The Description of Paradise –II

The Grades of Paradise
The evidence that Paradise has various grades and its inhabitants will
be in different ranks and categories:
Paradise consists of grades, someof which are above others, and its
people will be of differing levels and categories according to their
position in Paradise. Almighty Allaah Says (what means):
{But whoever comes to Him as a believer having done righteous deeds —
for those will be the highest degrees [in position].} [Quran 20:75]
One of those who explained and clarified this issue was Ibn Taymiyyah
who said:"Paradise has grades that are widely differentiated. The
beloved Awliyaa' (those close to Allaah because of their piety and
heedfulness) will be placed in those levels according to their faith
and piety. Allaah, the Most Exalted, Says (what means):
{Whoever should desire the immediate (worldly gratifications) — We
hasten for him from it what We will to whom We intend. Then We have
made for him Hell, which he will [enter to] burn, censured and
banished.} [Quran 17:18]
Allaah, the Most High, explains how He gives more of His Bounty in
this world or the next, as He wills, and His Bounty is not withheld
[forbidden] from either the righteous or the sinful. Allaah, the
Exalted, Says (what means):
{Look how We have favored [in provision] some of them over others. But
the Hereafter is greater in degrees [of difference] and greater in
distinction.} [Quran17: 21]
Allaah Almighty explains that the differences between people in the
Hereafter will be greater thanthe differences between them in this
life, and the difference between the levels or ranks of the Hereafter
is greater than the differences here in this life. Allaahalso
differentiates between His Prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention,
as He does between therest of His believing slaves. Allaah,the
All-Majestic, Says (what means):
{Those messengers- some of them We caused to exceed others. Among them
were those to whom Allaah spoke, and He raised some of them in degree.
And We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear proofs, and We supported him
with the pure spirit [(Jibreel (Gabriel)].} [Quran 2: 253]
Allaah also Says (what means): {And your Lord is Most Knowing of
whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And We have made some of the
prophets exceed others [in various ways], and to Daawood (David) We
gave the Book [of Psalms].} [Quran 17: 55]
On the other hand, the Prophet Muhammad said:
"A strong believer is better and more beloved to Allaah than a weak
believer, although both are good. Pay attention to that whichbenefits
you, seek Allaah's help, and never feel helpless. If something happens
to you, do not say, 'If only such and such would have happened.' Say
instead: 'Allaah has decreed it and He does what He wills.' Saying 'if
only' opens the way for Satan." [Muslim]
Besides, the Prophet also said:
"If a judge forms an independent judgment to decide an issue in the
light of the Quran and the Sunnah (Ijtihaad) and is correct, he will
have two rewards, and if he is mistaken, he will have one reward."
[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Indeed, there are many verses in the Quran which indicate that there
are different degrees and various ranks as a reward for the believers
in Paradise (according to the excellence of their deeds). These verses
are as follows:
{Not equal among you are those who spent before the conquest [of
Makkah] and fought [and those who did so after it]. Those are greater
in degree than those who spent afterwards and fought. But to all
Allaah has promised the best [reward] And Allaah, with what you do, is
Acquainted....} [Quran 57: 10]
{Not equal are those believers remaining [at home] — other than the
disabled — and the Mujahideen, [who strive and fight] in the cause of
Allaah with their wealth and their lives. Allaah has preferred the
Mujahideen through their wealth and their lives over those who remain
[behind], by degrees. And to all [i.e. both] Allaah has promised the
best [reward]. But Allaah has preferred the Mujahideen over those who
remain [behind] with a great reward — Degrees [of high position] from
Him and forgiveness and mercy.} [Quran 4: 95-96]
{Have you made the providing of water for the pilgrim and the
maintenance of al-Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque in Makkah) equal
to [the deeds of] one who believes in Allaah and the Last Day and
strives in the cause of Allaah? They are not equal in the sight of
Allaah. And Allaah does not guide the wrongdoing people. The ones who
have believed, emigrated and striven in the cause of Allaah with their
wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allaah.
