The Description of Paradise – III

The Soil of Paradise
Describing the soil of Paradise, the Prophet Muhammad said:
“I entered Paradise, where I saw lights of pearl, its soil was musk.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Ibn Sayyaad  asked the Messenger  about the soil of Paradise. He  said, “It is a fine white powder of pure musk.” [Muslim and Ahmad]
Abu Hurayrah  said: “I asked, ‘O’ Messenger of Allaah, ‘From what are people created?’ He said: "From water." We (present Companions) asked, ‘From what is Paradise built?’ He said, ‘Bricks of gold and silver and mortar of fragrant musk; its pebbles are pearls and rubies, and its soil is saffron. Whoever enters it is blessed with joy and will never be miserable; he will remain there forever and will never die; his clothes will never wear out and his youth will never fade away.’” [Ahmad and others]
The Rivers of Paradise
Allaah, the Most High and Exalted, has told us that rivers flow from beneath Paradise. He Says in the Quran (what means):
{And give good tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that they will have gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow.} [Quran 2: 25]
Allaah also Says (what means): {Those will have gardens of perpetual residence; beneath them rivers will flow.} [Quran 18: 31]
The Prophet  has told us clearly about the rivers of Paradise. He said that during his Mi'raaj’ (miraculous Ascension to the heavens):
“...I saw four rivers flowing out from beneath Sidrat Al-Muntaha (the Lote Tree in the seventh heaven), two visible and two hidden. I asked, ‘O Jibreel (Gabriel), what are these rivers?’ He said, ‘The two hidden rivers are rivers of Paradise, and the two visible rivers are the Nile and the Euphrates.” [Muslim]
Imaam Al-Bukhaari  reported from Anas Ibn Maalik  that the Messenger of Allaah  said: “I was shown As-Sidrah (Lote Tree), where I saw four rivers, two visible rivers and two hidden rivers. The two visible rivers are the Nile and the Euphrates, and the two hidden rivers are rivers in Paradise.”
Moreover, the Messenger of Allaah  said: “Seehaan and Jeehaan (the Euphrates and the Nile) are all from the rivers of Paradise.” [Muslim]
Shaykh Al-Albaani  said: “Perhaps what is meant is that these rivers originated from Paradise just as mankind did; this Hadeeth does not contradict the well-established fact that these rivers spring forth from known sources on earth. If this is not in fact the meaning of this Hadeeth, then it is one of the matters of the Unseen (Al-Ghayb), which we must believe and accept because the Prophet  has told us about it.” [Silsilat Al-A Haadeeth As-Saheehah, 1/18]
Al-Qaari  said: “These four rivers are considered to be among the rivers of Paradise, because they are so sweet and digestive, so fresh and wholesome. They contain blessings from Allaah, and are honored by the fact that the Prophet  came to them and drank from them.” [Mishkaat Al-Masaabeeh 3/80
Another of the rivers of Paradise is Al-Kawthar which Allaah, the Almighty has given to His Messenger  according His Saying (which means):
{Indeed, We have granted you, [O Muhammad], Al-Kawthar.} [Quran 108: 1]
The Prophet  saw it during his Ascension and told us about it. He said: “Whilst I was walking in Paradise, I saw a river whose banks were domes of hollow pearls. I asked, ‘What is this, O’ Jibreel?’ He said, ‘This is Al-Kawthar which your Lord has given to you.’ Its scent - or its mud - was of fragrant musk.” Hudbah  [one of the narrators] was not sure if he said Teeb (scent) or Teen (mud). [Al-Bukhaari]
On the other hand, Ibn Katheer  compiled a number of Ahadeeth in which the Prophet  spoke about A1-Kawthar, such as the Hadeeth narrated by Muslim from Anas, which states that when the verse (which means): " {Indeed, We have granted you, [O Muhammad], Al-Kawthar.} , was revealed, the Prophet  said:
“Do you know what Al-Kawthar is?” They said, “Allaah and His Messenger know best.” He said, “It is a river that Allaah has promised to me, and in it is much goodness.” [Muslim]
He also quoted the Hadeeth narrated by Ahmad  from Anas according to which the Prophet  said:
“I have been given Al-Kawthar, which is a river flowing across the face of the earth; its banks are domes of pearl and it is not covered. I touched its mud with my hand, and found that it was fragrant musk, and its pebbles were pearls.” [Ahmad]
According to another Hadeeth, also narrated by Ahmad from Anas the Prophet  said:
“It is a river that Allaah has given to me in Paradise. Its mud is musk and its water is whiter than milk and sweeter than honey. Birds with necks like the necks of camels drink from it.” [Ahmad]
The rivers of Paradise do not contain just water. There are rivers of water, of milk, of wine and of clear honey. Allaah, the Most High and Exalted, Says (what means):
{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.}[Quran 47: 15]
Moreover, the Messenger of Allaah  said: “In Paradise there is a sea of honey, a sea of wine, a sea of milk and a sea of water, and the rivers flow out of these seas.” [At-Tirmithi]
