The words ‘they did not use cautery’ mean: they did not ask anyone to cauterise them if they became sick, because cautery is tormenting with fire, and no one resorts to it except in the case of need. And the words ‘they did not believe in omens’ mean: they did not regard as a bad omen anything seen, heard, smelled or tasted. In other words, they never believed in bad omens. During the Jahiliyyah the Arabs used to seek omens, so if a bird flew and went toward the left, they would regard that as a bad omen, and if it came back they would regard it as a bad omen, and if it went forwards, they would have a different interpretation, and the same if it flew to the right, they would have a different interpretation, and so on. Belief in omens is haram and it is not permissible for anyone to regard anything as a bad omen, whether it is birds, days, months or anything else …

The words ‘and in their Lord they put their trust’ mean: they relied on Allah alone for everything, and they did not rely on anyone else, because He Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says in His Book:
"Whoever puts his trust in Allah, He will suffice him." (al-Talaq 65:3)

And when Allah suffices a person, He will suffice him for everything. This important hadith describes the characteristics of those who will enter Paradise without being brought to account or punished. There are four characteristics: they do not seek ruqyah, they do not use cautery, they do not believe in omens, and in their Lord they put their trust.”

1.2.5. The poor will enter Paradise before the rich
It was narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, 'On the Day of Resurrection, the poor Muhajirin will enter Paradise forty years before the rich.'" (Muslim)

Ibn Taymiyah said: “The poor will enter Paradise before the rich, because they will not be brought to account. Then the rich will be brought to account, and the one whose good deeds weigh more heavily than those of a poor person will have a higher level in Paradise, even though he will enter later than him. The one whose good deeds weigh less heavily than those of a poor person will have a lower level than him.”

Ibn Rajab said: “One of the virtues of the poor is that they will form the majority of the people of Paradise, as the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: ‘I stood at the gate of Paradise, and I saw that most of those who entered it were poor.’ (Al-Bukhari, Muslim) And he said, ‘Paradise and Hell argued. Paradise said: No one will enter me except the weak and poor.’ (Al-Bukhari, Muslim) The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was asked about the people of Paradise, and he said, ‘Every weak person who is regarded as insignificant.’ (Al-Bukhari, Muslim) They will be the first of the people to enter it, as it was soundly narrated from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him): ‘On the Day of Resurrection, the poor Muhajirin will enter Paradise forty years before the rich.’ (Muslim)”

1.2.6. Admittance of the sinful believers to Paradise
It was narrated that Abu Sa‘id (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “As for the people of Hell who are its people, they will neither die nor live therein. But some people will be afflicted with the Fire because of their sins. Then Allah will cause them to die a kind of death therein, then when they have turned into coal, permission will be given for intercession. They will be brought group after group, and spread along the rivers of Paradise. Then it will be said: ‘O people of Paradise, pour water on them.’ And they will grow like plants in the silt left by a flood.”

Al-Nawawi said: “What appears to be the case – and Allah knows best – is that what this hadith means is that the disbelievers who are the people of Hell and deserve to abide therein forever will not die therein, nor will they live a life that could benefit them so that they could find relief, as Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), 'Death will not be decreed for them, so that they might die, nor will its punishment be alleviated for them.' (Fatir 35:36) 'And in which he will neither die nor live.' (al-A‘la 87:13) This is in accordance with the belief of those who follow the truth, that the bliss of Paradise will be continuous and that the punishment of the people of Hell who will abide therein forever will be continuous. As for the Prophet’s words, ‘But some people will be afflicted with the Fire because of their sins…’, what is meant is that Allah will cause the sinners among the believers to die a kind of death after they have been punished for as long as Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, wills. This will be a death in a real sense, in which they will no longer feel anything; their punishment will be commensurate with their sins, then they will die, then they will be detained in the Fire without feeling the passage of time for a period decreed by Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted. Then they will be brought out of the fire dead, having become like charcoal. They will be brought group after group, as goods are carried, and will be thrown along the rivers of Paradise. Then the water of life will be poured over them, and they will come to life and grow like seeds in the silt left by a flood in how quickly they grow and how weak they are. Because of their weakness, they will emerge yellow and twisted, then they will grow stronger after that and will go to their dwellings, and they will be in perfect shape. This is the apparent meaning of the words of the hadith. As for the words translated here as ‘group after group,’ the scholars of Arabic language said that this refers to scattered groups. And Allah knows best.”

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, “Then when Allah has finished judging between His slaves, and He wants to bring out by His mercy whomever He wills from among the people of Hell, He will command the angels to bring out of Hell whoever did not associate anything with Allah, of those to whom Allah wants to show mercy among those who said La ilaha illa Allah. They will recognize them in the Fire, and they will recognize them by the marks of prostration, for the Fire will consume everything of the son of Adam except the marks of prostration, for Allah has forbidden the Fire to consume the marks of prostration. They will be brought out of the Fire having been burnt, and the water of life will be poured over them, and they will grow like a seed grows in the silt carried by a flood.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

Ibn Baz said: “The hadith mentioned indicates that some of those who pray will enter the Fire because of their bad deeds, but the places of prostration will not be consumed by the Fire.”

1.2.7. The last one to enter Paradise
It was narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “I know the last of the people of Hell to be brought forth, and the last of the people of Paradise to enter therein. It will be a man who will emerge crawling from Hell, and Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, will say to him: ‘Go and enter Paradise.’ He will come to it and it will appear to him to be full. He will go back and say, ‘O Lord, I found it full.’ Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, will say to him: ‘Go and enter Paradise.’ He will go to it and it will appear to him to be full. He will go back and say, ‘O Lord, I found it full.’ Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, will say to him: ‘Go and enter Paradise, and you will have the equivalent of the whole world and ten times as much.’ He will say, ‘Are You mocking me – or laughing at me – when You are the Sovereign?’” He said: And I saw the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) smile so broadly that his molars appeared. And it used to be said: He will be the lowest of the people of Paradise in status. (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

Al-Qastallani said: “ ‘The last of the people of Hell to be brought forth from it’ means the last to emerge from the Fire itself or the last to cross the sirat which will be set up over it.”

1.2.8. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) saw Paradise and Hell in this world
It is proven from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) that he saw Paradise and Hell during his lifetime in a real sense.

It was narrated from ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, in the hadith about the solar eclipse: “…Whilst I was standing, I saw everything that I have been promised; I even saw myself wanting to take a bunch of grapes from Paradise when you saw me stepping forward. And I saw Hell, parts of it consuming other parts, when you saw me stepping backwards.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

It was narrated that Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said,  "The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) led us in prayer, then he ascended the minbar and gestured with both hands towards the qiblah of the mosque, then he said, 'Just now, when I started to lead you in prayer, I saw Paradise and Hell displayed on the qiblah wall of the mosque, and I have never seen such good and bad things as I have seen today.' He said this last sentence three times." (Al-Bukhari)

Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr said: “The reports about the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) seeing them Paradise and Hell are many, as he saw them several times – and Allah knows best – according to what is mentioned in the hadiths. And Allah knows best about how he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) saw them.”

1.2.9. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) entered Paradise and saw some of its people, and he saw some of people of Hell
It is proven in a number of hadiths that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) entered Paradise and saw some people in Paradise and some others in Hell. It was said that his seeing them happened when he was awake, in a real sense, and we believe that it happened, although we do not know how it happened. It was also said that he saw them in a dream.

These hadiths include the following:
i. It was narrated from ‘Imran ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him), from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), who said: “I looked into Paradise and saw that most of its people are the poor, and I looked into Hell and I saw that most of its people are women.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

ii. It was narrated that Jabir said, "The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, 'I saw myself in a dream entering Paradise, where I saw al-Rumaysa’, the wife of Abu Talhah. I heard footsteps, so I said, 'Who is this?' He said, 'This is Bilal.' Then I saw a palace, with a young woman in its courtyard, so I said, 'Whose is this?' He said, 'It is ‘Umar’s.' I wanted to enter it and look around, then I remembered your protective jealousy (ghayrah).' ‘Umar said, 'May my father and mother be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allah! Would I feel protective jealousy towards you?'" (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

iii. it was narrated from Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “…And Hell was shown to me, and I saw therein a woman from the Children of Israel who was being punished because of a cat that belonged to her; she tied it up and did not feed it, nor did she let it eat from the vermin of the earth…” (Muslim)

Al-San‘ani said, commenting on the hadith of ‘Imran ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him): “What appears to be the case is that he saw it in a real sense, and Allah showed him the two realms and those who were enjoying bliss or being punished among the doomed.”

