaah al-Jannah wan-Naar, Fath al-Baari, 11/416] Muslim reports a lengthy hadith from Abu Hurayrah, in which the Prophet (saw) describes the Hereafter, and in which he says: "...When Allaah (swt) has finished judging mankind, and wants to bring whomever He wills out of Hell by His Mercy, He will order angels to bring forth those upon who He wishes to bestow His mercy of the people who never associated anything in worship with Allaah (swt), and who said, "Laa ilaaha illaah Allaah". The angels will recognise them in Hell, and will known them by the mark of sujood on their foreheads. The Fire will consume all of a man except the mark of sujood which Allaah (swt) has forbidden the Fire to consume. They will be brought forth, having been burned in the Fire, the water of life will be poured on then, and they will grow like seeds left by still after a flood". [Saheeh Muslim, Kitaab al-Imaan, Baab ar-Ru'yah, 1/299, no. 182] It was reported in more than one hadith that Allaah (swt) will bring forth from hell whoever has a dinaar's weight of faith in his heart, or even half a dinaar's weight or an atom's weight. Moreover, people will be brought forth who never did any good deeds at all. Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "Allaah (swt) will admit the people of Paradise to Paradise and He will admit whomsoever He will by His Mercy. And He will admit the people of Hell to Hell, then He will say, "Look for anyone who has the weight of a mustard seed of faith in his heart, and bring him out"". [Saheeh Muslim, Kitaab al-Imaan, Baab Ithbat ash-Shafa'ah wa Ikhraaj al-Muwwahhadeen, 1/172] One of the reports about Hell is the hadeeth narrated by Jaabir ibn 'Abdullaah (ra) concerning entering Hellfire: "Then intercession will be permitted and they will interceded until whoever says Laa ilaaha illa Allaah and has a barley grain's worth of goodness in his heart will be brought forth. They will be made to stand in the courtyard of paradise and the people of Paradise will start to pour water over them, until they begin to grow like seeds left by silt after a flood. All traces of the Fire will disappear, then he [the person who was brought out of Hell] will keep asking until he is given the equivalent of this world and ten times more". [Sahih Muslim, Baab adna Ahl al-Jannah Manzilatan, 1/178] Anas ibn Maalik reported that the Prophet (saw) said: "Whoever says Laa ilaaha illaa Allaah and has a barely grain's weight of goodness in his heart will be brought out of the Fire. Then whoever says, "Laa ilaaha illaa Allaah" and has a wheat grains weight of goodness in his heart will be brought out of the Fire. Then whoever says, Laa Ilaaha illaa Allaah and has an atom's-weight of goodness in his heart will be brought out of the Fire". [Sahih Muslim, Kitaab al-Imaan, Baab adna Ahl al-Jannah Manzilatan, 1/182] There are many hadiths that discuss this matter. (ii) Opinions of different groups on intercession. The Khawaarij and Mu'tazilah deny that there will be any intercession to protect those who are guilty of major sins and have been ordered to enter Hell from doing so, or to bring forth those who have already entered. al-Qurtubee said, "This intercession was denied by the innovators, Khawaarij and Mu'tazilah. Their denial is based on their corrupt principles, which are based on what they saw as rational thinking". [1] These reprehensible ideas which go against the muttawaatir sahih hadith, emerged while the Sahabah were still alive. Muslim reports in his sahih from Yazeed al-Faqeer, who says: "I was infatuated with one of the ideas of the Khawaarij, so a large group of us went out, intending to go for Hajj and then go out to fight the people. We came to Madinah, where we found Jaabir ibn 'Abdullaah sitting by a pillar, narrated hadith to the people. When he mentioned al-Jahannamiyyoon, I said, "O Companion of the Messenger of Allaah, what is this that you are narrating, when Allaah (swt) says: "And who You admit to the Fire, truly You cover with shame." [3:192] and "....everytime they wish to get away therefrom, they will be put back thereto.." [32:20] So what is it that you are saying?" He said, "Have you read the Qur'aan?" I said, "Yes." He asked, "Have you heard about the [exalted] position of Muhammad [i.e. the position to which Allaah swt would raise him]?" I said, "Yes". He said, "That is the honoured position of Muhammad by which Allaah (swt) will bring out whosoever He wishes to bring out". Then he described as-Siraat [the bridge over Hell] and the passing of the people over it, then said, "I am afraid that I may not have remembered exactly what he said. But he said that people would be brought out of Hell after entering it. He meant that they would come out looking like the wood of the ebony tree; they would enter one of the rivers of paradise and bathe in it, then they would come out looking [white] like sheets of paper". We turned back and said, "Woe to you! Do you think this sheikh would tell lies about the Messenger of Allaah (saw)? We turned back [from the views of the Khawaarij] and by Allaah (swt) every one of us abandoned this group except for one man". [Sahih Muslim, Kitaab al-Imaan, Baab adna Ahl al-Jannah Manzilatan, 1/179, no.191] The Khawaarij and Mu'tazilah went ot extremes with their claim that people guilty of major sins [al-Kabaair] would never come out of Hell, and that the intercession of those who interceded would be of no avail for them. The Murji'ah went to the opposite extreme by stating that no-one who was guilty of major sins would necessarily enter Hell, and believing that all such people would enter Paradise without being punished at all. Both groups are in conflict with the well-known muttawaatir Sunnah and with the consensus of the Salaf and Imaams of this ummah. Allaah (swt) has guided Ahl as-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah to the truth in this matter where others have erred, by His Will. They [Ahl as-Sunnah] believe that hose who are guilty of major sins are subject to the will of Allaah (swt); if He wills, He will forgive them, out of mercy, and If He wills, He will punish them for His sins then admit them to Paradise by His Mercy. "Allaah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him, but He forgives anything else, to whom He pleases." (4:48) "Say: O My Slaves who have transgressed against themselves [by committing evil deeds and sins]! Despair not of the Mercy of Allaah, verily Allaah forgives all sins. Truly He is Oft-forgiving, All-Merciful". (39:53) Shirk will not be forgiven, but any other sin is subject to the Will of Allaah. The one who repents will be as if he never sinned. The aayaat that the Khawaarij use to prove that intercession will not be accepted actually refers to the kinds of intercession believed in by the mushrikeen. They think that interceding with Allaah is like interceding with rulers or authorities on earth, where a person may intercede with someone (an authority figure) without that person's permission and even if the one in authority is displeased with the one on whose half intercession is made. This is not so in the case of Allaah (swt) may He be glorified. Several texts reject this type of intercession, for example: "Then guard yourselves against A Day when one soul shall not avail another, nor shall intercession be accepted from him nor will compensation be taken from him nor shall anyone be helped [from outside]" (2:48) "Then will no intercession of [any] intercessors profit them". (74:48) "..No intimate friend, nor intercessor will the wrongdoers have, who could be listened to". (40:18) Several texts explain that no-one can intercede with Allaah except with His permission and unless He is pleased both with the intercessor and the one for whom he seeks to intercede: "Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His permission?" (2:255) "and they cannot interceded except for him with whom He is pleased" (21:28) "And there are many angels in the heavens, whose intercession will avail nothing except after Allaah has given leave for whom He wills and pleases". (53:26). Allaah (swt) also says about the angels: "He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of him". (21:28) "No intercession can avail in His presence, except for those to whom He has granted permission". (34:23) These aayaat reject and refute the kind of intercession believed in by the mushrikeen, i.e. intercession via angels, prophets and righteous people, ("saints"), and confirm only that intercession which takes place with the permission of Allaah (swt) and when He is pleased with both the intercessor and the one on whose behalf he intercedes. Allaah (swt) is not