He  also told us of a river called Baariq, which flows by the gate of Paradise. During the period of Barzakh (the time between death and the Day of Resurrection), the martyrs will be beside this river. Ahmad, At-Tabaraani and Al-Haakim  reported from Ibn ‘Abbaas  that the Messenger of Allaah  said:
“The martyrs are in a green dome beside the river of Baariq, by the gate of Paradise, from which provision comes to them morning and evening.”[Al-Jaami'] 
By: Umar Sulaymaan Al-Ashqar

The Description of Paradise –II

The Grades of Paradise
The evidence that Paradise has various grades and its inhabitants will be in different ranks and categories:
Paradise consists of grades, some of which are above others, and its people will be of differing levels and categories according to their position in Paradise. Almighty Allaah Says (what means):
{But whoever comes to Him as a believer having done righteous deeds — for those will be the highest degrees [in position].}[Quran 20:75]
One of those who explained and clarified this issue was Ibn Taymiyyah  who said: "Paradise has grades that are widely differentiated. The beloved Awliyaa’ (those close to Allaah because of their piety and heedfulness) will be placed in those levels according to their faith and piety. Allaah, the Most Exalted, Says (what means):
{Whoever should desire the immediate (worldly gratifications) — We hasten for him from it what We will to whom We intend. Then We have made for him Hell, which he will [enter to] burn, censured and banished.}[Quran 17:18]
Allaah, the Most High, explains how He gives more of His Bounty in this world or the next, as He wills, and His Bounty is not withheld [forbidden] from either the righteous or the sinful. Allaah, the Exalted, Says (what means):
{Look how We have favored [in provision] some of them over others. But the Hereafter is greater in degrees [of difference] and greater in distinction.} [Quran 17: 21]
Allaah Almighty explains that the differences between people in the Hereafter will be greater than the differences between them in this life, and the difference between the levels or ranks of the Hereafter is greater than the differences here in this life. Allaah also differentiates between His Prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention, as He does between the rest of His believing slaves. Allaah, the All-Majestic, Says (what means):
{Those messengers- some of them We caused to exceed others. Among them were those to whom Allaah spoke, and He raised some of them in degree. And We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear proofs, and We supported him with the pure spirit [(Jibreel (Gabriel)].} [Quran 2: 253]
Allaah also Says (what means): {And your Lord is Most Knowing of whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And We have made some of the prophets exceed others [in various ways], and to Daawood (David) We gave the Book [of Psalms].} [Quran 17: 55]
On the other hand, the Prophet Muhammad  said:
“A strong believer is better and more beloved to Allaah than a weak believer, although both are good. Pay attention to that which benefits you, seek Allaah’s help, and never feel helpless. If something happens to you, do not say, ‘If only such and such would have happened.’ Say instead: ‘Allaah has decreed it and He does what He wills.’ Saying ‘if only’ opens the way for Satan.” [Muslim]
Besides, the Prophet  also said:
“If a judge forms an independent judgment to decide an issue in the light of the Quran and the Sunnah (Ijtihaad) and is correct, he will have two rewards, and if he is mistaken, he will have one reward.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Indeed, there are many verses in the Quran which indicate that there are different degrees and various ranks as a reward for the believers in Paradise (according to the excellence of their deeds). These verses are as follows:
{Not equal among you are those who spent before the conquest [of Makkah] and fought [and those who did so after it]. Those are greater in degree than those who spent afterwards and fought. But to all Allaah has promised the best [reward] And Allaah, with what you do, is Acquainted....} [Quran 57: 10]
{Not equal are those believers remaining [at home] — other than the disabled — and the Mujahideen, [who strive and fight] in the cause of Allaah with their wealth and their lives. Allaah has preferred the Mujahideen through their wealth and their lives over those who remain [behind], by degrees. And to all [i.e. both] Allaah has promised the best [reward]. But Allaah has preferred the Mujahideen over those who remain [behind] with a great reward — Degrees [of high position] from Him and forgiveness and mercy.} [Quran 4: 95-96]
{Have you made the providing of water for the pilgrim and the maintenance of al-Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque in Makkah) equal to [the deeds of] one who believes in Allaah and the Last Day and strives in the cause of Allaah? They are not equal in the sight of Allaah. And Allaah does not guide the wrongdoing people. The ones who have believed, emigrated and striven in the cause of Allaah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allaah.
