Where Believers Live inParadise

Where Believers Live in Paradise
Allah has promised the men and women of the believers Gardens with
rivers flowing under them, remaining in themtimelessly, forever, and
fine dwellings in the Gardens of Eden. And Allah's good pleasure is
even greater. That is the great victory. (Surat at-Tawba: 72)
As we said earlier, the houses where believers live their earthly
lives are "places in which Allah has permitted to bebuilt and in which
His name is remembered" (Surat an-Nur, 36), placesthat are cared for
and kept spotlessly clean according to Allah's command. Houses in
Paradise are like these, in that they are incomparably
refreshingplaces in which Allah is remembered and offered
thanksgiving.
In the same way as thesebeautiful houses and mansions may be built
amid natural beauty, it isalso possible that they may have been built
in outstandingly modern cities with aesthetically beautiful
architecture and superior technology.
The houses mentioned in the Qur'an are generally built amid natural
beauty, as the following verse informs us:
But those who heed their Lord will have mansions raised upon mansions
high, beneath which runnning waters flow. That is Allah's promise.
Allah does not break His promise. (Surataz-Zumar, 20)
Mansions located in highplaces, with views around and below
them,provide a detailed panorama that allows their inhabitants to
perceive many beautiful things at the same time.
The Qur'an mentions that water runs below those mansions built in high
places. Thus, in order to see this view, the mansions may contain
sitting-rooms with picture windows orwith glass on all four sides. In
such mansions,"designed to provide the human spiritwith the greatest
amount of pleasure possible, believers lounge on their thrones, enjoy
the best fruits and drinks and, as they look down from above, derive
pleasure from looking at one beautiful view after another.
The mansions are designed and furnished with the highest quality
materials and the most harmonious colors, and feature comfortable
armchairs and thrones facing each other. As"gold-encrusted thrones"
(Surat al-Waqi'a, 15) and"thrones lined up" (Suratat-Tur, 20)
maintain, thrones are symbols of wealth, splendor, and power.
Believers, to whom Allah has granted Paradise's eternal blessings,
have been found worthy of such beauty. Sitting and reclining on their
thrones, and surroundedby unimaginable beauty,they continually
remember Allah. The Qur'an states:
They will enter Gardens of Eden, where they will be adorned with gold
bracelets and pearls, andwhere their clothing willbe of silk. They
will say:"Praise be to Allah, Who has removed all sadness from us.
Truly, our Lord is Ever-Forgiving, Ever-Thankful: He Who has lodged
us, out of His favor, in the Abode of Permanence, where no weariness
or fatigue affects us." (Surah Fatir, 33-35)
Reclining upon soft couches, believers "gaze around them" (Surat
al-Mutaffifin, 23). Just seeing Paradise's magnificent views and
beauties is a feast for the eyes and a great blessing. This will be an
enjoyable banquet for believers to behold.
To share these beauties and pleasures with all believers, regardless
of when they led their earthly existence, is a blessing that can be
realized fully only in Paradise. For example, tosit on facing thrones
andconverse with Musa (as), 'Isa (as), or with pious believers and the
Prophet's Companions, as well as to remember Allah with them, is not a
pleasure that the world can grant; this pleasure belongs only to
Paradise.
In Paradise, everything believers desire will be created and brought
to them by special servants appointed for that task. The Qur'an
informs us that:
Circulating among them will be youths like hidden pearls. (Surat at-Tur, 24)
Believers, whom Allah has made worthy of Paradise, are highly select
and valuable persons. The fact that they are in a position of"high
honor" (Surat as-Saffat, 42) shows the value that Allah places upon
them. The servants mentioned above, who attend immediately to the
believers' every wishand give them free and interrupted service, are
described in the Qur'an as ageless young men:
Ageless youths will circulate among them, serving them. Seeing them,
you would think them scattered pearls. (Surat al-Insan, 19)
These servants, whose sole purpose is to attendto the believers'
wishes, and the fact that the blessings are freely offered with such
perfect service, are otherexamples of glorious beauty. The gadgets
used in this service also have great value and areof high quality,
for:
Platters and cups of goldwill be passed around among them, and they
will have there all that their hearts desire and in which their eyes
find delight. You will remain in it timelessly, forever. (Surat
az-Zukhruf, 71)
While in this world, believers attend to manythings, among them
getting as close as possible to the blessings of life in Paradise. We
can learn about the magnificent material used for clothing there.
Allah teaches people in this world to wear fine clothing, as stated
in:
O Children of Adam! We have sent down clothingto you to conceal your
private parts, and fine apparel. But the garment of the fear of Allah
- that is the best! That is one of Allah's Signs, so that hopefully
you will pay heed. (Suratal-A'raf, 26)
In Surat al-A'raf, 31, Allahurges believers to wear clean and fine
clothing:"O Children of Adam! Wear fine clothing in every mosque. Eat
and drink, but do not be profligate. He does not love the profligate."
Therefore, the clothing worn in Paradise will be several times more
splendid and stylish thanworldly clothing. The Qur'an especially
mentions two kinds of material found in Paradise: silk and brocade.
For example, it states that believers will wear "fine silk and rich
brocade, face to face with one another" (Surat ad-Dukhan, 53). Inthis
world, these two materials are rare, expensive, and of high quality.
Such clothing will give great aesthetic pleasure both to the person
wearing them and the one who sees them being worn. The beauty and
splendor of this clothing only enhances the perfection of those who
wear it.
Of course, the material and clothing found there is not limited to
these two, for Allah, Whogranted these great rewards, will clothe the
people of Paradise in many more beautiful garments made of many more
beautiful materials. He can create clothing styles and materials that
are unknown to us in this world.
The Qur'an tells us that this beautiful clothing is ornamented with
jewelry to enhance its attractiveness. Gold and silver bracelets and
pearls are mentioned specifically, as in the following verses:
Allah will admit those who believe and do right actions into Gardens
with rivers flowing under them, where they will be adorned with gold
bracelets and pearls, andwhere their clothing willbe of silk. (Surat
al-Hajj, 23)
They will wear green garments of fine silk andrich brocade. They will
be adorned with silver bracelets. And their Lord will give them a pure
draught to drink. (Surat al-Insan, 21)
As this verse maintains, beautiful jewelry complements fine clothing,
and both offered for the pleasure of believers.
The basic quality of the materials in Paradise is their varied
delicacy andstriking beauty, both of which are reflections of Allah's
eternal knowledge and artistry. For example, thrones areinlaid with
precious stones and arranged carefully in high places; clothing is
made of silk and brocade, and adorned with gold and silver ornaments.
Allah has given many details about Paradise inthe Qur'an, but the
expressions that He has used allow believers to use their imagination
open. In Paradise, (Allah surely knows best) everybeliever will have
all kinds of blessings, views,and places especially designed for his
or her own pleasure. Of course, apart from the blessings announced in
the Qur'an, Allah has prepared many more surprises for believers, whom
He has made worthy of Paradise.