pleased with the kuffaar and mushrikeen. As for the disobedient monotheists, intercessors will interceded for them, but they will not intercede for a mushrik. al-Bukhaari narrated that Abu Hurayrah (ra) said, "I said, "O Messenger of Allaah, who will be the most happy with your intercession on the Day of Resurrection?" He said, "I thought, O Abu Hurayrah, that no one would ask me this question before you, because I have seen that you are so eager to learn hadith. The one who will be the most happy with my intercession on the Day of Resurrection will be the one who says Laa ilaaha illaa Allaah sincerely and from the heart"". [al-Bukhaari, Kitaab ar-Riqaaq, Baab Sifaat al-Jannah wan-Naar, Fath al-Baari, 11/418] [1] al-Khawaarij are a sect that emerged after the battle of Siffin; they denounced 'Alee and Mu'awiyah, and whoever followed them, as kaafirs, and claimed that whoever was disobedient to Allaah (swt) would remain forever in Hell. The Mu'tazilah are the followers of Waasil ibn 'Ataa' who believe in the Mu'tazili doctrine that whoever commits major sins will remain eternally in Hell, but does not judge their position in this life. The Last Person to Enter Paradise   The Prophet (saw) has told us about the last man who will be brought out of Hell and into Paradise and the conversation that will take place between him and his Rabb, and the incredibly great honour that Allaah (swt) will bestow upon him. Ibn al-Ithir collected all the hadith on this topic in Jami' al-Usool from which we will quote the following: (i) 'Abdullaah ibn Mas'oud (ra) said:"The Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "I know the last of the people of Hell who will be brought forth from it, and the last of the people of Paradise to enter it. It is a man who will come out of Hell crawling on all fours." Allaah will say to him, "Go and enter Paradise". So he will come to it and will suppose that it is full. He will go back and say, "My Rabb, I found it full". Allaah (swt) will say, "Go and enter Paradise for there you have something like the world and ten times over [or you have something ten times better than the world]. He will says, "Are you making fun of me - or laughing at me - and You are the Sovereign of all?" I ['Abdullaah] saw the Messenger of Allaah (saw) smiling so broadly that his back teeth were visible. He used to say, "That is the one who is lowest in status of the people of Paradise". [al-Bukhaari, 11/386, ar-Riqaaq, at-Tawheed Baab Kalaam ar-Rabb 'azza wa jall yawm al-qiyamah ma'a al-anbiyaa wa ghayrihim; and Muslim, with slight variation, no. 186, Baab aakhir Ahl an-Naar Khurujan; and at-Tirmidhi, no. 2598 in Safah Jahanam, Ch. 10] (ii) 'Abdullaah ibn Mas'oud reported that the Messenger of Allaah (Saw) said: "The last person to enter paradise will be a man who will alternately walk, stagger and be touched by the Fire. Once he has passed out of the Fire, he will turn to face it and say, "Blessed be He Who has saved me from you. Allaah (swt) has given me something that He did not give to the earlier and later generations. Then a tree will be raised up for him, and he will say, "O my Rabb, bring me closer to this tree so that I may enjoy its shade and drink of its water". Allaah (swt) will say, "O son of Aadam perhaps if I grant you this, you will ask Me for something else?" He will say, "No, O Rabb, I promise that I will not ask for anything else". Allaah (swt) will excuse him because he is seeing something that he has no patience to resist so he will bring him closer and he will enjoy its shade and drink its water. Then another tree, better than the first, will be raised up for him and he will say, "O my Rabb, bring me near to this tree so that I may drink its water and enjoy its shade, then I will not ask you for anything more". Allaah (swt) will say, "O son of Aadam did you not promise Me that you would not ask me for anything else? Perhaps if I bring you closer to this tree you will ask for more?" So the man will promise not to ask for any more, and Allaah will excuse him because he is seeing something that he has no patience to resist, so He will bring him closer and he will enjoy its shade and drink its water. Then a third tree will be raised up at the gate of paradise, and it will be better than the first two. The man will say, "O My Rabb, bring me closer to this [tree] so that I may enjoy its shade and drink its water, and I will not ask for anything more." Allaah will say, "O son of Aadam, did you not promise Me that you would not ask Me for anything more?" He will say, "Yes, O Rabb, I will not ask you for anything more." His Rabb, may He be glorified, will excuse him because he is seeing something which he has no patience to resist, so He will bring him closer. When he is brought close, he will hear the voices of the people of Paradise, and will say, "O my Rabb, admit me to it." Allaah (swt) will say, "O son of Aadam what do you want so that you will never ask Me for anything else? Will it please you if I give you the world and as much again?" He will say, "O Rabb, are You making fun of me when You are the Rabb al-Aaalameen?" Ibn Mas'oud smiled and said, "Why do you not ask me why I am smiling?" They asked, "Why are you smiling?" He said, "Because the Messenger of Allaah (saw) smiled". They asked, "Why are you smiling, O Messenger of Allaah (saw)?" He said, "Because the Rabb of the Worlds will smile when He is asked, "Are You making fun of me when You are the Rabb of the Worlds?" He will say, "I am not making fun of you, but I am able to do whatever I will""". [Muslim, no. 187, Kitaab al-Imaan, Baab aakhir an-Naar khurujan] And in the version of Abu Sa'eed, he adds, "Allaah (swt) will tell him, "ask for such and such" and when he has stated his wishes, Allaah (swt) will say, "You will have them and ten times more". Then he will enter his house [in Paradise] and his two wives from among al-hoor al-'eeyn will enter and say, "Praise be to Allaah (swt) who has created you for us and created us for you". He will say, "No one has ever been given anything like that which I have been given." [reported by Muslim, no.188 Kitaab al-Imaan, Baab adna Ahl al-Jannah manzilatan] Those Who Will Enter Paradise Before the Day of Resurrection   The first human being ever to enter Paradise was the father of mankind, Aadam (as), "O Aadam! Dwell you and your wife in the Garden and enjoy [its good things] as you wish, but approach not this tree or you run into harm and transgression". (7:19) But Aadam disobeyed Allaah by eating from the tree which Allaah (swt) had forbidden him to eat from, so Allaah (swt) sent him down from the Garden of Paradise to this world of distress and misery: "We had already, beforehand, taken the covenant of Aadam, but he forgot, and We found on his part no firm will-power. When We said to the angels, "Prostrate yourselves to Aadam". They prostrated themselves but not Iblees, he refused. Then we said, "O Aadam! Verily, this is an enemy to you and your wife. So let him not get you both out of the Garden, so that you are landed in misery. There is in it [enough provision] for you not to go hungry nor to go naked, Nor to suffer from thirst nor from the sun's heat". But Shaytaan whispered evil to him, he said, "O Aadam, Shall I lead you to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that never decays?" As a result they both ate of the tree and so their nakedness appeared to them, and they began to sew together leaves from the Garden for their covering. Thus did Aadam disobey his Rabb and allow himself to be seduced. But his Rabb chose him [for His Grace]; He turned to him with forgiveness, and gave him guidance. He [Allaah] said, "Get you down, both of you - all together - from the Garden, with enmity one to another." [20:115-123] The Messenger of Allaah (saw) also saw Paradise. al-Bukhaari reports from 'Imraan ibn Husayn that the Prophet (saw) said, "I have seen Paradise and I saw that its inhabitants are the poor.." [Sahih Bukhaari, Kitaab Bad' al-Khalq, Baab ma jaa fi Sifaat al-jannah, Fath al-Baari, 6/318] Among those who will enter paradise before the Day of Resurrection are ash-Shuhadaa [the martyrs]. Muslim reports that Masruq said, "We asked Abdullaah ibn Mas'oud about this aayah: "Think not of those who are slain in Allaah's way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Rabb" (3:169) He said, "We asked about that too, and the Prophet (saw) said, "Their souls are in the bellies of green birds, and they have lights suspended from the Throne. They wander about in Paradise wherever they wish, then they take shelter in those lights. Their Rabb will suddenly come to them and ask," Do you desire