Beauties of the Paradise Missed in the Life of this World

Allah created a sense for beauty in the souls of humans. However, this disclosure and the development of aesthetic understanding is directly related to faith and occasion of his mind won by his faith. Maturation of a person’s faith and his or her longing for paradise, increases the pleasure one gets from the beauties by the will of Allah.

Allah has informed us about the beauty and the aesthetic understanding of the environment in heaven which is promised to sincere believers in the Qur’an. As the verses inform us,  Almighty Allah equipped paradise with blessings which the human soul is loves and is mostly affected by.  Allah created people in “beautiful appearance”, in an instinct to enjoy all kinds of beauty, aesthetics and art.

A believer takes great pleasure when he sees similar environments in paradise as places in this world and gives thanks to Allah for these blessings.

Human Spirit Takes Pleasure from the Natural Beauties

The human spirit takes indescribable pleasure from the beauties of the nature,  numerous different types of flowers, unique view of green leaves, and landscapes. Natural beauty and the greenery of lands are the wonderful blessings of paradise. It is antoher beauty that it is placed nearby the mansions and shadows, inside gardens and springs. Here are some other characteristics of paradise from information in the Quran:

Paradise has a pleasant climate which is informed by another  verse “... neither burning sun nor bitter cold... ” (Al-Insan, 13) that never discomforts people.   Heat that makes people sweat or swelter doesn’t belongs to there. Allah will place the believers “into cool, refreshing shade.” in the paradise. (An-Nisa’, 57)

“Refreshing shade” expression in this verse signs that all media and conditions in paradise would be willed by people and would make people comfortable and be prepared to comfort people, provide a real sense of satisfaction for the human soul. Everything and every place in paradise would be “after one’s own heart” for a Muslim.
One of the natural beauties that Allah mostly gave news in the verses related to paradise is the“outpouring water”(s) (Al-Waqi‘a, 31) Human spirit takes great pleasure from water, especially flowing water. A lake, stream, waterfall or a river falling through the forest gives great pleasure to people. Images and sounds of flowing water give peace and comfort to the human heart. Images and sounds of water falling from high above gives pleasure to the soul. Aim of the palaces, mansions or ponds which are made in the gardens of the mansions, pools and fountains or the natural rivers all comes from this aesthetic longing.

Main reason that these images are aesthetically pleasing is that the spirit of a believer had created compatible to paradise. This beauty is described in another verse as below:
 

“In them are two gushing springs.” (Ar-Rahman, 66)
 

Human Spirit Takes Pleasure from the Beautiful Sounds

Another beauty that awakes beautiful feelings in the human soul are sounds. Reason why the music has a very important place in every era is the deep effect that makes in the human soul. The human soul takes great enthusiasm, excitement and pleasure from beautiful human voices, as well as a ripple of flowing water.

The Human spirit takes pleasure from the beautiful voices but has trouble with the negative images, and distorted and negative sounds. Excessive sharp, noisy music playing, in a noisy environment, a high sound of an engine running or a siren sound can make the environment disturbing in little time. The Sound of thunder, a storm, sounds like screaming also cause disturbance in the human soul. And these are the natural reactions of men to what hell might sound like. Almighty Allah informs us about some of the sounds of hell in the Qur’an as below:
 

When they are flung into it they will hear it gasping harshly as it seethes. (Al-Mulk, 7)

“There will be sighing for them in it and they will not be able to hear.” (Al-Anbiya’, 100)
 

Human Spirit Takes Pleasure from Spiritual Cleanliness
Cleanliness is one of Allah’s predication and it is most appropriate attitude for the souls of the believers and their creations. Therefore, the cleanliness they fervently pursue as when prayer gives, is a great pleasure and comfort to the believers.

Cleanliness understanding of Islamic moral values is very different from the understandings of a society living away from the religious moral values.  First of all, cleanliness is lived in soul. Fully getting away and purifying from all of the behaviours, patterns and life styles which are not suitable for the morality of the Qur’an. Man who has a spiritual cleanliness draws away all kinds of evil from his mind and conscience. He never has ugly feelings such as hatred, jealusy, cruelty, selfishness that people who are unaware of the moral values of the Qur’an live by seeing them as extremely regular feelings. He has a high moral values. Therefore, Muslims do not only give importance to their external appearances, they also give importance for the cleanliness which they live in their souls.

