Allah the Almighty has created Paradise for His believing slaves; He has created in it pleasures that no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard of, and no mind could ever comprehend. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Allah, the Exalted, has said: ‘I have prepared for my righteous slaves (in Paradise) what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and the mind of no man has conceived.’” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
There are many verses in the Qur’an that describe Paradise and some of what it contains; the following are a collection of some of them:
l It is a wide space:
{“And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden [i.e. Paradise] as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous.”} [Qur’an, 3: 133]
l It is an eternal abode:
{“Wherein they abide eternally. They will not desire from it any transfer.”} [Qur’an, 18: 108]
l It contains gardens beneath which rivers flow:
{“Allah has promised the believing men and believing women gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence; but approval from Allah is greater. It is that which the great attainment is.”} [Qur’an, 9: 72]
l Its food and shade are everlasting:
{“The example [i.e. description] of Paradise, which the righteous have been promised, is [that] beneath it rivers flow. Its fruit is lasting, and its shade. That is the consequence for the righteous…”} [Qur’an, 13: 35]
l Its drinks and foods are delicious and varied:
{“…the description of Paradise, which the righteous are promised, wherein are rivers of water unaltered, rivers of milk the taste of which never changes, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink, and rivers of purified honey, in which they will have from all [kinds of] fruits and forgiveness from their Lord…”} [Qur’an, 47: 15]
l Its inhabitants are adorned with gold and pearl jewellery:
{“[For them are] gardens of perpetual residence, which they will enter. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls…”} [Qur’an, 35: 33]
l Its furniture is extremely beautiful from the exterior, and it is lined with silk that is decorated with gold:
{ “[They are] reclining on beds whose linings are of silk brocade and the fruit of the two gardens is hanging low.”} [Qur’an, 55: 54]
l In Paradise, men are given Hoor, the special women of Paradise, in addition to the wives to whom they were married in this life:
{“And with them will be women limiting [their] glances, with large, [beautiful] eyes, As if they were [delicate] eggs, well protected.”} [Qur’an, 37: 48-49]
l The people of Paradise will be served by beautiful youths who will never die:
{“There will circulate among them young boys made eternal. When you see them, you would think them [as beautiful as] scattered pearls.”} [Qur’an, 76: 19]
l Its utensils are made of gold and silver:
{“‘Enter Paradise, you and your kinds, delighted.’ Circulated among them will be plates and vessels of gold. And therein is whatever the souls desire and [what] delights the eyes, and you will abide therein eternally.”} [Qur’an, 43: 70-71]
l The climate in Paradise is both moderate and pleasant:
{“[They will be] reclining therein on adorned couches. They will not see therein any [burning] sun or [freezing] cold.”} [Qur’an, 76: 13]
l The children of the dwellers of Paradise will be raised to their rank, even if they were to fall short of it. This is so that the joy of the dwellers of Paradise will be completed by the presence of their children:
{“And those who believed and whose descendants followed them in faith – We will join with them their descendants, and We will not deprive them of anything of their deeds. Every person, for what he earned, is retained.”} [Qur’an, 52: 21]
Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “The first group (of people) to enter Paradise will be shining like the moon on a full-mooned night. Then will come those who follow them, who will be (shining) like the brightest planet in the sky. They (i.e., all the people of Paradise) will not stand in need of urinating, defecating, spitting, or blowing their noses. Their combs will be of gold and their sweat will smell of musk. Their wives will be large-eyed maidens. All the men (in Paradise) will be alike and in the form of their father Aadam - 60 cubits tall.”” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The greatest pleasure of the dwellers of Paradise will be the sight of their Lord. When the dwellers of Paradise see Him, they will forget everything, including all the types of pleasure that they had previously enjoyed.
The bounty of seeing Allah in Paradise is one of its distinct features, and is a means of Allah The Almighty honouring its dwellers:
{“[Some] faces, that Day, will be radiant, Looking at their Lord.”} [Qur’an, 75: 22-23]
Meaning that the faces of the believers will be beautified and joyful as a result of their looking at the Face of their Lord, as was stated by Imaam al-Hasan, may Allah have mercy upon him.
Allah The Almighty also Says: {“For them who have done good is the best [reward] — and extra…”} [Qur’an, 10: 26] The ‘best reward’ in this verse refers to Paradise, and the ‘extra’ is to be given permission to look at the Face of Allah. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, clarified in the following narration: Suhayb, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: “The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “When the inhabitants of Paradise enter it, Allah, the Glorious and Exalted, will say to them: ‘Do you wish for me to give you anything more?’ They will reply: ‘Have You not made our faces bright? Have You not brought us into Paradise and delivered us from Hell?’ Then, Allah will remove the Veil (that screens Him from the believers); the (dwellers of Paradise) will then feel that they have not been awarded anything dearer to them than looking at their Lord.” [Muslim] Then he, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, recited the verse (i.e., the 26th verse of Chapter Yoonus).”
