Description of Paradise According to Quran and Sunnah - Part 2.

The Companions in Paradise

“But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that they will have gardens beneath which rivers flow, Every time they are provided with fruits there from they say, ‘Why, this is what we were provided with before,’ for they are given things in resemblance. They have therein pure companions, and they abide therein forever.”
[Baqarah, 2: 25]

“And (there will be) companions with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes, likened to well – guarded pearls, a reward for what they used to do.”
[Waqi'ah, 56: 22-24]

“And beside them will be chaste women restraining their glances (companions) of equal age.”
[Saad, 38: 52]

“In them will be chaste (Maidens) restraining their glances, whom no man or jinn before them has touched.”
[Rahman, 55: 56]

“In them will be fair companions, good and beautiful.”
[Rahman, 55: 70]

“We have created their companions of special creation and made them virgins, loving by nature and equal in age for the companions of the right hand.”
[Waqi'ah, 56: 35-38]

“Companions restrained as to their glances in pavilions.”
[Rahman, 55: 72
“Verily, for the righteous there will be attainment of security gardens enclosed and grapevines, companions of equal age and a cup full (to the brim).”
[Naba, 78: 31-34]

Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
“The members if the first group to enter Paradise will have faces as bright as the full moon during the night. The next group will have faces as bright as the shining stars in the sky. Every person will have two wives, and the marrow of their shanks will glimmer beneath the flesh. There will be non without a wife in Paradise.”
[Muslim]

After Harithah (radiAllahu anhu) had been martyred by an arrow thrown by an unknown person on the Day (of the battle) of Badr, his mother came to the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) she said:
“O Allah’s Apostle, you know the position of Harithah in my heart. (how dear he was to her). So if he is in Paradise, I will not weep for him. Otherwise, you will see what I will do.”
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, “Are you mad? Is there only one Paradise? There are many Paradises and he is in the highest Paradise of Firdaus”
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) added, “A forenoon journey or an afternoon journey in Allah’s cause is better than the whole world and whatever is in it. A place equal to an arrow bow of anyone of you or a place equal to a foot in Paradise is better than the whole world and what ever is in it. If one of the women of Paradise looked at the earth, she would fill whatever is in between them with perfume. The veil of her face is better than the whole world and whatever is in it.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari]

The Garments of Paradise

“Allah will admit those who believe and work righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow, they shall be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments therein will be silk. They have been guided in this life to good speech, and they have been guided to the path of Him, the All Praised.”
[Hajj, 22: 23-24]

“For them will be gardens of eternity, rivers flowing beneath them. They will be adorned with bracelets of gold, and they will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade, reclining on raised thrones. How good the reward! How beautiful a place of rest!”
[Kahf, 18: 31]

“As for the righteous, (they will be) in a position of security among gardens and springs, dressed in fine silk and in rich brocade, facing each other. And We shall join them to companions with beautiful, big and lustrous eyes.”
[Dukhan, 44: 51-54]

“Gardens of eternity that they will enter, they will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls. Their garments will be of silk. They will say, “Praise be to Allah who has removed from us (All) sorrow, for our Lord is indeed oft –forgiving, appreciative out of His bounty. No toil nor sense of weariness shall touch us therein.”
[Fatir, 35: 33-35]

“Upon them will be green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade. They will be adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord will give them a pure drink. ‘Verily, this is a reward for you, and your endeavor has been appreciated.”
[Insan, 76: 21-22]

Al-Barah ibn ‘Azib (radiAllahu anhu) said: “Allah’s Apostle (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) was given a silken garment, and its beauty and delicacy astonished the people. On that, Allah apostle (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, ‘No doubt, the handkerchiefs of Sa’d bin Mu’aadh in Paradise are better than this.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari]


The Bracelets of the People of Paradise

“Allah will admit those who believe and work righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow. They shall be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments therein will be silk. They have been guided (in this life) to good speech, and they have been guided to the path of Him, and the All-praised.”
[Hajj, 22: 23-24]