anything?" They will say, "What thing could we wish for when we can wander wherever we wish in Paradise?" Allaah will come and ask this three times. When they see that they will not be allowed to giver no reply, they will say, "O Rabb, would that we could return our bodies and be killed for Your sake one more time." When Allaah (swt) sees that they have no wants or needs, they will be left alone"". (Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 2/351, no. 3804) Whoever dies will be shown his position in Paradise or Hell morning and evening. Muslim reports from Ibn 'Umar (ra) that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said: "When any one of you dies, he will be shown his position morning and evening. If he is one of the people of Paradise, then he will be one of the people of Paradise, and if he is one of the people of Hell, then he will be one of the people of Hell and he will be told, "This is your position until Allaah (swt) resurrects you to it on the Day of Resurrection"". [Muslim, see Muslim bi sharh an-Nawawi, 17/300] Paradise: There is Nothing Like It   The delights of Paradise surpass the imagination and defy description. They are like nothing known to the people of this world; no matter how advanced we may become, what we achieve is as nothing in comparison with the joys of the Hereafter. As is mentioned in several reports, there is nothing like Paradise: "It is sparkling light, aromatic plants, a lofty palace, a flowing river, ripe fruit, a beautiful wife and abundant clothing, in an eternal abode of radiant joy, in beautiful soundly-constructed high houses". [Ibn Maajah, as-Sunan, Kitaab az-Zuhd, Baab Sifaat al-Jannah, 2/1448, no. 4332. Ibn Hibbaan narrated it in his saheeh]   The Sahabah asked the Prophet (saw) about the buildings of Paradise and he replied with a wonderful description: "Bricks of gold and silver, and mortar of fragrant musk, pebbles of pearl and sapphire, and soil of saffron. Whoever enters it is filled with joy and will never feel miserable; he will live there forever and never die; their clothes will never wear out and their youth will never fade." [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, ad-Daarimee, Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 3/29, sahih]. Allaah (swt) indeed spoke the truth when He (swt) said: "And when you look there [in Paradise] you will see a delight [that cannot be imagined]. and a great dominion" [76:20] What Allaah (swt) has kept hidden from us the delights of Paradise is beyond our ability to comprehend: al-Bukhaari reported from Abu Hurayrah (ra) that the Prophet (saw) said that Allaah (swt) said, "I have prepared for My slaves what no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no human heart can imagine". Recite if you wish, "No person know what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do." (32:17). In the version reported by Muslim from Abu Hurayrah, there is the addition, "Never mind what Allaah has told you; what He has not told you is EVEN greater". The Gates of Paradise   Paradise has gates through which the believers, like the angels, will enter: "'Adn [Eden - everlasting gardens] of Paradise, whose doors will open for them" [38:50] "...And angels shall enter unto them from every gate [with the salutation]: "Peace be unto you for that you persevered in patience! How excellent is the final home!" [13:23-24] Allaah (swt) has told us that these gates will be opened when the believers reach them, and they will be welcomed by the angels with greetings of peace: "...til, when they reach it, its gates will be opened, and its keepers will say, "Salaamun 'alaykum! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein." [39:73] The number of gates in Paradise is eight, one of which is called ar-Rayyaan, which is exclusively for those who fast. al-Bukhaari and Muslim report from Sahl ibn Sa'eedi that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "In Paradise there are eight gates, one of which is called ar-Rayyaan. No one will enter it except those who fast, and when they have entered it will be locked behind them and no one else will enter it". [Ibn Katheer, an-Nihaayah, 2/214] In addition to ar-Rayyaan, there are also gates for those who pray much, those who give in charity and those who fight in jihaad; Abu Hurayrah (ra) reported that the Prophet (saw) said, "Whoever spends a pair [of anything] from his wealth for the sake of Allaah (swt) will be called from the gates of Paradise, and Paradise has eight agates. Whoever used to pray [regularly and properly] will be called from the gate of prayer; whoever use to give in charity will be called from the gate of charity' whoever used to fight in jihaad will be called from the gate of jihaad, and whoever used to fast [regularly] will be called from the gate of fasting". Abu Bakr (ra) said, "By Allaah, it would not matter if a person was called from any of them but will anyone be called from all of them, O Messenger of Allaah (saw)?" He said, "Yes, and I hope that you will be one of them". [saheeh, Ibn Katheer, an-Nihaayah, 2/214] The Prophet (saw) also said, "Whoever performs wudhu and does it properly, then lifts his gaze to the sky and says, "Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illa Allaah, wahdahu laa shareeka lah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abdahu wa rasuluhu, the eight gates of Paradise will be opened to him, and he will enter it through whichever one he wishes". [Muslim, Ahmad and others on the authority of 'Umar, an-Nihaayah, 2/219] The Prophet (saw) told us that there is a gate, which is only for those who will not be called to account: this is the right-hand gate of Paradise. Everyone else will enter Paradise with the rest of the nations through the other gates. In a hadith about ash-Shafaa'ah (intercession) whose authenticity is agreed upon, Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (saw) said, "Allaah (swt) will say, "O Muhammad, admit those of your ummah who do not need to be brought to account through the right-hand gate and the others will enter through the other gates like the rest of the people."" In the same hadith, the Prophet (saw) described the width of the gates of Paradise: "By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, the distance between two panesl of the gates of Paradise or between the two gateposts, is liek the distance between Makkaah and Hajar, or between Makkah and Basra" [an-Nihaayah, 2/221] The Prophet (saw) has told us that the gates of Paradise are opened during Ramadhaan. al-Bukhaari, Muslim, and Ahmad report from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "When the month of Ramadhan comes, the gates of heaven are opened". In some reports it states that the distance between the two gate-panels when they are open is that of a forty year journey. The Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "The distance between the two gate-panels of one of the gates of Paradise is the distance of forty-year's walking, but there will come a time when it is very crowded". [Ahmad in al-Musnad, Abu Na'eem in al-Hilyah, from Haakim ibn Mu'aawiyah from Mu'aawiyah, sahih; see also Muslim and Ahmad on the authority of 'Utbah ibn Ghazwaan] And in the narration of at-Tabaraani reported in al-Mu'jam al-Kabeer from 'Abdullaah ibn Salaam, it is said "..and it [the gate] will become as crowded as a drinking-trough surrounded by thirsty camels". The Levels of Paradise   (i) Evidence that Paradise has various levels and its inhabitants will be in different categories Paradise consists of levels, some of which are above others, and its people will be of differing levels and categories according to their position in Paradise. Allaah (swt) says: "Whoever wishes for the quick passing [transitory enjoyment of this world] we readily grant him what We will for whom We like. Then afterwards, We have appointed for him Hell, he will burn therein disgraced and rejected, [-far away from Allaah's Mercy]. And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it, with the necessary effort due to it, [i.e. righteous deeds of obedience to Allaah] while he is a believer [in tawheed] then such are the ones whose striving shall be appreciated, thanked and rewarded [by Allaah]. To each - these as well as those - We bestow from the bounties of your Rabb. And the bounties of your Rabb can never be forbidden" [17:18-20] Allaah (swt) explains how He gives more of His bounty in this world or the next, as He (swt) wills, and His Bounty is not withheld [forbidden] from either the righteous or the sinful. Then He (swt) says: "See how We prefer one above another [in this world] and verily, the Hereafter