‘Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.’
Quran [3:185]
What is the definition and concept of Paradise? The English word Paradise comes down from the original language it was named in before Latin and Greek which was of two words meaning ‘a garden surrounded by a wall.’
The original word also migrated to the Semitic languages of Aramaic, Hebrew and in Arabic the Quran revealed the very same word ‘al-Firdaws.’
Paradise is a physical location, not an abstract concept, and it exists today. The Prophet (SAW) saw it with his own eyes, and it is the home, the abode and the dwelling of those in his nation who follow and obey him, and those who followed and obeyed the Prophets of previous nations during their time.
Descriptions of Paradise
The description of Jannah (Paradise) was never described to any of the people of the past in such detail as to the Ummah (nation) of the Prophet (SAW). The Quran has many verses describing the luxuries and gifts given to the inhabitants of paradise. For example Surah Waqiah describes some of these [55:10-40]
‘prepared for My righteous slaves what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no heart can ever imagine.’ [The Prophet then said] ‘If you wish,recite, ‘No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for that they used to do’ Quran [32:10].”
(Bukhari and Muslim)
In another verse:
“And when you look there [in Paradise], you will see a delight [that cannot be imagined], and a great dominion.”
Quran [76:20]
It is recorded in the Sahih (authentic) hadith that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: ‘It will be said, ‘O people of Paradise, verily you will live and you will never die. You will remain young and you will never grow old. You will remain healthy and you will never become ill. You will be happy and you will never grieve.’
The Prophet (SAW) was once asked by his Companions (Sahaba) about the buildings of Paradise, his reply was: ‘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 will never die; their clothes will never wear out and their youth will never fade.” [Musnad Ahmad, Tirmidhi]
The Levels of Paradise
Jannah is not just one Garden where every righteous or forgiven soul dwells together, but there are different levels according to the type and quality of good deeds performed and accepted.
Allah says:
’Look how We have favoured [in provision] some of them over others. But the Hereafter is greater in degrees [of difference] and greater in distinction”
Quran [17:21]
The different levels mentioned in Quran and hadith sources include:
- Jannat ul Firdaws
- Jannat ul Aliyah
- Jannat ul Adn
- Jannat ul Khuld
- Jannat ul Ma’wa
- Jannat un Na’im
- Dar ul Maqaam
- Dar us Salaam
- Illiyyun
They may be the actual names of the levels or a description of some levels and Allah knows best.
It has been mentioned in Sahih hadith that the Prophet (SAW) said, ‘Verily Paradise has one hundred levels and between each level is a distance like the distance between the earth and sky.’
In the tafsir of Ibn Kathir, it mentions the blessed believers, who will be taken to Paradise in groups, one group after another, starting with the best of them: those who are closest to Allah, then the most righteous, then the next best and the next best. Each group will be with others like them, Prophets with Prophets, the true believers with their peers, the martyrs with their counterparts, the scholars with their colleagues, every group composed of people of the same kind.
Sahl bin Sa’ad (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, ‘The people in Paradise will look to the upper apartment of Paradise in the same way as you see the stars in the sky.’ (Muslim)
The People that will inherit Jannat ul Firdaws
‘Who will inherit al-Firdaws. They will abide therein eternally.’
Quran [23:11]
The Prophet (SAW) said: ‘If you ask Allah for Paradise, then ask Him for Al-Firdaws, for it is the highest part of Paradise, in the middle of Paradise, and from it spring the rivers of Paradise, and above it is the Throne of the Most Merciful.’
Abu Hurairah (RA) said: ‘The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: ‘There is not one among you who does not have two homes, a home in Paradise and a home in Hell. If he dies and enters Hell, the people of Paradise will inherit his home.’
Who are these people?
These are the believers who have the following characteristics
- Those who offer their Salah with fear and tranquillity
- And who turn away from falsehood, including shirk (setting up partners with Allah), and any words or deeds that are of no benefit
- And who pay the Zakah (poor due paid on wealth and/or purification of the soul from polytheism and corruption)
- And who guard their private parts from unlawful actions and do not do that which Allah has forbidden
- And who are faithful to their trusts and covenants and don’t betray them, but fulfil it. They are true to their word
- And who strictly guard their Salah, offering them at their appointed times
The last man to enter Paradise
This is a famous hadith found in both Bukhari and Muslim, which tells us about the last man to enter Paradise, what will he get?