Having known the greatest bounty and pleasure which the dwellers of Paradise will attain is looking at the Face of their Lord, it becomes evident how deprived the sinners are and how great their loss is. They will be prevented from seeing the Face of their Lord, as Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {“No! Indeed, from their Lord, that Day, they will be partitioned”} [Qur’an, 83: 15]
Reward for women in Paradise
Allah The Almighty clarifies (what means): {“And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer - those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, [even by as much as] the speck on a date seed.”} [Qur’an, 4: 124] This reflects the kindness of Allah The Almighty and informs us that He will deal fairly and equally with both males and females in terms of accepting their good deeds; He will not wrong anyone by even an amount as small as the ‘speck’ on the date seed, which is a reference to the very fine membrane that covers it.
In this verse, Allah The Almighty informs women specifically that He will not wrong them, provided they fulfil the condition in it (which means): {“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer— We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.”} [Qur’an, 16: 97]
Imaam Ibn Katheer, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “This is a promise from Allah to anyone from the children of Aadam, whether male or female, who perform good deeds, which (of course) are those deeds that are in accordance with the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and who perform them whilst their hearts believe in Allah and His Messenger, that they will live a good life.”
If women still doubt their reward in the Hereafter, then the following narration ought to put their mind at ease. Umm ‘Umaarah, may Allah be pleased with her, went to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and said, “O Messenger of Allah! Why are women not mentioned in the Qur’an as much as men are?” So Allah The Almighty revealed the verse (which means): {“Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so – for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.”} [Qur’an, 33: 35] [At-Tirmithi]
Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/
Belief in the Hereafter
Belief in the Hereafter is one of the six pillars of Islamic belief required of a Muslim in order to complete his faith. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam (may Allah exalt his mention), informed us about events of the Ghayb (those beyond human perception) which will occur after death. This fundamental belief is only completed when one has firm faith in his heart in all those matters about which the Prophet informed us.
Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamaa’ah (mainstream Muslims) believe in all of these events, whereas the people of innovation refuse to accept events such as the questioning in the grave, the bliss and the trials of the grave, the punishment in the grave, the passing over the Siraat (the Bridge set over Hell), and the setting of the scales. The reason for their denial is that, in their estimation, these matters cannot be proven by mere intellect. Since they consider their intellect to be the judge over everything, they do not believe in matters which are beyond their comprehension.
Materialists refuse to believe in anything which they do not feel. Our answer to this attitude is that our inability to sense the existence of certain things does not justify our denial of the very existence of those things. Certitude through news from an authentic person is as good as the certitude by seeing and feeling. Since the honesty of Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, in conveying the Divine Message revealed to him has been established for us, we-believers- firmly believe in everything he, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, told about the unseen, including the Hereafter. Belief in the hereafter entails the following:
(A) Belief in Events of the Grave
Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamaa’ah believe in the trial of the grave. The Arabic word for trial is ‘Fitnah’, which linguistically means to place gold in fire in order to remove its impurities; this word was thus later used in the sense of testing and trying.
The Qur’anic evidence concerning this issue is in the following verse in which Almighty Allah describes the punishment of the people of Fir’awn (Pharaoh); He, the Most Exalted, Says (what means): “The Fire: they are exposed to it morning and evening. And the Day the Hour appears [it will be said]: ‘Make the people of Pharaoh enter the severest punishment.’” [Qur’an 40:46]
Also, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “The grave is either a garden from the Gardens of Paradise, or a pit from the pits of Hell.” [At-Tirmithi]
(B) Events of the Day of Judgment
After the duration of this earth is over, Allah will command Israafeel [the Angel in charge of blowing the Trumpet] to blow it. At the first blowing, all the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth will fall unconscious, except those for whom Allah Wills otherwise. Then, the earth will be flattened and the mountains will be made into floating sand dunes. In short, everything will occur that Allah has informed us about in His book, especially in chapters 81 and 82 of the Noble Qur’an.
Then Allah will command the skies to pour rain. This rain will resemble the sperm of men. People will then be resurrected from their graves. This process will start from their vertebral column. The entire body of a person decays after his death except the lower end of the vertebral column. This process of resurrection will continue until they are transformed back into their original shape and bodies. Allah will then command Israafeel to blow the Trumpet for the second time, upon which people will rise from their graves alive. The disbelievers and the hypocrites will then be regretful and will say (what means): “…Woe to us! Who has raised us up from our sleeping place?” [Qur’an: 36:52] Whereas the believers will say (what means): “…This is what the Most Merciful had promised, and the Messengers spoke the truth.” [Qur’an 36:52]
Then angels will drive all of them naked, uncircumcised, and barefooted to the place of Hashr (Gathering).
