tgml 0005 - Jannah and Jahannam ( Part I )

Assalamu'alaikum.

It is one of the pillars of faith that a Muslim believes in the Hereafter.  The Hereafter is where Allah will judge us on how well we spent our life in this world ("and no secret of yours will remain hidden!"). We have been warned about Jahannam (Hell-fire) and enticed to the rewards in the wonderful Jannah (Gardens of Paradise).  It is REAL and the Qur’an and the Messenger (pbuh) gave vivid depictions of both.  Lest we are distracted by the joys or sufferings in this present world, we have always been reminded in the Qur’an and Sunnah about  what awaits us, depending on the choices we make. This is where ignorance is no bliss !   

Jannah:

The Gardens of Paradise have  been mentioned numerous times in the Qur'an as Gardens with rivers flowing underneath:

• e.g. "...For the righteous are Gardens in nearness to their Lord, with rivers flowing beneath; therein is their eternal home...." (Al-Imran 3:15)
• "Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous-" (Al-'Imran 3:133)
• " ....Gardens with rivers flowing underneath - an eternal dwelling:.." (Al-'Imran 3:136)
• " ....and admit them into Gardens with rivers flowing beneath- a reward from the Presence of Allah.." (Ali-'Imran 3:195)
• "As for those who have faith and do good works, We shall admit them to Gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they shall abide forever.  There they shall have pure companions, and We shall admit them to a cool shade." ( An-Nisa' 4:57)
• "And for this their prayer has Allah rewarded them with Gardens, with rivers flowing underneath-their eternal home.  Such is the recompense of those who do good." (Al-Maa'idah 5:85)
• "The parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised! - Beneath it flow rivers: perpetual is the enjoyment thereof and the shade therein: such is the end of the Righteous; and the End of Unbelievers is the Fire." (Al-Ra'd 13:35)

The above Verses and many more in other Chapters mention about Paradise being Gardens with rivers flowing beneath.  Besides the above descriptions there are other glimpses of what to expect in Paradise. Some examples below:

• "He (thereof) shall be in a blissful state with complete satisfaction, - In a lofty Garden (of Paradise with dignity),- With clusters of fruit within easy reach.  Eat you and drink you, with full satisfaction; because of the (good) that you sent before you, in the days that are gone."(Al-Haqqah 69 :21-24)
• "In a Garden on high, Where they shall hear no (word) of vanity: Therein will be a bubbling spring: Therein will be Thrones (of dignity), raised on high, Goblets placed (ready), And cushions set in rows, And rich carpets (all) spread out."  (Al-Ghashiyah 88: 10-16)
• "Who has, out of His Bounty, settled us in a Home that will last: no toil nor sense of weariness shall touch us therein." (Faatir 35: 35)
• "And because they were patient and constant, He will reward them with a Garden and (garments of) silk.  Reclining in the (Garden) on raised thrones, they will see there neither the sun's (excessive heat) nor (the moon's) excessive cold.  And the shades of the (Garden) will come low over them, and the bunches (of fruit), there, will hang low in humility.  And amongst them will be passed round vessels of silver and goblets of crystal - crystal-clear, made of silver: they will determine the measure thereof (according to their wishes). And they will be given to drink there of a Cup (of wine) mixed with Zanzabil --(this literally means ginger).  A fountain there, called Salsabil.  And round about them will (serve) youths of perpetual (freshness): if you see them, you would think them scattered pearls.  (Al-Insan 76: 12-19)
• "And when you look, it is there you will see a Bliss and a Realm Magnificent. Upon them will be green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade, and they will be adorned with bracelets of silver; and their Lord will give to them to drink of a wine pure and holy." (Al-Insan 76:20-21)
• "Dressed in fine silk and in rich brocade, they will face each other; Moreover, We shall join them to companions with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes.  (Al-Dukhaan 44:54)
• "Containing all kinds (of trees and delights)- Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? In them (each) will be two springs flowing (free);... In them will be fruits of every kind, two and two....  They will recline on carpets, whose inner linings will be rich brocade: the Fruits of the Gardens will be near (and easy of reach)...In them will be (maidens), chaste, restraining their glances, whom no man or Jinn before them has touched-...Like unto rubies and coral...And besides these two, there are two other Gardens-... Dark-green in colour (from plentiful of watering)...In them will be two Springs pouring forth water in continuous abundance...In them will be Fruits, and dates and pomegranates;..   (Al-Rahman 55:48-68)
• " To those who do right is a goodly (reward) -- indeed, more (than in measure)!  No darkness nor shame shall cover their faces.  They are Companions of the Garden; they will abide therein (forever)! (Yunus 10:26)
• They shall enter the Gardens of Eden, together with the righteous among their fathers, their spouses and their descendants. And from every gate the angels will come to them." (Ar-Ra'd 13:23)
• "(Here is) a Parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised: in it are rivers of water incorruptible; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine, a joy to those who drink; and rivers of honey pure and clear. In it there are for them all kinds of fruits; and Grace from their Lord.  (Can those in such Bliss) be compared to such as shall dwelled forever in the Fire, and be given, to drink, boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels ( to pieces)? (Muhammad 47:15)
• "Allah has promised to Believers--men and women--gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss.  But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allah: that is the supreme felicity." (At-Taubah 9:72)