And it is those who are the attainers [of success]. Their Lord gives
them good tidings of mercyfrom Him and approval and of gardens for
them wherein is enduring pleasure. [They will be] abiding therein
forever. Indeed, Allaah has with Him a great reward.} [Quran 9: 19-22]
{Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night,
prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter andhoping
for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those
who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who
are] people of understanding.} [Quran 39. 9]
{... O you who have believed, when you are told, "Space yourselves" in
assemblies, then make space; Allaah will make space for you.' And when
you are told, "Arise," then arise; Allaah will raise those who have
believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And
Allaah is Acquaintedwith what you do.} [Quran 58. 11]
Al-Bukhaari reported from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said:
"Whoever believes in Allaah and His Messenger, offers prayer perfectly
and fasts the month of Ramadhaan, will be granted Paradise as of right
by Allaah, no matter whether he fights in Allaah's cause or remains in
the land where he is born." The people said: "O Messenger of Allaah,
shall we acquaint the people with this good news?" He said, "Paradise
has one hundred grades (and ranks) which Allaah has reserved for the
Mujaahideen who fight in His Cause, and the extent of difference
(distance) between each of the two grades is like the distance between
the heavens and the earth. So when you ask Allaah for something,
askfor Al-Firdaws, which is the best and highest part of Paradise." I
(the narrator, Abu Hurayrah) thought that the Prophet said: "Above it
(Al-Firdaws) is the Throne of the Most Merciful, and from it originate
the rivers of Paradise." [Al-Bukhaari] - [To be continued…..]

The Description of Paradise - I

There is nothing Like It
The delights of Paradise surpass imagination and defy description.They
are like nothing known to the people of this world no matter how
advanced we may become.
What we achieve is nothing in comparison with the joys of the
Hereafter. As is mentioned in several Ahadeeth, there is nothing like
Paradise: "It is sparkling light, aromatic plants, alofty palace, a
flowing river, ripe fruit, a beautiful wife and abundant clothing, in
an eternal abode of radiant joy, in beautiful, soundly-constructed
high houses." [Ibn Maajah]
The Prophet Muhammad was asked by his companions about the buildings
of Paradise and he replied with a wonderful description: "(In it are)
Bricks of gold and silver, mortar of fragrant musk, pebbles of pearl
and sapphire, and soil of saffron. Whoever enters it is filled with
joy and will never feel miserable; he will live there forever and will
never die; their clothes will never wear out and their youth will
never fade." [Ahmad and others]
Describing Paradise, Almighty Allaah Says (what means): {And when you
look there [in Paradise], you will see pleasure and great dominion."}
[Quran 76:20]
What Allaah Almighty has kept hidden from us of the delights of
Paradise is beyond our ability to comprehend. Almighty Allaah Says
(what means):
{And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes
[i.e. satisfaction] as reward for what they used to do.} [Quran 32.
17]
Besides, the Messenger of Allaah said:
"Allaah, the Exalted, has said: "I have prepared for My righteous
Slaves [in Paradise] what no eyes have ever seen, no ears have ever
heard of, and what has never come to the mind or heart of a human
being."; recite, if you wish{And no soul knows what has been hidden
for them of comfort for eyes [i.e. satisfaction] as reward for what
they used to do.} [Quran 32:17] [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Moreover, Imaam Muslim reported that Sahl Ibn Sa'd As-Saa'idi said: I
attended a gathering where the Messenger of Allaah described Paradise,
and I stayed until he finished speaking. At the end of the
description, he said: "In it is whatno eyes have ever seen, no ears
have ever heard of, and what has never come to the mind or heart of a
human being." He then recited the verse (which means): {Their sides
part [i.e. they arise] from [their] beds; they supplicatetheir Lord in
fear and aspiration, and from what We have providedthem, they spend ).