“For them will be gardens of eternity, rivers flowing beneath them. They will be adorned with bracelets of gold, and they will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade, reclining on raised thrones. How good the reward! How beautiful a place of rest!”
[Kahf, 18: 31]

“Upon them will be green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade. They will be adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord will give them a pure drink. ‘Verily, this is a reward for you, and your endeavor has been appreciated.’”
[Insan, 76: 21-22]

“Gardens of eternity they will enter. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls. Their garments will be of silk. They will say, ‘Praise be to Allah who has removed from us, (all) sorrow, for our Lord is indeed oft-forgiving, appreciative, who has settled us in the house of lasting residence out of His bounty. No toil no sense of weariness shall touch us therein.”
[Fatir, 35: 33-35]

The Youthful Servants of Paradise

“Around them will circulate eternal youths with goblets, beakers and cups filled from clear and flowing fountains, no after, ache will they there from, nor will they suffer intoxication, and also with fruits, any that they may select; and the flesh of fowls, any that they may desire.”
[Waqi'ah, 56: 17-21]

“Around them will circulate (devoted) youths resembling well guarded pearls.”
[Tur, 52: 24

“Around them, youths of perpetual (freshness) will serve. If you see them, you will think they are scattered pearls).”
[Insan, 76: 19]

The Activities of the People of Paradise

“Verily, the companions of the Garden are in occupation they enjoy. They and their spouses will be in cool shade, reclining on thrones.”
[Ya-Sin, 36: 55-56]

“Then those who have believed and worked righteous deeds will be in a garden (of happiness), honored.”
[Rum, 30: 15]

“(They will be) facing each other on thrones. Passed around to them will be a cup from a clear, flowing fountain, crystal, white, of a taste so delicious to those who drink from it. It is free from headiness, and they will not suffer intoxication from it. Beside them will be chaste women, restraining their glances, with big eyes of wonder and beauty, as if they were delicate eggs, closely guarded.”
[Safat, 37: 44-49]

“But on this day the believers will laugh at the unbelievers. On thrones they will command a sight of all things. Are the unbelievers not rewarded (finally) for what they used to do?”
[Mutaffifeen, 83: 34-36]

“They will say, ‘Praise be to Allah, who has truly fulfilled His promise to us and has made us inherit the earth. We can dwell in the garden where we will. How excellent a reward for those who work (righteousness)!”
[Zumar, 39: 74]

“They will advance to each other, engaging in mutual enquiry. They will say, ‘We used to be fearful of Allah and His punishment among our people. But Allah has been good to us and has delivered us from the penalty of the scorching wind. Truly, we used to call upon Him before. Truly, it is He who is the Beneficent, the Merciful.”
[Tur, 52: 25-28]

Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
“The (members of the ) first group that will be admitted to Paradise will have their faces as bright as a full moon during the night. They will neither spit nor suffer anything. They will have their utensils and their combs made of gold and silver, and the fuel of their braziers will be aloes, and their sweat will be musk and everyone of them will have two spouses (so beautiful) that the marrow of their shanks will be visible through the flesh. There will be no dissension among them and no enmity in their hearts. Their hearts will be like one heart, glorifying Allah morning and evening.”
[Muslim]

The Ranks of Paradise

“Those who believe, emigrate and strive with might and main in Allah’s cause with their wealth and their persons have the highest rank in the sigh of Allah. They are the ones who will achieve (salvation). Their Lord gives them glad tidings of a mercy from Himself and good pleasure and of gardens for them wherein is lasting enjoyment. They will dwell therein forever. Verily, with Allah is a great reward.”
[Tawbah, 9: 20-22]

“Look how We have bestowed more on some than on others. But verily in the hereafter is greater difference in rank and preference.”
[Isra', 17: 21]

“O you who believe! When you are told to make room in assemblies, (spread out and) make room. (Ample) room will Allah provide for you. And when you are told to rise up, rise up. Allah will raise those of you who believe and who have been granted knowledge in rank. Allah is well – acquainted with all you do.”
[Mujadilah, 58: 11]