will be greater in degrees and greater in preference." [17:21] Allaah (swt) explains that the differences between people in the Hereafter will be greater than the differences between them in this life, and the difference between the levels or ranks of the Hereafter is greater than the differences here in this life. Allaah (swt) also differentiates between His Prophets as He does between the rest of His believing slaves. Allaah (swt) says: "Those Messengers! We preferred some to others; to some of them Allaah spoke [directly]; others He raised to degrees of [honour]; and to 'Eesa the son of Maryam, We gave clear proofs and evidence, and supported him with Ruh al-Quddus [Jibreel]..." [2:253] and "...And indeed We have preferred some of the Prophets above others.." [17:55] Muslim reports from Abu Hurayrah (ra) that the Prophet (saw) said "A strong believer is better and more beloved to Allaah (swt) than a weak one although both are good..." and al-Bukhaari and Muslim report from Abu Hurayrah and 'Amr ibn al-Aas that the Prophet (saw) said, "If a judge seeks to form an independent judgement [ijtihaad] and is correct, he will have two rewards; if he seeks to form an independent judgement and is wrong, he will have one reward." Allaah, subhaanahu wa ta'ala, says: "Not equal among you are those who spent and fought before the conquest [of Makkah] [with those among you who did so later]. Such are higher in degree that those who spent and fought afterwards. But to all, Allaah has promised the best [reward]." [57:10] And "Not equal are those of the believers who sit [at home] except those who are disabled [by injury or are blind or lame, etc] and those who strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allaah with their wealth and their lives. Allaah has preferred in grades those who strive hard and fight with their wealth and their lives above those who sit [at home]. Unto each, Allaah has promised good [Paradise] but Allaah has preferred those who strive hard and fight, above those who sit [at home] by a huge reward; degrees of [higher] grades from Him, and Forgiveness and Mercy. And Allaah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, All-Merciful". [4:95-96] "Do you consider the providing of drinking water to the pilgrims and the maintenance of al-Masjid al-Haram [at Makkah] as equal to the worth of those who believe in Allaah and the Last Day, and strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allaah? They are not equal before Allaah. And Allaah guides not those people who are the Dhaalimoon. Those who believed and emigrated and strove hard and fought in Allaah's Cause with their wealth and their lives are far higher in degree with Allaah. They are the successful. Their Rabb gives them glad tidings of a Mercy from Him, and that He is pleased and of Gardens for them wherein are everlasting delights. They will dwell therein forever. Verily, with Allaah is a great reward". [9:19-22] "Is one who is obedient to Allaah prostrating himself or standing [in prayer]during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Rabb [like one who disbelievers]? Say: "Are those who know equal to those who know not?" It is only men of understanding who will remember [i.e. learn a lesson from Allaah's Signs]" [39:9] The Prophet (saw) said, narrated by al-Bukhaari from Abu Hurayrah, "...Paradise has one hundred levels which Allaah has reserved for the mujaahideen who fight in His Cause and the distance between each of the two grades is like the distance between the heavens and the earth. So when you ask Allaah for something, ask for al-Firdaws which is the best and highest part of Paradise. Above it is the throne of the Most Merciful, and from it originate the rivers of Paradise". [al-Bukhaari in as-Saheeh, Kitaab al-Jihaad, Baab Darajat al-Mujaahideen fi Sabeelillaah, Fath al-Baari, 6/11] al-Bukhaari also reports from Anas that Umm Harithah came to the Prophet (saw) when her son Harithah had been martyred at Badr, killed by an arrow. She said, "O Messenger of Allaah, you know how dear Harithah was to my heart. If he is in Paradise, I will not weep over him, but if he is not there, you will see what I do". He said, "Is there only one Paradise? There are many Paradises and he is in al-Firdaws, the Highest." [Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Kitaab ar-Riqaaq, Baab Sifaat al-Jannah, wan-Naar, Fath al-Baari, 11/418] Differences between the Levels of Paradise     The Prophet (saw) explained that the people will be in different levels in Paradise according to their status. al-Bukhaari and Muslim report from Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri that the Prophet (saw) said, "The people of Paradise will look at the people dwelling in the chambers above them in the same way that people look at a brilliant star shining far away on the horizon, in the East or West, because of their superiority [in reward] over them." The people asked, "O Messenger of Allaah, are these the dwellings of the Prophets which no one else can attain?" He replied, "No by the One in Whose Hand is my soul, they are for the men who believed in Allaah, and also in His Messengers." [Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Kitaab Bid' al-Khalq, Baab Sifaat al-Jannah wan-Naar, Fath al-Baari, 6/220; Saheeh Muslim Kitaab al-Jannah, Baab tara'i Ahl al-Jannah Ahl al-Ghuraf, 4/2177, no. 2831] Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah and Ibn Hibbaan reported from Abu Sa'eed that the Prophet (saw) said,"The people in the higher levels will be seen by those below them as if they were looking at a star rising on the horizon. Abu Bakr and 'Umar will be among them; what good people they are!" [Saheeh al-Jaami' as-Sagheer, 2/187, no. 2026] al-Qurtubee said, "Know that these chambers will differ in height, and appearance according to the deeds of their occupants. Some of them will be higher than others. When the Prophet (saw) said, "No by the One is Whose Hand is my soul, they are for the men who believed in Allaah (swt) and also in His Messengers; he did not mention deeds or anything other than faith and belief in the Messengers, with no doubts or questions. Otherwise, how could these chambers be reached through the faith and belief of the ordinary people? If that were the case, then all the Muslims would reach these highest levels, and that is impossible" as Allaah says, "Those will be rewarded with the highest place [in Paradise] because of their patience.." [25:75] This patience often involved self sacrifice and being steadfast for the sake of Allaah, focussing on Him, being a true slave to Him. These are the attributes of al-Muqarraboon, as Allaah (swt) says: "And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Us, but only he [will please Us] who believes and does righteous deeds; for such there will be twofold reward for what they did, and they will reside in the high dwellings [Paradise] in peace and security". [34:37] Here Allaah mentioned the highest chambers or dwellings of Paradise and states that they will not be attained by means of wealth and children, but through faith and righteous deeds then they will have a double reward. Their place will be the high dwellings, which tells you that this is faith that gives one tranquility and certainty, and fills the heart. A person with such faith is content no matter what happens to him, and in all situations and circumstances. If he does a good deed, he does not mix it with the opposite, which are evil deeds. Good deeds that are uncontaminated with evil deeds cannot be achieved except by the one whose imaan is very great and who is content and has no doubts, no matter what his circumstances. The faith and deeds of the one whose good deeds are contaminated are not like that, so his status will be lower" [al-Qurtubee, at-Tadhkirah, p. 464] The inhabitants of the highest levels of Paradise will enjoy greater pleasures than the people below them. Allaah (swt) has promised two gardens to those who fear Him: "But for him who fears the standing before his Rabb, there will be two gardens" [55:46] Allaah (swt) described these Gardens, then He (swt) said, "And besides these two, there are two other Gardens [i.e. in Paradise]" [55:62] These two gardens will be lower in status. Whoever thinks of the characteristics of the two gardens which Allaah mentioned second will realise that they are lower than the first two, because the first two are for the muqarraboon [those who are close to Allaah], whilst the second two are for ashaab al-yameen [those of the Right Hand] as Ibn 'Abbaas and Abu Musa al-Ash'ari said [at-Tadhkirah, 440]. al-Qurtubee said: "When He described the