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Khutbāt Ḥāfiẓ Muḥammad Isḥāq Zāhid — Compiled by: Tawḥīd Dot ComParadise and Hell — The Two Final Abodes of the Hereafter
On the Day of Resurrection, there are only two outcomes for a person: Paradise or Hell. Allah تعالى says:﴿فَرِیْقٌ فِیْ الْجَنَّۃِ وَفَرِیْقٌ فِیْ السَّعِیْرِ﴾
Reference: ash-Shūrā 42:7
Translation: “A group will be in Paradise, and a group will be in the Blaze.”
We supplicate to Allah تعالى that He admits us into Jannat al-Firdaws and protects us from the punishment of Hell. Āmīn.
Descriptions of Paradise in the Noble Qur’an
① Fruits of Paradise and the Wives of the People of Paradise
Allah تعالى says:﴿وَبَشِّرِ الَّذِیْنَ آمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوْا الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَہُمْ جَنّٰتٍ تَجْرِیْ مِنْ تَحْتِہَا الْأَنْہَارُ… وَّلَہُمْ فِیْہَا أَزْوَاجٌ مُّطَہَّرَۃٌ وَّہُمْ فِیْہَا خَالِدُوْنَ﴾
Reference: al-Baqarah 2:25
Translation: “And give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that for them are Gardens beneath which rivers flow… whenever they are provided with fruit as provision, they will say: This is what we were provided with before… and for them therein are purified spouses, and they will abide therein forever.”
② The Mutual Greetings of the People of Paradise
Allah تعالى says:﴿…دَعْوَاہُمْ فِیْہَا سُبْحَانَکَ اللّٰہُمَّ وَتَحِیَّتُہُمْ فِیْہَا سَلاَمٌ…﴾
Reference: Yūnus 10:9–10
Translation: “Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds… will be in gardens of bliss… their supplication therein will be: ‘Subḥānak Allāhumma (Glory be to You, O Allah),’ and their greeting therein will be: ‘Salām,’ and the last of their call will be: ‘All praise is for Allah, Lord of the worlds.’”
③ The Angels’ Greeting and Glad Tidings to the People of Paradise
Allah تعالى says:﴿وَسِیْقَ الَّذِیْنَ اتَّقَوْا رَبَّہُمْ إِلَی الْجَنَّۃِ زُمَرًا… وَقَالَ لَہُمْ خَزَنَتُہَا سَلاَمٌ عَلَیْکُمْ طِبْتُمْ…﴾
Reference: az-Zumar 39:73–74
Translation: “And those who feared their Lord will be driven to Paradise in groups… and its gates will be opened, and its keepers will say: Peace be upon you; you have done well—enter it, to abide forever… and they will say: Praise be to Allah who has fulfilled His promise to us… so excellent is the reward of the doers.”
④ Removal of Resentment From Hearts in Paradise
Allah تعالى says:﴿…وَنَزَعْنَا مَا فِیْ صُدُوْرِہِمْ مِّنْ غِلٍّ… لاَ یَمَسُّہُمْ فِیْہَا نَصَبٌ…﴾
Reference: al-Ḥijr 15:45–48
Translation: “Indeed, the righteous will be in gardens and springs… enter it in peace and security… and We will remove whatever is in their hearts of resentment… no fatigue will touch them therein, nor will they be removed from it.”
⑤ Bracelets of Gold and Pearls, and Silk Garments
Allah تعالى says:﴿…یُحَلَّوْنَ فِیْہَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِنْ ذَہَبٍ وَلُؤْلُؤًا وَّلِبَاسُہُمْ فِیْہَا حَرِیْرٌ﴾
Reference: al-Ḥajj 22:23
Translation: “Allah will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds into Gardens… therein they will be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments therein will be silk.”
And:
﴿إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِیْنَ فِیْ مَقَامٍ أَمِیْنٍ… یَلْبَسُوْنَ مِنْ سُنْدُسٍ وَّاِسْتَبْرَقٍ…﴾
Reference: ad-Dukhān 44:51–55
Translation: “Indeed, the righteous will be in a secure place… among gardens and springs… wearing fine silk and brocade, facing one another.”