And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes
[i.e. satisfaction] as reward for what they used to do.} [Quran 32:
16-17]
The Gates of Paradise
Paradise has gates through which the believers will enter, as the
angels enter therein, as Allaah, the Most Exalted, Says (what means):
{Gardens of perpetual residence, whose doors will be opened to them.}
[Quran 38: 50]
Allaah, the Most Exalted, Says (what means): {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.'} [Quran 13: 23-24]
Allaah, the Most High and Exalted,has told us that these gates will be
opened when the believers reach them, and they [the believers] will be
welcomed by the angels with greetings of peace. Almighty Allaah Says
(whatmeans): {…when they reach it while its gates have been openedand
its keepers say, 'Peace be upon you; you have become pure;so enter it
to abide eternally therein,'} [Quran 39: 73]
The number of gates of Paradise is eight; one of them is called Ar-
Rayaan, which is exclusively for those who fast. The Messenger
of Allaah said: "In Paradise there are eight gates. There is one gate
called 'Ar-Rayyaan'. No-one will enter it except those who fast, and
when they have entered, it will be locked behind them, and no-one else
will enter it." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
There are also gates for those who pray much, those who give charity
and those who fight in Jihad, as well as the gate called Ar-Rayyaan
for those who fast.
In a Hadeeth reported by both Al-Bukhaari and Muslim, Abu Hurayrah
narrated that the Messenger of Allaah said:
"Whoever spends a pair (of anything) from his wealth for thesake of
Allaah, will be called fromthe gates of Paradise, Paradise has eight
gates. Whoever will be from the people of the prayer (i.e.the people
who observe the prayer regularly, properly, and perform both
obligatory and supererogatory prayers), will be called from the gate
of prayer; whoever will be from among the people of Sadaqah (charity,
i.e. spend money in charity) will be called from the gate of charity.
Whoever will be from among the people of Jihad will be called from the
gate of Jihad, and whoever will be from among the people of fasting
(obligatory and optional) will be called from the gate of fasting."
Furthermore, Abu Bakr said: "By Allaah, it would not matter if a
person was called from any of them, but will anyone be there tobe
called from all of them, O' Messenger of Allaah?" He said,"Yes, and I
hope that you will be one of them." [Al-Bukhaari Muslim]
Abu Bakr's question refers to a person who has all these good
qualities: prayer, fasting, charity, Jihad, etc., in order to be
called from all the gates. In another Hadeeth, the Prophet said:
"Whoever spends a pair (of anything) for the sake of Allaah will be
called from all eight gates of Paradise. He also spoke of the person
who performs ablution and does it properly, then lifts hisgaze to the
sky and says: 'Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illallaah wahdahu laa shareeka
lahu, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasooluhu,' the eightgates
of Paradise will be opened to him, and he will enter it through any
gate he wishes." [ibid]
Additionally, 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab said: "The Messenger of Allaah
said: "Whoever performs ablution and does it well, then lifts his gaze
to the heavens and says: 'Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illa Allaah wahdahu
laa shareeka lahu, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasooluhu (I
bear witness that None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah, He
has nopartners nor associates, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His
slave and Messenger), the eight gates of Paradise will be opened to
him, and he will enter it through any gate he wishes." [Muslim]
Allaah also Says (what means): {…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 eternally therein'.} [Quran 39:73]
The Prophet told us that there is a gate, which is specific for those
who will not be called to account: this is the right-hand gate of
Paradise. The rest of themwill enter Paradise with all other nations
through other gates. In aHadeeth about Ash-Shafaa'ah (intercession),
the Prophet said:
"Allaah will say: 'O Muhammad, admit those of your Ummah (followers)
who do not need to be brought to account through the right hand gate;
and the others will enter through other gates like the rest of the
people." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
In the same Hadeeth, the Prophet described the width of the gate of
Paradise, stating that the width between the two sides of the gate is
like the distance between Makkah and Hajar, or between Makkah and
Basra." [ibid]
The Messenger of Allaah said: "The distance between the two
gate-panels of one of the gates ofParadise is the distance of
forty-year's walking, but a time will come when it would be very
crowded." [Ahmad]

The Hellfire described

Allaah has warned us in His Book about the Hellfire and has informedus
about the different types of punishments it will have, to the extent
that one's heart splits due to fear. Allaah has informed us about its
torment due to His mercy,so that we would therefore fear and avoid it.
