Who is Paradise For?
To lovingly worship God, combined with reverence and hope, is the noblest occupation of the human being, and consequently leads to its supreme happiness and divine pleasure. Therefore, the man who combines correct faith with noble deeds will attain it in the hereafter, unless, by sin of disbelief (kufr in Arabic), he renders himself unworthy of Paradise.
The faithful shall earn Paradise by their uncompromising faith in Islam, sincere devotion to God, longing for the divine, reliance in their Lord, steadfastness in practicing their religion, humility, and reverence and fear of God.
The ‘First Lady,’ the leader of women in God’s Paradise will be Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus, peace be on them both.
(Silsilah al-Ahadith al-Sahihah)
pleasures can neither be measured nor comprehended by a mortal being, any more than the blind can distinguish color or the deaf appreciate a sweet voice. God has placed in it everything dear to the human soul and body, as He says:
“…(there will be) therein all that inner selves could desire, and all that eyes could delight in and you will abide therein forever.”
God in his infinite mercy rewards virtue manifold as elaborated by the Prophet Muhammad:
1. Belief in God and the Messengers.
2. Spending for the sake of God.
The poor came to the Prophet and said: “The rich people have taken all the highest positions. They pray as we pray, and they fast as we fast, but they have surplus wealth with which they perform Hajj and strive and give in charity…”
(wudu’ in Arabic) properly even when difficult, walking to the mosque, and waiting for prayer after prayer.
wudu’ well even when it is difficult, taking many steps to the mosques and waiting for prayer after prayer. That is (equivalent in reward) to guarding the frontier.”
4. Memorizing the Quran.
The Prophet said: “It will be said to the companion of the Quran : ‘Recite and rise in status as you used to recite in the world, and your position will be at the last verse you recite.’”
Levels of Paradise
Paradise has manifold degrees and levels.
It said in the report that the number of verses in the Quran is the number of degrees or levels of Paradise in the Hereafter, and it will be said to the reader: ‘Rise through the levels to the extent that you used to read the verses of the Quran. Whoever recites all of the Quran, will reach the highest degree of Paradise in the Hereafter, and whoever recites part of it will reach a level commensurate with that, and the limit of his reward will match the limit of his reading.
Firdaws. The Messenger of God said: “…When you ask of God, ask Him for Firdaws, for it is in the middle of Paradise and is the highest part of Paradise, and above it is the Throne of the Most Merciful, and from it spring forth the rivers of Paradise.”
Joys of Paradise
People will enter Paradise in their most perfect, beautiful form. Their hearts will be one. They will neither spit, nor blow their noses, or excrete. They will remain young forever, strong and potent without the inconveniences of body hair.
The wordily pleasures pretty much fade in front of heavenly delights. The pleasures of this world are fleeting and short-lived, ‘…short is the enjoyment of this world’
whereas the joys of Paradise will be unending, ‘…the provision is eternal.’
The fine clothes, delicious foods, soothing drinks, ornate jewels, and grand palaces in Paradise are far superior to what is in this world. The ‘real estate’ of Paradise is described by the Prophet to be better than the whole world! (Mishkat al-Masabih)
Paradise is free of any pollutants, foul odors, pain, or discomfort. The hearts and speech will be pure. No one will be offended or insulted.
The delicious, ripe fruits of Paradise will be within easy reach, ready to pluck whatever fruit one desires. Any food or drink will be available on demand. Paradise has seas of water, wine, milk, and honey from which rivers will flow out. Make your pick! Fountains scented with camphor and ginger, shady valleys. The wine will not cause hangovers. “Delight for those who drink”, bringing neither drunkenness nor rouse folly or quarrelling. They will be served in gold and silver goblets and dishes. Their finest silk clothes will be decorated with gold, silver, and pearls…better than any man-made garment! The bodies will smell of the scent of musk. The palaces will speak of refined elegance and fully furnished. They will be able to sit and recline in their gardens. The beautiful bright colored couches will be lined with silk brocade. Eye catching cushions and splendid carpets will add style and luxury. A cozy place most people can simply dream of in this world. A tranquil spot away from distractions. Peaceful, comfortable, and richly decorated.
Specially created boys of eternal youth will serve the faithful,
‘they will be served by immortal boys, with cups, and jugs, and a glass from the flowing wine.’
Exquisite banquets served in priceless vessels.
The faithful will visit one another and reunite with family and friends who made it to Paradise. All wishes will be fulfilled, some in the strangest ways. . The Messenger of God said:
"If the believer in Paradise wishes for a child, it will be conceived and delivered, and will grow to the desired age in an instant."
Naturally, running after wordily pleasures at the cost of heavenly delights will be a cause of much sorrow for people who will enter Hell.
Spouses & Intimacy in Paradise
The faithful will be clothed in the richest silks and brocades, and adorned with bracelets of gold and silver, and crowns set with pearls, and will make use of silken carpets, couches, and pillows in order that they may enjoy all these pleasures, God will grant them perpetual youth, beauty, and vigor. There is a hadeeth which states that they will enter Paradise
“aged thirty-three years.”
It is the most perfect age at which one is most able to enjoy physical pleasures, and the age at which one's health and strength are most perfect. It is proven from the Prophet they
“will never lose their youth.”
The faithful will enter Paradise in the best and most perfect condition in all senses. They will remain young forever, their eternal delight will be unending, and they will live a life of unspoiled joy.
The faithful will enjoy specially crafted maidens, or houris, of Paradise, created not of clay, as in the case of mortal women, but of pure musk, and free from all natural impurities, defects, and inconveniences. They will be beautiful, modest, and secluded from public view in pavilions of hollow pearls.
The body will have its share of gratification.
Vision of God
In heaven the faithful will see God, clearly and distinctly. Here on earth we “see” Him but indirectly through the mirror of creation.
In Paradise, no creature will stand between God and the faithful who will delight in His glimpse. The most wonderful melody of all will be the voice of God greeting the elect.
Since in beholding God face to face the faithful will find perfect happiness and ultimate delight, the vision may be called "beatific". The joy of looking at Him will be greater than any other joy of Paradise, the rivers, palaces, tents of pearl, the pure spouses, the food. All other joys will pale in comparison to the joy of looking at the most beautiful Face of God.
He says
“Some faces that Day shall be radiant looking at their Lord.”
The faces of the faithful will also radiate and become beautiful with His Light.
The Prophet of Islam said:
“When the people of Paradise enter Paradise, God will say, ‘Do you want anything more?’ They will say, ‘Have You not brightened our faces, admitted us to Paradise and saved us from Hell?’ Then the veil will be lifted and they will not have seen anything more dear to them than looking upon their Lord, may He be glorified and exalted. This is what is meant by ‘even more.’” Then he recited the verse
“For those who have done good is the best reward and even more (i.e. having the honor of glancing at the Countenance of God)”
Once you know that the people of Paradise will not be given anything dearer than looking upon the Face of their Lord, imagine the deprivation of the sinners described by God,
“Nay! Surely, they (evil doers) will be veiled from seeing their Lord that Day”
People said:
“O Messenger of God, will we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection?” The Messenger of God said, “Do you doubt that you see the moon on the night when it is full?” They said, “No, O Messenger of God.” He said, ‘Do you doubt that you see the sun when there is no cloud?” They said, “No, O Messenger of God.” He said, “You will see Him likewise…”
Let us pray to God to guide all of us to the truth in this life and to grant us Paradise from His mercy in the life to come and to grant us His vision.