⑥ Fruits and Modest Ḥūr
Allah تعالى says:﴿…جَنّٰتِ عَدْنٍ مُّفَتَّحَۃً لَّہُمُ الْأَبْوَابُ… وَعِنْدَہُمْ قٰصِرَاتُ الطَّرْفِ أَتْرَابٌ…﴾
Reference: Ṣād 38:49–55
Translation: “This is a reminder, and indeed for the righteous is an excellent return—Gardens of perpetual residence, with gates opened for them… therein they will call for abundant fruit and drink… and with them will be companions of modest gaze, of equal age… this is Our provision; it will never end.”
And:
﴿إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِیْنَ مَفَازًا… وَکَوَاعِبَ أَتْرَابًا…﴾
Reference: an-Naba’ 78:31–36
Translation: “Indeed, for the righteous is success… gardens and vineyards… and full-breasted companions of equal age… and overflowing cups… they will hear therein neither vain speech nor lies… a reward from your Lord, a sufficient gift.”
⑦ Delightful Occupations of the People of Paradise
Allah تعالى says:﴿إِنَّ أَصْحَابَ الْجَنَّۃِ الْیَوْمَ فِیْ شُغُلٍ فَاکِہُوْنَ… سَلاَمٌ قَوْلاً مِّنْ رَّبٍّ رَّحِیْمٍ﴾
Reference: Yā-Sīn 36:55–58
Translation: “Indeed, the people of Paradise today will be joyfully occupied… they and their spouses will be in shade, reclining upon couches… for them are fruits, and for them is whatever they request… ‘Salām’—a word from a Merciful Lord.”
⑧ Rivers of Water, Milk, Wine, and Purified Honey
Allah تعالى says:﴿…أَنْہَارٌ مِّنْ مَّآئٍ غَیْرِ آسِنٍ… وَأَنْہَارٌ مِّنْ لَّبَنٍ… وَأَنْہَارٌ مِّنْ خَمْرٍ… وَأَنْہَارٌ مِّنْ عَسَلٍ مُّصَفًّی…﴾
Reference: Muḥammad 47:15
Translation: “The description of Paradise… therein are rivers of water unchanging in smell… rivers of milk… rivers of wine delicious to those who drink… and rivers of purified honey… and for them are all kinds of fruits, and forgiveness from their Lord.”
⑨ Thrones, Cups, Chosen Fruits, Bird Meat, and Virgin Ḥūr
Allah تعالى says:﴿وَالسَّابِقُوْنَ السَّابِقُوْنَ… وَحُوْرٌ عِیْنٌ… إِلاَّ قِیْلاً سَلاَمًا سَلاَمًا…﴾
Reference: al-Wāqiʿah 56:11–40
Translation: “And the foremost are the foremost—those are the ones brought near… in Gardens of bliss… upon couches woven with gold, facing one another… serving boys… goblets, jugs, and cups… a wine from which there will be neither headache nor intoxication… fruits of their choice… and the meat of birds they desire… and ḥūr ʿīn like hidden pearls… they will hear therein neither vain speech nor sin—only: ‘Salām, Salām’… and the companions of the right… lote trees without thorns, layered banana trees, extended shade, flowing water, abundant fruit… and elevated couches… (spouses) virgins, loving, and of equal age…”
⑩ Great Bounties and a Mighty Kingdom
Allah تعالى says:﴿وَجَزَاہُمْ بِمَا صَبَرُوْا جَنَّۃً وَّحَرِیْرًا… وَإِذَا رَأَیْتَ ثَمَّ رَأَیْتَ نَعِیْمًا وَّمُلْکاً کَبِیْرًا…﴾
Reference: al-Insān 76:12–22
Translation: “And He will reward them for what they patiently endured with Paradise and silk… therein they will see neither sun nor bitter cold… its shade will be close… vessels of silver and cups… mixed with ginger… a spring called Salsabīl… youthful servants… and wherever you look there you will see bliss and a great kingdom… green silk… bracelets of silver… and their Lord will give them a pure drink… this is your reward.”
