Jannah: Reflections and clarifications regarding Paradise (Qur'an study notes series)

                                                                        Introduction

                     

Occasionally, we share our notes- as prepared for our weekly Qur'an study sessions- in the form of an article, as a means to present with more clarity the texts and/or the subject under discussion.

The section of the Qur'an under analysis in our recent studies stems from Soorah At-Toor. While it is true that the themes of Paradise and Hellfire are found throughout the scripture, it has been this particular section, beginning with the seventeenth  verse, which has been the foundation for further contemplation. 

What is Hoor Al 'Ayn? حور العين 

إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّـٰتٍۢ وَنَعِيمٍۢ

Before addressing the meaning of Hoor Al 'Ayn, it is important to conduct a careful, contextual analysis of the texts in question. Beginning at Q 52:17, it presents the contrast between the realities of Hell and Paradise, the latter being a mode of existence in which 'gardens" (in the plural) are present, a general sense of well-being, in which there is refuge, safety, provision, dignity and finally mates.

وَزَوَّجۡنٰہُمۡ بِحُوۡرٍ عِیۡنٍ

The Saheeh International translation renders wa zawwajnaahum bi-hoorin 'ayn as " And We will marry them to fair women with large, (beautiful) eyes." ( Q 52:20). A notion about this term is that God is giving females of certain skin color  as mates, complete with sensual rewards to men.  Sometimes associated with this is another notion of the presence of seventy-two virgins, made available to martyrs. For the latter, there is nothing in the Qur'an even remotely in support of that particular assertion, and it is our observation over the years that this notion has actually been popularized by Non-Muslim media sources and pundits, who attempt to rebut Islamic theology and various Muslim political causes by presenting Muslims as sex-crazed fanatics out for world conquest! 

The term Hoor Al 'ayn is simply an expression denoting mates of comfort. In English, we use expressions such as "easy on the eyes" that carry not only a comment on physical attractiveness, but on disposition. Indeed, the Qur'an has a du'aa that holds a similar meaning.

رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ

"Our Lord. Bestow on us spouses and offspring that will be a comfort to our eyes (Qurrata a'yunin).." ( Q 25:74). The Qur'an also mentions the concept of purified spouses (Azwaajun Mutahharah) (Q 2:25). These particular attributions ties in very well with the overall presentation of the reality of Jannah, as we will see.

Heavenly Wine

While the mention of a heavenly drink is noted in various locations in the Quranic text, a key text  uses the word "wine" (khamr), and is itself within a verse which begins its description of paradise with the word "metaphor" (mathal) (Q 47:15)  To be clear, the implication is that the entire presentation of Jannah in the Qur'an is purely figurative, meant to give us an approximation of an experience we have not encountered in this worldly realm.  It is not meant to be read in a literal fashion. 

The heavenly drink is mentioned in Soorah At Toor as accompanying meals, and itself a drink that won't present the sort of harms that occur with wine in this world ( Q 52:22-23). Thus, the "wine" of heaven and the "wine" of earth are two different items, with contrasting results!

"Boys" in heaven?

وَیَطُوۡفُ عَلَیۡہِمۡ غِلۡمَانٌ لَّہُمۡ کَاَنَّہُمۡ لُؤۡلُؤٌ مَّکۡنُوۡنٌ

Q 52:24-25 asserts that the residents of paradise will be surrounded by youths who will be like preserved pearls. The Arabic term for these youths is Ghilmaan (the singular being Ghulam).  Christian apologists, eager for any negative spin, have attempted to portray this (and other similar texts) as pedophilia! However, when read in context, it does not assert anything of that sort. Rather, it is stating that those in heaven, provided with all of their needs, will also have staff facilitate that provision. 