Ibn ‘Uthaymin said: “We should not talk about how matters of the unseen are, or discuss them in depth, because that comes under the heading of going to extremes, and the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: ‘Those who go to extremes are doomed! Those who go to extremes are doomed! Those who go to extremes are doomed!’ (Muslim)”

A number of scholars are of the view that the Prophet’s entering Paradise and seeing some of its people and some of the people of Hell was a dream
Al-Tirmidhi said, regarding the Prophet’s words “I saw in Paradise a palace of gold, and I said: ‘Whose is this?’ It was said: ‘It belongs to ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab’”: “What this hadith means is: Last night I entered Paradise, meaning: I saw in a dream as if I entered Paradise. It was narrated thus in a different hadith. And it was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that he said: The dreams of the prophets are revelation.”

Some of the scholars said that either is possible: it may have happened in a real sense or it may have been a dream
Al-Turbashti said: “This is something that was disclosed to him (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) by the Knower of the unseen, either in his dream or when he was awake.”

Al-Muzhiri said: “It may be that this happened on the night of the Mi‘raj (ascent to heaven), or it may be that he saw it in a dream, or Allah showed it to him when he was awake.”

Abu Bakr al-Jaza’iri said, regarding the Prophet’s words, “I looked into Paradise and saw that most of its people are the poor”: “The Prophet’s looking into Paradise and Hell happened on the night of the Isra’ and Mi‘raj (night journey and ascent to heaven), or it may have been in a dream, or it may have been when he was praying on the day when the sun was eclipsed. The latter is more likely to be the case, but all of them are possible and are soundly narrated.”

1.3. The names of Paradise
i. al-Jannah (lit. the Garden)
This is the general name which includes that realm and all that it contains of various types of bliss. Ibn Faris said: “al-Jannah is the place to which the Muslims will ultimately go in the hereafter; it is a reward that is hidden from them at present.”

ii. Dar al-Salam (the Abode of Peace). Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), "For them will be an abode of peace with their Lord." (al-An‘am 6:127)

Al-Baghawi said: “It is called Dar al-Salam because everyone who enters it will be safe (salima) from troubles and problems. And it was said that it is called thus because in all situations, man will be safe in Paradise. It will be said in the beginning:
Enter here in peace and security
al-Hijr 15:46
gardens of perpetual abode, which they will enter together with the righteous among their forebears, their spouses, and their offspring. Angels will enter unto them from every gate saying:
Peace be upon you…
al-Ra ‘d 13:23-24
They will not hear therein any vain talk or sinful speech,
but only the salutation: Peace, peace
al-Waqi‘ah 56:25-26
Their greeting therein will be: Peace
Yunus 10:10
‘Peace!’ – a word of salutation from a Lord Most Merciful
Ya-Sin 36:58

Al-Sa‘di said: “Paradise is called an abode of peace because it is free of all faults, troubles, stress, grief and worry, and anything else that could spoil its joy.

This means that its delights will be of the utmost perfection and completeness, to an indescribable degree, and no one could wish for anything better of both spiritual and physical delights. They will have whatever their hearts desire and they will abide therein forever.”

And Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
Allah calls to the abode of peace
Yunus 10:28

Ibn al-Qayyim said: “It is most deserving of this name, because it is the abode of peace whose inhabitants will be safe from all calamity, sickness and hardship, and it is the realm of Allah, for His name al-Salaam refers to the One Who keeps it safe and keeps its people safe.”

iii. Jannat al-Khuld (the Garden of Eternity)
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
Say: Is that better, or the garden of eternity which has been promised to those who fear Allah? It will be theirs as a reward and final destination.
There they will have all that they wish for; they will abide therein forever. It is a binding promise given by your Lord, always to be prayed for
al-Furqan 25:15-16

Al-Shawkani said: “Connecting the Garden (Jannah) to eternity gives the sense of bliss that will last forever and never cease.”

iv. Dar al-Maqamah (the Eternal Home)
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
And they will say: Praise be to Allah Who has taken away all sorrow from us. Verily, our Lord is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Appreciative;
Who has, by His grace, caused us to settle in the eternal home
Fatir 35:34-35

Ibn Jarir said: “The eternal home is the place of settlement from which one will never depart or move on.”

v. Jannat al-Ma’wa (the abode)
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
But as for the one who feared standing before his Lord and restrained himself from base desires,
verily paradise will be his abode
al-Nazi‘at 79:40-41

vi. Jannat ‘Adan (Gardens of perpetual abode)
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
Their reward with their Lord is gardens of perpetual abode
al-Bayyinah 98:8

Ibn ‘Uthaymin said: “The word al-‘adan (translated here as perpetual abode) refers to settling in a place and never leaving it.”

vii. Dar al-Hayawan (the only true life)
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
Verily, the life of the hereafter is the only true life, if only they knew
al-‘Ankabut 29:64

Ibn Jarir said: “Verily, the life of the hereafter is the only true life al-‘Ankabut 29:64. Here Allah is saying that the hereafter is the realm where there is eternal life that will never cease or come to an end, and there will be no death there.”

Al-Sa‘di said: “The hereafter, on the other hand, is the abode of life, that is, the perfect life, one of the characteristics of which is that people there will be physically strong, because their bodies and strength will be created for life, and everything will be available there that makes life perfect and brings pleasure and joy and fulfilment of physical desires, by way of food, drink, spouses and so on, such as no eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor has it entered the mind of man.”

viii. al-Firdaws (Gardens of Paradise)
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
But those who believe and do righteous deeds will have gardens of paradise as a dwelling place
al-Kahf 18:107

Ibn al-Qayyim said: “Al-Firdaws (translated above as ‘Gardens of Paradise’) is a name that is given to all of Paradise, and it is given to the best and loftiest part of it, as if that is more deserving of this name than other parts of Paradise.”

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “When you ask Allah (for something), then ask Him for al-Firdaws, for it is the middle (and best) and highest part of Paradise.” I the narrator think he said: “Above it is the Throne of the Most Gracious, and from it spring forth the rivers of Paradise.” (Al-Bukhari)

Ibn al-Qayyim said: “The holiest, most prominent, most luminous, noblest, most sublime in both a true and metaphorical sense, and the biggest of all created things is the Throne of the Most Gracious Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted; therefore it was appropriate for Him to rise over it. The closer anything is to the Throne, the more luminous, holy and noble it is than that which is further away from it. Hence Jannat al-Firdaws is the highest, noblest, most luminous and greatest part of Paradise, because it is close to the Throne, for the Throne is its ceiling.”

ix. Jannat al-Na‘im (Gardens of delight)              
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
But for those who believe and do righteous deeds, there will be gardens of delight
Luqman 31:8

Ibn al-Qayyim said: “This is another inclusive name which includes all the gardens of Paradise, because of what they contain of all types of delightful things such as food, drink, clothing, images, fragrances, pleasant scenes, spacious dwellings and other delights both visible and hidden.”

x. al-Maqam al-Amin (the secure place)
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
Verily, the righteous will be in a secure place
al-Dukhan 44:51

Ibn al-Qayyim said: “The secure place (al-maqam al-amin) is the place of settlement. The word amin (translated here as secure) means that it is safe from all bad things, troubles and harms. It is the place that is safe in every way, so it is safe from coming to an end, being ruined and all kinds of shortcomings, and its people are safe in it from being expelled or from any troubles that could spoil their joy. It is the safe land in which its people are safe from that which others fear. Reflect on how Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, mentions safety and security in the verse (interpretation of the meaning):
Verily, the righteous will be in a secure place
al-Dukhan 44:51
and in the verse
There they will call for every kind of fruit, secure from all ills
al-Dukhan 44:55
Thus He combined for them the safety of the place with the safety of the food, so they will not fear an end to the supply of fruit, or any troubles or harm that could result from eating them; they will be safe from being expelled from that place, so they will not fear that; and they will be safe from death, so they will fear no death there.”

xi. Maq‘ad al-sidq (a true seat of honour) and xii. qadam al-sidq (a true reward)
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
Indeed, the righteous will be in the midst of gardens and rivers,
In a true seat of honour
al-Qamar 54:54-55

and give glad tidings to those who believe, that they will have a true reward with their Lord
Yunus 10:2

Ibn al-Qayyim said: “Allah calls Paradise ‘Maq‘ad al-sidq (a true seat of honour)’ because when the individual attains that seat he will be given everything he expects of joy and delights, as it is said in Arabic mawaddah sadiqah (true friendship), when the friendship is steady and perfect; halawah sadiqah (truly sweet); jumlah sadiqah (true statement). The Arabs also say al-kalam al-sidq (true words) when the listener gets from them the information he is seeking. What is meant by the word sidq (true) in Arabic is soundness and perfection. This includes the words al-sidqu fi’l-hadith (true in speech) and al-sidqu fi’l-‘amal (true (sincere) in action). The siddiq (strong and true in faith) is the one whose deeds confirm (yusaddiq) his words. From sidq comes the word sadaqah (friendship), which applies to a friendship that is true and sincere. We find a similar meaning in the phrase qadam al-sidq (a true reward). … The word sidq refers to the steady truth that is sought and desired, unlike lies which are false and do not mean anything or have any substance.