Descriptions of Paradise in the Prophetic Aḥādīth
① The First to Enter Paradise
Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:(( آتِیْ بَابَ الْجَنَّۃِ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَۃِ فَأَسْتَفْتِحُ،فَیَقُوْلُ الْخَازِنُ:مَنْ أَنْتَ؟ فَأَقُوْلُ: مُحَمَّد،فَیَقُوْلُ : بِکَ أُمِرْتُ،لَا أَفْتَحُ لِأَحَدٍ قَبْلَکَ ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 188
Translation: “I will come to the gate of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection and seek it to be opened. The keeper will ask: Who are you? I will say: Muḥammad. He will say: I was commanded regarding you: I shall not open for anyone before you.”
And from Ḥudhayfah رضي الله عنه, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( وُلْدُ آدَمَ کُلُّہُمْ تَحْتَ لِوَائِیْ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَۃِ،وَأَناَ أَوَّلُ مَن یُّفْتَحُ لَہُ بَابُ الْجَنَّۃِ ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ: 6995
Translation: “On the Day of Resurrection, all the children of Ādam will be under my banner, and I will be the first person for whom the gate of Paradise will be opened.”
② The Description of the First Group to Enter Paradise
Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:“The first group to enter Paradise, their faces will be like the full moon on the fourteenth night. Then those who enter after them will be like the brightest shining star in the sky. They will have no need to urinate or defecate, and they will be free from mucus and spittle. Their combs will be of gold; the fragrance of their sweat will be like musk; their incense burners will be of aloeswood; and their wives will be wide-eyed ḥūr. All their character will be one, and they will be upon the form of their father Ādam عليه السلام, and their height will be sixty cubits.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 3327
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2834
③ The Gates of Paradise
Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:“Whoever spends a pair (i.e., two of something) in the path of Allah will be called from the gates of Paradise: O servant of Allah! This gate is good. Whoever was among the people of prayer will be called from the gate of prayer. Whoever was among the people of jihād will be called from the gate of jihād. Whoever was among the people of fasting will be called from the gate of fasting. Whoever was among the people of charity will be called from the gate of charity.”
Abū Bakr aṣ-Ṣiddīq رضي الله عنه said: O Messenger of Allah! May my father and mother be sacrificed for you—one who is called from all those gates will have no need of anything; will there be anyone who will be called from all of them?
He ﷺ said: “Yes, and I hope that you will be among them.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1897
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1027
④ The درجات of Paradise
Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:(( مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللّٰہِ وَبِرَسُوْلِہٖ،وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاۃَ ،وَصَامَ رَمَضَانَ،کَانَ حَقًّا عَلَی اللّٰہِ أَنْ یُّدْخِلَہُ الْجَنَّۃَ،جَاہَدَ(وفی روایۃ:ہَاجَرَ)فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰہِ أَوْ جَلَسَ فِیْ أَرْضِہِ الَّتِیْ وُلِدَ فِیْہَا ))
Translation: “Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger, establishes prayer, and fasts Ramaḍān—then it is a حق upon Allah that He will admit him into Paradise, whether he strives in the path of Allah (and in a narration: migrates) or remains in the land where he was born.”
Then he ﷺ said:
(( إِنَّ فِیْ الْجَنَّۃِ مِائَۃَ دَرَجَۃٍ،أَعَدَّہَا اللّٰہُ لِلْمُجَاہِدِیْنَ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰہِ،مَا بَیْنَ الدَّرَجَتَیْنِ کَمَا بَیْنَ السَّمَائِ وَالْأرْضِ،فَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُ اللّٰہَ فَاسْأَلُوْہُ الْفِرْدَوْسَ فَإِنَّہُ أَوْسَطُ الْجَنَّۃِ وَأَعْلَی الْجَنَّۃِ ۔ أُرَاہُ قَالَ : وَفَوْقَہُ عَرْشُ الرَّحْمٰنِ ، وَمِنْہُ تَفَجَّرُ أَنْہَارُ الْجَنَّۃِ ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2790
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 7423
Translation: “In Paradise there are one hundred درجات which Allah has prepared for those who strive in His path; between every two درجات is the distance between the heaven and the earth. So when you ask Allah, ask Him for al-Firdaws, for it is the middle of Paradise and the highest of Paradise. He (the narrator) said: And above it is the Throne of the Most Merciful, and from it the rivers of Paradise spring forth.”
