The Quran about Paradise

In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful

The main stimulus and reward for any believer in only One God is so-called Paradise. By Paradise is meant the Quranic word “jannat“, which in fact means “Garden“.

The garden as a logical result of the worthy life of a man on earth serves as an ideal embodiment of his dream. However, in order to achieve this ideal, it is necessary to fulfill the conditions prescribed by God in the Quran during the earthly life.

The most important factor in the fulfillment of these conditions are, first of all, godly acts, since access to the garden does not depend only on desire, but is achieved by faith and sincere aspirations to it. Therefore, admitted to the garden is the one who did good and made efforts, sacrificed his welfare in the name of God and for the sake of others, avoided deeds that harmed his spirituality, saved himself and his family from sin, stayed away from evil and patiently endured difficulties, appearing on his way. And this, of course, is only an incomplete list of conditions fulfilling which a person can hope for a favorable outcome for him after the Court.

Consider the main qualities that must necessarily be found in a person looking for the Garden, as well as what the Quran tells us about the best place to stay.

Faith

God has promised the believing men and believing women gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide, and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence; but God’s contentment is greater. It is that which is the great attainment. (9:72)

“O My servants, no fear will there be concerning you this day, nor will you grieve. Who believed in Our signs and were humble. Enter the garden, you and your spouses, delighted.” (43:68-70)

 

Circumspectness

The example of the garden, which the circumspect have been promised, is [that] beneath it rivers flow. Its fruit is lasting, and its shade. That is the consequence for those who beware, and the consequence for the closed ones is the fire! (13:35)

Indeed, the circumspect ones will be within gardens and springs. (15:45)

This is a Reminder.

And indeed, for the circumspect is a good place of return gardens of Adn (Eden), whose doors will be opened to them. (38:49-50)

Indeed, the circumspect will be in a secure place; within gardens and springs, (44:51-52)

Indeed, the circumspect will be among gardens and rivers, In a seat of honor near a King, Perfect in Ability. (54:54-55)

Indeed, for the circumspect is attainment – Gardens and grapevines And full-breasted [companions] of equal age And a full cup.

No ill speech will they hear therein or any falsehood – [As] reward from your Lord,

[a generous] gift [made due by] account, [From] the Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the Merciful.

They possess not from Him [authority for] speech. The Day that the Spirit and the maintainers will stand in rows, they will not speak except for one whom the Merciful permits,

and he will say what is correct.

That is the true day; so he who wills may take to his Lord a [way of] return! (78:31-39)

 

Caution

But those who were aware of their Lord – for them are chambers, above them chambers built high, beneath which rivers flow. [This is] the promise of God. God does not fail in [His] promise. (39:20)

But those who were aware of their Lord will be driven to Paradise in groups until, when they reach it while its gates have been opened and its keepers say, “Peace be upon you; you have become pure; so enter it to abide therein,”(39:73)

 

Fear

But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented himself from passion, Then indeed, the garden will be his refuge! (79:40-41)

 

The book given to the right hand will serve as a sign of the successful passage of the Court.

And if the deceased was of those brought near to God, then [for him is] rest and bounty and a garden of pleasure!

And if he was of the companions of the right, then, “Peace for you from the companions of the right!” (56:88-91)

On the day you see the believing men and believing women, their light proceeding before them and on their right, “Your good tidings today are gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein you will abide!” That is what is the great attainment! (57:12)

So as for he who is given his book in his right hand, he will say, “Here, read my book! Indeed, I was certain that I would be meeting my account!”

So he will be in a pleasant life – In an elevated garden, Its fruit to be picked hanging near. [They will be told], “Eat and drink in satisfaction for what you put forth in the days past!” (69:19-24)

Then as for he who is given his record in his right hand, He will be judged with an easy account And return to his family in happiness. (84:7-9)

 

All of the above is impossible without certain actions. The garden was created not for passive, unenterprising people. After all, to achieve any results in earthly life, we make certain efforts. The Garden is the supreme result of the activity of the believer, which presupposes the fulfillment of the best deeds by him.

But those who believed and corrected themselves – We charge no personality except [within] its capacity. Those are the companions of the garden; they will abide therein. And We will have removed whatever is within their thoughts of resentment, [while] flowing beneath them are rivers.

And they will say, “Praise to God, who has guided us to this; and we would never have been guided if God had not guided us. Certainly the messengers of our Lord had come with the truth.”

And they will be called, “This is the garden, which you have been made to inherit for what you used to do.”

And the companions of the garden will call out to the companions of the Fire, “We have already found what our Lord promised us to be true. Have you found what your Lord promised to be true?”