two pairs of gardens, He referred to the difference between them. Describing the first two, He said "in them [both] will be two springs flowing free" [55:50] whereas in the second two "..will be two springs gushing forth water" [55:66]. Gushing or bubbling water is not the same as flowing water; bubbling is of a lesser degree than flowing. Allaah says that in the first two gardens "..will be every kind of fruit in pairs" [55:52] - all kinds of fruit, well known and rare, moist and dry; this is a general statement. But in the second two gardens "..will be fruits, date palms and pomegranates" [55:68] Allaah does not say that there would be every kind of fruit in pairs. In the first two gardens the people will be "reclining upon the couches lined with silk brocade" [55:54], while in the second two gardens they will be "reclining on green cushions and rich beautiful mattresses" [55:76] which means embellished or embroidered, and there is no doubt that a couch lined with silk brocade is superior to an embroidered cushion. The Hoor al-'Eeyn in the first two gardens are described as "like rubies and coral" [55:58] whilst those in the second two gardens are described as "fair [wives] good and beautiful" [55:70]; not everything that is beautiful is as beautiful as rubies and coral. The first two gardens are described as "with spreading branches" [55:48] while the second two are "dark green [in colour]" [55:64] so intensely green that it is almost black. The first two clearly have many bushes and trees, whilst the second two are described simply as being green" [at-Tadkhirah, p. 440] al-Bukhaari and Muslim report from Abu Musa al-Ash'ari that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "Two gardens of silver, their vessels and everything in them and two gardens of gold, their vessels and everything in them, and there will be nothing between the people and their seeing Allaah, except the garment of pride over His Face in the Paradise of 'Adn" [Jaami' al-Usool, 10/498, no. 8029] Allaah (swt) described the drink of the pious in Paradise: "Verily the Abraar [pious, who fear Allaah and avoid evil] will drink a cup [of wine] mixed with water from a spring in Paradise called Kafoor" [76:5] "And they will be given to drink there a cup [of wine] mixed with Zanjabeel [ginger]" [76:17] It seems - and Allaah Knows Best - that this is for Ahl al-Yameen. Elsewhere Allaah (swt) says "It [that wine] will be mixed with tasneem, A spring whereof drink those nearest to Allaah" [83:27-28]. Ahl al-Yameen will drink something mixed with Tasneem, whilst al-Muqarraboon will drink a pure drink of Tasneem. Tasneem is the name of a spring in Paradise. The Highest and Lowest Positions in Paradise     Muslim reports from al-Mugheerah ibn Shu'bah that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said: "Musaa asked his Rabb, "Who will have the lowest position in Paradise?" Allaah said, "A man who will come after the people of Paradise have entered Paradise. He will be told, "Enter Paradise", and he will say, "O my Rabb, how? The people have already taken their places." He will be asked, "Will you not be content if you could have the equivalent of a kingdom on earth?" He will say, "Yes, my Rabb". So he will be told, "You will have that and as much again, and as much again, and as much again, and as much again." On the fifth time, he will say, "I am content with that, my Rabb". He will be told, "You will have all that and ten times more; you will have whatever your heart desires and whatever will delight your eyes." The man will say, "I am content with that". Musaa asked, "My Rabb, who will have the highest status in Paradise?" Allaah said, "They are those whom I choose. I establish their honour with My own hand and then set a seal over it, [and they will be blessed with Bounties] which no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no human mind can comprehend."" This confirmed by the words of Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, "No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do". [32:17] The Highest Position in Paradise     The highest position in Paradise which will be attained by only one person is called al-Waseelah. It will be attained, insha'Allaah, by the Chosen Prophet, the best of Allaah's creation, our Prophet Muhammad (saw). This is narrated in a hadith narrated by al-Bukhaari from Jaabir ibn 'Abdullaah according to which the Prophet (saw) said, "Whoever says, when he hears the call to prayer, "Allaahumma Rabba hadhihi-da'wati-tammah, was-salaatil-qaa'imah, aati muhammadan al-waseelata wal-fadeelata, wab'aththu maqaaman mahmoodan alladhi wa'adtahu [O Allaah, Lord of this Perfect Call and the Prayer to be Offered, grant Muhammad al-Waseelah - the highest position in Paradise - and also the eminence and resurrect him to the praised position You have promised], intercession for him will be granted on the Day of Resurrection." Muslim reported that 'Abdullaah ibn 'Amr al-'Aas said, "I heard the Messenger of Allaah (saw) say, "When you hear the muaddhin call, say what he says, then send blessings on me, for whoever sends blessings on me, Allaah (swt) will return it to him tenfold. Then ask Allaah to grant me al-Waseelah, for whoever asks Allaah (swt) to grant me al-Waseelah intercession will be granted for him."" The Sahaabah asked the Prophet (saw) "What is al-Waseelah?" He said, "It is the highest level of Paradise, which only one man will reach, and I hope that I will be the one". [Ahmad from Abu Hurayrah] The Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "al-Waseelah is a rank above which there is no other in the sight of Allaah (swt). Ask Allaah (swt) to grant me al-Waseelah" [Ahmad from Abu Sa'eed, See Ibn Katheer, an-Nihaayah, 2/2332] Those Who Take their Positions in the Highest Levels     Among those who will occupy the highest levels in Paradise are the shuhaadaa, the best of whom are those who fight in the front ranks and never turn away until they are killed. Ahmad and at-Tabaraani report with a saheeh isnaad from Na'eem ibn Hamar (1) that the Prophet (saw) said, "The best of the Shuhaadaa are those who fight in the first rank, and do not turn their facesaway until they are killed. They will have the pleasure of occupying the highest dwellings in Paradise. Your Rabb will smile at them, and whenever your Rabb smiles upon any of His Slaves, that person will not be brought to account". [Musnad Ahmad, Kitaab az-Zuhd, Baab al-Ihsaan ila al-armila wal-masaakeen wal-yateem 2/2286, hadith no. 2982] The one who helps widows and the destitute will have the status of a mujaahid in Paradise. Muslim reports from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (saw) said, "The one who helps widows and the destitute is like one who fights in jihaad for the sake of Allaah (swt)." I [the narrator] think he said, "And he is like the one who stands all night in prayer and never sleeps, and like the one who fasts continually and never breaks his fast". [Saheeh Muslim, Kitaab az-Zuhd, Baab al-Ihsaan, ila al-armilah wal-miskeen wal-yateem, 2/2286, no. 2982] The one who sponsors an orphan will be close to the Prophet (saw) in Paradise. Muslim reports from Abu Hurayrah (ra) that the Prophet (saw) said, "The one who sponsors an orphan, whether from his own wealth or from the orphan's wealth, I and he will be like these two in Paradise," - and Maalik [the narrator] gestured with his forefinger and middle finger. [Saheeh Muslim, Kitaab az-Zuhd, 2/2286, no. 2982; "lahu aw ghayrihi" - whether from his own wealth or from the orphan's wealth - means whether he supports him from his own wealth or is a legal guardian over the orphan and the orphan's wealth] Allaah (swt) will raise the status of parents by the blessing of their children's du'aa. Ahmad reports from Abu Hurayrah (ra) that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "Allaah (swt) will raise the status of His righteous slave in Paradise, and he will say, "O my Rabb, how could I deserve this?" He will say, "Because your child sought forgiveness for you."" Ibn Katheer said, "This is a saheeh isnaad although none of the authors of the six books reported it. But there is a corroborating report in Saheeh Muslim from Abu Hurayrah (ra), according to which the Prophet (saw) said, "When a son of Aadam dies his good works come to an end, except for three: Sadaqah Jaariyah [ongoing charity], beneficial knowledge [that he discovered or propogated], and a righteous son who will pray for him." [Ibn Katheer, an-Nihaayah, 2/340] The Soil of Paradise     al-Bukhaari and Muslim reported the hadith of al-Mi'raaj from Anas ibn Maalik from Abu Dharr in which Abu Dharr (ra) said, "The Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "I entered Paradise where I saw lights of pearl and its soil was musk". Muslim and Ahmad report from Abu Sa'eed that Ibn Sayyaad asked the Messenger (saw) about the soil of Paradise. He said, "It is a fine white powder of pure musk". Ahmad reports from Jaabir ibn 'Abdullaah that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, concerning the Jews: "I am going to ask them about the soil of Paradise, which is a fine white powder." So he asked them, and they said, "It is like a loaf of bread, O Abul-Qaasim," The Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "Bread is like pearls". [an-Nihaayah, 2/242] Ahmad at-Tirmidhi and ad-Daarimi reported that the Prophet (saw) said, "I asked "O Messenger of Allaah (saw), From what are people made?" He said, "From water." We asked, "From what is Paradise built?" He said, "Bricks of gold and silver and mortar of fragrant musk; its pebbles are pearls and rubies, and its soil is saffron. Whoever enters it is blessed with joy and will never be miserable; he will remain there forever and never die; his clothes will never wear out, and his youth will never fade away." [Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 3/89, no. 5630] Footnotes [1] Ibn Hajar said, in Taqreed al-Tahdhib, "Na'eem ibn Hammar or Hibaar or Khammaar. He was a Sahaabee and the majority of sources give his father's name as Himaar." The Rivers of Paradise     Allaah (swt), may He be Blessed and Exalted, has told us that rivers flow from beneath Paradise: "And give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous good deeds, that for them will be Gardens under which rivers flow.." [2:25] "For them will be Gardens of Eternity: beneath them rivers will flow" [18:31] The Prophet (saw) told us clearly about the rivers of Paradise. He said that during his Israa' (Night Journey): "...I saw four rivers flowing out from beneath Sidrat al-Muntahaa, two visible and two hidden. He asked, "O Jibreel, What are these rivers?" He said, "The two hidden rivers are rivers of Paradise, and the two visible rivers are the Nile and the Euphrates". [Muslim, Kitaab al-Imaan, Baab al-Israa', 1/150, no. 164; al-Bukhaari reports the same from Anas ibn Maalik, Jaami' al-Usool, 10/507, narrated bt Abu Awanah, al-Isma'eelee and at-Tabaranee in as-Sagheer] Muslim reports from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "Sihran, Jihran, the Euphrates and the Nile are all from the rivers of Paradise". [Sahih Muslim, Kitaab al-Jannah, Baab ma fid-dunyaa min anhaar al-jannah, 4/2183, no. 2839, al-Albaani attributed it, in Silsilat al-Hadith as-Saheehah 1/6, to Muslim, Ahmad, al-Ajirri and al-Khateeb] Sheikh Naasir ud-Deen al-Albaani said, "Perhaps what is meant is that these rivers originated in Paradise just as mankind did; this hadith does not contradict the well-established fact that these rivers spring forth from known sources on earth. If this is not in fact the meaning of this hadith, then it is one of the matters of al-Ghayb [the Unseen], which we must believe and accept because the Prophet (saw) has told us about it". [Silsilat al-Hadith as-Saheehah, 1/18] al-Qaree' said, "These four rivers are considered to be among the rivers of paradise because they are so fresh and beneficial, and contain blessings from Allaah, and were honoured by the fact that the Prophets came to them and drank from them". [reported by al-Albaani in his footnotes on Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 3/80] Another of the rivers of Paradise is al-Kawthar, which Allaah has given to His Messenger (saw): "Verily We have granted you [O Muhammad] al-Kawthar [a river in Paradise]" [108:1] The Prophet (saw) saw it and told us about it. al-Bukhaari reported from Anas ibn Maalik that the Prophet (saw) said, "Whilst I was walking in Paradise I saw a river whose banks were domes of hollow pearls, and I asked, "What is this, O Jibreel?" He said, "This is al-Kawthar which your Rabb has given to you". And its scent - or its mud - was of fragrant musk". Hudbah [one of the narrators] was not sure if he said tib [scent] or teen [mud]. [Sahih al-Bukhaari, Kitaab ar-Riqaaq, Baab fil-Hawd, Fath al-Baari, 11/464] Ibn 'Abbaas explained, "al-Kawthar means the abundant blessings which Allaah has bestowed upon His Messenger (saw)." Then Abu Bishr said to Sa'eed ibn Jaabir, who reported this comment from Ibn 'Abbaas, "There are people who claim that it is a river in Paradise". Sa'eed said, "The river in Paradise is one of the blessings that Allaah has bestowed upon him". [Sahih al-Bukhaari, Kitaab ar-Riqaaq, Baab fil-Hawd, Fath al-Baari, 11/463] al-Haafidh ibn Katheer compiled a number of hadith [an-Nihaayah, 2/246] in which the Prophet (saw) spoke about al-Kawthar, such as the report narrated by Muslim from Anas, which states that when the aayah "Verily We have granted you al-Kawthar" [108] was revealed, the Prophet (saw) said, "Do you know what al-Kawthar is?" They said, "Allaah and His Messenger know best". He said, "It is a river that Allaah (swt) has promised me and in it is much goodness". He also quoted the hadith narrated by Ahmad from Anas, according to which the Prophet (Saw) said, "I have been given al-Kawthar, which is a river flowing across the face of the earth; its banks are domes of pearl and it is not covered. I touched its mud with my hand, and found that it was fragrant musk and its pebbles were pearls". Also narrated by Ahmad from Anas, the Prophet (saw) said, "It is a river that Allaah (swt) has given to me in Paradise. Its mud is musk and its water is whiter than milk, and sweeter than honey. Birds with necks like the necks of camels drink from it." The rivers of Paradise do not just contain water. There are rivers of water, of milk, of wine and of clear honey. Allaah (swt) says: "The description of Paradise which the Muttaqoon have been promised is that in it are rivers of water the taste and smell of which are not changed; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine delicious to those who drink; and rivers of clarified honey [clear and pure].." [47:15] at-Tirmidhi reports, with a sahih isnaad, from Haakim ibn Mu'aawiyah that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "In Paradise there is a sea of honey, a sea of wine, a sea of milk and a sea of water, and the rivers flow out of these seas." [Jaami' al-Usool, 10/508] He also told us of a river called Baariq, which flows by the gate of Paradise. During the period of al-Barzakh [the time between death and the day of Judgement] the shuhadaa are beside this river: Ibn 'Abbaas narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "The shuhadaa [martyrs] are in a green dome beside the river of Baariq, near the gate of Paradise, from which provision comes to them morning and evening." [Saheeh al-Jaami' as-Sagheer, 3/235, no. 3636] The Springs of Paradise     In Paradise there are many springs that provide drinks of different tastes: "Truly al-Muttaqoon [the pious and righteous] will be amidst Gardens and Water-springs" [15:45] "Verily al-Muttaqoon shall be amidst shades and springs." [77:41] Concerning the two Gardens which Allaah (swt) has prepared for those who fear their Rabb, Allaah (swt) said, "In them [both] will be two springs flowing [free]." [55:50] And concerning the two Gardens beneath them, He said, "In them [both] will be two springs gushing forth water." [55:66] In Paradise there are two springs from which al-Muqarraboon will drink pure and undiluted, whilst the Abraar will drink their water mixed with something else. The first is the spring of Kafoor, as Allaah (swt) says: "Verily the Abraar [the pious, those who fear Allaah and avoid evil], shall drink a cup [of wine] mixed with water from a spring in Paradise called Kafoor, A spring wherefrom the slaves of Allaah will drink, causing it to gush forth abundantly." [76:5-6] He tells us that the pious will drink from it mixed with something else, whilst those close to Allaah will drink it pure and undiluted. The second spring is of Tasneem, as Allaah (swt) says: "Verily al-Abraar will be in delight [Paradise], On thrones, looking [at all things]. You will recognise in their faces the brightness of delight. They will b given to drink pure sealed wine, the last thereof [that wine] will be the smell of musk, and for this let [all] those who strive who want to strive [i.e. hasten earnestly to the obedience of Allaah]. It [that wine] will be mixed with Tasneem, a spring whereof drink those nearest to Allaah." [83:22-27] Another of the springs of Paradise is called al-Salsabeel as Allaah (swt) says: "And they will be given to drink there a cup [of wine] mixed