And it is those who are the attainers [of success]. Their Lord gives them good tidings of mercy from Him and approval and of gardens for them wherein is enduring pleasure. [They will be] abiding therein forever. Indeed, Allaah has with Him a great reward.} [Quran 9: 19-22]
{Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, “Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.} [Quran 39. 9]
{... O you who have believed, when you are told, “Space yourselves” in assemblies, then make space; Allaah will make space for you.’ And when you are told, “Arise,” then arise; Allaah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allaah is Acquainted with what you do.} [Quran 58. 11]
Al-Bukhaari  reported from Abu Hurayrah  that the Prophet said:
“Whoever believes in Allaah and His Messenger, offers prayer perfectly and fasts the month of Ramadhaan, will be granted Paradise as of right by Allaah, no matter whether he fights in Allaah’s cause or remains in the land where he is born.” The people said: “O Messenger of Allaah, shall we acquaint the people with this good news?” He said, “Paradise has one hundred grades (and ranks) which Allaah has reserved for the Mujaahideen who fight in His Cause, and the extent of difference (distance) between each of the two grades is like the distance between the heavens and the earth. So when you ask Allaah for something, ask for Al-Firdaws, which is the best and highest part of Paradise.” I (the narrator, Abu Hurayrah) thought that the Prophet  said: “Above it (Al-Firdaws) is the Throne of the Most Merciful, and from it originate the rivers of Paradise.” [Al-Bukhaari] 

The Description of Paradise - I

There is nothing Like It
The delights of Paradise surpass 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 nothing in comparison with the joys of the Hereafter. As is mentioned in several Ahadeeth, 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] 
The Prophet Muhammad  was asked by his companions  about the buildings of Paradise and he replied with a wonderful description:“(In it are) Bricks of gold and silver, 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.”[Ahmad and others]
Describing Paradise, Almighty Allaah Says (what means): {And when you look there [in Paradise], you will see pleasure and great dominion."}[Quran 76:20]
What Allaah Almighty has kept hidden from us of the delights of Paradise is beyond our ability to comprehend. Almighty Allaah Says (what means):
{And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes [i.e. satisfaction] as reward for what they used to do.} [Quran 32. 17]
Besides, the Messenger of Allaah  said:
“Allaah, the Exalted, has said: “I have prepared for My righteous Slaves [in Paradise] what no eyes have ever seen, no ears have ever heard of, and what has never come to the mind or heart of a human being.”; recite, if you wish {And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes [i.e. satisfaction] as reward for what they used to do.} [Quran 32:17] [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Moreover, Imaam Muslim reported that Sahl Ibn Sa’d As-Saa’idi said: I attended a gathering where the Messenger of Allaah described Paradise, and I stayed until he finished speaking. At the end of the description, he said: “In it is what no eyes have ever seen, no ears have ever heard of, and what has never come to the mind or heart of a human being.” He then recited the verse (which means): {Their sides part [i.e. they arise] from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend ). And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes [i.e. satisfaction] as reward for what they used to do.} [Quran 32: 16-17]
The Gates of Paradise
Paradise has gates through which the believers will enter, as the angels enter therein, as Allaah, the Most Exalted, Says (what means): {Gardens of perpetual residence, whose doors will be opened to them.} [Quran 38: 50]
Allaah, the Most Exalted, Says (what means): {Gardens of perpetual residence; they will enter them with whoever were righteous among their fathers, their spouses and their descendants. And the angels will enter upon them from every gate, [saying]. ‘Peace [i.e. security] be upon you for what you patiently endured. And excellent is the final home.’} [Quran 13: 23-24]