They will say, “Yes.” (7:42-44)

And those who believed and corrected themselves will be admitted to gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein by permission of their Lord; and their greeting therein will be, “Peace!” (14:23)

Indeed, those who have believed and corrected themselves – indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds.Those will have gardens of Adn (Eden); beneath them rivers will flow… (18:30-31)

But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil – Except those who repent, believe and corrected; for those will enter the garden and will not be wronged at all. [Therein are] gardens of Adn (Eden) which the Merciful has promised His servants being invisible for them. Indeed, His promise has ever been coming. (19:59-61)

Indeed, God will admit those who believe and corrected themselves to gardens beneath which rivers flow. Indeed, God does what He intends. (22:14)

Indeed, God will admit those who believe and corrected themselves to gardens beneath which rivers flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearl, and their garments therein will be silk. And they had been guided to good speech, and they were guided to the path of the Praiseworthy! (22:23-24)

And those who have believed and corrected themselves – We will surely assign to them chambers beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide. Excellent is the reward of the doers Who have been patient and upon their Lord rely. (29:58-59)

As for those who believed and corrected themselves, for them will be the gardens of refuge as accommodation for what they used to do! (32:19)

 

A believing person, having passed through the crucible of earthly life, having overcome the test and successfully passing the Judgment of God, will finally meet in the Gardens of Bliss with his dream. After all, even the imagination of man could not imagine the place that will be offered to the faithful servants of God.

The companions of the garden, that day, are [in] a better settlement and better resting place! (25:24)

And they will say, “Praise to God, who has fulfilled for us His promise and made us inherit the earth [so] we may settle in the garden wherever we will. And excellent is the reward of doers!” (39:74)

We are your patrons in worldly life and in the hereafter! And you will have therein whatever you desire for yourselves! And you will have therein whatever you wish as revelation from Forgiving, Merciful.” (41:31-32)

 

In such an ideal place conflicts, disharmony and enmity are impossible.

[Having been told], “Enter it in peace, safe [and secure].” And We will remove whatever is in their thoughts of hatred! Brothers will enjoy the meeting! No fatigue will touch them therein, nor from it will they [ever] be removed. (15:46-48)

They will not hear therein any ill speech – only [greetings of] peace – and they will have their provision therein, morning and afternoon. That is the garden, which We give as inheritance to those of Our servants who circumspect! (19:62-63)

Indeed the companions of the garden, that day, will be amused in occupation – They and their spouses – in shade, reclining on adorned couches. For them therein is fruit, and for them is whatever they request [or wish] [And] “Peace,” a word from a Merciful Lord. (36:55-58)

 

All that for what people went to crimes and sinned in the earthly life will be granted to the chosen ones in Paradise, charms and adornments will be common.

Those will have gardens of Adn (Eden); beneath them rivers will flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and brocade, reclining therein on adorned couches. Excellent is the reward, and good is the resting place! (18:31)

[For them are] gardens of Adn (Eden) which they will enter. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments therein will be silk.

And they will say, “Praise to God,  who has removed from us [all] sorrow. Indeed, our Lord is Forgiving and Appreciative – He who has settled us in the home of duration out of His bounty. There touches us not in it any fatigue, and there touches us not in it weariness.” (35:33-35)

Wearing [garments of] fine silk and brocade, facing each other.

We will give them a couple with black eyes. They will call therein for every fruit in security

They will not taste death therein except the first death, and He will have protected them from the punishment of Hellfire As bounty from your Lord. That is what is the great attainment. (44:53-57)

 

The best earth food and drink in this life cannot be compared to the abundance in the gardens of Eden.

Those will have a provision determined – fruits; and they will be honored In gardens of grace On thrones facing one another. There will be circulated among them a cup from a flowing spring, White and delicious to the drinkers; No bad effect is there in it, nor from it will they be intoxicated. And with them will be women limiting [their] glances, with large, [beautiful] eyes, As if they were [delicate] eggs, well-protected! (37:40-49)

And indeed, for the circumspect is a good place of return gardens of Adn (Eden), whose doors will be opened to them. Reclining within them, they will call therein for abundant fruit and drink. And with them will be women limiting [their] glances and of equal age. This is what you are promised for the day of account. Indeed, this is Our provision; for it there is no depletion. (38:49-54)

Circulated among them will be plates and vessels of gold. And therein is whatever they wish for themselves and [what] delights the eyes, and you will abide therein. And that is the garden which you are made to inherit for what you used to do. For you therein is much fruit from which you will eat! (43:71-73)

Is the description of the garden, which the circumspect ones 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… (47:15)

Indeed, the circumspect ones will be in gardens and pleasure, enjoying what their Lord has given them, and their Lord protected them from the punishment of Hellfire. [They will be told], “Eat and drink in satisfaction for what you used to do.” They will be reclining on thrones lined up. We will give them a couple with black eyes!