with zanjabeel [ginger], a spring there, called Salsabeel". [76:17-18] This is probably the same spring as that mentioned above, i.e. Kafoor. The Palaces and Tents of Paradise     Allaah (swt) will build good and beautiful dwellings for the people of Paradise: "and beautiful mansions in Gardens of everlasting bliss" [9:72] In some places in the Qur'aan, Allaah (swt) described these dwellings as ghurafaat [chambers or dwellings]: "and they will reside in the high dwellings [Paradise] in peace and security." [34:37] The reward for the slaves of the all-Merciful will be: "Those will be rewarded with the highest place [in Paradise] because of their patience. Therein they shall be met with greetings and the word of peace and respect" [25:75] Allaah (swt) described these Ghurafaat: "But for those who fear Allaah and keep their duty to their Rabb [Allaah], for them are built lofty rooms, one above the other, under which rivers flow. [This is] the Promise of Allaah, and Allaah does not fail in [His] Promise." [39:20] Ibn Katheer said: "Allaah has told us about His blessed slaves who will have rooms [or dwellings] in Paradise: these will be lofty palaces, "lofty rooms, one above another - story upon story, well-constructed, strong and decorated. The Prophet (saw) described these palaces to us. According to a hadith narrated by Ahmad, and Ibn Hibbaan from Abu Maalik al-Ash'ari and by at-Tirmidhi from 'Ali (ra) the Prophet (saw) said: "In Paradise there are dwellings whose inside can be seen from the outside, and the outside can be seen from inside. Allaah [swt] has prepared them for those who feed the hungry, and speak softly and gently, fast continuously and pray at night whilst the people are asleep." [Saheeh al-Jaami' as-Sagheer, 2/220, no. 2119] Allaah (swt) has told us that there are tents or pavilions in Paradise: "Houris [beautiful, fair females] restrained in pavilions" [55:72] These pavilions are wondrous tents, made of pearls, each one is made from a single, hollowed-out pearl. They are sixty miles high; according to some reports they are sixty miles wide. al-Bukhaari reports from 'Abdullaah ibn Qays that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "The tent is a hollowed out pearl, thirty miles high; in each corner of it the believer will have a wife whom no one else can see". Abu 'Abdus-Samad and al-Haarith reported from Abu 'Imraan that the wording was "sixty miles high" [Sahih al-Bukhaari, Kitaab Bid' al-Khalq, Baab Sifaat al-Jannah, Fath al-Baari, 6/318] Muslim reported from 'Abdullaah ibn Qays that the Prophet (saw) said: "The believer in Paradise will have a tent made out of a single, hollowed-out pearl, sixty miles long, in which he will have [a number of] wives, whom he will visit in turn, none of whom will see the others". [see also Muslim, Kitaab al-Jannah, Baab fi Sifaat Khiyaam al-Jannah, 4/2182, no. 2838] The Prophet (saw) told us about the characteristics of the palaces of some of his wives and companions. al-Bukhaari and Muslim report that Abu Hurayrah (ra) said, "Jibreel came to the Prophet (saw) said, "O Messenger of Allaah, Khadeejah is coming, carrying a container of food. When she comes to you, convey to her greetings of peace from her Rabb and from me, and give her the glad tidings of a house in Paradise made of brocade, in which there is no noise or exhaustion."" [Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 3/266] al-Bukhaari and Muslim report from Jaabir that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "I entered Paradise, where I saw ar-Rumaysa', the wife of Abu Talhah. And I heard footsteps and asked, "Who is that?" He [Jibreel] said, "That is Bilaal." And I saw a palace with women in its courtyard. I asked, "Whose is this?" They said, "It is for 'Umar ibn al-Khattab". I had wanted to go in and look at it, but I remembered your jealousy [where women are concerned]." 'Umar said, "May my mother and father be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allaah (saw), would I feel jealous from you?" [Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 3/226] The Prophet (saw) has told us of the way in which the believer may acquire more than one house in Paradise: Ahmad reports with a saheeh isnaad from Ibn 'Abbaas that the Prophet (saw) said, "Whoever builds a masjid for Allaah, even if it is as small as the nestling-place scratched out by the sane grouse for its eggs, Allaah (swt) will build a house for him in Paradise". [Saheeh al-Jaami' as-Sagheer, 5/265, no. 6005] Ahmad, al-Bukhaari, Muslim, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah report from 'Uthmaan that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said "Whoever builds a mosque for Allaah (swt), Allaah (swt) will build something similar for him in Paradise". [Saheeh al-Jaami' as-Sagheer, 5/265, no. 6007] Muslim, Abu Dawud, Ahmad, an-Nasaa'ee, and Ibn Maajah report from Umm Habeebah that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "Whoever prays twelve extra [supererogatory] rak'ahs every day, Allaah (swt) will build for him a house in Paradise." [Saheeh al-Jaami', 5/316, no. 6234]   The Light of Paradise     al-Qurtubee said, "The scholars said there is no night and day in Paradise, rather they will be in eternal everlasting light. They will know when night comes because curtains or screens will be put up and doors will be closed, and they will know when day comes because the curtains or screens will be taken down and the doors will be opened. This was mentioned by Abul-Faraj ibn al-Jawzee" [al-Qurtubee, at-Tadhkirah, p. 504] Ibn Katheer in his commentary on the aayah: "And they will have therein their sustenance, morning and evening. Such is the Paradise, which We shall give as an inheritance to those of Our slave who have been al-Muttaqoon [pious and righteous]" [19:62-63] said, "This means something approximate to the times of day and night, it does not mean that there will be a day and night there. They will know the passing of time by the changes in the light" [Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 4/471] On the same subject, Ibn Taymiyyah said, "There is no sun and moon in Paradise, and no day or night, but they will know morning and evening from a light that shines from the direction of the Throne" [Majmu' Fataawa Shaikh al-Islaam, 4/312] The Fragrance of Paradise     Paradise is filled with a pure and beautiful fragrance, which the believers will be able to discern from a great distance. Ahmad, an-Nasaa'ee, Ibn Maajah and al-Haakim report with a saheeh isnaad that the Messenger (saw) said, "Whoever kills a man of Ahl ad-Dhimmah [non-Muslims living under Islaamic rule] will not smell the fragrance of Paradise, even though its fragrance can be discerned from a distance of forty years' travelling." [Saheeh al-Jaami as-Sagheer, 5/235, no. 6324 adn 5/337 no. 6333]     The Trees and Fruits of Paradise     (i) Its trees and fruits are of many kinds and everlasting The trees of Paradise are abundant and good and of many kinds. Allaah has told us that there are grapevines, datepalms and pomegranate trees in Paradise, as well as lotus trees and acacia trees: "Verily, for the muttaqoon, there will be a success [Paradise], gardens and grape yards" [78:31-32] "in them [both will be fruits, date palms and pomegranates" [55:68] "And those on the Right Hand - who will be those on the Right Hand? [They will be] among thornless lote-trees, Among Talh trees with fruits piled one above another, In shade long-extended, By water flowing constantly, And fruit in plenty" [56:27-32] The lotus tree [ad-Sidr] is a thorny plant, but in Paradise it will be thornless. at-Talh [acacia tree] is a tree of Hijaaz, a kind of 'idah [a fair sized thorny shrub], but in Paradise its fruits will be ready to eat, with no effort required. What Allaah (swt) has told us about the trees of Paradise is only a small part of what Paradise contains. Hence Allaah told us "In them [both] will be every kind of fruit in pairs" [55:52] Because of its abundance, people will be able to leave what they want and take what they want: "...and therein they will call for fruits in abundance and drinks". [38:51] "With fruits, any that they may select" [56:20] "Verily the Muttaqoon shall be amidst shades and springs, And fruits - such as they desire" [77:41-42] In short, Paradise contains all kinds of fruits and other joys that one's heart could desire: "Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them, [there will be] therein all that one's soul could desire, all that the eyes could delight in, and you will abide therein forever" [43:71] Ibn Katheer spoke very cleverly about the greatness of the fruits of Paradise, and