 The above Verses are a selection of examples in the Qur'an.  There are many more repetitions and descriptions to encourage and guide Believers to do  righteous actions for the supreme benefits of residing in everlasting Jannah. 

Although the rewards and descriptions are familiar or have similar names to our worldly things, the nature of these same things are better in comparison,  with no negative effects.  The person on the lowest pedestal in Jannah will be given 10 times better things and gifts that could he had on this earth. In case one looks at it in the aspect of some forms of these rewards are already being experienced in this world (so, should one strive hard to go to Jannah?), one should remember the consequences facing those who are totally denied of these rewards and the punishment awaiting them! (next post)

The Prophet (pbuh) has also narrated to his Companions the descriptions in Jannah. Some are given below:

• Suhaib (rh) reported: the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, "When the inhabitants of Jannah enter Jannah, Allah the Glorious and Exalted, will say to them: "Do you wish Me to give you anything more?' They will reply: 'Have You not made our faces bright? Have You not brought us into Jannah and delivered us from the Hell?'  and Allah will remove the Veil. The (dwellers of Jannah) will feel that they have not been awarded anything dearer to them than looking at their Rubb." [Muslim].
• Jabir (rh) reported: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) reported: "The inhabitants of Jannah will eat and drink therein, but they will not have to pass excrement, to blow their noses or to urinate.  Their food will be digested producing belch which will give out a smell like that of musk. They will be inspired to declare the freedom of Allah from imperfection and proclaim His Greatness as easily as you breathe." [Muslim]
• Abu Hurairah (rh) reported: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, "Their utensils will be of gold, their perspiration will smell like musk; everyone of them will have two wives; the marrow of the bones of the wives' legs will be seen through the flesh out of excessive beauty.  They ( ie. the people of Jannah) will neither have difference, nor enmity ( hatred) amongst themselves; their hearts will be as if one heart. and they will be glorifying Allah in the morning and in the afternoon." [al-Bukahri and Muslim]
• Abu Musa (rh) said: The Prophet (pbuh) said, " In Jannah the believer will have a tent made of single hollowed pearl of which the length will be sixty miles in the sky. The believer will have his wives with him and  he will visit them and they will not be able to see one another." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
• Abu Sa'ad Al-Khudri (rh) said: The Prophet (pbuh) said, " There is a tree in Jannah that is so huge that if a rider of a swift horse has to cover its distance from one end to another in one hundred years, he will not be able to do so." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Allah, the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful, has promised His Bounties and Gifts for those who are worthy and who strive to go the Straight Way.  

The above knowledge have been referenced and extracted from the Qur'an (The Holy Qur'an by 'Abdullah Yusuf  'Ali and Tafsir Ar-Rahman by Department of Islamic Development of Malaysia) and Sunnah (Riyad-us-Saliheen vol.2).  

Ma's-Salaama