The Eternalness of the Hereafter
The Pleasures of this world are transient whilst
the joys of the hereafter are lasting and eternal. In this life when a person
enjoys something, it is only a short while before they get bored with it and proceed
to search for something they feel is better, or they may not feel a need for it
altogether. As for the delights of Paradise, a person will never feel bored
with anything, but rather, its goodness will increase each time they indulge in
it.
Also, the life of this world is very short. Humans
only live on this earth for a short while, and very few people reach the age of
seventy.
“…Say: Short is the enjoyment of this world. The
Hereafter is (far) better for him who fears God...” (Qur'an 4:77)
As for Paradise, people will live forever. God
says:
“...its provision is eternal and so is its shade…” (Qur'an
13:35)
“What is with you must vanish, and what is
with God will endure …” (Qur'an 16:96)
“(It will be said to them): This is Our
Provision, which will never finish” (Quran 38:54)
Superior Delights
The delights of the people of Paradise, such as
their clothing, food, drink, jewelry and palaces, will be far superior to their
counterparts in this world. There is in fact no room for comparison, as even
the smallest space in Paradise is better than this world and all that is in it.
The Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said:
“The space of the bow of any one of you in Paradise is better than all that the sun rises upon” (Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh 3/85,
no. 5615)
Free from all Impurities
Paradise is free from all the impurities of this
world. Eating and drinking in this life results in the need for excretion and
its associated unpleasant odors. If a person drinks wine in this world, he
loses his mind. Women in this world menstruate and give birth, which are
sources of pain and hurt. Paradise is free from all of these discomforts: its
people will not urinate, defecate, spit or suffer from catarrh. The wine of Paradise, as described by its Creator, is:
“Crystal-white, delicious to those who drink (thereof),
free from intoxication, nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom” (Qur'an 37:46-47)
The water of Paradise does not become brackish,
and its milk never changes in flavor:
“...rivers of water incorruptible; rivers
of milk of which the taste never changes...” (Qur'an 47:15)
The women of Paradise are pure and free from
menstruation, postnatal bleeding and all the other impurities suffered by women
in this world, and all are free from stool and feces. God says:
“...and they shall have therein purified mates…” (Quran
2:25)
The prophet answered a person when they asked
how the people of Paradise will relieve themselves:
“They relieve themselves by perspiring
through their skins, and its fragrance will be that of musk, and all stomachs
will have become lean.” (ibn Hibbaan)
What we have mentioned has been a mere
comparison in order to understand the nature of Paradise, but as God said, its
delights are truly hidden:
“No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy,
as a reward for what they used to do.” (Qur'an 32:17)
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, Ibn Hibbaan)
The Sahabah asked the Prophet 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)
God says:
“And when you look there (in Paradise) you will see a
delight (that cannot be imagined), and a great dominion.” (Qur'an 76:20)
What God has kept hidden from us the delights of
Paradise is beyond our ability to comprehend. The Prophet said that God 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 knows what is kept hidden for them of joy
as a reward for what they used to do.” (Qur'an 32:17)
In another report:
“Never mind what God has told you; what
He has not told you is even greater.” (Saheeh Muslim)
In other articles, we will attempt to mention
some of the specific details of Paradise and the delights therein described to
us by God and His last Prophet.
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