Paradise - الجنَّۃ

اعوذ باللہ من الشیطٰن الرجیم
بسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیم
الحمد لله رب العالمين ، أرسل رسوله بالهدى و دين الحق ليظهره على الدين كله و كفي بالله شهيدا ، و أشهد ألا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ؛ له الملك و له الحمد ، يحيى و يميت و هو على كل شئ قدير

In the name of Allah SWT the most beneficient, the most merciful, the one who blessed us with this life and the one who will give eternal life in the hereafter. Salutations be upon Prophet Mohammad SAW and his companions who showed the way to practice Quran in our life.

My Dear respected brothers and sisters,
Assalam o allaikum Wr. Wb.

In the last few khutbahs we talked about getting the Qurb of Allah SWT, to be close to Allah SWT, to make dua and its importance, the reality of death and how it will be brought about. We also talked about intentions and carrying out a good deed and how one can be misguided and end up in hellfire by following the whispers of Shaytaan. Now, it is important for us to remind ourselves about our final abode. The scholars view that since Allah SWT always puts his glad tidings before his warnings, his mercy before his anger, His forgiveness before his torment, it is only wise to talk about Paradise (Al-Jannah) before Hellfire (Jahannum).

Allah SWT has very vividly and sufficiently explained in the Quran, the glad tidings given to the dwellers of Jannah. Also we see great explanations given to us in the hadeeth of Rasulallah SAW.

The first thing that we must know is that the people who will live in Jannah, will live forever and endlessly. Allah SWT says in the Quran:

وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّالِحَاتِ سَنُدْخِلُهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا لَّهُمْ فِيهَا أَزْوَاجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ وَنُدْخِلُهُمْ ظِـلاًّ ظَلِيلاً
57. But those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) and do deeds of righteousness, We shall admit them to Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), abiding therein forever. Therein they shall have purified mates and We shall admit them to shades wide and ever deepening (Paradise)[].

Allah SWT tells us in the Quran that the people who would have done good deeds will get the eternal reward of the paradise and wrong doers will have nothing but punishment.
Allah SWT says in Quran (42.22):

تَرَى الظَّالِمِينَ مُشْفِقِينَ مِمَّا كَسَبُوا وَهُوَ وَاقِعٌ بِهِمْ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فِي رَوْضَاتِ الْجَنَّاتِ لَهُم مَّا يَشَاؤُونَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَضْلُ الكَبِيرُ (42:22)
22. You will see (on the Day of Resurrection), the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.) fearful of that which they have earned, and it (Allâh's Torment) will surely befall them, while those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism) and do righteous deeds (will be) in the flowering meadows of the Gardens (Paradise), having what they wish from their Lord. That is the supreme Grace, (Paradise).

The things that we value the most in this life will be given to us without any struggle in Jannah. This shows us the how our priority should be. We spend our lives collecting material things as if we will take these things to our afterlife. Only our deeds will help us go in the afterlife. All these material things that we struggle for so much here will be given to us without even asking.

Allah SWT says in Quran (22:23):

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُدْخِلُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَلُؤْلُؤًا وَلِبَاسُهُمْ فِيهَا حَرِيرٌ
23. Truly, Allâh will admit those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, to Gardens underneath which rivers flow (in Paradise), wherein they will be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls and their garments therein will be of silk.

In another ayah, Allah SWT says (43:70-71):

ادْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ أَنتُمْ وَأَزْوَاجُكُمْ تُحْبَرُونَ (43:70)۔
يُطَافُ عَلَيْهِم بِصِحَافٍ مِّن ذَهَبٍ وَأَكْوَابٍ وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِيهِ الْأَنفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ الْأَعْيُنُ وَأَنتُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ (43:71)۔

70. Enter Paradise, you and your wives, in happiness. 71. Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them, (there will be) therein all that the one's inner-selves could desire, all that the eyes could delight in, and you will abide therein forever.


What will more important to us in Jannah will not be these material things, but the pleasure of Allah SWT . Allah SWT says in Quran (9:72):

وَعَدَ اللّهُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَمَسَاكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِي جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ وَرِضْوَانٌ مِّنَ اللّهِ أَكْبَرُ ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
72. Allâh has promised to the believers -men and women, - Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein forever, and beautiful mansions in Gardens of 'Adn (Eden Paradise). But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allâh. That is the supreme success.

Among the scholars, there is a consensus, that whatever a human mind can imagine or percieve, that is not Jannah. Jannah is something beyond it as it is a special creation of Allah SWT with qualities that cannot be understood with our worldly mind.