Some scholars interpreted qadam al-sidq (translated here as ‘a true reward’) as referring to Paradise, or to the deeds by means of which Paradise is attained. It was also interpreted as referring to the decree of good that Allah has already decreed for those who do righteous deeds, or to the Messenger at whose hand and guidance they attained that. As a matter of fact, all of these interpretations are correct, for they are the ones for whom Allah has already decreed good by virtue of what He decreed for them at the hands of His Messenger, and He stored up the reward of that for them on the Day when they will meet Him.”

1.4. Characteristics of Paradise
1.4.1. The levels of Paradise
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
But whoever comes to Him as a believer, having done righteous deeds, for such will be high ranks
Ta-Ha 20:75

Ibn Jarir said: “for such will be high ranks. Here Allah is saying: For such people there will be high ranks in Paradise.”

It was narrated from Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The people of Paradise will see the people of the highest place above them as you see a brilliant star far away on the horizon in the east or the west, because of the difference in status between them.” They said: O Messenger of Allah, is that the status of the Prophets that no one else will attain? He said: “Yes, by the One in Whose hand is my soul, and for men who believed in Allah and believed in the Messengers.”

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The people of Paradise will see one another in Paradise as you see the brilliant star far away on the horizon, because of the difference in status between them.” They said: O Messenger of Allah, are those the Prophets? He said: “Yes, by the One in Whose hand is my soul, and people who believed in Allah and believed in the Messengers.” (Al-Tirmidhi, Ahmad; sahih)

It was narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “It will be said to the companion of the Qur’an: ‘Read and ascend in status; recite as you used to recite in the previous world, for your status will be determined by the last verse you recite.” (Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, Ahmad; sahih)

Ibn Taymiyah said: “Paradise has various levels that differ greatly. The believing close friends of Allah who fear Him will be in those levels, commensurate with their faith and fear of Allah.”

The best of the prophets in status will be Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)
It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “When you hear the mu’adhdhin, say what he says, then send blessings upon me, for whoever sends blessings upon me, Allah will send blessings upon him tenfold. Then ask Allah to grant me al-wasilah, for it is a station in Paradise which only one of the slaves of Allah will attain, and I hope that I will be the one.” (Muslim)

1.4.2. The gates of Paradise
 Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
Those who feared their Lord will be ushered to paradise in groups until, when they reach it, they will find its gates wide open, and its keepers will say to them: Peace be upon you; you have done well, so enter it, to abide herein forever
al-Zumar 39:73

Al-Sa‘di said: “until, when they reach it that is, when they reach that vast garden with its beautiful dwellings, its fragrant breeze will reach them and its life of eternal bliss will begin.

they will find its gates wide open for them, by way of honour for the best of people, who will be honoured therein… This passage indicates that both Hell and Paradise have gates that can be opened and closed, each of them has keepers, and they are two abodes that are allocated for specific people, and no one can enter either of them except those who deserve to do so, unlike other places and dwellings.”

i. The number of the gates of Paradise
The number of the gates of paradise is eight

The evidence for that includes the following:

It was narrated from Sahl ibn Sa‘d (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Paradise has eight gates, among which is a gate called al-Rayyan, which no one will enter except those who fast.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

ii. The gates of Paradise vary according to acts of worship
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever gives a pair of anything in Allah’s cause will be called from the gates – that is, of Paradise –: ‘O slave of Allah, this is good.’ Whoever was one of the people of prayer will be called from the gate of prayer. Whoever was one of the people of jihad will be called from the gate of jihad. Whoever was one of the people of charity will be called from the gate of charity. Whoever was one of the people of fasting will be called from the gate of fasting and the gate of al-Rayyan.” Abu Bakr al-Siddiq said: There is no need for anyone to be called from all these gates, but will anyone be called from all of them, O Messenger of Allah? He said: “Yes, and I hope that you will be one of them, O Abu Bakr.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

Ibn ‘Uthaymin said: “These gates are eight, according to deeds, because each gate belongs to those who do specific deeds. So the people of prayer will be called from the gate of prayer, the people of charity will be called from the gate of charity, the people of jihad will be called from the gate of jihad, and the people of fasting will be called from the gate of al-Rayyan. And Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, may enable some people to do righteous deeds of all types, so they will be called from all the gates.”

iii. The size of the gates of Paradise
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The distance between the gateposts of each gate of Paradise is like the distance between Makkah and Himyar – or between Makkah and Busra.” (Al-Bukhari)

1.4.3. The soil of Paradise
It was narrated from Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Then I entered Paradise and saw in it lofty structures of pearls, and its soil was musk.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

1.4.4. The trees and fruits of Paradise
i. The trees and fruits of Paradise will be many and varied
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
Verily, for the righteous there will be salvation,
gardens and vineyards
al-Naba’ 78:31-32

Al-Sa‘di said: “gardens containing all kinds of trees, colourful and bearing fruit, through which rivers flow. Vineyards or grapevines are singled out for mention because of their high quality and abundance in those gardens.”

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
In them are fruits, date palms, and pomegranates
al-Rahman 55:68

Al-Baydawi said: “ In them are fruits, date palms, and pomegranates – these two are mentioned after fruits by way of highlighting their virtue, for the fruit of the date palm is a fruit that provides nourishment, and the fruit of the pomegranate tree is a fruit and medicine.”

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
Reclining therein on couches, they will call for abundant fruit and drink
Sad 38:51
along with fruits of their choice
al-Waqi‘ah 56:20
Verily, the righteous will be amidst shade and springs,
and will have any fruits that they may desire
al-Mursalat 77:41-42
The likeness of paradise, which the pious are promised, is that of a garden through which rivers flow; its food is perpetual, and so is its shade. Such will be the end for those who fear Allah, and the end for the disbelievers will be the fire
al-Ra‘d 13:35
and fruit in abundance,
never ceasing and never restricted
al-Waqi‘ah 56:32-33
Every time they are provided with fruits therefrom, they will say: This is what we were provided with before, because they will be given things that resemble one another; and they will have therein pure spouses; and they will abide therein forever
al-Baqarah 2:25

That is, every time they are given fruit from the trees of Paradise, they will think that it is the same fruit that they were given before in this world, because it resembles it in appearance, or it is what they were given on a previous occasion in Paradise, but in fact whatever they are given of the fruits of Paradise will be similar in colour and appearance, but its taste will be different.

ii. Description of the tree of Paradise
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), who said: “In Paradise there is a tree in whose shade a rider could travel for one hundred years. Recite, if you wish, and shade long-extended al-Waqi‘ah 56:30.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)”

iii. How can the believer increase his share of the trees of Paradise?
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) passed by him when he was planting a plant, and said: “O Abu Hurayrah, what are you planting?” I said: A plant for me. He said: “Shall I not tell you of a plant that is better than this?” He said: Of course, O Messenger of Allah. He said: “Say: Subhan Allah wa’l-hamdu-Lillah wa la ilaha illa Allah wa Allahu akbar (Glory be to Allah, praise be to Allah, there is no god worthy of worship except Allah and Allah is Most Great). For each one a tree will be planted for you in Paradise.” (Ibn Majah, al-Hakim; sahih)

It was narrated from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever says Subhan Allah wa bi hamdih (Glory and praise be to Allah), a palm tree will be planted for him in Paradise.” (Ibn Hibban, al-Tabarani, Ibn ‘Asakir; sahih) According to another narration: “Whoever says, ‘Subhan Allah il-‘azim wa bi hamdih (Glory and praise be to Allah the Almighty)’, a palm tree will be planted for him in Paradise.” (Al-Tirmidhi, al-Nasa’i)

1.4.5. The rivers of Paradise
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
And give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds, that they will have gardens, through which rivers flow
al-Baqarah 2:25

The rivers of Paradise spring forth from al-Firdaws
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “When you ask Allah (for something), then ask Him for al-Firdaws, for it is the middle (and best) and highest part of Paradise.” I the narrator think he said: “Above it is the Throne of the Most Gracious, and from it spring forth the rivers of Paradise.” (Al-Bukhari)

Ibn Hajar said: “The words ‘and from it spring forth the rivers of Paradise’ mean: from al-Firdaws.”

One of the rivers of Paradise is al-Kawthar, which Allah gave to His Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
Indeed, We have granted you O Muhammad al-Kawthar
 al-Kawthar 108:1

The rivers of Paradise are not only water; rather some of them are water, some are milk, some are wine and some are pure and clear honey

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
The likeness of paradise, which the righteous are promised, is that of a garden in which there are rivers of water forever fresh; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine, delightful to those who drink it; and rivers of honey, pure and clear. There they will have all kinds of fruit and forgiveness from their Lord. Can they be like those who will abide forever in the fire and be given scalding water to drink that will tear their intestines?
Muhammad 47:15

It was narrated from Mu‘awiyah ibn Haydah al-Qushayri (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “In Paradise there are rivers of water, rivers of honey, rivers of milk and rivers of wine, then streams will will appear later.”