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.

And We will provide them with fruit and meat from whatever they desire. They will exchange with one another a cup wherein [results] no ill speech or commission of sin. There will circulate among them servants for them, as if they were pearls well-protected.

And they will approach one another, inquiring of each other. They will say, “Indeed, we were previously fearful for our family. So God conferred favor upon us and protected us from the punishment of the scorching fire. Indeed, we used to supplicate Him before. Indeed, it is He who is the Beneficent, the Merciful!” (52:17-28)

But for he who has feared the position of his Lord are two gardens –

So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny? –

Having [spreading] branches.

So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?

In both of them are two springs, flowing.

So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?

In both of them are of every fruit, two kinds.

So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?

[They are] reclining on beds whose linings are of silk brocade, and the fruit of the two gardens is hanging low.

So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?

In them are women limiting [their] glances, untouched before them by man or jinni –

So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny? –

As if they were rubies and coral.

So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?

Is the reward for good [anything] but good?

So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?

Besides these two gardens?

So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny? –

Two surprises!

So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?

In both of them are two springs, spouting.

So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?

In both of them are fruit and palm trees and pomegranates.

So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?

In them are good and beautiful women –

So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny? –

Black eyed reserved in pavilions –

So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny? –

Untouched before them by man or jinni –

So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny? –

Reclining on green cushions and beautiful fine carpets.

So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?

Blessed is the name of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honor. (55:46-78)

Those are the ones brought near in the gardens of grace, A [large] company of the former peoples And a few of the later peoples, On thrones woven [with ornament], Reclining on them, facing each other.

There will circulate among them abiding young boys With vessels, pitchers and a cup from a flowing spring – No headache will they have therefrom, nor will they be intoxicated – And fruit of what they select And the meat of fowl, from whatever they desire.

And [for them are] fair women with black eyes, the likenesses of pearls well-protected, As reward for what they used to do. They will not hear therein ill speech or commission of sin – Only a saying: “Peace, peace!”

The companions of the right – what are the companions of the right?

[They will be] among lote trees with thorns removed And trees layered [with fruit] And shade extended And water poured out And fruit, abundant [and varied], Neither limited [to season] nor forbidden, And [upon] beds raised high.

Indeed, We have produced them well-mannered And made them virgins, devoted and of equal age, for the companions of the right [who are]A company of the former peoples And a company of the later peoples! (56:11-40)

So Allah will protect them from the evil of that day and give them radiance and happiness

And will reward them for what they patiently endured [with] a garden and silk [garments].

[They will be] reclining therein on adorned couches. They will not see therein any [burning] sun or [freezing] cold.

And near above them are its shades, and its fruit to be picked will be lowered in compliance.

And there will be circulated among them vessels of silver and cups having been [created] clear [as glass],

Clear glasses [made] from silver of which they have determined the measure.

And they will be given to drink a cup whose mixture is of ginger

[From] a fountain within the garden named “Salsabeel”.

There will circulate among them young boys abiding there.

When you see them, you would think them [as beautiful as] scattered pearls.

And when you look, you will see grace and great kingship. Upon the inhabitants will be green garments of fine silk and brocade. And they will be adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord will give them a purifying drink.

Indeed, this is for you a reward!

and your effort has been appreciated! (76:11-22)

They will be given to drink [pure] wine [which was] sealed. The last of it is musk.

So for this let the competitors compete!

And its mixture is of “Tasneem”, A spring from which those near [to God ] drink. (83:25-28)

Faces, that Day, will show pleasure. With their effort [they are] satisfied

In an elevated garden!

Wherein they will hear no unsuitable speech!

Within it is a flowing spring!

Within it are couches raised high!

And cups put in place!

And cushions lined up!

And carpets spread around! (88:8-16)

 

If you look carefully at the conditions set by God in the Prescription, then the mind will catch the best conditions for maximum profit.

The Promised Garden is the next stage in the development of the believer’s life. Unlike tradition, the Quran defines the longevity of the garden:

And as for those who will be glad, they will be in the garden! Abiding therein as long as the heavens and the earth endure, except what your Lord should will – a bestowal uninterrupted. (11:108)

 

That is, the Garden will exist as long as there will be heaven and earth. The difference with our lives is that the life of believers will be equal to the life of the Garden. So is it worth exchanging small things and risking this short life in exchange for the next long stage in the development of life?