The pleasures of paradise

 

The pleasures of paradise

 

Some conditions of paradise which the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has described are being mentioned here on the authority of Kanz Ul ‘Ummaal, Targheeb Wa Tarheeb Mundhiri and Mishkaat l Masabeeh.  As these books have been published, the reference of each Hadith is not being given.

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) says:  There are 100 degrees of paradise.  Each of them is so vast that all the worlds can be gathered in it.  Whatever the Self desires and what pleasures the eyes, all that is present in it.  Apart from this it has such things which none has heard about, nor the eyes have seen and nor has it entered the thoughts of human beings.

 

It will always be the time of early morning, radiant and cool.  There will be no night there.  There are 4 oceans in paradise – one of water, one of wine, one of milk and one of honey.  Streams arise from them and go about all the houses.  These streams are not dug out but they run on the surface of the ground.  Their mud is pure musk.  Instead of greenery, saffron grows there.  Instead of pebbles, the shores are littered with pearls and there are tents of pearls on the banks.

 

The trees there are such that some of them have trunks of gold and some have trunks of pearls.  Their branches are of emeralds and pearls.  When breeze passes through them such beautiful melodies are heard that there is no parallel to them.

 

There is no particular season for fruits there.  All kinds of fruits are present all the time.  Whatever fruit one desires, it immediately falls from the tree to us and another grows in its place.  Similarly, whichever bird one looks at and wants to hunt it, its meat is presented, all cooked.

 

A tree will be ordered that those worshippers of Allah Most High, who were engaged in His remembrance and avoided listening to music, they should be gladdened with its beautiful sounds.  That tree will glorify Allah Most High in such a beautiful voice that none will have heard such a beautiful voice before.

 

The houses there are such that in every palace there are 70 houses of red rubies.  Each house has 70 rooms of deep green emeralds.  Each house has 70 thrones which are covered with all kinds of beautiful coverlets.  Apart from this, every garden has a tent made of pearls, whose area will be 60 miles.

 

Those who enter paradise, they will all be 30-32 years old, i.e. they will be in the prime of youth and strength.  They will be of this age for ever.  Each of them will be granted fantastic beauty, like that of Hadhrat Yousuf (May peace be upon him).  That beauty will keep increasing.

 

There is a market in paradise.  People will go there every Friday, i.e. after time equal to 7 days.  Then a breeze will blow.  The effect of that wind is that it will enhance their beauty.  When they will return home, the family members will be astonished and will ask:  What happened?  You are now even more beautiful!  They will reply:  We see the same with you.  You are also even more beautiful. 

 

There will be a market which will have nothing but pictures.  Whatever face one develops a liking to, that face will be ours.  Thus, their beauty will keep increasing.

 

Their clothes will be very fine.  A single stone from one’s crown will be so radiant that if it were to come to this world, it would light it up from the east to the west.

 

Like the kings, they will also have jewels.  If one bracelet of theirs would come into this world, the light of the sun would pale before it the way darkness pales before light.

 

Each man will be given the strength and appetite of 100 men.  No matter how much they eat or drink, a single belch, a little sweating and everything will be digested.

 

The lowest of those who dwell in paradise will be able to see all their gardens, wives and servants at all times.  Those of the highest status will see Allah Most High day and night.

 

To be continued...

[Excerpted from Maqasid Ul Islam, Vol. 5]