Listen to the verses in the Book of Allaah that address the
description of the Hellfire, perhaps it will be a reminder for you;
perhaps they will cause you to repent before it is too late - before
punishment strikes suddenly and you find nobody to support or aid you.
The Hellfire contains chains, as Allaah Says what means: "Indeed,
Wehave prepared for the disbelievers chains and shackles and a blaze."
[Quran 76: 4]
Allaah also Says what means: "…Indeed, We have prepared for the
wrongdoers a fire whosewalls will surround them.And if they call for
relief, they will be relieved withwater like murky oil, which scalds
[their] faces.Wretched is the drink, and evil is the resting place."
[Quran 18: 29]
Allaah also Says what means: "And those who disbelieved will be
drivento Hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates are
opened and its keepers will say: 'Did there not come to you messengers
from yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning
you of the meeting of this Day of yours?' They will say: 'Yes, but the
word [i.e. decree] of punishment has come into effect upon the
disbelievers.'" [Quran 39: 71]
Allaah also Says what means: "And for those who disbelieved in their
Lord is the punishment ofHell, and wretched is the destination. When
they are thrown into it, they hear from it a [dreadful] inhaling while
it boils up.It almost bursts with rage. Every time a company is thrown
into it, its keepers ask them: 'Did there not come to you a warner?'"
[Quran 67: 6-8]
In the Hellfire, punishment will be from all directions; Allaah Says
what means: "On the Day the punishment will cover them from above them
and from below their feet and it is said, 'Taste ] the result of]
whatyou used to do.'" [Quran 29: 55]
Allaah also Says what means: "And the companions of the left— what are
the companionsof the left? [They will be] in scorching fire and
scalding water. And a shade of black smoke; neither cool nor
beneficial." [Quran 56: 41-44]
One form of punishment in the Hellfire is that people will be dragged
on their faces in it, as Allaah Says what means: "Indeed, the
criminals are in error and madness.The Day they are draggedinto the
Fire on their faces [it will be said], 'Taste the touch of Saqar
(i.e., Hell).'" [Quran 54: 47-48]
People are the fuel by which the Hellfire is heated and flamed; Allaah
Says what means: "O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your
families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are
[appointed] angels, harshand severe; they do not disobey Allaah in
what Hecommands them but do what they are commanded." [Quran 66: 6]
Allaah also Says what means: " Indeed, it throws sparks [as huge] as a
fortress, as if they were yellowish [black] camels." [Quran 77: 32-33]
In the Hellfire, people's clothes will be made of fire; Allaah Says
what means: "And you will see the criminals that Day bound together in
shackles. Their garments of liquid pitch and their faces covered by
the Fire." [Quran 14: 49-50]
The punishment in the Hellfire is continuous; Allaah Says what means:
"Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses — We will drive them into
a fire. Every time their skins are roasted through We will replace
them with other skins so they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allaah
is ever Exalted in Might and Wise." [Quran 4: 56]
Regarding people's drinkand food in Hell, Allaah Says what means:
"Then indeed you, O those astray [who are] deniers, will be eating
from trees of Zaqqoom. And filling with it your bellies. And drinking
on top of it from scalding water. And will drink as the drinkingof
thirsty camels. That is their accommodation on the Day of Recompense."
[Quran 56: 51-56]
Allaah also Says what means: "…And he will be given a drink of
purulent water. He will gulp it but will hardly [be able to] swallow
it. And death willcome to him from everywhere, but he is notto die.