Allah SWT has explained Jannah with examples so that we may relate to our worldly understanding. Allah SWT says in Quran:

مَثَلُ الْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي وُعِدَ الْمُتَّقُونَ فِيهَا أَنْهَارٌ مِّن مَّاء غَيْرِ آسِنٍ وَأَنْهَارٌ مِن لَّبَنٍ لَّمْ يَتَغَيَّرْ طَعْمُهُ وَأَنْهَارٌ مِّنْ خَمْرٍ لَّذَّةٍ لِّلشَّارِبِينَ وَأَنْهَارٌ مِّنْ عَسَلٍ مُّصَفًّى وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ كَمَنْ هُوَ خَالِدٌ فِي النَّارِ وَسُقُوا مَاء حَمِيمًا فَقَطَّعَ أَمْعَاءهُمْ (47:15)۔

15. The description of Paradise which the Muttaqûn have been promised is that in it are rivers of water the taste and smell of which are not changed; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine delicious to those who drink; and rivers of clarified honey (clear and pure) therein for them is every kind of fruit; and forgiveness from their Lord. (Are these) like those who shall dwell for ever in the Fire, and be given, to drink, boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels?

Abu Hurayirah RAA narrated that the messenger of Allah PBUH said: “Allah SWT said: I have prepared for my pious servants things that no eye ever seen nor ear ever heard of nor mind ever possible thought of, read if you wish:

فَلَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَّا أُخْفِيَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ جَزَاء بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
17. No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do. [Bukhari and Muslim]

It was narrated by Abee Sa’eed Al-Khudree and Abee Hurayirah RAA that the messenger of Allah PBUH said: “ When the people of paradise enter paradise, a caller shall call them and say: For you is an eternal life and never to die, and for you is an eternal health and never be sick ever, for you is an eternal youth and never be old, and for you is an eternal joy and never hardship” [Muslim]

Narrated by Jabir RAA from the messenger of Allah PBUH saying: “The people of paradise shall eat and drink but do not defecate, do not blow their noses nor urinate because all their food will be digested producing belch which will give out of them a smell like that of musk. They shall be taught glorification of Allah or praising of Allah or “Tasbeeh” as easily as they breathe.

Also, among the qualities of Jannah are that it has many entrances or gates and each of these gates is guarded by special angels. The chief of these angels is called Ridwaan.
The angels greet the pious ones who will enter Jannah. Allah SWT says in Quran (39:73):

وَسِيقَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا حَتَّى إِذَا جَاؤُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَادْخُلُوهَا خَالِدِينَ
73. And those who kept their duty to their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups, till, when they reach it, and its gates will be opened (before their arrival for their reception) and its keepers will say: Salâmun 'Alaikum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein."

Abou Hurayirah RAA narrated that the messenger of Allah PBUH said: “Who ever spends a pair of anything in the cause of Allah as a charity, then he shall be called from the gates of paradise: “O’ servant of Allah, that was a good deed”. Who ever is known to do best of “Salah” or prayer and much of it, then he shall be called from the doors of “Salah”, and who ever is known to be of the people of “Jihad” or struggle and fight in the sake of Allah, then he shall be called from the door of “Jihad” and who ever was of the fasting group, then he shall be called from the door of the fasting which is known as “Ar-Rayyane”, and who is known to be from the people who give much charity, then he shall be called from the door of charity. Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq RAA then asked” O’ messenger of Allah, would someone be called from all doors? The messenger of Allah PBUH said: “yes, and I hope you are one of them” [Bukhari and Muslim].

For all of us today, we have lost the motivation to work for Jannah, our final abode. We have lost the will to achieve this success in this duniya so that we can be peaceful in the akhirah. We question ourselves as to what is needed from us that we will be allowed to enter in the paradise. We must ensure that our path is siraatul mustaqeem and our life is in the way of Rasulallah SAW if we wish to achieve this success.

Imam Abou Hurayirah RAA narrated that the messenger of Allah PBUH said: “Everyone of you shall enter paradise except those who refuse. The people asked him: who will refuse O’ messenger of Allah? He said: “Who obeys me shall enter it and who disobeys me refuses” [Bukhari]

May Allah give us taufeeq to establish ourselves on the commandment of Allah SWT in the way of Rasulallah SAW… Wa akhiruhu Da’wana Anil Hamdulillahi Rabbilaalimeen.

Delivered at Fredericton Islamic Association, Masjid on July 13, 2007