Bright, spacious and aesthetically furnished, clean environments which Allah gives to men as blessings reflect the balanced and peaceful spiritual structure of a person and make positive influence on the other side. The dark, gloomy, asynchronous and distributed environment gives trouble to the human spirit whether he realises it or not.

Human Spirit Takes Pleasure from Beautiful Morality

Beautiful morality gives the most pleasure to human spirit. Morals of the Qur’an is the synthesis of all of the beautiful features which Allah informs that He is pleased with. These lofty morals  include such things as sacrifice, being considerate, ccompassion, loyalty, honesty, justice, loving, beautiful candor, docility, peace,  brotherhood, tolerance, and understanding.

For example, people love and respect a person who gives his or her meal to poor people although he is himself in need.  Similarly honesty is one of the occasions that directs the spirit to positive feelings. Because people feel love and intimacy for the people who are honest and have beautiful morals. Allah created the human soul to have love and affection for beautiful morals.

Excellent Results are for the Ones Who Have Taqwa
Single responsibility of a person for all of the beauties that Allah gives him as appealing to the human spirit is properly giving thanks to Allah and to live a life which Allah is pleased with. The beautiful results which believers take on the day of judgement and the punishment which unbelievers will face is informed in a verse as:
 

“What is the Garden promised to those who have taqwa like? It has rivers flowing under it and its foodstuffs and cool shade never fail. That is the final fate of those who have taqwa. But the final fate of the unbelievers is the Fire.” (Ar-Ra‘d, 35)

The Blessings Allah Creates for Believers in Paradise

THERE IS GREAT WEALTH AND SPLENDOR

Seeing them, you see delight and a great kingdom.. (Surat al-Insan, 20)

They will be reclining on couches lined with rich brocade, the fruits of the Gardens hanging close to hand. (Surat ar-Rahman, 54)

THERE ARE RIVERS

An image of the Garden which is promised to those who guard against evil: in it there are rivers of water which will never spoil and rivers of milk whose taste will never change and rivers of wine, delightful to all who drink it, and rivers of honey of undiluted purity; in it they will have fruit of every kind and forgiveness from their Lord. Is that like those who will be in the Fire timelessly, for ever, with boiling water to drink which lacerates their bowels?  (Surat al-Muhammad, 15)

THERE ARE SPRINGS

In them are two clear flowing springs. (Surat ar- Rahman, 50)

The heedful will be amid shade and fountains. (Surat al-Mursalat, 41)

In it there is a flowing spring called Salsabil.. (Surat al-Insan, 18)

THERE IS GREENERY

Shaded by spreading branches.  (Surat ar-Rahman, 48)

Of deep viridian green.. (Surat ar-Rahman, 64)

IT IS NEITHER HOT NOR COLD, AND THERE IS JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF SHADE

But as for those who believe and do right actions, We will admit them into Gardens with rivers flowing under them, remaining in them timelessly, for ever and ever. In them they will have spouses of perfect purity and We will admit them into cool, refreshing shade. (Surat an-Nisa, 57)

Reclining in it (the Garden) on couches, they will experience there neither burning sun nor bitter cold.. (Surat al-Insan,13)

THEY LIVE IN LOFTY HALLS AND FINE MANSIONS

As for those who believe and do right actions, We will lodge them in lofty chambers in the Garden, with rivers flowing under them, remaining in them timelessly, for ever. How excellent is the reward of those who act.. (Surat al-Ankabut, 58)

But those who have fear of their Lord will have high-ceilinged Halls, and more such Halls built one above the other, and rivers flowing under them. That is Allah’s promise. Allah does not break His promise.. (Suraz az-Zumar, 20)

THERE ARE LOFTY THRONES

Reclining in it (the Garden) on couches, they will experience there neither burning sun nor bitter cold.. (Surat al-Insan,13)
On sumptuous woven couches... (Surat al-Wakia, 15)