And before him is a massive punishment." [Quran 14: 16-17]
Finally, the punishment of the Hellfire is never reduced, nor will its
dwellers ever die, as Allaah Says what means: "Indeed, the criminals
will be in the punishmentof Hell, abiding eternally. It will not be
allowed to subside for them, and they, therein, are in despair. And We
did not wrong them, but it was they who were the wrongdoers. And they
will call, 'O M a alik let your Lord put an end to us!" He will say,
"Indeed, you will remain.'" [Quran 43: 74-77]
There are also many prophetic narrations describing and addressing the
Hellfire; the following are some of them:
· Ibn Mas'ood reported: "The Messengerof Allaah said: 'Hell willbe
brought on that Day (i.e., the Day of Resurrection) with seventy
bridles; and with every bridle will be seventy thousand angels,
pulling it . '" [Muslim]
· Abu Hurayrah reported: "The Prophet said: 'Your fire (in this world)
is a part of the seventy parts of the fire of Hell ', (meaning in its
heat) . It was said: 'O Messenger of Allaah! It would have been
enough, (meaning, if it was only as hot as the fire in this world,
then that would have been enough as a deterrent). ' He said: 'It was
increased sixty-nine times (or multiples), each multiple being of the
same (degree) of heat . ' " [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
· Abu Hurayrah reported: "We were oncein the company of the Messenger
of Allaah when we heard a loud bang. Thereupon, the Messenger of
Allaah asked: 'Do you know what this (sound) is? ' Wereplied: 'Allaah
and His Messenger know best.' He said: 'It is a stone which was thrown
into Hell seventy years ago, and has only now reached its bottom. ' "
[Muslim]
· Ibn 'Abbaas narrated that the Prophet said: "If a drop from the tree
of Zaqqoom (i.e., a tree of Hell) were to fall onto this world, it
would (pollute and) destroy the lives of all the people of this
world." [An-Nasaa'i & At-Tirmithi]
· An-Nu'maan ibn Al-Basheer narrated that the Prophet said: "The least
in punishment among the people of Hellfire is one whose sandals or
shoelaces will be of fire, which will make his brain boil as a pot of
water boils. He willnot think that there is anyone being punished more
than him, but in fact, he will be the least in punishment."
[Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
· Anas ibn Maalik reported: "The Messengerof Allaah said: 'Among the
inmates of Hell will be a person who had led a very luxurious life in
this world will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and dipped in
the Hellfire, he will then be asked: `O son of Aadam! Did you ever
experience any comfort? Did you (ever) happen to have any luxury?' He
will reply: `I swear by Allaah, no my Lord.' Then, another person, who
hadexperienced extreme misery in the life of this world, will be
dipped in Paradise . He will then be asked: `O son of Aadam! Did you
ever experience any misery? Did you ever encounter difficulty?' He
will reply: 'I swear by Allaah, no my Lord, I neither experienced
misery nor passed through hardship. ' " [Muslim] This means that the
dwellers of the Hellfire will completely forget any pleasures
theyenjoyed in this life, and the dwellers of Paradise will completely
forget any type of hardship theyfaced in this life.
· Anas ibn Maalik reported: "The Messengerof Allaah said: "A man from
the dwellers of Hell will be asked on the Day of Resurrection: `If you
possessed all that is on earth, would you ransom yourself for it?` He
will reply: `Yes.` Then, he will be told (i.e., by Allaah): `I
requested something far easier than this from you:I had taken a pledge
from you not to associatepartners with Me, but you insisted on
associating with Me.' " [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
· Jaabir ibn 'Abdullaah reported: "The Prophet said: 'Allaah has taken
a pledge upon Himself to make everyone who consumes intoxicants drink
from Teenatul-Khabaal. ' He was asked: `O Messenger of Allaah! What is
Teenatul-Khabaal?' He replied: 'It is (a liquid) made of the sweat and
pus of the dwellers of Hell. ' " [Muslim]
· The Prophet said: "The Jews and the Christians will be asked: `What
do you need?` They will reply: `Our Lord!We are thirsty so give us
water to drink.` They willthen be told: `Come along,' until they reach
Hell, which will be destroying itself, (i.e., some parts of it will
eat up others due to its intense heat) and they will be thrown into
it. " [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim] Imaam Al-Hasan commented on this
narration saying: "What do you think the condition will be of thosewho
stood for fifty thousand years without eating or drinking, until they
almost died of thirst and their stomachs burnt from hunger, and who
were then taken to Hell and given boiling drinks in red hot pots (to
drink)?"