1.4.6. The springs of Paradise
Ibn Kathir said: “Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, as described the springs of Paradise as flowing abundantly, and has told us that wherever the people of Paradise want, they will make them spring forth in any place they want, with different types of drinks and water.”

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
Verily, the righteous will be amidst gardens and springs
al-Hijr 15:45
Verily, the righteous will be amidst shade and springs
al-Mursalat 77:41

1.4.7. The palaces and tents of Paradise
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
and fine dwellings in gardens of perpetual abode
al-Tawbah 9:72

Ibn ‘Uthaymin said: “‘Fine dwellings’ means that they are well built, with fine rooms and a fine appearance; they are good and pleasant to dwell in and are good and fine in all aspects.”

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
But for those who fear their Lord there will be lofty dwellings, one above another, built high, beneath which rivers flow. This is the promise of Allah; Allah does not break His promise
al-Zumar 39:20

Al-Sa‘di said: “Rather the ultimate gain and ultimate triumph is for those who fear Allah, for whom He has prepared honour and all kinds of delights, and no one can estimate how great they are.

But for those who fear their Lord there will be lofty dwellings that is, high and adorned abodes; because of their beauty, splendour and purity, their outside will be visible from the inside, and their inside will be visible from the outside. Because they are so high, they can be seen from afar, like a bright star on the eastern or western horizon. Hence Allah says:
one above another, built high, made of gold and silver, and their mortar will be musk.
beneath which rivers flow to irrigate the verdant gardens and beautiful trees, which will produce delicious crops and ripe fruits.”

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, has told us that there will be tents in Paradise

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
fair ones, secluded in pavilions
al-Rahman 55:72

Al-Sa‘di said: “fair ones, secluded in pavilions that is, they stay in pavilions of pearls, where they have prepared themselves for their husbands.

That does not mean that they do not go out and about in the gardens of Paradise, as is the custom among the daughters of kings and the like.”

It was narrated that Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The pavilion is a hollowed-out pearl, thirty miles in height, in each corner of which the believer will have a wife who cannot be seen by the others.” (Al-Bukhari)

The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) has told us of some of the means by which the believer may acquire more houses in Paradise
It was narrated from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said, when the people objected to him rebuilding the mosque of the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him): “You are not being fair. I heard the Messenger of Allah (S) say: “Whoever builds a mosque – Bukayr said: I think he said: seeking thereby the pleasure of Allah – Allah will build something similar for him in Paradise.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

Ibn Rajab said: “Whoever builds a mosque for the sake of Allah, in which the name of Allah is mentioned in this world, Allah will build a house for him in Paradise.

Regarding the word ‘something similar,’ what is meant is not something of the same size or of the same construction. What is meant – and Allah knows best – is that it will be made spacious, commensurate with the size of the mosque, and it will be well-built if he built the mosque well. It does not refer to decoration, and his level of benefitting from the house that Allah built for him in Paradise will be commensurate with how much people benefitted from what he built for them in this world. It will be in a high place overlooking other buildings in Paradise, just as the mosques in this world overlook other buildings, even though there is no comparison between what there is in this world and what there is in the hereafter… What we say is proven by the hadith that Imam Ahmad narrated from Asma’ bint Yazid from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), who said: “Whoever builds a mosque for Allah in this world, Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, will build a house for him in Paradise that is more spacious than it.” (Ahmad, al-Tahhawi, al-‘Aqili; sahih)

It was narrated from Umm Habibah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever prays twelve voluntary rak‘ahs every day, other than the obligatory prayers, Allah will build a house for him in Paradise.” Umm Habibah said: I have not stopped doing them since I heard about them from the Messenger of Allah (S). (Muslim)

Ibn Baz said: “The one who prays these rak‘ahs regularly is doing a great righteous deed. In this hadith, he is promised Paradise, and if he prays those twelve voluntary rak‘ahs every day, Allah will build a house for him in Paradise. Those rak‘ahs are, as noted above, four rak‘ahs before Zuhr, saying the taslim after each two rak‘ahs, and two rak‘ahs after Zuhr, two rak‘ahs after Maghrib, two rak‘ahs after ‘Isha’ and two rak‘ahs before Fajr. These are called al-rawatib (the regular Sunnah prayers).”

1.4.8. The light of Paradise
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
And they will have their provision therein in the morning and in the afternoon.
Such is the garden which We give as an inheritance to those of Our slaves who are God-fearing
Maryam 19:62-63

Ibn Kathir said: “That is, at times like the morning and afternoon. There will be no day or night there, but there will be times that come one after another, which they will recognise by changes in the lights of Paradise.”

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
and will reward them for their patience and steadfastness with paradise and garments of silk,
wherein they will recline on couches; they will feel neither scorching heat nor bitter cold
al-Insan 76:12-13

Al-Nasafi said: “Paradise will be illuminated and there will be no need there for any sun or moon.”

1.4.9. The fragrance of Paradise
It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever kills a mu‘ahad a non-Muslim who has a covenant with the Muslims will not smell the fragrance of Paradise, even though its fragrance may be detected from a distance of forty years.” (Al-Bukhari)

1.4.10. The animals and birds of Paradise
It was narrated that Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was asked: What is al-Kawthar? He said: “It is a river that Allah has given me, in Paradise. It is whiter than milk and sweeter than honey, and in it there are birds with necks like the necks of camels.” ‘Umar said: They must be enjoying an easy life. The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Their meat will taste delicious.” (Al-Tirmidhi, Ahmad; sahih)

1.5. The people of Paradise
1.5.1. The way to Paradise is difficult
It was narrated from Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Paradise is surrounded with hardships and Hell is surrounded with desires.” (Muslim)

Al-Nawawi said: “The scholars said: This is an example of the brilliant, eloquent and concise speech that was given to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), as he had the ability to present ideas in the form of vivid images. What is meant is that Paradise cannot be reached except by going through hardship, and Hell is reached by following desires. Thus they are concealed from view, and the one who breaches the barrier will reach what is concealed. The barrier of Paradise is breached by taking on hardship, and the barrier of Hell is breached by following whims and desires. As for the hardships, they include striving in worship, persisting in it, bearing its hardships with patience, restraining anger, showing forbearance, giving charity, responding with kindness to the one who mistreats you, showing patience in abstaining from desires, and so on.”

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), from the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), who said: “When Allah created Paradise and Hell, He sent Jibril to Paradise and said: ‘Look at it and at what I have prepared for its people in it.’ So he went and looked at it and at what Allah had prepared for its people in it. Then he went back to Him and said: ‘By Your Glory, no one will hear of it but he will enter it.’ So He commanded that it be surrounded with hardships and said: ‘Go back to it and look at it and at what I have prepared for its people in it.’ So he went back to it, and saw that it was surrounded with hardships. Then he went back to Him and said: ‘By Your Glory, I fear that no one will enter it.’” (Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, Ahmad; sahih)

Al-Tibi said: “The words ‘I fear that no one will enter it’ mean: because of the hardships such as doing difficult religious duties, and going against whims and desires and subduing them.”

1.5.2. Paradise is not in return for good deeds
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “No one of you will ever enter Paradise by virtue of his deeds.” They said: Not even you, O Messenger of Allah? He said: “Not even me, unless Allah encompasses me with His grace and mercy.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

‘Iyad said: “There is no contradiction between this and the verse (interpretation of the meaning): enter paradise as a reward for your deeds al-Nahl 16:32 and similar verses, because the hadith gives details of what is mentioned here in brief. What that means is with the mercy of Allah and by the mercy of Allah, for it is by His mercy that Allah enables a person to do righteous deeds and guides him to obey Him, and the individual does not deserve that by virtue of his deeds, for everything is by the grace of Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted.”