Facing each other on Thrones (of Dignity):. (Surat al-Saffat, 44)

THERE ARE PILLOWS AND EXQUISITE COUCHES

They will be reclining on couches lined with rich brocade, the fruits of the Gardens hanging close to hand. (Surat ar-Rahman, 54)

Reclining on green quilts and exquisite rugs. (Suat ar-Rahman, 76)

(In the Garden are) lined-up cushions, spread-out rugs.... (Surat al-Ghasshiyya, 15-16)

And on Thrones (of Dignity), raised high.. (Surat al-Wakia, 34)

THERE ARE THE FINEST CLOTHES AND ADORNMENTS

And (Allah) will reward them for their steadfastness with a Garden and with silk. (Surat al-Insan,12)

They will wear green garments of fine silk and rich brocade. They will be adorned with silver bracelets. And their Lord will give them a pure draught to drink. (Surat al-Insan,21)

But 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, and where their clothing will be of silk. (Surat al-Hajj, 23)

FOOD AND DRINK IN PARADISE

They are given the choicest sealed wine to drink. The seal thereof will be Musk: And for this let those aspire, who have aspirations: (Surat al-Mutaffifin, 25-26)

And a cup full (to the brim).  (Surat an-Naba’, 34)

The truly good will drink from a cup mixed with the coolness of camphor, a spring from which Allah’s servants will drink, making it gush forth at will abundantly. (Surat al-Insan,5-6)

Sweet fruits (Delights); and they (shall enjoy) honour and dignity, (Surat as-Saffat, 42)

(In Gardens of Delight, believers will have) a cup from a flowing spring passing round among them. Crystal-white, of a taste delicious to those who drink (thereof), Free from headiness; nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom.  (Surat as- Saffat, 45-47)

With goblets, (shining) beakers, and cups (filled) out of clear-flowing fountains: No after-ache will they receive therefrom, nor will they suffer intoxication: And with fruits, any that they may select: And the flesh of fowls, any that they may desire. (Surat al-Wakia, 18-21)

(They will be) among Lote-trees without thorns, Among Talh trees with flowers (or fruits) piled one above another,- (Surat al-Wakia, 28-29)

Its shading branches will droop down over them, its ripe fruit hanging ready to be picked.  (In the Garden of Paradise) vessels of silver and goblets of pure crystal will be passed round among them, crystalline silver–they have measured them very exactly. They will be given there a cup to drink mixed with the warmth of ginger. (Surat al-Insan, 14-17)

Gardens and grape vines. (Surat an-Naba’, 32)

In them are fruits and date-palms and pomegranates. (Surat ar-Rahman, 68)

THERE ARE PLEASANT-NATURED AND ATTRACTIVE WIVES

We have brought maidens into being. And made them virgin - pure (and undefiled), Beloved (by nature), equal in age,-(Surat al-Wakia, 35-37)

Give the good news to those who believe and do right actions that they will have Gardens with rivers flowing under them. When they are given fruit there as provision, they will say, ‘This is what we were given before.’ But they were only given a simulation of it. They will have there spouses of perfect purity and will remain there timelessly, for ever.  (Surat al-Baqara, 25)

There will be dark-eyed maidens with them, with eyes reserved for them alone. (Surat as-Saffat, 48)
And (there will be) Companions with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes,-Like unto Pearls well-guarded.; (Surat al-Wakia, 22-23)
In them are sweet, lovely maidens. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?- Dark-eyed, secluded in cool pavilions. (Surat ar-Rahman, 70-72)

The Place of Endless Happiness

Allah brings those who follow His guidance the good news of a Paradise filled with blessings where they will live eternally and warns them not to be deceived by the life of this world and place it above Paradise: "The life of this world is nothing but a game and a diversion. The abode of the Hereafter-that is truly Life if they only knew." (Surat al-'Ankabut: 64) and"... the best homecoming is in the presence of Allah." (Surah Al 'Imran: 14) Allah tells us that the Hereafter is more precious than the life of this world and superior to it and that people's real life is there. In that case, what kind of surroundings and existence await people in the Hereafter?

