The Eternalness of the Hereafter
The Pleasures of this world are transient whilst the joys of
the hereafter are lasting and eternal. In this life when a person enjoys
something, it is only a short while before they get bored with it and proceed
to search for something they feel is better, or they may not feel a need for it
altogether. As for the delights of Paradise, a person will never feel
bored with anything, but rather, its goodness will increase each time they
indulge in it.
Also, the life of this world is very short. Humans
only live on this earth for a short while, and very few people reach the age of
seventy.
“…Say: Short is the enjoyment of this world. The
Hereafter is (far) better for him who fears God...” (Quran 4:77)
As for Paradise, people will live forever. God says:
“...its provision is eternal and so is its shade…” (Quran
13:35)
“What is with you must vanish, and what is with God will
endure …” (Quran 16:96)
“(It will be said to them): This is Our Provision, which
will never finish” (Quran 38:54)
Superior Delights
The delights of the people of Paradise, such as their
clothing, food, drink, jewelry and palaces, will be far superior to their
counterparts in this world. There is in fact no room for comparison, as
even the smallest space in Paradise is better than this world and all that is
in it. The Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon
him, said:
“The space of the bow of any one of you in Paradise is
better than all that the sun rises upon” (Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh 3/85,
no. 5615)
Free from all Impurities
Paradise is free from all the impurities of this
world. Eating and drinking in this life results in the need for excretion
and its associated unpleasant odors. If a person drinks wine in this
world, he loses his mind. Women in this world menstruate and give birth,
which are sources of pain and hurt. Paradise is free from all of these
discomforts: its people will not urinate, defecate, spit or suffer from
catarrh. The wine of Paradise, as described by its Creator, is:
“Crystal-white, delicious to those who drink (thereof),
free from intoxication, nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom” (Quran
37:46-47)
The water of Paradise does not become brackish, and its milk
never changes in flavor:
“...rivers of water incorruptible; rivers of milk of
which the taste never changes...” (Quran 47:15)
The women of Paradise are pure and free from menstruation,
postnatal bleeding and all the other impurities suffered by women in this
world, and all are free from stool and feces. God says:
“...and they shall have therein purified mates…” (Quran
2:25)
The prophet answered a person when they asked how the people
of Paradise will relieve themselves:
“They relieve themselves by perspiring through their
skins, and its fragrance will be that of musk, and all stomachs will have
become lean.” (ibn Hibbaan)
What we have mentioned has been a mere comparison in order
to understand the nature of Paradise, but as God said, its delights are truly
hidden:
“No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy, as
a reward for what they used to do.” (Quran 32:17)
Paradise: There is Nothing Like It
The delights of Paradise surpass the 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 as nothing in comparison
with the joys of the Hereafter. As is mentioned in several reports, 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, Ibn Hibbaan)
The Sahabah asked the Prophet about the buildings of
Paradise and he replied with a wonderful description:
“Bricks of gold and silver, and 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
never die; their clothes will never wear out and their youth will never fade.”
(Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, ad-Daarimee)
God says:
“And when you look there (in Paradise) you will see a
delight (that cannot be imagined), and a great dominion.” (Quran 76:20)
What God has kept hidden from us the delights of Paradise is
beyond our ability to comprehend. The Prophet said that God said:
“I have prepared for My slaves what no eye has seen, no ear
has heard and no human heart can imagine.” Recite if you wish:
“No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a
reward for what they used to do.” (Quran 32:17)
In another report:
“Never mind what God has told you; what He has not told
you is even greater.” (Saheeh Muslim)
In other articles, we will attempt to mention some of the
specific details of Paradise and the delights therein described to us by God
and His last Prophet.
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