concluded that by means of understatement, Allaah (swt) conveyed the abundance and greatness of those fruits. He said, "The lotus tree [as-Sidr] does not bear any fruit other than some insignificant, inferior fruits, and it is thorny. The acacia tree [at-Talh] is only used for shade in this world [not for fruit] but in Paradise there will be many of them, growing beautifully, and bearing such abundant fruit that a single fruit will have seventy kinds of taste and colour that resemble one another. So how do you think the trees that are grown for their fruit on earth will be in Paradise, like apple trees, date palms, grape vines and so on? How do you think the flowers will be? In short, there will be what no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no human heart can comprehend and we ask Allaah (swt) to grant us some of this, by His Grace" [an-Nihaayah, 2/262] The trees of Paradise bear fruit constantly, unlike the trees of this world, which bear fruit only at certain times or seasons. The trees of Paradise always bear fruit and offer shade: "The description of the Paradise which the Muttaqoon have been promised! -Underneath it rivers flow, its provision is eternal and so is its shade" [13:55] "And fruit in plenty, whose season is not limited, and their supply will not be cut off" [56:32-33] The supply is continuous and the people of Paradise are never denied. one of the delights that the people of Paradise will enjoy is finding that its fruits are similar in appearance, but different in taste: "Everytime they will be provided with a fruit therefrom, they will say, "This is what we were provided with before", and they will be given things in resemblance [i.e. in the same form but different in taste]" [2:25] The trees of Paradise are of rich and lush foliage - "With spreading branches" [55:48], and they are intensely green - "dark and green [in colour]" [55:64]. The intensity of the colour is because of the density of the trees in Paradise. The fruits of the trees will be low-hanging, in easy reach of the people of Paradise: "Reclining upon the couches lined with silk brocade, and the fruits of the two Gardens will be near at hand" [55:54] The shade of these trees will be as Allaah (swt) says: "..and We shall admit them to shades wide and ever deepening". [4:57] "In shade long-extended" [56:30] (ii) Some of the trees of Paradise The Messenger of Allaah (saw) told us wondrous things about some of the trees of paradise which indicates that they are so amazingly huge that trying to imagine them makes one's head spin. We shall quote some examples here: (a) A tree whose shadow it takes one hundred years to cross. This is a huge tree, whose true size is known only to its Creator. The Prophet (saw) conveyed an impression of its size when he said that "In Paradise there is a tree which the rider of a swift horse would need one hundred years to pass beneath" [al-Bukhaari, Kitaab ar-Riqaaq, Baab Sifaat al-Jannah, Fath al-Baari, 11/416; Muslim, Kitaab al-Jannah, Baab inna fil-Jannah Shajarah, 2/2176, no. 2828, from Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri; see also al-Bukhaari, Kitaab Bid' al-Khalq, Baab ma jaa'a fi Sifaat al-Jannah, Fath al-Baari, 6/319] And in the narration of Muslim from Abu Hurayrah and Sahl ibn Sa'd it is said that "In Paradise there is a tree under whose shade a traveller could travel for one hundred years and not reach the edge of it" [Muslim, Kitaab al-Jannah, Baab in fil-Jannah Shajarah Yaseer al-Raakib fi dhiliha mi'ah 'aam, hadith no 2826, 2827] (b) Sidrat al-Muntaha There is a tree in paradise which Allaah has mentioned in a clear and unambiguous revelation. Allaah (swt) told us that our Prophet Muhammad (saw) saw Jibreel in the form in which Allaah created him at that tree. He also told us that it was veiled with something known only to Allaah (swt) when the Prophet (saw) saw it: "And indeed he [Muhammad] saw him [Jibreel] at a second descent [i.e. a second time] near Sidrat al-Muntaha [the Lote-tree of the utmost boundary beyond which none may pass] near it is the Paradise of Abode. When that covered the lote-tree which covered it! The sight of [Muhammad] turned not aside [right or left], nor did it transgress beyond [the] limit [ordained for it]" [53:13-18] The Prophet (saw) told us about what he saw of this tree: "Then I was taken up until I reached Sidrat al-Muntaha and I saw its Nabq [fruits] which looked like the clay jugs of Hajar, its leaves were like the ears of elephants, and one of these leaves could cover the whole of this ummah. It was veiled in colours indescribable. Then I entered Paradise, and its lights were pearls and its soil was musk". [Saheeh al-Jaami' as-Sagheer, 4/82, no. 4075, al-Bukhaari and Muslim; see also al-Bukhaari, Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi and Muslim, Saheeh al-Jaami', 3/18, no. 2861] (c) Tooba. This is a huge tree which produces the fabric for the clothing of the people of Paradise. Ahmad Ibn Jareer and Ibn Hibbaan report from Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "Tooba is a tree in Paradise, as big as a hundred year's journey; the clothes of the people of Paradise comes from its calyces [the outer parts of its flowers]" [Silsilat al-Hadith as-Saheehah, 4/639, no. 1985, the isnaad is hasan] Narrated by Ahmad from 'Abdullaah ibn 'Amr, who said, "A man came to the Prophet (saw) and asked, "O Messenger of Allaah, tell us about the clothes of the people of Paradise; are they created or are they woven?" Some of the people laughed. The Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "Why are you laughing? Because someone who does not know has asked someone who does know?" Then he turned and asked, "Where is the one who asked the question?" The man said, "Here I am, O Messenger of Allaah". He said, "No, they are produced by the fruits of Paradise" three times" [Silsilat al-Hadith as-Saheehah, 4/640] (iii) The best aromatic plants in Paradise Allaah told us that in Paradise there are aromatic plants: "[there is for him] rest and provision [Rayhaan - literally - sweet smelling plants, here used as symbolical of complete satisfaction and delight]" [56:89] In Mu'jam at-Tabaraanee al-Kabeer, a report from 'Abdullaah ibn 'Amr whose isnaad is saheeh according to the conditions of al-Bukhaari and Muslim states that the Prophet (saw) said, "The best of the aromatic plants of Paradise is henna." [SilSilah as-Saheehah, 3/407, no. 1420] (iv) The trunks of the trees of Paradise are of Gold One of the wondrous things that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) told us is that the trunks of the trees are gold: "There is no tree in Paradise that does not have a trunk made of gold" [Ibn Hibbaan, at-Tirmidhi, al-Bayhaqee, from Abu Hurayrah, Saheeh al-Jaami' as-Sagheer 5/150 saheeh] (v) How can the Believer increase his share of the trees of Paradise? al-Khaleel ar-Rahmaan and the Father of the Prophets, Ibraaheem (as) asked our Prophet Muhammad (saw) on the night of the Israa' to convey his greetings to this ummah and to tell them the way in which they could increase their share of the trees of Paradise. at-Tirmidhi reported with a hasan isnaad from Ibn Mas'oud that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said: "I met Ibraaheem...and he said, "O Muhammad, tell your ummah that Paradise is a a land whose soil is good and its water is sweet. It is an empty plain, which will be planted with SubhaanAllaah, al-Hamdulillaah, and Allaahu Akbar" [Saheeh al-Jaami' as-Sagheer, 5/34, no. 5028] The Animals and Birds of Paradise     The kinds of birds and animals that exist in Paradise are known only to Allaah. He ta'ala told us that among the delights enjoyed by the people of Paradise will be: "..and the flesh of fowls any that they may desire" [56:21] at-Tirmidhi reports from Anas that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) was asked, "What is al-Kawthar?" He said, "That is a river that Allaah has given me... and in it are birds with necks like the necks of camels". 'Umar said, These birds will be in bliss". The Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, "Those who eat them will be more blissful"". [Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 2/91] al-Haakim and Abu Na'eem reported from Ibn Mas'oud that "a man brought a haltered she-camel and said, "O Messenger of Allaah, this she-camel is for the sake of Allaah". He said, "You will have seven hundred haltered she-camels in Paradise" [Silsilat as-Saheehah, 2/228 no. 634; a similar report is narrated by Muslim, Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 2/350, 3799]

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