In His verses, Allah tells us that the life of the Hereafter is the real life of the human being. In Paradise, the defects and shortcomings of the life of this world will no longer exist. There will be everything the human heart desires. Allah has informed us of the perfection of the Garden and the details of the life believers will live there in the Qur'an. He mentions the surroundings in which believers will live, what they will eat, the natural beauties of Paradise and the spouses the believers will have there. A great deal of information concerning the Garden is contained in the Qur'an for us to reflect upon. In order to understand better life in Paradise and the limitless happiness which is promised there, let us briefly examine its wonders in the light of the verses of the Qur'an.
   
If we consider first the natural beauties of the Garden, we can say that Allah describes it as "neither burning sun nor bitter cold" (Surat al-Insan: 13), telling us that it has a climate so beautiful as to cause no discomfort at all to anybody. The heat which makes people sweat and stupefies them, and the freezing cold in this world do not exist there. This points to the perfection of the climate in Paradise. Amongst other natural beauties referred to in the Qur'an by Allah in connection with Paradise are "outpouring water." (Surat al- Waqi'a: 31) Water which flows unceasingly gives people great pleasure and is at the same time soothing and restful. The pools and fountains which in the life of this world people build in the gardens of their houses and villas provide both an aesthetic view and a cooling environment. Allah tells us about this characteristic of Paradise in another verse: "In them are two gushing springs." (Surat ar-Rahman: 66)

In addition, Allah informs us that believers will live in soothing, pleasant places:"Those who guard against evil will be amid Gardens and Springs." (Surat al-Hijr: 45) and "The heedful will be amid shade and fountains." (Surat al-Mursalat: 41) Amongst other things of great beauty which Allah mentions in the Qur'an are the flowers and plants of every type which are brought together in perfect harmony and from which people will take indescribable pleasure. As well as these, fruit trees described as "thornless lote-trees" (Surat al-Waqi'a: 28) and"fruit-laden acacias," (Surat al-Waqi'a: 29) are another blessing. Allah adds to this that Paradise has an appearance which is "of deep viridian green." (Surat ar-Rahman: 64)

Bringing all these together sets before people a vision of enchanting beauty. Neither is there any question of this vision fading or being lost with the passage of time. It will remain eternally untouched and unblemished. The beauties and blessings which await believers in Paradise are not limited to these. In addition to these natural wonders, Allah tells us in the Qur'an of the beauty of the places where believers will live:

But those who have fear of their Lord will have high-ceilinged Halls, and more such Halls built one above the other, and rivers flowing under them. That is Allah's promise. Allah does not break His promise. (Surat az-Zumar: 20)

As Allah informs us in this verse, believers will live in pavilions constructed on the heights of Paradise and looking out on inspiring views. As well as this Allah has created handsome servants for believers. He tells us that they will provide believers with continual and uninterrupted service in this verse:

Circulating among them there will be youths like hidden pearls. (Surat at-Tur: 24)

Furthermore, Allah tells us that the clothing of believers in Paradise will be beautiful: "[Believers will be] wearing fine silk and rich brocade, face to face with one another." (Surat ad-Dukhan: 53), and "... they will be adorned with gold bracelets and pearls..." (Surat al-Hajj: 23) As we know, silk and satin, gold and pearls are very valuable in this world. At the same time, this wealth and abundance are an expression of the high station of the believers. In the Garden, they will wear clothes made from silk and satin and jewelry of gold and pearls and their appearance will be aesthetically magnificent. Allah also brings us the good news in the Qur'an that in Paradise He will give believers spouses of unblemished and flawless beauty for themselves alone:

In [the Gardens] are maidens with eyes for them alone, untouched before them by either man or jinn. (Surat ar-Rahman: 56)

With expressions such as "just like closely guarded pearls" (Surat as-Saffat: 49) and "dark-eyed maidens like hidden pearls" (Surat al-Waqi'a: 23), Allah describes the faultless beauty of these spouses created solely for believers. They are without any worldly defect and will never lose any of their beauty. All these are blessings which Allah will grant only to believers. Believers will be pleased with all these blessings and grateful to their Lord. Allah tells us that the eternal happiness believers will feel and their joy is reflected in the illumination of their faces in the verse, "You will recognize in their faces the radiance of delight." (Surat al-Mutaffifin: 24)