1.5.3. Some deeds that may be means of admittance to Paradise
The people of Paradise are the believers who do righteous deeds

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
But as for those who believe and do righteous deeds, We will admit them to gardens through which rivers flow, to abide therein forever. There they will have pure spouses, and We shall admit them to cool refreshing shade
al-Nisa’ 4:57
But as for those who believe and do righteous deeds – We do not place on any soul a burden greater than it can bear – they will be the inhabitants of paradise; they will abide therein forever
al-A‘raf 7:42
But whoever comes to Him as a believer, having done righteous deeds, for such will be high ranks,
gardens of perpetual abode, through which rivers flow, to abide therein forever. Such is the reward of those who purify themselves
Ta-Ha 20:75-76

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, has mentioned specific righteous deeds that may be a cause of the doer being admitted to Paradise by Allah’s leave

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
Is then the one who knows that what has been sent down to you from your Lord is the truth like one who is blind? It is only people of understanding who will pay heed,
those who fulfil Allah’s covenant and do not break their solemn pledge,
those who uphold the bonds that Allah has commanded to be upheld, and fear their Lord, and dread a terrible reckoning,
those who patiently persevere, seeking to see, in the hereafter the Countenance of their Lord, and establish prayer, and spend from that which We have provided for them, secretly and openly, and repel evil with good; for them the end will be best in the hereafter
al-Ra‘d 13:19-22

The believers have indeed attained true success,
those who humble themselves in their prayers,
who turn away from all that is vain of words and deeds,
who are active in giving zakah,
and who restrain their carnal desires,
except with their wives or any slave women they may own, for then they are free of blame.
But whoever seeks anything beyond that, such are the transgressors.
Those who are faithful to their trusts and pledges,
and who are diligent in their prayers,
such will be the heirs
who will inherit paradise; they will abide therein forever
al-Mu’minun 23:1-11

These deeds include the following:
Fear of Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted,

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
For him who fears standing before his Lord there will be two gardens
al-Rahman 55:46

Hating the enemies of Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, and not befriending them

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day having close ties with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they be their fathers, their sons, their brothers or their kindred. It is they in whose hearts Allah has inscribed faith and strengthened them with divine aid. He will admit them to gardens through which rivers flow, to abide therein forever. Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. They are the party of Allah; verily it is the party of Allah Who will be the successful ones
al-Mujadilah 58:22

1.5.4. The people of Paradise will inherit that which would have been the share thereof of the people of Hell
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says regarding the successful believers, after mentioning their deeds which were a cause of their being admitted to Paradise (interpretation of the meaning):
such will be the heirs
who will inherit paradise; they will abide therein forever
al-Mu’minun 23:10-11

Al-Qurtubi said: “such will be the heirs that is, those who do the deeds mentioned in these verses will be the heirs who will inherit the abodes of the people of Hell in Paradise.”

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “There is no one among you who does not have two abodes: an abode in Paradise and an abode in Hell. If he dies and enters Hell, the people of Paradise will inherit his abode. This is what Allah says: ‘such will be the heirs al-Mu’minun 23:10”

1.5.5. The weak will form the majority of the people of Paradise
It was narrated from Harithah ibn Wahb al-Khuza‘i (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Shall I not tell you about the people of Paradise? Every weak person who is regarded as insignificant, but if he were to beseech Allah, He would respond to him.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

Al-Nawawi said: “What is meant is: people regard him as weak and insignificant, they look down on him and mistreat him because of his weakness in this world… What is meant is that most of the people of Paradise will be of this type; it does not mean that all of them will be.”

It was narrated from Usamah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “I stood at the gate of Paradise, and I saw that most of those who entered it were poor, and the wealthy were detained, except the people of Hell who were ordered to be taken there.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

1.5.6. How many of those who enter Paradise will be from this ummah
It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The nations were shown to me. One prophet passed by with his nation, another prophet passed by with a small group, another prophet passed by with ten followers, another prophet passed by with five followers, and another prophet passed by on his own. I looked and saw a great multitude, and I said: ‘O Jibril, is this my ummah?’ He said: ‘No, but look at the horizon.’ So I looked, and saw a huge multitude. He said: ‘These are your ummah, and these seventy thousand in front of them will not be brought to account and will not be punished.’” (Al-Bukhari)

It was narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “We were with the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) in a camp, and there were nearly forty men present. The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Would it please you to be one-quarter of the people of Paradise?” We said: Yes. He said: “Would it please you to be one-third of the people of Paradise?” We said: Yes. He said: “By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, I hope that you will be half of the people of Paradise, and that is because no one will enter Paradise but a Muslim soul, and among the people of shirk you are like a white hair on the hide of a black bull, or like a black hair on the hide of a red bull.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

In some hadiths, it is narrated that this ummah will form two thirds of the people of Paradise

It was narrated from Buraydah ibn al-Hasib al-Aslami (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The people of Paradise are one hundred and twenty ranks, eighty from this ummah and forty from all other nations.” (Al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Ahmad; sahih)

Muhammad Khalil Harras said: “There is no contradiction between this hadith and the hadith quoted above which says that they will be two thirds of the people of Paradise, because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) hoped at first that they would be half of the people of Paradise, then Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, granted him what he hoped for and added another sixth, for the grace of Allah is immense and He Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, is most generous and kind.”

1.5.7. The highest of the people of Paradise in status
The highest of the people of Paradise in status is our Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)
It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “When you hear the mu’adhdhin, say what he says, then send blessings upon me, for whoever sends blessings upon me, Allah will send blessings upon him tenfold. Then ask Allah to grant me al-wasilah, for it is a station in Paradise which only one of the slaves of Allah will attain, and I hope that I will be the one. Whoever asks for al-wasilah for me, intercession will be due for him.” (Muslim)

1.6. The leaders of the people of Paradise of this ummah
1.6.1. The leaders of the youth of Paradise
It was narrated from Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Al-Hasan and al-Husayn will be the leaders of the youth of Paradise.” (Al-Tirmidhi, Ahmad; sahih)

1.6.2. The leaders of the women of Paradise
The best of the women of Paradise
It was narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The best of the women of Paradise are Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Fatimah bint Muhammad, Asiyah bint Muzahim, the wife of Pharaoh, and Maryam bint ‘Imran.” (Ahmad, al-Nasa’i, Ibn Hibban; sahih)

The best of the women of Paradise

It was narrated from ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The best of its women is Maryam bint ‘Imran, and the best of its women is Khadijah bint Khuwaylid.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

Ibn Jarir said: “What is meant by ‘the best of its women’ is the best of the women of Paradise.”

It was said that Maryam is the leader of the women of all nations and the best of all of them

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

And remember when the angels said: O Maryam! Allah has chosen you and purified you – chosen you above the women of all nations
Al ‘Imran 3:42

Al-Sam‘ani said: “chosen you above the women of all nations – some of the scholars said that she was chosen above the women of all nations of her own time, and some said that she was chosen above all the women of all nations, because she gave birth without a father, and that did not happen to anyone else among the women of the worlds.”

Ibn Kathir said: “Here Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, tells us of what the angels said to Maryam (peace be upon him) when Allah commanded them to do that: that He had chosen her because of her devotion to worship, her lack of interest in worldly gain and her honour, and He had purified her of any dross and whispers; He chose her time after time, because of her superiority over the women of all nations.”

1.6.3. The ten who were given the glad tidings of Paradise
It was narrated that ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Abu Bakr will be in Paradise, ‘Umar will be in Paradise, ‘Uthman will be in Paradise, ‘Ali will be in Paradise, Talhah will be in Paradise, al-Zubayr will be in Paradise, ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Awf will be in Paradise, Sa‘d will be in Paradise, Sa‘id will be in Paradise, and Abu ‘Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah will be in Paradise.” (Al-Tirmidhi, Ahmad, al-Nasa’i; sahih)

1.6.4. Some of those who it was stated will be in Paradise other than those mentioned above
i. ‘Abdullah ibn Salaam
It was narrated that Mu‘adh ibn Jabal said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) say of ‘Abdullah ibn Salaam: “He is the tenth of ten who will be in Paradise.” (Al-Tirmidhi, Ahmad; sahih)

ii. Zayd ibn Harithah
It was narrated from Buraydah ibn al-Hasib al-Aslami that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “I entered Paradise and was met by a young woman. I said: ‘To whom do you belong?’ She said: ‘I belong to Zayd ibn Harithah.’” (Ibn Abi ‘Asim, Ibn ‘Asakir; sahih)

iii. Bilal ibn Rabah
It was narrated from Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “I dreamt that I entered Paradise… I heard footsteps and I said: ‘Who is this?’ He said: ‘This is Bilal.’” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

1.7. Description of the people of Paradise and the bliss they will enjoy therein
1.7.1. Description of the people of Paradise
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, created Adam in His image, and he was sixty cubits tall... Everyone who enters Paradise will be in the form of Adam, sixty cubits tall. Mankind continued to diminish in size after him until now.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

Ibn Hajar said: “The words ‘Everyone who enters Paradise will be in the form of Adam’ mean: they will resemble him. This indicates that negative characteristics will not be present when people enter Paradise.”

