Everlasting Nature of Paradise

Even if one were to experience pure pleasure in this world, there is still the pain of separation from the things we love. We all fear death because it takes us away from the things we love, our family, wealth, homes, and comforts. So even if we lived a life full of enjoyment, that enjoyment is ruined by death. The Prophet peace be upon him described death as the destroyer of pleasures. On the other hand, paradise is eternal and people in it will never die, nor will it ever end. Throughout the Qurʾān, the life of this world is compared to the temporary life of fruits and vegetation:

And present to them the example of the life of this world, [its being] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability. Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life (Qurʾān 18: 45).

Paradise: A Life of Eternal Bliss and No Death

The Qurʾān compares this life to the rain because it causes plants and vegetation to grow, but after a short lifespan these plants wither away. This is identical to the pleasures of this life. Youth, beauty, children, wealth, property, cars etc. Each of these things fades away and are replaced with their opposite. Youth is replaced with old age, health with sickness, newness with oldness, wealth with poverty, and life with death. However, in paradise, there is no death:

The Prophet peace be upon him said: Death will be brought forth in the form of a black and white speckled ram, and a caller will cry out, ‘O people of Paradise!’ They will crane their necks and look, and he will say, ‘Do you recognize this?’ They will say, ‘Yes, it is death,’ and all of them will have seen it. Then he will cry out, ‘O people of Hell!’ They will crane their necks and look, and he will say, ‘Do you recognize this?’ They will say, ‘Yes, it is death,’ and all of them will have seen it. Then the ram will be slaughtered, and he (the caller) will say, ‘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.’” Then he recited (interpretation of the meaning): “And warn them (O Muhammad) of the Day of grief and regrets, when the case has been decided, while (now) they are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not” (Qurʾān 19:39) (Bukhari).

The Qurʾān documents a beautiful reflection of the inhabitants of paradise will have upon entering it: Then he will ask his fellow believers, “Can you imagine that we will never die except our first death? And that we will never be punished? This is truly the ultimate triumph!” (Qurʾān 37:58-61)

The Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said that when people enter paradise, a caller will call out:

“Indeed may you be healthy and never be sick again, may you live and never die again, may you be young and never grow feeble again, may you enjoy, and never feel sorrow and regret again.” (Muslim).

Say: Short is the enjoyment of this world.  The Hereafter is (far) better for him who fears God (Qurʾān 4:77).

The description of the Paradise promised to the righteous is that under it rivers flow; eternal is its fruit as well as its shade. That is the ˹ultimate˺ outcome for the righteous. But the outcome for the disbelievers is the Fire! (Qurʾān 13:35).

What is with you must vanish, and what is with God will endure (Qurʾān 16:96).

This is what you are promised for the Day of Reckoning. This is indeed Our provision that will never end (Qurʾān 38:53-54).

Gardens of perpetual residence; they will enter them with whoever were righteous among their fathers, their spouses and their descendants. And the angels will enter upon them from every gate, [saying]. ‘Peace [i.e. security] be upon you for what you patiently endured. And excellent is the final home (Qurʾān 13: 23-24).

Clothing and Jewelry

They will be adorned with bracelets of gold, and they will wear green garments of fine and thick silk (Qurʾān 18:31).

They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments therein will be silk (Qurʾān 22:32).

Dressed in garments of fine silk and brocade, facing each other (Qurʾān 44:51-53).

Their garments will be of fine green silk, and gold embroidery. They will be adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord will give them a pure drink (Qurʾān: 76:21).

The Prophet peace be upon him said: Tooba is a tree in Paradise, as wide as what would require a hundred years journey; the clothes of the people of Paradise come from the outer parts of its flowers (Silsilat al-Hadith As-Saheehah).

No Ill Feelings

They will not hear therein ill speech or commission of sin.  But only the saying of: Peace! Peace! (Quran 56:25-26)

And We will remove whatever is in their breasts of bitterness, so they will bebrothers, on thrones facing each other (Qurʾān 15:47).

There will be no hatred or resentment among them, their hearts will be as one, and they will glorify God, morning and evening (Bukhari).

The Description of Paradise in The Quran

Ultimately, the life of this world is not meant to be a place of complete and everlasting happiness. We are all temporary residents in this world, we will die and go to one of two places in the hereafter. It is foolish to get so connected and engrossed in this world while purposefully forgetting that we will soon leave it. This article only highlighted some of what God and the Prophet peace be upon him said about paradise. These descriptions are meant to inspire us to work hard, forgive, be patient, and look forward to stepping foot into the eternal bliss of paradise. Laziness, cowardliness, fear, and procrastination are all obstacles that can prevent us from entering the abode of never ending joy and pleasure. It is essentially to step back and reflect on the nature of this world, the nature of our life and death, and our ultimate destiny. Every soul will taste death. And you will only receive your full reward on the Day of Judgment. Whoever is spared from the Fire and is admitted into Paradise will indeed triumph. And the life of this world is no more than the delusion of enjoyment (Qurʾān 3:185).

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Your Dream Home: A Description of Paradise – Part I

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