⑤ The People of Paradise Will Always Remain Youthful
Muʿādh ibn Jabal رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:(( یَدْخُلُ أَہْلُ الْجَنَّۃِ الْجَنَّۃَ جُرْدًا مُرْدًا مُکَحَّلِیْنَ،أَبْنَائَ ثَلَاثِیْنَ أَوْ ثَلَاثٍ وَثَلَاثِیْنَ سَنَۃً ))
Reference: at-Tirmidhī: 2545
Translation: “The people of Paradise will enter Paradise hairless, beardless, with kohl-lined eyes, at the age of thirty or thirty-three years.”
And Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( مَنْ یَّدْخُلُ الْجَنَّۃَ یَنْعَمُ وَلَا یَبْأَسُ ، لَا تَبْلٰی ثِیَابُہُ ، وَلَا یَفْنیٰ شَبَابُہُ ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2836
Translation: “Whoever enters Paradise will enjoy bliss and never suffer; his clothes will never wear out, and his youth will never end.”
⑥ The Wives of the People of Paradise
Allah تعالى says:﴿ فِیْہِنَّ قٰصِرَاتُ الطَّرْفِ لَمْ یَطْمِثْہُنَّ إِنْسٌ قَبْلَہُمْ وَلاَ جَانٌّ . فَبِأَیِّ آلاَئِ رَبِّکُمَا تُکَذِّبَانِ . کَأَنَّہُنَّ الْیَاقُوْتُ وَالْمَرْجَانُ﴾
Reference: ar-Raḥmān 55:56–58
Translation: “In them will be companions of modest gaze whom no human has touched before them, nor any jinn. Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny? As if they were rubies and coral.”
And the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said regarding their beauty:
(( لِکُلِّ امْرِئٍ زَوْجَتَانِ مِنَ الْحُوْرِ الْعِیْنِ،یُرٰی مُخُّ سُوْقِہِنَّ مِنْ وَّرَائِ الْعَظْمِ وَاللَّحْمِ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 3254
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2834
Translation: “For every man there will be two wives from the ḥūr al-ʿīn, such that the marrow of their shins will be seen from behind the bone and flesh.”
And Anas رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( لَرَوْحَۃٌ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰہِ أَوْ غَدْوَۃٌ خَیْرٌ مِنَ الدُّنْیَا وَمَا فِیْہَا… وَلَوْ أَنَّ امْرَأَۃً مِنْ أَہْلِ الْجَنَّۃِ اِطَّلَعَتْ إِلٰی أَہْلِ الْأرْضِ لَأضَائَ تْ مَا بَیْنَہُمَا وَلَمَلَأتْہُ رِیْحًا…))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2796
Translation: “A journey in the path of Allah in the morning or evening is better than the world and whatever is in it… and if a woman from the people of Paradise were to look upon the people of the earth, she would illuminate what is between them and fill it with fragrance… and her head-covering is better than the world and whatever is in it.”
And Anas رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( یُعْطَی الْمُؤْمِنُ فِیْ الْجَنَّۃِ قُوَّۃَ کَذَا وَکَذَا مِنَ الْجِمَاعِ… قَالَ: یُعْطیٰ قُوَّۃَ مِئَۃٍ ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ: 8106
Translation: “The believer will be given great strength for marital relations in Paradise… It was asked: O Messenger of Allah, will he have the ability for it? He said: He will be given the strength of one hundred.”