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The first group of my ummah to enter Paradise will look like the moon on the night when it is full, then those who come after them will be like the brightest stars in the sky, then there will come others of different status. They will not defecate or urinate or blow their noses or spit. Their combs will be gold, their incense burners will be aloeswood and their sweat will be musk. Their form will be that of one man, the height of their father Adam, sixty cubits.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

It was narrated from Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The people of Paradise will eat and drink there, but they will not spit or urinate or defecate or blow their noses.” They said: What about their digestion? He said: “It will be by means of burping and sweating like musk. And they will glorify and praise Allah as easily as breathing.” (Muslim)

1.7.2. The bliss of the people of Paradise
Introduction
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
But for those who fear their Lord are gardens, through which rivers flow, to abide therein forever, a recompense from Allah; and that which is with Allah is best for the righteous
Al ‘Imran 3:198
Do not look longingly at the good things We have given some among them to enjoy, the splendour of the life of this world, so that We may test them thereby. The provision of your Lord is better and more lasting
Ta-Ha 20:131
Fair-seeming to men is the love of pleasures, such as women and sons, heaped-up hoards of gold and silver, fine horses, and livestock and well-tilled land. These are the enjoyments of the life of this world; but with Allah is the best place to return to.
Say: Shall I tell you of something better than that? For the righteous, there are gardens with their Lord, through which rivers flow, where they will abide forever, with pure spouses and the good pleasure of Allah. Allah is fully aware of His slaves
Al ‘Imran 3:14-15

The superiority of the bliss of the hereafter over the pleasures of this world; the superiority thereof is proven from many angles:

i. The pleasures of this world are short-lived
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
Say: The enjoyment of this world is short-lived; the hereafter will be better for one who fears Allah
al-Nisa’ 4:77

Al-Sa‘di said: “Say: ‘The enjoyment of this world is short-lived; the Hereafter will be better for one who fears Allah that is, the time for enjoying pleasure and ease in this world is short; putting up with some difficulty in doing acts of worship and obedience to Allah for a short time is something that is easy to do, because if you know that the difficulty you are facing will not last for long, that makes it easier to bear. So how about if you compare this world and the hereafter? For the hereafter is better than this world in and of itself, and with regard to its pleasures and how long it will endure.

In and of itself, it is as the Prophet (sa) said in the sound hadith: ‘A space the size of a whip in Paradise is better than this world and everything in it.’

In and of itself, it is pure and free of any annoyance. Whatever pleasure of any kind that may cross one’s mind, the pleasure of Paradise is superior to it, as Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says: No soul knows what joy is kept hidden in store for it as a reward for what it has done as-Sajdah 32:17. And Allah said on the lips of His Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him): ‘I have prepared for My righteous slaves that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor has it ever crossed the mind of man.’ As for the pleasures of this world, they are mixed with all kinds of annoyances and troubles which, if you compare the pleasures of this world with what accompanies them of pain, worry and distress, you will find that the distress outweighs the pleasure.

With regard to time, this world will come to an end and man’s lifespan – in comparison to this world – is very short. But the hereafter is eternal bliss in which its people will abide forever. If the wise person thinks about these two realms and envisages them properly, he will realize which should take precedence, and which he should seek and strive for. Hence Allah says: the Hereafter will be better for one who fears Allah that is, one who avoids ascribing partners to Him and all other prohibited actions.”

It was narrated from al-Mustawrid ibn Shaddad (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “By Allah, this world in comparison to the Hereafter, is like one of you dipping this finger of his – and he pointed with his forefinger – into the sea; let him see how much he brings back.” (Muslim)

Al-Nawawi said: “What the hadith means is that this world – in comparison to the hereafter, and how short its duration is, how quickly its pleasures will vanish, how long the hereafter will be and how enduring its pleasures and delights will be – is like the drop of water that clings to a forefinger in comparison to the rest of the sea.”

ii. The bliss of the hereafter is better in terms of quality
What there is in Paradise of clothing, jewellery, food, drink, trees, palaces and so on is better than what exists of these things in this world.

It was narrated from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “… If a woman of the people of Paradise were to look out over the people of earth, she would illuminate the space between them and fill it with her fragrance; the scarf on her head is better than this world and everything in it.” (Al-Bukhari)

It was narrated from Sahl ibn Sa‘d al-Sa‘idi (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “A space the size of a whip in Paradise is better than this world and everything in it.” (Al-Bukhari)

iii. Paradise is free of the troubles and problems of this world
The wine of Paradise is white and delicious to those who drink it. It will not cause any harm, nor will they be intoxicated by it al-Saffat 37:46-47

The water of Paradise will not become brackish, and its milk will not change in taste

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
rivers of water forever fresh; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes
Muhammad 47:15

The people of Paradise will not spit, urinate, defecate or blow their noses.

It was narrated from Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The people of Paradise will eat and drink there, but they will not spit or urinate or defecate or blow their noses.” They said: What about their digestion? He said: “It will be by means of burping and sweating like musk. And they will glorify and praise Allah as easily as breathing.” (Muslim)

The women of the people of Paradise will be pure and free of menses, nifas (postpartum bleeding) and all dirty things.

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
and they will have therein pure spouses; and they will abide therein forever
al-Baqarah 2:25
There they will pass around a cup of wine which will not lead to any idle talk or sin
al-Tur 52:23

Al-Sam‘ani said: “That is: there will be no false or inappropriate talk, and no talk that could incur sin.”

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
They will not hear therein any vain talk or lies
al-Naba’ 78:35

Ibn Jarir said: “In Paradise they will not hear any vain or false talk, or any lies. They will not tell lies to one another.”

The hearts of the people of Paradise will be free of all rancour and ill feelings.

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
We will remove all ill feelings from their hearts; they will be like brethren seated on couches facing one another
al-Hijr 15:47

Abu’l-‘Abbas al-Qurtubi said: “The enjoyment of the people of Paradise and their clothing will not be for the purpose of warding off some pain that they feel, and their food will not be to ward off hunger, their drinks will not be to ward off thirst, and their perfume will not be to ward off unpleasant smells. Rather these will be ongoing pleasures and delights that come one after another.”

iv. The pleasures of this world are transient and fleeting, and will come to an end, whereas the bliss of the hereafter is everlasting and will never end

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
its food is perpetual, and so is its shade
al-Ra‘d 13:35

Ibn Jarir said: “The words its food is perpetual mean: what will be eaten there. It is said that it will be perpetual and will never cease for its people, or diminish or disappear. Rather it will be a never-ending supply. and so is its shade means: its shade will also be perpetual, because there is no sun there.”

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says regarding this world (interpretation of the meaning):
Present to them the likeness of the life of this world: it is like the rain that We send down from the heavens; by means of it, all kinds of plants are brought forth from the earth, but soon they become dry twigs scattered about by the wind. Allah has power over all things.
Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But righteous deeds of lasting merit bring a better reward with your Lord and are a better source of hope
al-Kahf 18:45-46

The following are some of the delights that have been prepared for the people of Paradise:

i. The food and drink of the people of Paradise
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
Verily, the righteous will be amidst shade and springs,
and will have any fruits that they may desire.
It will be said to them: Eat and drink with enjoyment, as a reward for your deeds
al-Mursalat 77:41-42

This is paradise, which you are made to inherit as a reward for your deeds.
In it there is abundant fruit for you to eat
al-Zukhruf 43:72-73

It will be said to them: Eat and drink with enjoyment because of what you did of righteous deeds in days gone by
al-Haqqah 69:24

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
along with fruits of their choice
and meat of birds that they may desire.
al-Waqi‘ah 56:20-21

It was narrated from Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The people of Paradise will eat and drink there, but they will not spit or urinate or defecate or blow their noses.” They said: What about their digestion? He said: “It will be by means of burping and sweating like musk. And they will glorify and praise Allah as easily as breathing.” (Muslim)

ii. The wine of the people of Paradise
One of the drinks that Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, will bestow upon the people of Paradise will be wine.

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
rivers of wine, delightful to those who drink it
Muhammad 47:15
A cup will be passed around among them with wine from a flowing spring,
white and delicious to those who drink it.
It will not cause any harm, nor will they be intoxicated by it
al-Saffat 37:45-47
Immortal servant boys will circulate among them
with cups and jugs, and glasses filled from a flowing spring of wine,
which will not cause any headache or intoxication
al-Waqi‘ah 56:17-19

1.7.3. The first food to be offered to the people of Paradise
It was narrated from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that when ‘Abdullah ibn Salaam heard that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) had come to Madinah, he came to him and said, I am going to ask you about three things which no one knows except a prophet. What is the first sign of the Hour? What is the first food that the people of Paradise will eat? And how is it that a child may resemble either his father or his mother? The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Jibril has just now informed me about these matters… The first food that the people of Paradise will eat will be the caudate (extra) lobe of fish-liver.” (Al-Bukhari)

1.7.4. The vessels and drinks of the people of Paradise
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
Platters of gold and cups will be passed around among them
al-Zukhruf 43:71
Immortal servant boys will circulate among them
with cups and jugs, and glasses filled from a flowing spring of wine
al-Waqi‘ah 56:17-16
Vessels of silver and goblets of crystal will be passed around among them,
crystal-clear, made of silver, filled to exact measure
al-Insan 76:15-16

1.7.5. The clothing, jewellery and incense burners of the people of Paradise
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
and will reward them for their patience and steadfastness with paradise and garments of silk
al-Insan 76:12
They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and of pearls, and their garments therein will be of silk
al-Hajj 22:23
Gardens of perpetual abode, which they will enter; they will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and of pearls, and their garments therein will be of silk
Fatir 35:33

There they will wear garments of fine silk and heavy brocade, green and other colors.
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade, reclining therein on couches. What an excellent reward, and what a pleasant resting place!
al-Kahf 18:31

The garments and jewellery of the people of Paradise will not wear out

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever enters Paradise will enjoy bliss and will not be miserable, his clothes will not wear out and his youth will not fade.”