Anyone who has ever traveled on a cruise, stayed in a hotel, or dined in a restaurant, will have experiences with staff, whose primary job is to make the guest feel comfortable. These establishments will have cooks to prepare food, waiters to present it, and even have training to be able to engage with their clients. Indeed, much of the formal studies in Business Administration, hospitality management, and other related fields is in the study of methods and tools to facilitate ease for clients, ensuring a sustainable business.  The staff is expected to be energetic, intelligent and able to interact with the public.  This is how the term Ghilmaan is employed in the account of  paradise. There is nothing sinister in the Quranic presentation of Jannah, and certainly does not suggest anything repugnant.

Healthy discourse in Jannah is a result of being a sincere seeker in the Dunya

اِنَّا کُنَّا مِنۡ قَبۡلُ نَدۡعُوۡہُ

Q 52:25-28 has the inhabitants of Jannah speaking about that which led them to their abode, acknowledging that Allah has saved them from having the experiences of Hellfire. The sentence in verse 28 quotes them as saying Inna Kunna Min Qablu nad'oohu which means "indeed, we were-before- calling upon Him (i.e. God)". 

This "calling" should not be seen in the limited fashion of  formal du'aa. Indeed, the Qur'an itself " And when MY servants ask you (O Muhammad) about ME, Then I am close. I respond to the call of those who call to ME. Thus, let them respond to ME, and have faith in ME, so that perhaps they will find guidance" ( Q 2:186).

 وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِى لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ 

This clearly demonstrates that the life-long process of a believer, a seeker, who has sought out God's support, knowledge of Divine realities, is the "calling" that finds its answer-ultimately- within the other dimension known as paradise. 

A summary of the Jannah existence

اِنَّ اَصۡحٰبَ الۡجَنَّۃِ الۡیَوۡمَ فِیۡ شُغُلٍ فٰکِہُوۡنَ

ہُمۡ وَاَزۡوَاجُہُمۡ فِیۡ ظِلٰلٍ عَلَی الۡاَرَآئِکِ مُتَّکِـُٔوۡنَ

لَہُمۡ فِیۡہَا فَاکِہَۃٌ وَّلَہُمۡ مَّا یَدَّعُوۡنَ

سَلٰمٌ ۟ قَوۡلًا مِّنۡ رَّبٍّ رَّحِیۡمٍ

"Indeed, the inhabitants of Jannah on that day will be busy with happiness (shughulin faakihoon), They, and their mates, shaded, in a state of relaxation on adorned couches, for them is the fruit (of their spiritual labors in dunya) and (in addition) for them is whatever they ask for: Peace: A decree (Qawlan) from a Merciful Lord." ( Q 36:55-59).

The verbiage resembles a vacation, as previously noted. An environment in which the traveler's needs are met. A good vacation in this world will include moments of education, such as museum tours, natural areas, in which tour guides will give important information on history, geology, geography, etc. 

Jannah as a picture of something to bring about in our world today

Muslims cannot deny that the afterlife (Akhirah) is a reality, something that is eternal, whereas our lives in this world is not only temporary, but even the planet itself is temporary. At some point, it will cease to exist. Thus, while we should seek the Jannah of the afterlife by giving our obedience to the guidance of Allah, as conveyed through His own words and the overarching example of His Messengers (upon them all be peace), we have to remember that we are still inhabitants of this world, a world that Allah has made humans to exercise responsibility (Q 2:30). We are told to pray for that which is pleasant in this world and the next abode in equal fashion ( Q 2:201), and that each have a share of this life that should not be neglected ( Q 28:77).

The followers of Prophet Muhammad ( Sall Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam) went on to create an entirely new civilization, a civilization that, despite its flaws, had a deep and profound impact on the world, in every field imaginable. Poignant examples include the Muslim rule of Spain (Andalusia) and the Indian subcontinent, as well as within West Africa, which built not only mosques, palaces and gardens, but constructed those physical and intellectual edifices that were meant to sustain a healthy spirituality and worldly existence. The Taj Mahal is still seen today as one of the wonders of the world, a site that was built entirely on the premises of paradise as displayed within the Qur'an. 

