Paradise Described in the Holy Quran

(This article I wrote was originally published on the Quran Academy blog: Quranacademy.io)

But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, we shall soon admit them to gardens, with rivers flowing beneath, to dwell therein for ever. Allah’s promise is the truth, and whose word can be truer than Allah’s?” (4:122)

The Holy Quran describes Jannah as “Gardens of Pleasure” prepared for the righteous believers to dwell in for eternity. It contains “all that the souls could desire, all that the eyes could delight in …” (43:71). Whoever attains Jannah has attained the “Supreme Success” (9:89).

Spiritual Pleasures

The people of Jannah will be in the presence of Allah and will receive His good pleasure:

“Allah has promised to Believers, men and women, gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss is the good pleasure of Allah: that is the supreme felicity” (9:72).

The greatest spiritual pleasure in paradise will be to see Allah:

“For those who have done good is the best reward and even more (i.e. having the honor of glancing at the Countenance of Allah)” (10:26).

The phrase “even more” means to see Allah, as the Prophet (PBUH) explained in this Hadith:

“When the people of Paradise enter Paradise, Allah will say, ‘Do you want anything more?’ They will say, ‘Have You not brightened our faces, admitted us to Paradise and saved us from Hell?’ Then the veil will be lifted and they will not have seen anything more dear to them than looking upon their Lord, may He be glorified and exalted. This is what is meant by ‘even more.’” Then He (PBUH) recited the verse:

“For those who have done good is the best reward and even more (i.e. having the honor of glancing at the Countenance of Allah)”[Yoonus 10:26] (Sahih Muslim)

The people of Jannah will also receive the honor of being in the company of the elite servants of Allah:

“All who obey Allah and the Messenger, then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the Prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are! (4:69)

Physical Pleasures

Jannah is as wide as the heavens and the earth (3:133). The people of Jannah will live in beautiful mansions (9:72) amidst gardens with flowing streams (2:25). Jannah contains springs (15:45), dense shrubbery (80:30), deepening shade (4:57), and bunches of fruit hanging low within reach (76:14).

The people of Jannah will have abundant food and drink (38:51). They will eat fruits, meats, and whatever is desired (52:22). They will drink from rivers of pure water, milk, wine and honey (47:15). The wine of paradise will be “crystal-white, delicious to those who drink, free from intoxication…” (37:46-47)

The people of Jannah will wear bracelets of gold and pearl and green garments of fine silk and brocade. They will recline on adorned couches (18:31) and raised thrones, and the weather will always be mild (76:13).

The people of paradise will always be healthy and will never feel fatigue (15:48).

Emotional Pleasures

The people of Jannah will enjoy the companionship of pure spouses (2:25). People will enter Jannah with their righteous family members (13:23).

Angels will wish peace upon the inhabitants of Jannah (13:24).

The people of Jannah will feel no resentment in their hearts. They will feel like brothers and sisters to one another (15:47).

The people of Jannah will never wish to leave Jannah (18:108). They will never hear any ill speech; only greetings of peace (19:62).

Conclusion
The Prophet (PBUH) said, “The space of the bow (or whip) of any one of you in Paradise is better than all that the sun rises upon.” (Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh 3/85, no. 5615)

The Prophet (PBUH) encouraged us to ask Allah for the highest level of Jannah, which is Jannatul Firdaus:

“Paradise has one hundred grades, each of which is as big as the distance between heaven and earth. The highest of them is Firdaus and the best of them is Firdaus. The Throne is above Firdaus and from it springs forth the rivers of Paradise. If you ask of Allah, ask Him for Firdaus” (Sahih Ibn Majah).

May Allah make us the people of Jannatul Firdaus, Ameen!

To conclude this article, here is a beautiful description of Jannah from Surah Al-Waqi’ah:

“And those in front–ahead indeed!

For these will be the ones brought nearest to God

In Gardens of Bliss:

Many from the past

And a few from later generations.

On couches of well-woven cloth

They will sit facing each other;

Everlasting youths will go round among them

With glasses, flagons, and cups of a pure drink

That causes no headache or intoxication;

(there will be) any fruit they choose;

The meat of any bird they like;

And beautiful-eyed maidens

Like hidden pearls:

A reward for what they used to do.

They will hear no idle or sinful talk there,

Only clean and wholesome speech.

Those on the Right, what people they are!

They will dwell amid thornless lote trees

And clustered acacia

With spreading shade,

Constantly flowing water,

Abundant fruits,

Unfailing,

Unforbidden,

With incomparable companions,

We have specially created-

Virginal,

Loving, of matching age–

For those on the Right,

Many from the past

And many from later generations.”

(56: 10-40)

8 Comments

  1. Abdullah

    Wonderful article, May Allah grant us all Paradise

    Reply
    1. Sheima (Post author)

      Thank you so much, ameen

      Reply
  2. Quran

    Really a good article Ma-Shaa-Allah I pray for Barakah in your time and life. Ameen. JazakaAllah. I hope you will keep on writing for us in future as well.

    Reply
    1. Sheima (Post author)

      Thank you so much for your positive words. May Allah give you baraka in your life too.

      Reply
  3. Nahid Sultana

    Assalamu Alaikum Dear Sister Sheima,

    Thank you so much for the wonderful description of Paradise! It is an encouragement, which can help us through our depression life. Jazak Allahukhairan.

    Reply
    1. Sheima (Post author)

      Wa alaikum as salam dear Sister Nahid! Thank you for your encouragement and positive comment !

      Reply
  4. Zaynab

    MashaAllah such a great effort, may Allah SWT accept your struggle and enter us all to the paradise. ameen

    Reply
    1. Sheima (Post author)

      Thank you for your kind words. Ameen for all of us ?

      Reply

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