“Verily, he who comes to his Lord as a criminal (at judgment), for him is Hell, wherein he shall neither die nor live. But he who comes to Him as a believer who has worked righteous deeds, for them are ranks exalted gardens of eternity, beneath which flow rivers, dwelling therein forever. Such is the reward of those who purify themselves (from evil).”
[Ta-Ha, 20: 74-76]

It is narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
“Whoever believes in Allah and His Apostle (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), offers prayer perfectly and fasts the month of Ramadan will rightfully be granted Paradise by Allah, no matter whether he fights in Allah’s cause or remains in the land where he is born.”
The people said, “Oh Allah’s Apostle! Shall we acquaint the people with this good news?” He said, “Paradise has one hundred grades which Allah has reserved for the mujaahidoon who fight in His cause, and the distance between each of two grades is like the distance between the Heaven and the earth. So when you ask Allah (for something), ask for al-Firdaws which is the best and highest part of Paradise.” (the subnarrator added, “I think the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) also said ‘Above it (alfirdaus) is the throne of the beneficent (Allah), and from its originate the rivers of Paradise.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari]

Sahl bin Sa’d (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
“The people of Paradise will look to the upper apartment of Paradise in the same way as you see the planets in the sky.”
[Muslim]

Abu Sa’eed al Khudri (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
“The people of Paradise will look at the dwellers of the lofty mansions (a superior place in Paradise) in the same way as one looks at a brilliant star far away in the East or in the West on the horizon. That is because of their superiority over one another (in rewards).” Because of that, the people said, “Oh Allah’s Apostle! Are these lofty mansions the prophets mansions which nobody else can reach?”
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) replied, “By Allah, in whose hands my life is, some men who believe in Allah and trust His Apostles will be able to reach them.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Anas bin Malik (radiAllahu anhu) reported that Umm Ar-Ruba'i bint Al-Barah (radiAllahu anha) the mother of Harithah ibin Suraqah (radiAllahu anhu) came to the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) and said:
“Oh Allah’s Prophet! Will you tell me about Harithah?” Harithah had been killed (martyred) on the day of Badr with an arrow by an unidentified person. She added, “If he is in Paradise, I will weep bitterly for him.” He said, “Oh mother of Harithah! There are gardens in Paradise, and your son got the Firdaus at A'la (the best place in Paradise).”
[Sahih al-Bukhari]

The Lowest Rank in Paradise

Abdullah (radiAllahu anhu) said: “The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said,
‘I know the person who will be the last to come out of the Hellfire and the last to enter Paradise. He will be a man who will come out of the Hellfire crawling, and Allah will say to him, ‘Go and enter Paradise.” He will go to it, but will imagine that it has been filled, and then he will re turn and say, “Oh Lord, I have found it full.” Allah will say, “Go and enter Paradise, and you will have what equals the world and ten times as much (you will have as much as ten times the like of the world).” On that, the man will say, “Do you mock at me (laugh at me) though You are the King?” I saw Allah’s Apostle (SAW) (while saying that) smiling that his premolar teeth became visible. It is said that will be the lowest degree among the people of Paradise.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari]

Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) said: “Some people said, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! Shall we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection?’ He said,
‘Do you crowd and squeeze each other on looking at the sun when it is not hidden by clouds?’ They replied, ‘No, Allah’s Apostle’. He said, ‘Do you crowd and squeeze each other on looking at the moon when it is full and not hidden by clouds?’ They replied, No’, Allah’s Apostle’.
He said, ‘So you will see Him (your Lord) on the Day of Resurrection similarly. Allah will gather all the people and say, ‘Whoever used to worship anything should follow that thing.’ So he who used to worship the sun, will follow it; and he who used to worship the moon will follow it and he who used to worship false deities will follow them. And then only this nation (Muslims) will remain, including their hypocrites. Allah will come to them in a shape other than they know and will say, “I am your Lord.” They will say, “We seek refuge from you. This is our place (we will not follow you) till our Lord comes to us, and when our Lord comes to us, we will recognize Him.” Then Allah will come to them in a shape they know and will say, “I am your Lord,” They will say, “(No doubt) You are our Lord.” And they will follow Him. Then a bridge will be laid over the Hellfire.” And Allah’s Apostle (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) added, ‘I will be the first to cross it.
The invocation of the apostles on that day will be, ‘Allahumma sallim, sallim! (O Allah save us, save us!)’ Over that bridge will be hooks similar to the thorns of as’sa’daan (a thorny tree). Didn’t you see the thorns of as’ sa’daan?’ The companions said, ‘Yes, Oh Allah’s Apostle.’ He added, ‘So the hooks over that bridge will be like the thorns of as’-sa’daan, except that their greatness in size is only known to Allah. These hooks will snatch the people according to their deeds. Some people will be ruined because of their evil deeds, and some will be cut into pieces and fall down in Hell, but will be saved afterwards when Allah finished the judgments among His slaves and intends to take out of the Fire whoever He wishes to take out from among those who used to testify that none had the right to be worshipped but Allah.