The picture of paradise is universal provision, mutual respect, companionship, healthy thinking and ultimate peace. Are not those things that humans can create in this world? Do we not need sobriety in this world? Strong families and healthy relationships? Cleanliness, and an ethic inspired entirely by faith? 

We should be inspired by our faith in God, in His messenger Muhammad (upon whom be peace), to fix ourselves as individuals and to spread healthy awareness to our fellow human beings that it is entirely possible to take actions,  make solid plans, to have some levels of paradise in this world. The foundation for that is already present. 

فَذَکِّرۡ فَمَاۤ اَنۡتَ بِنِعۡمَتِ رَبِّکَ بِکَاہِنٍ وَّلَا مَجۡنُوۡنٍ

 أَمْ يَقُولُونَ شَاعِرٌۭ نَّتَرَبَّصُ بِهِۦ رَيْبَ ٱلْمَنُونِ 

Q 52:29-30 tell us that the Messenger who delivered all of this information is not a promoter of dark arts, insane, not a poet with his head in the clouds. The Messenger  ('alayhis salaamu was salaam) delivered this information, these words, at the command of Allah.   This is a perfect place to end our article. After all, the Prophet himself, an uneducated orphaned individual, went on to achieve the success of his mission in his very lifetime, whose followers literally changed the world after his death. The Prophet Muhammad is an example that it is possible for us to be successful, regardless of those barriers placed against us. 

Thinking properly: a view from the Qur'an

"Do you not see how God presents a parable : a wholesome concept (Kalimatan Tayyibatan) is like a wholesome/healthy  tree (Shajaratin Tayyibatin), firmly planted in its roots, yet it's branches reaches out to the sky. It brings forth its fruit at all times, by the permission of it's Lord. God sets forth parables (Amthaal) for people's [benefit] so that perhaps they will engage in thinking. And the parable of a repugnant concept [ Kalimatin Khabeethatin] is that of a repugnant tree, torn out of the land, having no stability." ( Qur'an 14:24-26)

The Importance of a Correct Foundation

The Qur'an has not come forth in order to make us blind or mindless followers, rather it has come in order to create a solid or positive foundation upon which to develop further. "Indeed, We (Allah) have made it a pure recitation, in order that perhaps you will use your minds." (Q 12:2).

Yet, what is that thinking supposed to be built upon? How are we supposed to identify what constitutes Kalimah Tayyibah, as mentioned in the above-mentioned Quranic text? The attributes of a wholesome concept is Firmness, Far Reaching and having a widely felt positive impact. Thus, Allah says "..firmly planted in its roots, yet branching out to the sky, it brings fruit at all times, by the permission of its Lord"

The Muffasiroon generally assert that the expression Kalimah Tayyibah in verse 14:24 is a reference to the confession of faith in the One and Only God and that Muhammad is Allah's Messenger. If we do adopt that view, the implication would be that when this Shahaadah becomes the core of the believer, that it belongs to you [as opposed to simply an inherited religious formula] your life and your thinking will get better and better.

A person who is firm upon the teaching that God alone deserves worship and that God has inserted his mercy and will into the collective life of man [by sending forth messengers, ending with the Quranic revelation to Muhammad, upon whom be peace] won't be stuck in incorrect thinking, If they are stuck in incorrect thinking, and yet  still claiming to be believers, than the implication is that they have serious deficiencies in their foundational roots, despite their claims to the contrary. The Qur'an informs us:  "They seek to deceive Allah, and those who hold to [real] faith, yet, they deceived themselves, but perceive not. In their hearts is an illness, and God has [as a consequence of their own acts] increased that illness, for them is a terrible penalty, for they are lying." { Q 2: 9-10}

Believers can sometimes make mistakes and hold onto wrong concepts, yet, like the flu, in time the sincere ones recover and head towards that which is correct. "And whosoever obeys Allah and his Messenger have achieved a mighty achievement" { Q 33:71}.

Yet, in all honesty, we are reading the term Kalimah Tayyibah as referring to more than the Shahaadah. We understand this to refer to the foundations of correct thinking, that wholesome concepts are identified by the attributes of stability, positive impact, and far reaching.