Eventually, the final believer will be removed from hell and admitted into Paradise and Allah will say to him ‘Enter Paradise,’ and when he will enter it, Allah will say to him, ‘Wish for anything.’ So he will ask his Lord, and he will wish for a great number of things, for Allah Himself will remind him to wish for certain things by saying, ‘(Wish for) so-and-so.’ When there is nothing more to wish for, Allah will say, ‘This is for you, and its equal (is for you) as well.’ As part of this narration is mentioned: Abu Said al Khudri (RA) added: ‘That is for you, and ten times as much.’
The Gates of Paradise
According to hadith, there are eight doors of Jannah. Their names are as follows:
- Bāb al-Ṣalāh: For those who were punctual in prayer
- Bāb al-Jihād: For those who took part in jihad
- Bāb al-Ṣadaqah: For those who gave charity more often
- Bāb al-Rayyān: For those who fasted (siyam)
- Bāb al-Ḥajj: For those participated in the annual pilgrimage
- Bāb al-Kāẓimīn al-Ghayẓ wa-al-‘Āfīn ‘an al-Nās: For those who withheld their anger and forgave others
- Bāb al-Iman: For those who by virtue of their faith are saved from reckoning and chastisement
- Bāb al-Dhikr: For those who showed zeal in remembering Allah
The Dua that will open all doors of Paradise
Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA)reported, The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Whoever performs ablution in the best manner and he says, ‘I bear witness there is no god but Allah alone, without any partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad is his servant and his messenger. O Allah, make me among those who repent and make me among those who purify themselves,’ then the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him and he may enter through whichever he wishes.”
The Greatest Pleasure of Paradise
The best thing in Jannah is for a person to see Allah. As the Quran says:
‘[Some] faces, that Day, will be radiant – Looking at their Lord.’ [75:22-23]
Jabir (RA) reports, the Prophet (SAW) looked at the moon on a night when it was full, and he said: ‘Verily you will see your Lord just as you see this moon! ‘So if you are able to avoid missing a prayer before the rising of the sun ( Fajr prayer) or before its setting (Asr prayer) then do so.’
The bounties of Jannah and how to get them
A palm tree planted in Jannah for praying
سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ
A treasure from the treasures of Paradise
لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ
Dua when entering marketplace to earn a house in Jannah amongst other gifts
لااِلهَاِلَّااللّهُوَحْدَهُلاشَرِيكَلَهُ، لَهُالْمُلْكُوَلَهُالْحَمْدُوَهُوَعَلَىكُلِّشَيْءٍقَدِيرٌ
Quran Verses on Paradise
‘Indeed, the righteous will be within gardens and springs – [Having been told], “Enter it in peace, safe [and secure] – And We will remove whatever is in their breasts of resentment, [so they will be] brothers, on thrones facing each other – No fatigue will touch them therein, nor from it will they [ever] be removed – [O Muhammad], inform My servants that it is I who am the Forgiving, the Merciful.’
[15:45-49]
‘Say, “Is that better or the Garden of Eternity which is promised to the righteous? It will be for them a reward and destination – For them therein is whatever they wish, [while] abiding eternally. It is ever upon your Lord a promise [worthy to be] requested.’
[25:15-16]
‘Is the description of Paradise, which the righteous are promised, wherein are rivers of water unaltered, rivers of milk the taste of which never changes, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink, and rivers of purified honey, in which they will have from all [kinds of] fruits and forgiveness from their Lord, like [that of] those who abide eternally in the Fire and are given to drink scalding water that will sever their intestines?’
[47:15]
Hadiths on Paradise
Ibn Masud (RA) reported the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: ‘You must be truthful. Verily, truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man continues to be truthful and encourages honesty until he is recorded with Allah as truthful. And beware of falsehood. Verily, falsehood leads to wickedness and wickedness leads to the Hellfire. A man continues to tell lies and encourages falsehood until he is recorded with Allah as a liar.’ (Muslim)
‘Anyone who performs the ablution perfectly and then offers 2 rak’ahs of prayers concentrating on them with his heart and face, paradise will necessarily fall to his lot.’ (Sunan Abu Dawud)
May Allah grant us the highest levels of Paradise.
