9. The Fragrance of Paradise
Paradise is filled with a wonderfully pleasing fragrance, which the believers will be able to discern from a great distance. The Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever kills a man of ahl adh-dhimmah (non-Muslim living under Islamic rule and protection) will not smell the fragrance of Paradise, even though its fragrance can be detected from a distance of forty years’ traveling.” (Saheeh al-Jaami’ as-Sagheer)
10. The Trees and Fruits of Paradise
The trees of Paradise are abundant and good and of many kinds. Allah (SWT) has told us that there are grapevines, date palms, and pomegranate trees in Paradise, as well as lotus and acacia trees. Allah (SWT) said: “Verily, for the pious, there will be a success (Paradise), gardens and grape yards.” (Qur’an 78: 31-32). In another verse, Allah said: “In them (both) will be fruits, and date palms and pomegranates.” (Qur’an 55: 68)
What Allah (SWT) has told us about the trees of Paradise is only a small part of what Paradise contains. Hence Allah (SWT) told us: “In them (both) will be very kind of fruit in pairs.” (Qur’an 55: 52)
Because of its abundance, people will be able to leave what they want and take what they like. Allah (SWT) said: “Therein they will call for fruits in abundance and drinks.” (Qur’an 38: 51). Allah (SWT) said further: “Verily, the pious shall be amidst shades and springs, and fruits, - such as they desire. Eat and drink comfortably for that which you used to do.” (Qur’an 77: 41-43). In another verse, Allah mentioned: “Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them, (there will be) therein all that one’s soul could desire, all that the eyes could delight in, and you will abide therein forever.” (Qur’an 43: 71)
Ibn Katheer nicely described the greatness of the fruits of Paradise and concluded that Allah conveyed the abundance and greatness of those fruits very briefly. He said:” The lotus tree (as-Sidr) does not bear any fruit other than some insignificant, inferior fruits, and it is thorny; the acacia tree (at-Talh) is used only for shade in this world (not for fruit), but in Paradise, there will be many of them, growing beautifully and bearing such abundant fruit that a single fruit will have seventy kinds of taste and color that resemble one another. So, how do you think the trees that are grown for their fruit on earth will be in Paradise, like apple trees, date palms, grapevines, and so on? How do you think the flowers will be? In short, there will be what no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no human heart can comprehend, and we ask Allah (SWT) to grant us some of this by His grace. (an-Nihayah).
The trees of Paradise bear fruits constantly, unlike the trees of this world, which bear fruit only at certain times or seasons. The trees of Paradise always bear fruit and offer shade. Allah (SWT) said: “And fruit in plenty, whose season is not limited, and their supply will not be cut off.” (Qurán 56: 32-33)
The supply is continuous, and the people of Paradise are never denied. One of the delights that the people of Paradise will enjoy is finding that its fruits are similar in appearance, but different in taste. Allah (SWT) said: “Every time they will be provided with a fruit therefrom, they will say: ‘This is what we were provided with before.’ and they will be given things in resemblance.” (Qurán 2: 25)
The trees of paradise are of rich and lush foliage. Allah said: “But for him who fears the standing before his Lord, there will be two gardens. Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? With spreading branches.” (Ar-Rahman: 46-48). And they are intensely green. Allah said: “And besides these two, there are two other gardens. Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? Dark green in color.” (Ar-Rahman: 62-64)
11. The animals of paradise
The kinds of birds and animals that exist in paradise are known only to Allah. He told us that among the delights enjoyed by the people of Paradise will be: “The flesh of fowls, any that they may desire. And there will be fair females with wide, lovely eyes.” (Ar-Rahman 21-22)
Abu Na’eem and Al-Hakim reported from Ibn Mas’ud: “A man brought a haltered she-camel and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, this she-camel is for the sake of Allah.’ The Prophet (SAW) said, ‘You will have seven hundred haltered she-camels in paradise.’”
(ends)
by Umar S. al-Ashqar