Another cause of happiness for believers is the perfection of Allah's creation of everything in Paradise. In the Garden there will be none of the faults and flaws which annoy people in the life of this world and which make them uncomfortable, troubled and unhappy. Allah tells us in the Qur'an that in Paradise there will be no worldly discomforts such as tiredness, death, illness, pain, ageing, dirtiness, thirst, hunger and so forth:
 

You will not go hungry in it or suffer from nakedness. [We said to Adam,] "You will not go thirsty in it [the Garden] or burn in the sun." (Surah Ta Ha: 118-119)

Without doubt, a place where a person is cleansed of all the factors which trouble and discomfort him and make him unhappy, is also the source of the greatest comfort and luxury he can possibly experience.

In addition, in Paradise, there will be no such concept as "need" for believers. There they will do nothing out of necessity. Everything will be at their service and everything their hearts desire will be theirs. Allah has created all these blessings so that believers can take pleasure from them and be happy. He has turned everything they do into a pleasure and an entertainment. They will never feel any annoyance or boredom with these things.

Another great blessing for believers which brings peace and happiness is that they will live together with other sincere believers. Without doubt, in Paradise believers will be cleansed of all moral characteristics which annoy, anger and discomfort people in the life of this world. In a verse of the Qur'an, Allah tells us that in Paradise there will be no anger or hatred in the hearts of believers:

We will strip away any rancor in their hearts. Rivers will flow under them and they will say, "Praise be to Allah Who has guided us to this! We would not have been guided, had Allah not guided us. The Messengers of our Lord came with the Truth." It will be proclaimed to them: "This is your Garden which you have inherited for what you did." (Surat al-A'raf: 43)

Of course, living in Paradise with perfectly pure people who have been purged of every low attribute and negative characteristic will be a great blessing for the true believers and a source of peace and happiness. Allah tells us that in Paradise believers will express their happiness as follows:

"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: 34-35)

As we can see from these verses, in Paradise Allah will give people the greatest pleasure and happiness. The joy and happiness they feel because they have earned the approval and love of Allah will be the source of the highest form of contentment. All the blessings of the Garden are the gift of Allah to His sincere followers. The greatest incentive for believers is the hope that Allah will have mercy on them and admit them to Paradise because of their striving to be pleasing to Him.

Paradise is the gift of Allah, our Lord, and is beyond comparison for that reason. Paradise will unite those people who sincerely believe in Him and who are worthy of the eternal gift of joy and happiness. Thus, the greatest happiness and salvation for a person is earning the approval of Allah and being united with His mercy in Paradise.

Some Superstitions about Paradise

The verses depicting Paradise awake in the reader today the same sense of grandeur, quality, beauty, richness, bounteousness, well-being, and prosperity as they did 14 centuries ago. All of the values associated with Paradise have been desired by people of every period of history and of every social class. For example, the gold, silver, and precious jewels in Paradise, as described in the Qur'an, are even more in demand today than they were in the past.

The Qur'an also mentions that silk will be found in Paradise. Today, either as clothing or for decorative purposes, silk is preferred as a high quality material. At the same time, it is a symbol of wealth and grandeur. All of the precious things used to describe Paradise are far more valuable today than they were 1,400 years ago.

Again, the beautiful residences, palaces, and mansions mentioned in the Qur'an are luxurious places desired by everyone regardless of when they live. Today's villas and mansions are all of this category, and are marks of distinction, quality, and wealth.

Similarly, the thrones, couches, and cushions of Paradise form a part of the most comfortable and grand interior decoration. This kind of aesthetically beautiful furnishing is today displayed in the grandest of places.

Allah is the owner of all material things, and it belongs to His glory to find His beloved servants worthy of all of these beautiful things, both in this life and the next.

Does Paradise Contain Things Not Mentioned in the Qur'an?