He will order the angels to take them out. The angels will know them by the mark of the traces of prostration (on their foreheads), for Allah banned the Fire to consume the traces of prostration on the body of Adam’s son. So they will take them out, and by then they will have been burnt (as coal). Then water, called maa’ul hayat (water of life) will be poured on them, and they will spring out like a seed springs out on the bank of a rainwater stream. There will remain one man who will be facing the Hellfire and will say, “OH Lord! Its (Hell) vapor has poisoned and smoked me, and its flame has burnt me. Please turn my face away from the Fire.” He will keep on invoking Allah till Allah says, “Perhaps if I give you (what you want), you will ask for another thing?” The man will say, “No, by Your power, I will not ask You for anything else.”
Then Allah will turn his face away from the Fire. The man will say after that, “Oh Lord, bring me near the gate of Paradise.” Allah will say to him, “Didn’t you promise not to ask for anything else? Woe to you, oh son of Adam! How treacherous you are!” The man will keep invoking Allah till Allah will say, “But if I give you that, you may ask me for something else.” The man will say, “No, by Your power, I will not ask for anything else.” He will give Allah his covenant and promise not to ask for anything else after that. So Allah will bring him near to the gate of Paradise. When he sees what is in it, he will remain silent as long as Allah wills, and then he will say, “Oh Lord! Let me enter Paradise.” Allah will say, “Didn’t you promise that you would not ask ME for anything other than that? Woe to you, oh son of Adam! How treacherous you are!” On that, the man will say, “Oh Lord! Do not make me the most wretched of Your creation,” and will keep on invoking Allah till Allah will smile. When Allah smiles because of him, then HE will allow him to enter Paradise. When he enters Paradise, he will be addressed, “Wish from so and so” He will wish until all his wishes are fulfilled. Then Allah will say, “All this (what you have wished for) and as much again therewith are for you.” Abu Hurairah (RA) added, ‘That man will be the last of the people of Paradise to enter Paradise.”

'Ata (radiAllahu anhu) narrated while Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) reporting: “Abu Sa’eed (RA) was sitting in the company of Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) and he did not deny anything of his narration till he reached his saying, ‘All this and as much again therewith are for you.”
Then Abu Sa’eed (radiAllahu anhu) said, ‘I heard Allah’s Apostle say, “This is for you and ten times as much.” Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) said, “In my memory it is as much again therewith.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari]

Everlasting Life in Paradise

“But those who have faith and work righteousness, they are companions of the Garden, abiding in it eternally.”
[surah al-Baqarah, 2: 82]

“There, no sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they ever be evicted.”
[Hijr, 15: 48]

“They will not taste death therein, except the first death, and He will preserve them from the penalty of the blazing Fire. (It will be) a bounty from your Lord. That will be the supreme achievement!”
[Dukhan, 44: 56-57]

“As for those who believe and work righteous deeds, they will have the gardens of Paradise as hospitality. Eternally therein, they will not desire any other place.”
[Kahf, 18: 107-108]

“Their Lord gives them glad tidings of a mercy from Himself and good pleasure and of gardens for them wherein is lasting enjoyment.”
[Tawbah, 9: 21]

Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) reported that Allah’s Apostle (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
“He who gets into Paradise (will be made to enjoy such and everlasting) bliss that he will neither become destitute nor will his clothes wear out nor will his youthfulness decline.”
[Muslim]

Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (radiAllahu anhu) and Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) both narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
“There will be an announcer (in Paradise) who will make this announcement, ‘Verily, there is in store for you (everlasting) health. You will never fall ill, and you will live (forever) and never die. You will reamin young and never become destitute.’ (This is explained in) the words of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, ‘And it will be announced to them, “This is the Paradise you have been made to inherit for what you used to do.””
[Muslim, Quranic quote is from Al-A'raf, 7: 43]

Abu Sa’eed (radiAllahu anhu) reported that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
“Death will be brought on the Day of Resurrection in the form of a white – colored ram.” Abu Juraib made the addition, “Then it will be made to stand between Paradise and Hell.” (So far the rest of the hadeeth is concerned, there is perfect agreement between the two narrators.) “It will be said to the people of Paradise. ‘Do you recognize this? They will raise up their necks, look towards it and say, ‘Yes, it is death’ Then a command will be given to slaughter it, and it will be said, “Oh people of Paradise, there is everlasting life for you and no death, Then (Addressing) the people of Hellfire, it is will be said, “Oh people of Hellfire! There is everlasting life for you and no death.” Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) then recited the following verse pointing with his hand to this material world. “Warn them of the day of regret, when their affairs will be decided. They are unmindful, and they do not believe!”
[Muslim, Surah Maryam 19: 39]

Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
“It will be said to the people of Paradise. ‘Oh people of Paradise, eternity for you and no death!’ To the people of the Fire (It will be said), “Oh people of the fire, eternity for you and no death!’”
[Sahih al-Bukhari]

The Greatest Thing in Paradise

“Say, ‘Shall I bring your attention to things far better than those? For the righteous are gardens in nearness to their Lord, with rivers flowing beneath, eternal therein, with pure companions and the good pleasure of Allah. For within Allah’s sight are all His servants – especially those who say, “Our Lord, we have indeed believed, so forgive us our sins and protect us from the agony of the Fire.” Those who are patient, are truthful, who worship devoutly, who spend in the way of Allah and who prays for forgiveness in the pre-dawn hours.’”
[ali'-Imran, 3: 15-17]

“Allah has promised to believers, men and women, gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein eternally and good homes in gardens of everlasting bliss. But the pleasure of Allah is greatest. That is the supreme triumph.”
[Tawbah, 9: 72]

“Those who believe, emigrate and strive with mighty and main in Allah’s cause with their wealth and their persons’ have the highest rank in the weight of Allah. They are the ones who will achieve salvation. Their Lord gives them glad tidings of a mercy from Himself and good pleasure and of gardens for them wherein is lasting enjoyment. They will dwell therein forever. Verily, with Allah is a great reward.”
[Tawbah, 9: 20-22]

“Their salutation on the day they meet Him will be ‘Peace!; and He has prepared for them a generous reward.”
[Ahzab, 33: 44]

“Peace!’ a word of salutation from a Lord most Merciful!”
Ya-Sin, 36: 58]

“Some faces that day, will beam in happiness, looking at their Lord.”
[Qiyamah, 75: 22-23]
(This ayah is used as proof by ahl us-Sunnah that the people of Paradise will actually see their Creator).

Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
“Allah will say to the inhabitants of Paradise, ‘Oh inhabitants of Paradise! They will say, Oh our Lord, we present ourselves and are at Your pleasure, and good ness rests in Your hands.’ Then He will say, ‘Are you contented?’ They will reply, ‘And how should we not be contented, oh Lord, when You have given to us that which You have given to no one else of Your creation?’ Then He will say, ‘Would you not like Me to give you something better than that?’ They will answer, ‘Oh Lord and what thing is better than that?’ He will say, “shall cause My favor to descend upon you and there you shall never be displeased with you.’”
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim and at-Tirmidhi]