Look at the benefits trees bring. There are countless variety of trees worldwide, all of which having different types of benefit. Allah presents to us that lasting ideas are like those fruits that the healthy trees are producing!


We see this in both religious and non religious contexts. We see this in Prophet Jesus as well as Prophet Muhammad, peace be on them both, but also in the great social reformers and minds such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr, and Malcolm X [Al-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz].
Repugnant concepts are not long-lasting

The parable continues by telling us of the  repugnant tree [Shajarah Khabeethah]. The Repugnant concept is compared to such a tree. It is a waste of soil. It produces nothing except headache and worry. It is always on the warpath.

Wrong thinking and wrong concepts are like that, even though initially it looks attractive. Consider Eugenics, as well as Fascism and Nazism. These three very related and intertwined pseudo-scientific ideologies attracted the love of millions, including highly educated people. They held political power in important nations [notably Germany under Adolph Hitler  and Italy under Benito Mussolini ] . Yet, the ultimate fruit from those ideas was racial hatred, wars, genocidal actions [perpetrated against the Jews in concentration camps, leading to the death of an estimated six million in those camps] and dictatorship. Today, even in the places where these destructive ideas were given birth, these ideas have, at best, followers on the fringes. They are, by and large, seen for what they were, terrible ideas that are best forgotten rather than remembered (ft.1) .


Believers have to always be on guard to protect their core

In light of the realities of confusion and misguidance, Muslims in particular, but people in general, have to be on guard to protect themselves from being upon or following repugnant concepts, regardless if the source of it's preaching is from the Imam's podium on Fridays or from the office of political leaders!

For Muslims, aids in protection include, but are not limited to, praying, fasting, regular Qur'an study, the company of goodly persons and strong family. For Non Muslims, the same formula can be applied.  For all their faults, both Dr King and Mahatma Gandhi  [Non Muslims]  were deeply spiritual people, dedicated to certain principles obtained largely from seeking out Divine guidance.This is a reality that should not be denied simply due to religious label!

In today's world, we see a rise of narcissism, of racism, scapegoating and stereotyping of peoples. Most disturbing, modern culture seems to glorify all the repugnant behavior that is ultimately destructive. Ignorance is not only tolerated, it is preached, and knowledge, even the seeking of knowledge, is seen as an oddity{ft.2}.

More than ever, we have to seek to be connected to God, we have to divorce ourselves, even if only in a limited way, from a destructive world, particularly from entertainment which is not wholesome, from people who seek to use and abuse, and from vices which can be used against us or work against us.

Wonderful ways of maintaining some levels of protection include simple things like going to the park, exercise, staying off one's mobile phone/computer sometimes, praying not only in the places of worship but also outside, goodly company on family and intimate level, and of course, travel.

Particularly for Americans, who traditionally have been reluctant to leave North America, it is important to see the world. Travel opens up one's mind to new and better things, to see how others live and think. The Qur'an speaks highly of travel { 12:105, 22:46, 45:3, among other places}.

I would dare say that traveling is embedded into the religious tapestry of Islam. After all, we are all obligated to make Hajj, where one sees the many nationalities and peoples created by Allah on this Earth.

Allah ends this particular exposition in these powerful words:


'Allah is establishing those with faith with the firmly established expression [Al Qawl Ath-Thaabit], in this life and the Hereafter: Allah lets stray the oppressive, and Allah does what He wills." { Q 14: 27}



Footnotes

[1] In many European nations, open support for Fascism and Nazism are deemed criminal offenses, even things such as doing Nazi salutes and the like.


[2] This writer has in mind many of the entertainment programs such as The Fox production It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The protagonists are narcissistic bar owners, drifting from one relationship to another, using people and seeking out a quick road to riches in the process. It glorifies, in many of it's episodes, ignorant behavior and thinking. However, this is not the only program which does this. This is found in much of entertainment today.