1.7.6. The furnishings, couches and cushions of the people of Paradise
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
in it there will be raised couches,
and goblets placed ready,
and cushions set in rows
al-Ghashiyah 88:13-15
They will recline on carpets lined with brocade, with the fruits of the two gardens within easy reach
al-Rahman 55:54
They will be reclining on couches arranged in rows, and We will marry them to fair companions with big beautiful eyes
al-Tur 52:20
We will remove all ill feelings from their hearts; they will be like brethren seated on couches facing one another
al-Hijr 15:47

1.7.7. The servants of the people of Paradise
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
Immortal servant boys will circulate among them
with cups and jugs, and glasses filled from a flowing spring of wine
al-Waqi ‘ah 56:17-18

1.7.8. The market of the people of Paradise
It was narrated from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “In Paradise there is a market to which they will come every Friday. Then the north wind will come and will blow on their faces and garments, and increase them in beauty. Then they will return to their wives having increased in beauty and their wives will say to them: By Allah, you have increased in beauty, and they will say: By Allah, you too have increased in beauty.” (Muslim)

1.7.9. The meeting and conversation of the people of Paradise
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says, describing the people of Paradise (interpretation of the meaning):
They will be seated on well-crafted couches,
reclining on them, facing one another
al-Waqi‘ah 56:15-16

Regarding that, Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says regarding them (interpretation of the meaning):
They will turn to one another with questions.
One of them will say: I had a friend on earth,
who used to say: Are you one of those who believe
that when we have died and become dust and bones, we will be brought to account?
He will say: Shall we look for him in the fire?
So he will look down and see him in the middle of the blazing fire.
He will say: By Allah, you almost brought about my ruin!
Were it not for the grace of my Lord, I too would have been there in hell.
Is it then that we are not going to die,
except our first death, and that we will not be punished?
Surely this is the supreme triumph!
For the like of this let all strive, who wish to strive
al-Saffat 37:50-61

1.7.10. The wishes of the people of Paradise
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was speaking when there was a Bedouin man with him. He said: “One of the people of Paradise will ask his Lord for permission to cultivate the land. He will say to him: ‘Do you not have what you wanted?’ He will say: ‘Yes, but I love to cultivate the land.’ So he will sow the seeds and within the blink of an eye the plants will grow and be ready for harvesting, as big as mountains. Allah will say: ‘Here you are, O son of Adam; nothing satisfies you.’” The Bedouin said: By Allah, you will not find him to be anything but a Qurashi or an Ansari, for they are the ones who cultivate the land; as for us, we do not cultivate the land. And the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) smiled.

1.7.11. The women of the people of Paradise
i. The believer’s wife in this world will be his wife in the hereafter, if she is a believer

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
gardens of perpetual abode, which they will enter together with the righteous among their forebears, their spouses, and their offspring
al-Ra‘d 13:23 

Ibn Kathir said: “Allah will bring them together with their loved ones in Paradise, such as their parents, families and children, of those who were believers and deserve to enter Paradise, so as to bring them joy. He will even raise those who are lower in status so that they will join those who are higher in status, without that detracting from the status of the latter; rather it will be by His generosity and kindness, as He Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says:
For those who believe and whose offspring follow them in faith, We will cause their offspring to join them, and We will not detract anything from the reward of their good deeds. Every person is held in pledge for what he earns of righteous deeds
al-Tur 52:21

In Paradise they will live a life of joy and ease with their spouses
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
they and their spouses reclining on couches in the shade
Ya-Sin 36:56

Enter the garden, you and your spouses, rejoicing
al-Zukhruf 43:70

ii. al-Hur al-‘Iyn
a. Description of al-hur al-‘iyn
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
So it will be, and We will marry them to fair companions with big beautiful eyes
al-Dukhan 44:54

Ibn al-Qayyim said: “The word hur (translated here as fair companions) is the plural of hawra’, which refers to a fair, pretty, beautiful, young woman with intensely dark eyes. Zayd ibn Aslam said: The hawra’ is the woman who dazzles the one who looks at her. The word ‘iyn refers to one who has beautiful eyes. Mujahid said: The hawra’ refers to the woman who dazzles the one who looks at her, because of how delicate and pure in colour her skin is. Al-Hasan said: The hawra’ is the woman the white of whose eyes is intensely white and the iris of her eyes is intensely dark.”

Al-hur al-‘iyn are described as youthful/full-breasted, of equal age.

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
Verily, for the righteous there will be salvation,
gardens and vineyards,
and youthful companions, of equal age
al-Naba’ 78:31-33

Ibn al-Qayyim said: “The word al-kawa‘ib (translated here as youthful) is the plural of ka‘ib, which means young and full-breasted. Qatadah, Mujahid and other commentators said: Al-Kalbi said: They are young women whose breasts are full and round. What is meant is that their breasts are round like pomegranates, and do not sag.”

Al-Sa‘di said: “And there they will have wives as they would like, youthful (companions) that is, young women whose breasts have not started to sag, because they are young, strong and radiant. of equal age that is, all close in age. Usually people who are close in age get along and are in harmony.”

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, will make them virgins, loving and of equal age:
and We shall have made them virgins,
loving and of equal age
al-Waqi‘ah 56:35-37

Al-Sa‘di said: “We shall indeed have created them (their spouses) anew and perfect that is, We shall have created the wives of the people of Paradise in a form other than their earthly form, perfect and not subject to death.
and shall have made them virgins that is, both young and old.

This general wording includes both al-hur al-‘iyn and the women who lived in this world. This description – of being virgins – will be constant, and that will be their state at all times, just as they will remain loving and of equal age at all times.

The word translated here as loving refers to the woman who is affectionate and tries to endear herself to her husband with nice words, beautiful appearance, soft talk, beauty and love. When she speaks, she enchants the listener, who wishes that her words would never end, especially when she sings pleasant tunes in a delightful voice. And when her husband looks at her good manners and gentle characteristics, his heart is filled with joy and happiness; when she moves from one place to another, that place is filled with her beautiful fragrance and light. That includes coquettish behaviour when engaging in intercourse.

of equal age – the age in question is thirty-three which is the prime age, the end of youth. Their wives will be loving and of equal age, living in harmony and getting along with one another, content and pleasing to others, not grieving nor causing grief; rather they will bring joy to the heart and be a delight to the eyes.”

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
In those gardens will be chaste women who restrain their glances, untouched before by any man or jinn
(al-Rahman 55:56)

Ibn Jarir said: “No man or jinni will have had intercourse with them before.”

Al-hur al-‘iyn are described as lowering their gazes; they are the ones who limit their gaze to their husbands, and their gaze does not wander to anyone other than their husbands.”

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
And with them will be chaste women with big beautiful eyes who restrain their glances
al-Saffat 37:48

And Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says: describing the reward of the foremost, those who are brought near to Allah (interpretation of the meaning):
And there will be fair companions with big beautiful eyes,
as if they are pearls carefully guarded
al-Waqi‘ah 56:22-23

When describing the two gardens that will be the reward of the one who feared the standing before his Lord, Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, likens al-hur al-‘iyn to rubies and coral, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
as though they were rubies and pearls
al-Rahman 55:58

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The first group to enter Paradise will look like the moon on the night when it is full. They will not spit or blow their noses or defecate therein. Their vessels there will be of gold, their combs will be of gold and silver, their incense burners will be of aloeswood and their sweat will be musk. Each of them will have two wives, the marrow of whose calves will be visible from beneath the flesh because of their beauty.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

It was narrated from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “If a woman of the people of Paradise were to look out over the people of earth, she would illuminate the space between them and fill it with her fragrance; the scarf on her head is better than this world and everything in it.” (Al-Bukhari)

ii. The singing of al-hur al-‘iyn
Ibn Kathir said: “Hell is surrounded with desires, but everything in it is pain, punishment and regret. Paradise is surrounded and concealed by hardships, but everything in it is all kinds of joy and delight such as no eye has seen, no ear has heard nor has it ever crossed the mind of any human, all kinds of pleasures, as is pointed out in the clear verses and proven hadiths. One of the eternal pleasures and ongoing delights will be the joy of listening to that the like of which ears have never heard, as Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
As for those who believed and did righteous deeds, they will be in a garden, rejoicing
al-Rum 30:15
Al-Awza‘i said, narrating from Yahya ibn Abi Kathir: This refers to listening to singing in Paradise.”

