Paradise is the tremendous reward that Allah, the All-Powerful, has prepared for His beloved servants and those who obey Him. It is perfect joy and pleasure, where nothing is lacking and nothing can disturb its purity. What Allah, the Almighty, and His Messenger (saw) have told us about it makes us mystified with indescribable joy because our minds are not able to comprehend the greatness of such blessings.
The joys of Paradise are far greater than the pleasures of this world, which pale into great insignificance in comparison. Bukhari reports from Sahl ibn Saád as-Sa’dee that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “A space the size of a whip in Paradise is better than this world and all that is in it.” (Fathul Bari, 6/319)
- 4. The soil of Paradise
Bukhari and Muslim reported the hadith of al-mi’raj (the Prophet’s ascent to heaven) through Anas ibn Malik from Abu Dharr, the Prophet (SAW) said: “I entered Paradise, where I saw lights of pearl, its soil was musk.” Muslim and Ahmad reported from Abu Sa’eed that Ibn Sayyad asked the Messenger (SAW) about the soil of Paradise. He said: “It is a fine white powder of pure musk.”
Abu Hurayrah asked the Prophet (SAW): “From what are people made? He (SAW) said ‘from water.’ He asked the Prophet (SAW) further: ‘From what is Paradise built?’ He said: ‘from bricks of gold and silvers 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, Tirmidhi and Ad-Darimi)
- 5. The rivers of Paradise
Allah (SWT) has told us that rivers flow from beneath Paradise: “And give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous good deeds, that for them will be gardens under which rivers flo.”(Qur’an 2:25)
The Prophet (SAW) has told us clearly about the rivers of Paradise. He said that during his Isra’ (night journey): “I saw four rivers flowing out from beneath Sidrat al-Muntaha, two visible and two hidden. He asked, ‘O Jibreel, what are these rivers?’ He said, ‘Two hidden rivers are rivers of Paradise, and two visible rivers are the Nile and the Euphrates.’” (Muslim)
Another of the rivers of Paradise is Al-Kauthar, which Allah (SWT) has given to His Prophet (SAW). Allah (SWT) said: “Verily, We have granted you (O Muhammad) Al-Kauthar.” (Qur’an 108:1)
The Prophet (SAW) saw it and told us about it. He (SAW) said: “Whilst I was walking in Paradise, I saw a river whose banks were domes of hollow pearls, and I asked, ‘What is this, O Jibreel?’ He said, ‘This is Al-Kauthar which your Lord has given to you.’ And its scent or its mud was of fragrant musk.” (Bukhari)
According to another report, the Prophet (SAW) said: “It is a river that Allah 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. Allah (SWT) said: “The description of Paradise which the pious have been promised is that in it are rivers of water the test 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.” (Qur’an 47:15)
Tirmidhi reported from Hakim ibn Mu’awiyah that the Messenger (SAW) 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.” (Jami’ al-Usul)
The rivers of Paradise flow out of these seas, as the Messenger of Allah (SAW) mentioned. During the period of barzakh (the time between death and the Day of Resurrection), the shuhada’ (the martyrs) will be beside this river. The Prophet (SAW) said: “The shuhada’ are in a green dome beside the river of Baariq, by the gate of Paradise, from which provision comes to them morning and evening.” (Saheeh al-Jaami’ as-Sagheer)
(to be continued)
Umar S. al-Ashqar