The Qur'an describes Paradise through examples and comparisons taken from this world, for people can imagine something unknown only in terms of that which is known to them. However basic the description might be, it gives a certain idea. The Qur'an's detailed and subtle descriptions of Paradise's blessings show us that these blessings and beauties are superior to the best, most beautiful, and highest quality things to be found in this world.

The Qur'an describes Paradise by giving examples of the most desirable, high quality, and rarest things. For example, women with large dark eyes have a rare quality that gives them an extremely aesthetic and attractive appearance. Therefore, women in Paradise have large, dark gazelle-like eyes. This does not mean that no women there have green, blue, or brown eyes, but only serves to emphasize the excellent quality of Paradise and Allah's statement that the finest things here are much finer there. To give another example: The Qur'an says that every kind of fruit is present in Paradise. But, in various verses, bananas and figs are generally singled out more often as the preferred fruits. Of course, these fruits are two blessings chosen from the infinite abundance of all fruits in Paradise.

The announcement that everything desired by everyone exists in Paradise for their pleasure and to fulfill their hearts' desire is enough to express the idea that Paradise's blessings are infinite and far beyond human imagination. Everyone understands the Qur'an to the degree of his or her faith, intelligence, and sincerity. Thus disbelievers who read it with ill-intentions will understand the verses about Paradise according to their own sterile ideas. However, Paradise's superior beauty is evident to anyone who thinks about such verses with an open and intelligent awareness. Allah displays a perfect design even in the smallest details of this world; surely, it would be easy for Him to create far more excellent things than these.

Indifference

Some people are indifferent to Paradise, saying: "If it comes; fine. If it doesn't, that's fine too." However, in the afterlife there are only two possibilities: Paradise or Hell. There is no option to go to a place in between.

It is clear that someone who does not appreciate Paradise as is due, who does not long for or desire to attain it, is unworthy of it and will never be admitted to it. There is only one place for such a person to go: Hell. For this reason, being indifferent to Allah's greatest grace and gift to believers and not desiring to enter it, as well as persisting in this attitude is one of the clearest signs that he or she belongs among the people of Hell.

Conversations in Paradise

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, 34-35)

The Qur'an contains detailed accounts of conversations among believers, to whom Allah has given an exalted position in Paradise. These conversations are important, because they provide a good example for believers in this life. The verses: "They will hear no idle talk in it, nor any call to sin. All that is said is: 'Peace! Peace!'''  (Surat al-Waqi'a, 25-26) show the importance of avoiding empty talk. Elsewhere, the same point is expressed as:

They will hear no idle talk nor any lying there, as a recompensation from your Lord, a commensurate gift.  (Surat an-Naba', 35-36)

 Now, let us look at every word of wisdom in the conversations taking place in Paradise.

After giving their account, believers are sent to Paradise in groups. The gates of Paradise are opened for them, and they are greeted by the gatekeeper, who says to them:

…"Peace be upon you! You have done well, so enter it timelessly, forever." (Surat az-Zumar, 73)

In another verse, it is said that angels who will come in to welcome them from every gate will say to them:

"Peace be upon you because of your steadfastness! How wonderful is the Ultimate Abode!"  (Surat ar-Ra'd, 24)

 Believers answer:

"Praise be to Allah, Who has fulfilled His promise to us and made us the inheritors of this land, letting us settle in the Garden wherever we want. How excellent is the wage of those who work!"  (Surat az-Zumar, 74)

"Beforehand we used to live in fear among our families. But Allah was gracious to us and safeguarded us from the punishment of the searing wind. Beforehand we certainly used to call upon Him because He is the All-Good, the Most Merciful." (Surat at-Tur, 26-28)

"Praise be to Allah, Who has guided us to this! We would not have been guided had Allah not guided us. The Messengers of our Lord came with the Truth."  (Surat al-A'raf, 43)

This verse continues:

It will be proclaimed to them: "This is your Garden, which you have inherited for what you did."  (Surat al-A'raf, 43)

In another verse, the believers' thanksgiving in Paradise is described as:

Their call there is: "Glory be to You, O Allah!" Their greeting there is: "Peace!" The end of their call is: "Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds!" (Surah Yunus, 10)

Another verse says:

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, 34-35)

The conversation between believers in Paradise is related as follows:

They will turn to one another, asking each other [about their past lives]. One of them will say: "I used to have a friend who would say to me: 'Are you one of those who say that it is true, that after we have died and are turned to dust and bones, we will face a Reckoning?'"