⑦ The Eating and Drinking of the People of Paradise
Jābir رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:(( إِنَّ أَہْلَ الْجَنَّۃِ یَأْکُلُوْنَ فِیْہَا وَیَشْرَبُوْنَ،وَلَا یَتْفُلُوْنَ،وَلَا یَبُوْلُوْنَ وَلَا یَتَغَوَّطُوْنَ وَلَا یَمْتَخِطُوْنَ… جُشَائٌ وَرَشْحٌ کَرَشْحِ الْمِسْکِ… ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2835
Translation: “The people of Paradise will eat and drink therein, but they will neither spit, nor urinate, nor defecate, nor blow their noses.”
They asked: Then where does the food go?
He ﷺ said: “Only a belch and sweat, like the fragrance of musk… and they will be inspired to glorify and praise (Allah) as you are inspired to breathe.”
⑧ Vessels of Paradise
Abū Mūsā al-Ashʿarī رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:(( جَنَّتَانِ مِنْ فِضَّۃٍ آنِیَتُہُمَا وَمَا فِیْہِمَا،وَجَنَّتَانِ مِنْ ذَہَبٍ آنِیَتُہُمَا وَمَا فِیْہِمَا… ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 4878
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 4880
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 7444
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 180
Translation: “There will be two Gardens of silver—its vessels and whatever is in them will be of silver; and two Gardens of gold—its vessels and whatever is in them will be of gold…”
⑨ Upper Chambers in Paradise
Allah تعالى says:﴿…لَہُمْ غُرَفٌ مِّن فَوْقِہَا غُرَفٌ مَّبْنِیَّۃٌ تَجْرِیْ مِن تَحْتِہَا الْأَنْہَارُ…﴾
Reference: az-Zumar 39:20
Translation: “But those who feared their Lord will have lofty chambers, above them lofty chambers built, beneath which rivers flow… it is the promise of Allah, and Allah does not break His promise.”
And Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The people of Paradise will see those above them in lofty chambers as you see a shining star on the horizon of the east or west; this will be due to the difference in درجات.”
The Companions said: O Messenger of Allah! Those will be the dwellings of the prophets?
He ﷺ said:
(( بَلٰی وَالَّذِیْ نَفْسِیْ بِیَدِہٖ ،رِجَالٌ آمَنُوْا بِاللّٰہِ وَصَدَّقُوْا الْمُرْسَلِیْنَ ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 3256
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2831
Translation: “Yes—by the One in Whose hand is my soul—(they will be) men who believed in Allah and affirmed the Messengers.”
And Abū Mālik al-Ashʿarī رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( إِنَّ فِیْ الْجَنَّۃِ غُرَفًا یُرٰی ظَاہِرُہَا مِنْ بَاطِنِہَا… أَعَدَّہَا اللّٰہُ… لِمَنْ أَطْعَمَ الطَّعَامَ… وَصَلّٰی بِاللَّیْلِ وَالنَّاسُ نِیَامٌ ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ: 2123
Translation: “In Paradise there are chambers whose exterior can be seen from their interior and their interior from their exterior… Allah has prepared them for the one who feeds others, speaks gently, fasts continuously, and prays at night while people are asleep.”
⑩ The Tents of Paradise
Abū Mūsā al-Ashʿarī رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:(( إِنَّ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ فِیْ الْجَنَّۃِ لَخَیْمَۃً مِنْ لُؤْلُؤَۃٍ وَاحِدَۃٍ مُجَوَّفَۃٍ… ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2838
Translation: “For the believer in Paradise is a tent made from a single hollowed pearl; its length will be sixty miles. In it will be the believer’s wives; he will visit them in turn, and they will not see one another.”
⑪ Trees of Paradise and How to Plant in Paradise
Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:(( إِنَّ فِیْ الْجَنَّۃِ شَجَرَۃً،یَسِیْرُ الرَّاکِبُ… مِائَۃَ عَامٍ مَا یَقْطَعُہَا ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2828
Translation: “In Paradise there is a tree such that a rider would travel in its shade for a hundred years and would not cross it.”
And Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( مَا فِیْ الْجَنَّۃِ شَجَرَۃٌ إِلَّا وَسَاقُہَا مِنْ ذَہَبٍ ))
Reference: at-Tirmidhī: 2525
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ: 5647
Translation: “There is no tree in Paradise except that its trunk is of gold.”
And ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( لَقِیْتُ إِبْرَاہِیْمَ لَیْلَۃَ أُسْرِیَ بِیْ… غِرَاسُہَا: سُبْحَانَ اللّٰہِ،وَالْحَمْدُ لِلّٰہِ،وَلَا إِلٰہَ إِلَّا اللّٰہُ، وَاللّٰہُ أَکْبَرُ ))
Reference: at-Tirmidhī: 3462
Reference: as-Silsilah aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥah: 105
Translation: “On the night I was taken on the Night Journey, I met Ibrāhīm عليه السلام… he said: Convey my salām to your Ummah, and inform them that Paradise’s soil is pure, its water is sweet, and it is like a plain; and it is planted with: (Subḥānallāh, al-Ḥamdulillāh, Lā ilāha illā Allāh, and Allāhu Akbar).”
And Jābir رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( مَنْ قَالَ:سُبْحَانَ اللّٰہِ الْعَظِیْمِ وَبِحَمْدِہٖ،غُرِسَتْ لَہُ بِہَا نَخْلَۃٌ فِیْ الْجَنَّۃِ ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ: 6429
Translation: “Whoever says: (Subḥānallāhil-ʿAẓīm wa bi-ḥamdihī), a date-palm will be planted for him in Paradise.”
⑫ The Market of Paradise
Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:(( إِنَّ فِیْ الْجَنَّۃِ لَسُوْقًا یَأْتُوْنَہَا کُلَّ جُمُعَۃٍ… فَیَزْدَادُوْنَ حُسْنًا وَجَمَالًا… ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2833
Translation: “In Paradise there is a market to which they will come every Friday… then a wind will blow from the north and scatter (Paradise’s) dust upon their faces and clothes, increasing them in beauty and splendor… then they will return to their families, who will say: By Allah, you have become more beautiful than before, and they will say: And by Allah, you too have become more beautiful than before.”
⑬ The Palaces of Paradise
Jābir ibn ʿAbdullāh رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:“I entered Paradise and saw a palace of gold. I asked: Whose is this? It was said: It belongs to a man from Quraysh. I asked: Who is he? It was said: ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه…”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 5226
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 7024
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2394
⑭ The Rivers of Paradise and al-Kawthar
Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:“I entered Paradise and saw a river; on its two banks were tents of pearls… I struck the water with my hand and found the fragrance of musk… Jibrīl عليه السلام said: This is al-Kawthar which Allah has granted you.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 6581
⑮ The Greatest Honor in Paradise: Seeing Allah تعالى
Ṣuhayb ibn Sinān رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:“When the people of Paradise enter Paradise and the people of Hell enter Hell, it will be announced: O people of Paradise! Allah has promised you something… then the veil will be lifted and they will see their Lord… By Allah, no blessing will be more beloved to them than the seeing of Allah.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ: 521
⑯ The Highest and the Lowest in Rank Among the People of Paradise
Al-Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that Mūsā عليه السلام asked Allah تعالى about the one with the lowest rank in Paradise. Allah تعالى said:“That is a man who will come after the people of Paradise have entered Paradise. It will be said to him: Enter Paradise. He will say: O Lord, the people have taken their places and received their rewards—how shall I enter? It will be said: Would you be pleased if you had a kingdom like the kingdom of a king from among the kings of the world? He will say: O Lord, I am pleased. Allah will say: You have that, and another like it, and another like it, and another like it, and another like it. Each time he will say: I am pleased. Then Allah تعالى will say:
(( ہٰذَا لَکَ وَعَشْرَۃُ أَمْثَالِہٖ،وَلَکَ مَا اشْتَہَتْ نَفْسُکَ وَلَذَّتْ عَیْنُکَ ))
Translation: “This is for you, and ten times the like of it; and for you is whatever your soul desires and whatever delights your eyes.”
