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…..]