[And] he will add: "Would you like to look [and see him]?"

So he will look down and see him in the midst of the Blazing Fire and say: "By Allah, you almost ruined me! If it were not for the blessing of my Lord, I would surely be [now] among those who are given over [to suffering]. But then [Omy friends in Paradise,] is it [really] so that we are not to die [again,] beyond our previous death and we shall never [again] be made to suffer? Truly this is the Great Victory!"  (Surat as-Saffat, 50-60)

As we see from these verses, believers are aware that they have arrived at this final happy end only by Allah's merciful will. Their consciences are keen, and they remember the past. Perhaps their whole lives are shown to them in detail, where they see the members of their intimate circle trying to make them deviate from the right path. And they understand that if Allah had not protected them with His endless grace, they could have followed the wrong path. Believers who come to this awareness give thanks to Allah in Paradise, just as they did in the world.

The verses below tell about the words spoken between the people of Paradise and those in Hell, and give expression to the latter group's sorrow:

In Gardens they will ask the evildoers: "What caused you to enter Saqar [Hell]?"

They will say: "We were not among the prayerful, and we did not feed the poor. We plunged with those who plunged, and denied the Day of Judgment until the Certainty came to us." The intercession of those who intercede will not help them.  (Surat al-Muddaththir, 40-48)

So, the people in Hell confess the evil that they did during their earthly lives, and understand that there is no escape from their new abode. Another such conversation is related in these verses:

The Companions of Paradise will call out to the Companions of Hell: "We have found that what our Lord promised us is true. Have you found that what your Lord promised you is true?" They will say: "Yes, we have!" Between them a herald will proclaim: "May the curse of Allah be upon the wrongdoers, those who bar access to the Way of Allah, desiring to make it crooked, and reject the hereafter."  (Surat al-A'raf, 44-45)

The Companions of Hell will call out to the Companions of Paradise: "Throw down some water to us, or some of what Allah has given you as provision." They will say: "Allah has forbidden them to the disbelievers." (Surat al-A'raf, 50)

So, the suffering of those in Hell increases several fold. In addition to the many pains they endure, they can see the blessings of Paradise and speak with the people there. However, they cannot attain the blessings that those people enjoy, and it is too late to be sorry. This spiritual suffering is described in another verse:

On the Day when those who were unbelievers are exposed to the Fire, [it will be said to them]: "You dissipated the good things you had in your worldly life, and enjoyed yourself in it. So today you are being repaid with the punishment of humiliation for being arrogant in the earth without any right, and for being deviators." (Surat al-Ahqaf, 20)

So, disbelievers are imprisoned forever in Hell as a "reward" for the evil that they committed during their earthly lives. But believers have found their perfect happiness and salvation.

Conversations in Paradise

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, 34-35)

The Qur'an contains detailed accounts of conversations among believers, to whom Allah has given an exalted position in Paradise. These conversations are important, because they provide a good example for believers in this life. The verses: "They will hear no idle talk in it, nor any call to sin. All that is said is: 'Peace! Peace!'''  (Surat al-Waqi'a, 25-26) show the importance of avoiding empty talk. Elsewhere, the same point is expressed as:

They will hear no idle talk nor any lying there, as a recompensation from your Lord, a commensurate gift.  (Surat an-Naba', 35-36)

 Now, let us look at every word of wisdom in the conversations taking place in Paradise.