The first one to be dressed on that Day will be Prophet Ibraaheem, may Allah exalt his mention. At the place of Gathering, the sun will descend close to the heads of people, and their sweat will engulf them. It will be up to the ankles of some of them, up to the knees of others, up to the chests of others, and up to the necks of others. The level of their sweat will be in accordance with their deeds.
Some people on that Day will be sheltered by the shade of the Throne of Allah. When the conditions become unbearable for people, and the despair increases greatly, people will ask Allah to allow His messengers and prophets to intercede on their behalf and save them from their distress. Every messenger and prophet will direct the people to the prophet who came after him, until they come to our Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. He will respond by saying that he is the appropriate person for it. He will intercede for them, which will result in the beginning of Judgment.
(C) The Balances
The balances will then be erected, and the deeds will be weighed. These balances will be real and will have pans and needles. Allah, the Exalted and Glorified, will give the deeds of the creatures a material existence that will have weight. The good deeds will be placed in one pan and the evil deeds in the other, as Allah informs us in the Qur’an by Saying (what means): “And We shall set up balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it. And Sufficient are We to take account.” [Qur’an 21:47]
(D) The Records
This will be followed by the disclosure of the record of deeds. He who will receive his record in his right hand will have an easy reckoning. He will return to his family in happiness. However, he who will receive his record from behind and in his left hand will seek death on that Day, as he will be thrust into the Hellfire. He will be full of regrets on that Day and will wish that he were not handed his record or that he had not known about it. Allah Says (what means): “Then as for him who is given his record in his right hand. He will be judged with an easy account. And return to his people in happiness. But as for he who is given his record behind his back. He will cry out for destruction. And [enter to] burn in a Blaze.” [Qur’an 84:7-12]
All the events that are bound to occur after death and on the Last Day, like reward and punishment, Paradise and Hell, the Reckoning and other events are mentioned in detail in the Divine revelations and in narrations from the prophets. They are also available in the knowledge which the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, has left us as his inheritance; whoever wishes to seek it will find it.
Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/
More than 1,400 years ago Allah and His Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, told us that honey can heal a variety of medical problems.
Allah says in the Qur’an, “And the Lord inspired the bee, saying: Take your habitations in the mountains and in the trees and in what they erect. Then, eat of all fruits and follow the ways of your Lord made easy (for you).’ There comes forth from their bellies a drink of varying colour wherein is healing for men. Verily in this is indeed a sign for people who think.” (16:68-69)
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, has also told us of the healing found within honey for a variety of medical problems, including stomach ailments. One Hadith, reported by Bukhari, states that a man came to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, because his brother had a stomach disorder. The Prophet said, “Let him drink honey.” The man returned a second time, saying his brother had stomach disorder, and again the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said, “Let him drink honey.” He returned a third time, saying again that his brother had stomach disorder. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, responded again, “Let him drink honey.” The man returned and said, “I have done that.” The Prophet then responded, “Allah has said the truth, but your brother’s stomach has told a lie. Let him drink honey.” He drank it and was cured.
Tirmithi, Ibn Majah and Baihaqi also reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said, “Make use of the two remedies: honey and the Qur’an.”
Modern medicine is only just learning of this fact. Traditional uses of honey have included honey mixed with lemon for sore throats. Honey coats the throat and reduces throat irritation. Research has already shown that honey blocks the growth of oral bacteria. Honey has also been used for stomach pains and problems. Modern research shows that honey is effective when used in the treatment of gastric or peptic stomach ulcers. Research has also revealed that honey is effective in the treatment of various wounds and infections because of its anti-microbial (anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal) properties.
Researchers are not absolutely sure why honey heals but they are learning new things about honey every day. We do know that honey contains a variety of sugars and minerals. Honey is also considered an antioxidant. This means it allows the blood to circulate better and provide more oxygen to areas of the body such as the brain. Honey can also be used externally to promote healing when applied to wounds, even post-operative wounds. Honey has also been effective in its use to treat burns. It has even been shown to be low in calories and useful as a sweetener for diabetics, people with heart disease or those overweight.
Although there is healing in honey for a variety of medical disorders, certain precautions should also be taken. Children under the age of one year should never be given honey due to the possibility of infant botulism. This type of food poisoning can be deadly, however, it only seems to affect infants under one year of age. Also, if you have any known allergies to specific plants, then you should make sure the honey you are using is not made from that plant. People with allergies to bee stings should also be careful when using other bee-related products such as propolis or royal jelly. If these precautions are followed, then honey may provide healing for you.
As Muslims, we must acknowledge and accept that Allah and His Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, know better and have revealed the truth. We should, therefore, accept that honey can heal and make use of it. We should study the research that is available, not to confirm or deny the truth that has been revealed by Allah and His Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, but to learn of new ways we can use honey.
Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/