Then Mūsā عليه السلام asked: O Lord, who are those of the highest rank?
Allah تعالى said:
(( أُولٰئِکَ الَّذِیْنَ أَرَدْتُّ غَرَسْتُ کَرَامَتَہُمْ بِیَدِیْ وَخَتَمْتُ عَلَیْہَا،فَلَمْ تَرَ عَیْنٌ،وَلَمْ تَسْمَعْ أُذُنٌ،وَلَمْ یَخْطُرْ عَلٰی قَلْبِ بَشَرٍ ))
Translation: “They are those whom I have chosen; I planted their honor with My Hand and sealed it—so no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and it has not occurred to the heart of any human.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 189
⑰ Those Who Will Enter Paradise Without Reckoning
Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:“Nations were presented to me… a prophet with a few people, a prophet with one or two, and a prophet with none… then I was shown a great multitude… it was said: This is Mūsā and his nation… then I looked and saw another great multitude… it was said: This is your nation, and among them are seventy thousand who will enter Paradise without reckoning and without punishment.”
He ﷺ said:
(( ہُمُ الَّذِیْنَ لَا یَرْقُوْنَ،وَلَا یَسْتَرْقُوْنَ،وَلَا یَتَطَیَّرُوْنَ،وَعَلٰی رَبِّہِمْ یَتَوَکَّلُوْنَ ))
Translation: “They are those who did not perform ruqyah, did not ask for ruqyah, did not take omens, and they relied completely upon their Lord.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 3410
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 5705
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 5752
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 220
And in a narration:
(( وَلَا یَکْتَوُوْنَ ))
Translation: “And they do not cauterize (as treatment), and they rely solely upon their Lord.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 218
And Abū Umāmah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( وَعَدَنِیْ رَبِّیْ أَنْ یُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّۃَ مِنْ أُمَّتِیْ سَبْعِیْنَ أَلْفًا لَا حِسَابَ عَلَیْہِمْ وَلَا عَذَابَ،مَعَ کُلِّ أَلْفٍ سَبْعُوْنَ أَلْفًا،وَثَلَاثُ حَثَیَاتٍ مِنْ حَثَیَاتِ رَبِّیْ ))
Translation: “My Lord has promised me that He will admit seventy thousand from my Ummah into Paradise with no reckoning and no punishment; with every thousand will be seventy thousand more, and (in addition) three handfuls from the handfuls of my Lord.”
Reference: Takhreej al-Mishkāt (al-Albānī): 5556
⑱ This Ummah’s Large Share Among the People of Paradise
ʿAbdullāh رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:(( أَمَا تَرْضَوْنَ أَنْ تَکُوْنُوْا رُبْعَ أَہْلِ الْجَنَّۃِ؟ ))
Translation: “Are you not pleased that you be one-fourth of the people of Paradise?”
Then he ﷺ said:
(( أَمَا تَرْضَوْنَ أَنْ تَکُوْنُوْا ثُلُثَ أَہْلِ الْجَنَّۃِ؟ ))
Translation: “Are you not pleased that you be one-third of the people of Paradise?”
Then he ﷺ said:
(( إِنِّیْ لَأرْجُوْ أَنْ تَکُوْنُوْا شَطْرَ أَہْلِ الْجَنَّۃِ ))
Translation: “Indeed, I hope that you will be half of the people of Paradise.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 6528
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 221
⑲ The Last Person to Enter Paradise
ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ described the account of the person who will be the last to exit Hell and enter Paradise… he will crawl out… he will ask permission to approach trees… until he finally reaches the gate of Paradise and says: O Lord, admit me into Paradise… Allah تعالى will say: Would you be pleased if I gave you the world and another like it?… then Allah تعالى will finally say:“I give you the like of the world and ten times more.”
And the man will say: O Allah! Are You mocking me while You are the Lord of the worlds?