After giving their account, believers are sent to Paradise in groups. The gates of Paradise are opened for them, and they are greeted by the gatekeeper, who says to them:

…"Peace be upon you! You have done well, so enter it timelessly, forever." (Surat az-Zumar, 73)

In another verse, it is said that angels who will come in to welcome them from every gate will say to them:

"Peace be upon you because of your steadfastness! How wonderful is the Ultimate Abode!"  (Surat ar-Ra'd, 24)

 Believers answer:

"Praise be to Allah, Who has fulfilled His promise to us and made us the inheritors of this land, letting us settle in the Garden wherever we want. How excellent is the wage of those who work!"  (Surat az-Zumar, 74)

"Beforehand we used to live in fear among our families. But Allah was gracious to us and safeguarded us from the punishment of the searing wind. Beforehand we certainly used to call upon Him because He is the All-Good, the Most Merciful." (Surat at-Tur, 26-28)

"Praise be to Allah, Who has guided us to this! We would not have been guided had Allah not guided us. The Messengers of our Lord came with the Truth."  (Surat al-A'raf, 43)

This verse continues:

It will be proclaimed to them: "This is your Garden, which you have inherited for what you did."  (Surat al-A'raf, 43)

In another verse, the believers' thanksgiving in Paradise is described as:

Their call there is: "Glory be to You, O Allah!" Their greeting there is: "Peace!" The end of their call is: "Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds!" (Surah Yunus, 10)

Another verse says:

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, 34-35)

The conversation between believers in Paradise is related as follows:

They will turn to one another, asking each other [about their past lives]. One of them will say: "I used to have a friend who would say to me: 'Are you one of those who say that it is true, that after we have died and are turned to dust and bones, we will face a Reckoning?'"

[And] he will add: "Would you like to look [and see him]?"

So he will look down and see him in the midst of the Blazing Fire and say: "By Allah, you almost ruined me! If it were not for the blessing of my Lord, I would surely be [now] among those who are given over [to suffering]. But then [Omy friends in Paradise,] is it [really] so that we are not to die [again,] beyond our previous death and we shall never [again] be made to suffer? Truly this is the Great Victory!"  (Surat as-Saffat, 50-60)

As we see from these verses, believers are aware that they have arrived at this final happy end only by Allah's merciful will. Their consciences are keen, and they remember the past. Perhaps their whole lives are shown to them in detail, where they see the members of their intimate circle trying to make them deviate from the right path. And they understand that if Allah had not protected them with His endless grace, they could have followed the wrong path. Believers who come to this awareness give thanks to Allah in Paradise, just as they did in the world.

The verses below tell about the words spoken between the people of Paradise and those in Hell, and give expression to the latter group's sorrow:

In Gardens they will ask the evildoers: "What caused you to enter Saqar [Hell]?"

They will say: "We were not among the prayerful, and we did not feed the poor. We plunged with those who plunged, and denied the Day of Judgment until the Certainty came to us." The intercession of those who intercede will not help them.  (Surat al-Muddaththir, 40-48)

So, the people in Hell confess the evil that they did during their earthly lives, and understand that there is no escape from their new abode. Another such conversation is related in these verses:

The Companions of Paradise will call out to the Companions of Hell: "We have found that what our Lord promised us is true. Have you found that what your Lord promised you is true?" They will say: "Yes, we have!" Between them a herald will proclaim: "May the curse of Allah be upon the wrongdoers, those who bar access to the Way of Allah, desiring to make it crooked, and reject the hereafter."  (Surat al-A'raf, 44-45)

The Companions of Hell will call out to the Companions of Paradise: "Throw down some water to us, or some of what Allah has given you as provision." They will say: "Allah has forbidden them to the disbelievers." (Surat al-A'raf, 50)

So, the suffering of those in Hell increases several fold. In addition to the many pains they endure, they can see the blessings of Paradise and speak with the people there. However, they cannot attain the blessings that those people enjoy, and it is too late to be sorry. This spiritual suffering is described in another verse:

On the Day when those who were unbelievers are exposed to the Fire, [it will be said to them]: "You dissipated the good things you had in your worldly life, and enjoyed yourself in it. So today you are being repaid with the punishment of humiliation for being arrogant in the earth without any right, and for being deviators." (Surat al-Ahqaf, 20)

So, disbelievers are imprisoned forever in Hell as a "reward" for the evil that they committed during their earthly lives. But believers have found their perfect happiness and salvation.