Allaah, the Most High and Exalted, has told us that these gates will be opened when the believers reach them, and they [the believers] will be welcomed by the angels with greetings of peace. Almighty Allaah Says (what means): {…when they reach it while its gates have been opened and its keepers say, 'Peace be upon you; you have become pure; so enter it to abide eternally therein,'} [Quran 39: 73]
The number of gates of Paradise is eight; one of them is called Ar-
Rayaan, which is exclusively for those who fast. The Messenger
of Allaah  said: “In Paradise there are eight gates. There is one gate called 'Ar-Rayyaan'. No-one will enter it except those who fast, and when they have entered, it will be locked behind them, and no-one else will enter it.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
There are also gates for those who pray much, those who give charity and those who fight in Jihad, as well as the gate called Ar-Rayyaan for those who fast.
In a Hadeeth reported by both Al-Bukhaari and Muslim, Abu Hurayrah  narrated that the Messenger of Allaah  said:
“Whoever spends a pair (of anything) from his wealth for the sake of Allaah, will be called from the gates of Paradise, Paradise has eight gates. Whoever will be from the people of the prayer (i.e. the people who observe the prayer regularly, properly, and perform both obligatory and supererogatory prayers), will be called from the gate of prayer; whoever will be from among the people of Sadaqah (charity, i.e. spend money in charity) will be called from the gate of charity. Whoever will be from among the people of Jihad will be called from the gate of Jihad, and whoever will be from among the people of fasting (obligatory and optional) will be called from the gate of fasting.”
Furthermore, Abu Bakr  said: “By Allaah, it would not matter if a person was called from any of them, but will anyone be there to be called from all of them, O’ Messenger of Allaah?” He  said, “Yes, and I hope that you will be one of them.” [Al-Bukhaari Muslim]
Abu Bakr’s question refers to a person who has all these good qualities: prayer, fasting, charity, Jihad, etc., in order to be called from all the gates. In another Hadeeth, the Prophet  said:
“Whoever spends a pair (of anything) for the sake of Allaah will be called from all eight gates of Paradise. He also spoke of the person who performs ablution and does it properly, then lifts his gaze to the sky and says: ‘Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illallaah wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasooluhu,’ the eight gates of Paradise will be opened to him, and he will enter it through any gate he wishes.” [ibid]
Additionally, ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab  said: “The Messenger of Allaah  said: “Whoever performs ablution and does it well, then lifts his gaze to the heavens and says: ‘Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illa Allaah wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasooluhu (I bear witness that None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah, He has no partners nor associates, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger), the eight gates of Paradise will be opened to him, and he will enter it through any gate he wishes." [Muslim]
Allaah also Says (what means): {…when they reach it while its gates have been opened and its keepers say, 'Peace be upon you; you have become pure; so enter it to abide eternally therein'.} [Quran 39:73]
The Prophet  told us that there is a gate, which is specific for those who will not be called to account: this is the right-hand gate of Paradise. The rest of them will enter Paradise with all other nations through other gates. In a Hadeeth about Ash-Shafaa‘ah (intercession), the Prophet said:
“Allaah will say: ‘O Muhammad, admit those of your Ummah (followers) who do not need to be brought to account through the right hand gate; and the others will enter through other gates like the rest of the people.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
In the same Hadeeth, the Prophet  described the width of the gate of Paradise, stating that the width between the two sides of the gate is like the distance between Makkah and Hajar, or between Makkah and Basra.” [ibid]
The Messenger of Allaah  said: “The distance between the two gate-panels of one of the gates of Paradise is the distance of forty-year’s walking, but a time will come when it would be very crowded.” [Ahmad]