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 186–187
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 6571
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 7511
⑳ The Blessings of Paradise Cannot Even Be Imagined
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:(( قَالَ اللّٰہُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: أَعْدَدْتُّ لِعِبَادِی الصَّالِحِیْنَ مَا لَا عَیْنٌ رَأَتْ،وَلَا أُذُنٌ سَمِعَتْ،وَلَا خَطَرَ عَلٰی قَلْبِ بَشَرٍ ))
Translation: “Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, says: I have prepared for My righteous servants what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and what has not occurred to the heart of any human.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 3244
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2823
㉑ There Will Be No Death in Paradise
Abū Saʿīd رضي الله عنه and Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:(( إِذَا دَخَلَ أَہْلُ الْجَنَّۃِ الْجَنَّۃَ یُنَادِیْ مُنَادٍ:إِنَّ لَکُمْ أَنْ تَحْیَوْا فَلَا تَمُوْتُوْا أَبَدًا،وَإِنَّ لَکُمْ أَنْ تَصِحُّوْا فَلَا تَسْقَمُوْا أَبَدًا،وَإِنَّ لَکُمْ أَنْ تَشِبُّوْا فَلَا تَہْرَمُوْا أَبَدًا،وَإِنَّ لَکُمْ أَنْ تَنْعَمُوْا فَلَا تَبْأَسُوْا أَبَدًا ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2837
Translation: “When the people of Paradise enter Paradise, a caller will proclaim: You will live and never die; you will remain healthy and never fall ill; you will remain young and never grow old; and you will remain in bliss and never become miserable.”
The Path to Paradise
Taqwā Is the Key to Paradise
Allah تعالى says:﴿تِلْکَ الْجَنَّۃُ الَّتِیْ نُوْرِثُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا مَنْ کَانَ تَقِیًّا﴾
Reference: Maryam 19:63
Translation: “That is the Paradise which We give as inheritance to those of Our servants who were God-fearing.”
And He says:
﴿وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّہٖ وَنَہَی النَّفْسَ عَنِ الْہَوٰی فَإِنَّ الْجَنَّۃَ ہِیَ الْمَأْوٰی﴾
Reference: an-Nāziʿāt 79:40–41
Translation: “But as for the one who feared standing before his Lord and restrained the soul from desires—then indeed Paradise is the refuge.”
Paradise Is Behind Hardships
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:(( حُفَّتِ الْجَنَّۃُ بِالْمَکَارِہِ،وَحُفَّتِ النَّارُ بِالشَّہَوَاتِ ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2822
Translation: “Paradise is surrounded by hardships, and the Fire is surrounded by desires.”
Obedience to the Messenger ﷺ Is the Path to Paradise
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:(( کُلُّ أُمَّتِیْ یَدْخُلُوْنَ الْجَنَّۃَ إِلَّا مَنْ أَبٰی… مَنْ أَطَاعَنِیْ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّۃَ،وَمَنْ عَصَانِیْ فَقَدْ أَبٰی ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 7280
Translation: “All of my Ummah will enter Paradise except the one who refuses… Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me has refused.”
Fundamental Deeds That Lead to Paradise
(( اِتَّقُوْا اللّٰہَ،وَصَلُّوْا خَمْسَکُمْ،وَصُوْمُوْا شَہْرَکُمْ،وَأَدُّوْا زَکَاۃَ أَمْوَالِکُمْ،وَأَطِیْعُوْا ذَا أَمْرِکُمْ،تَدْخُلُوْا جَنَّۃَ رَبِّکُم ))
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ: 109
Translation: “Fear Allah, perform your five (daily) prayers, fast your month (Ramaḍān), pay the zakāh of your wealth, and obey those in authority among you—then you will enter the Paradise of your Lord.”
Conclusion
Therefore, every Muslim should adopt taqwā, remain steadfast upon ṣalāh, fasting, zakāh, and other obligations, follow the Sunnah of the Messenger ﷺ, and live in obedience to Allah تعالى while avoiding the desires of the soul—so that he may inherit that eternal Paradise.May Allah تعالى make all of us inheritors of Jannat al-Firdaws. Āmīn.