· Imaam Ibn Al-Jawzi described Hell saying: "It is an abode in which
its dwellers are deprived of joy; their faces are dark; they are
beaten with hooks that are stronger than steel; upon it are angels who
are harsh and tough; (the inhabitants of Hell) will be lying on fire
and drinking boiling water; they will be continuously in grief; they
will never leave Hell because it will be their eternal abode; they
will cry for having wasted their youth; their crying will be
continuousand increasing; their Creator is angered by them; they will
be exposed in front of others; what they collected in life will not
benefit them; they will see the evil consequencesof their sins; life
will seem as if it was a dream to them; their bodies will burn, but
whenever they are burnt out, they will be returned to their original
form in order forthem to taste more torture."

Names and Attributes of Allah -, Is al-Ahad one of the names of Allaah?.

Dought & clear - , is alahad one of allah names .can I call my son abdalahad?
Praise be to Allaah.
Yes, al-Ahad is one of thenames of Allaah which are mentioned in the
Qur'aan. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Say (O Muhammad): He is Allaah, (the) One.
Allaah-us-Samad [Allaah — the Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all
creatures need, (He neither eats nor drinks)]."
[al-Ikhlaas 112:1-2]
Therefore it is permissible to call your son 'Abd al-Ahad or 'Abd al-Samad.
Shaykh 'Abd al-Rahmaan al-Barraak.
The meaning of al-Ahad is the Unique, who is forever One and has
never and will never have another alongside Him. (al-Nihaayah, 1/35).
Allaah is Unique in His Oneness, in being One in His essence and
attributes. Some (scholars) differentiated between al-Waahid
andal-Ahad by saying that al-Waahid refers to His being one in His
essence only, whilst al-Ahad means that He is one in both His essence
and His attributes. (Tafseer Asmaa' Allaah by al-Zajjaaj, p. 58).
And it was said that al-Waahid means He is unique in His essence and
does not have any peer or rival, and al-Ahad is Unique in His
attributes. So al-Waahid is one in and of Himself, and al-Ahad means
being one in His attributes. Al-Ahad is oneof the attributes of Allaah
which belong uniquely to Him, and in which nothing else has ashare.
(Lisaan al-'Arab –Ahad – 1/35; wahida 8/4779 – 4783). Allaah is
al-Waahid al-Ahad, and has no second, no partner, no peer and no
rival. He is al-Waahid upon Whom His slaves depend and Whom they seek.
They do not put their trust in anyone except Him. (Ishtiqaaq Asmaa'
Allaah, 90-93). Heis al-Waahid and there isnone like unto Him.
Everything other than Him that is called one in some aspect will not
be one in many other aspects. (Sha'n al-Du'aa', 82-83)
Ibn Jareer believed that the Oneness of Allaah ruled out there being
anything else that could be like Him. Allaah has no peer and no rival.
He is the One God, the One Lord, and no one other than Him deserves to
be obeyed; no one other than Him should beworshipped. (Tafseer Ibn
Jareer, 3/265-266)
And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And your Ilaah (God) is One Ilaah (God — Allaah)" [al-Baqarah 2:163]
Allaah is One and is Perfect in all ways; He has no partner or
associate. His slaves mustaffirm His Oneness in their hearts and in
their words and deeds, by acknowledging His absolute perfection and
directing all acts of worship solely to Him. (Tayseer al-Kareem
al-Rahmaan, 5/485),