It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The wives of the people of Paradise will sing to their husbands with the most beautiful voices that anyone has ever heard. Among the words that they will sing are: ‘We are the good and beautiful, the wives of noble people, who look at their husbands with joy.’ And among the words that they will sing are: ‘We are the eternal ones, who will never die; we are the safe ones, who will never be afraid; we are the settled ones, who will never travel.’” (Al-Tabarani, Abu Nu‘aym, al-Diya’; sahih)

iii. The believer will be given the strength of one hundred men
It was narrated from Zayd ibn Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said regarding the people of Paradise: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, one of you will be given the strength of one hundred men with regard to eating, drinking, desire and intercourse.” (Ahmad, al-Nasa’i, Ibn Hibban; sahih)

1.7.12. The people of Paradise will laugh at the people of Hell
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
The inhabitants of paradise will call out to the inhabitants of hell: We have indeed found what our Lord promised us to be true. Have you found what your Lord promised to be true? They will say: Yes. Then a caller will proclaim among them: The curse of Allah is upon the wrongdoers
al-A‘raf 7:44

Verily, the evildoers used to laugh at those who believed;
when they passed by them, they would wink at one another in mockery,
and when they returned to their homes, they returned exulting.
When they saw the believers, they said: These people have indeed gone astray,
although they were not sent to be their keepers.
But on that day those who believed will laugh at the disbelievers,
while sitting on couches, observing the wretched fate of the disbelievers.
Are the disbelievers requited for anything other than what they used to do?
al-Mutaffifin 83:29-36

1.7.13. Tasbih and takbir will be among the delights of the people of Paradise
It was narrated from Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The people of Paradise will eat and drink there, but they will not defecate or blow their noses or urinate. Rather their digestion will be by belching like musk, and they will glorify and praise Allah as easily as breathing.” According to another report, something similar was narrated from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), except that he said: “and they will glorify (tasbih) and magnify (takbir) Allah as easily as breathing.” (Muslim)

Ibn Taymiyah said: “The people of Paradise will find joy in tasbih, so they will be inspired to glorify Allah and it will become second nature to them, like breathing is in this world. This will not be like a religious duty for which they expect a particular reward; rather this action itself will be part of the pleasure that they will enjoy and find delight in it.”

1.7.14. Seeing Allah and attaining His pleasure will be the best that is given to the people of Paradise
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
Allah has promised the believers, men and women, gardens through which rivers flow, to abide therein forever, and fine dwellings in gardens of perpetual abode, and the good pleasure of Allah, which is the greatest of all; that is the supreme triumph
(al-Tawbah 9:72)

Al-Sa‘di said: “and the good pleasure of Allah that He will bestow upon the people of Paradise
which is the greatest of all, greater than all the delights that they are enjoying, for they cannot enjoy those delights except by seeing their Lord and by His being pleased with them, because this is the ultimate good that worshippers seek, and the end goal for which lovers strive. Hence the good pleasure of the Lord of the earth and the heavens is greater than the delights of Paradise.”

It was narrated from Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, will say to the people of Paradise: O people of Paradise! They will say: Here we are at Your service, our Lord. He will say: Are you pleased? They will say: How could we not be pleased, O Lord, when You have given us that which You have not given to anyone else among Your creation? He will say: Shall I not give you something even better than that? They will say: O Lord, what can be better than that? He will say: I bestow My pleasure upon you and I will never be angry with you after that.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
On that day, some faces will be radiant,
gazing upon their Lord
al-Qiyamah 75:22-23

Ibn Kathir said: “Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says: On that day, some faces will be radiant. The word translated here as radiant refers to beauty, joy, shining and happiness. gazing upon their Lord that is, they will see Him with their own eyes, as al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated in his Sahih: “Indeed you will see your Lord with your own eyes.” It is proven that the believers will see Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, in the hereafter in many sahih hadiths which have been narrated by chains of narration that are mutawatir according to the leading scholars of hadith, and that cannot be refuted.… This is something that is agreed upon by the Sahabah, the Tabi‘in, and the early generations of this ummah, and it is agreed upon by the scholars of Islam and guided people.”

The disbelievers and polytheists will be deprived of that immense blessing:
Nay; verily on that day they will be barred from seeing their Lord
al-Mutaffifin 83:15

It was narrated from Suhayb ibn Sinan al-Rumi (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “When the people of Paradise have entered Paradise, Allah will say: ‘Do you want anything more?’ They will say: ‘Have You not brightened our faces and admitted us to Paradise and saved us from the Fire?’ Then He will remove the veil, and they will not be given anything that is more dear to them than gazing upon their Lord Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted.” And, according to one report, he added: Then he recited the verse (interpretation of the meaning): For those who do good there will be the best reward and more besides Yunus 10:26. (Muslim)

‘Iyad said: “In this hadith, it mentions the people of Paradise gazing at their Lord. The view of all of Ahl al-Sunnah is that it is possible, rationally speaking, to see Allah, and it is definitely going to happen in the hereafter for the believers, based on the religious texts. That is mentioned in the Qur’an, and the early generations of the ummah were agreed on that. It was narrated by more than ten of the Sahabah, with different wording, from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).”

Some scholarly views about the believers seeing their Lord Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, in the hereafter
i. al-Tahhawi said: “Seeing Him is due for the people of Paradise, but not in a comprehensive manner, and we do not know how that will be, as it says in the Book of our Lord (interpretation of the meaning):
On that day, some faces will be radiant,
gazing upon their Lord
al-Qiyamah 75:22-23
And we understand that it will happen in the way in which Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, wants it to happen. Everything that has been narrated concerning that in sahih hadiths from the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), we understand it as he said it, and what it means is what he intended it to mean. We should not examine the text and try to understand it on the basis of what we think it should mean, and we should not imagine a meaning for it on the basis of our whims and desires, for the one who wants to keep his faith intact should surrender to Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, and His Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) with regard to the meaning of these texts, and to refer knowledge of anything that he is confused about to the One Who knows it.”

ii. Ibn al-Qayyim said: “The greatest blessing and pleasure of the hereafter will be gazing upon the Countenance of the Lord Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, , hearing His words and being close to Him…

in al-Nasa’i and Musnad al-Imam Ahmad, it is narrated from ‘Ammar ibn Yasir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)said in his supplication: “And I ask You, O Allah, for the pleasure of gazing upon Your noble Countenance and the pleasure of longing to meet You.” (Al-Nasa’i, Ahmad; sahih)

1.8. Paradise is eternal and its people will abide therein for ever
Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
But those who believe and do righteous deeds, We will admit them to gardens through which rivers flow, to abide therein forever. This is a true promise from Allah, and who is truer in word than Allah?
al-Nisa’ 4:122

Ibn Kathir said: “ to abide therein forever means: without leaving or departing. This is a true promise from Allah that is, this is a promise from Allah, and it is known that the promise of Allah will inevitably come to pass, hence it is confirmed with the word true. Then He says: and who is truer in word than Allah? that is, no one is more true in word and promise than Him; there is no god worthy of worship except Him and no Lord besides Him.”

Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
But whoever believes in Allah and does righteous deeds, He will absolve them of their bad deeds and admit them to gardens through which rivers flow, to abide therein forever; that is the supreme triumph
al-Taghabun 64:9

It was narrated from Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri and Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “A caller will call out: ‘You are promised that you will be healthy and will never get sick, you will live and never die, you will remain young and never grow old, you will enjoy bliss and will never be miserable.” This is what Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says: “And it will be cried out to them: This is paradise, which you are made to inherit as a reward for your deeds” al-A‘raf 7:43. (Muslim)

Scholarly views regarding that
i. Abu Hatim al-Razi and Abu Zur‘ah ar-Razi said: “We met the scholars in all regions, the Hijaz, Iraq, Syria and Yemen, and part of their belief is… that Paradise is real and Hell is real; they are both already created and they will never cease to exist.”

ii. Abu Isma‘il al-Sabuni said: “Ahl al-Sunnah testify that Paradise and Hell are already created and that they will remain forever and will never cease to exist, that the people of Paradise will never be expelled from it, and neither will the people of Hell who are its people and were created for it; they will never be brought forth from it. And on that day, the caller will call out: ‘O people of Paradise, it is eternal and there will be no death; O people of Hell, it is eternal and there will be no death,” according to what was narrated in a sound report from the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).”

iii. Ibn Hazm said: “Paradise is real and Hell is real; they are two abodes that have already been created… They and those who will abide in them are eternal, without end.… All of this is the matter of consensus among all the Muslims, and whoever differs from that has left the fold of Islam.”