The Real Paradise and the Real Hell
By: A. Mohamed
By: A. Mohamed
The descriptions of Paradise in the Quran are numerous and varied. They speak of flowing rivers of honey, milk and wine, as well as fruits of every kind and purified spouses. The righteous believers who make it to Paradise are told to be adorned with bracelets of gold and wearing garments of silk and brocade. They will be reclining on lush couches in elevated mansions, and being offered cups of delicious drinks from flowing springs.
However, we have a number of Quranic verses that indicate that all the descriptions of Paradise in the Quran are allegorical; they should not be taken literally.
1- The following verses contain a conclusive keyword that points to the allegorical nature of the descriptions of Paradise:
The allegory of Paradise which is promised to the reverent is that beneath which rivers flow, and its food supply is everlasting, so is its shade. Such is the outcome of those who were reverent, while the outcome of the disbelievers is the Fire. 13:35
The allegory of Paradise that is promised to the reverent is that of rivers of unpolluted water, and rivers of milk whose taste does not change, and rivers of wine that is a pleasure for the drinkers, and rivers of strained honey. They have all kinds of fruits therein and forgiveness from their Lord. Is that like those who abide forever in the Fire, where they are given boiling water to drink which cuts up their intestines? 47:15
The first word in the two verses above is 'mathal' (allegory). The word "mathal" (allegory) tells us that the descriptions that follow in the verse are by way of example only, and therefore, should not be taken literally.
Linguistically, the word "mathal" in such verses could be removed and we would still have perfect sentences. This indicates that the word "mathal" is deliberately placed in such verses to inform us that such descriptions of Paradise are not literal.
2- We read in other verses that the joys of the worldly life mean little and are dwarfed by the joys of Paradise:
Say, "The enjoyments of this world mean little, while the Hereafter is better for the reverent; and you will not suffer a thread's breadth of injustice." 4:77
Are you satisfied with the worldly life over the Hereafter? The enjoyment of the worldly life will mean little in the Hereafter. 9:38
The verses above, together with the descriptions of Paradise in the Quran raise an important question. Let us first remind ourselves with some of the descriptions of Paradise given in the Quran:
Rivers of milk, wine and honey - fruits of every kind - purified spouses - bracelets of gold and garments of silk and brocade - mansions - cups of delicious drinks from flowing springs.
It is important to note that every item on the list above is already found on earth and within reach during the worldly life. If the rewards in Paradise are not much different from what we already have here on earth, then how can the enjoyments of the worldly life be dwarfed by those in the Hereafter (4:77 and 9:38)?
3- One further piece of evidence that the Quranic descriptions of Paradise are allegorical is found in the following verse:
No self knows what hidden delights await them as rewards for what they used to do. 32:17
If the descriptions of Paradise in the Quran are literal, we would have reason to say:
Yes, we do know what delights await us in Paradise, they are flowing rivers, endless supplies of fruit, delicious drinks and so on. The words in 32:17 provide additional confirmation that the Quranic descriptions of Paradise are not literal.
-------------------------------
Now that we have seen three separate Quranic confirmations that the Quranic descriptions of Paradise are allegorical, it is necessary to understand why did God use allegorical descriptions? The answer to such a question is given in the words in 32:17 above:
No self knows what hidden delights await them as rewards" 32:17
The believers will never know what rewards await them in Paradise until they get there. The reason can only be because the rewards in Paradise are nothing like the enjoyments we are given during our worldly life, and therefore, they are beyond our comprehension. There are no words in our vocabulary that can express the rewards of Paradise, and thus the need for allegories. God used allegories of such items and material things that we covet during our worldly life so that we would work for and seek Paradise.
----------------------------------------
And so, if the descriptions of Paradise in the Quran are allegorical, what is the Real Paradise like? Does the Quran give us any clues as to what the rewards in Paradise are? The answer is yes. God gives us three pointers to the true rewards of Paradise.
It must be said that even though we are given indications, yet we still will never understand the true meaning or value of these rewards until we experience them (God willing) in the Hereafter.
First: Closeness to God
Proximity to God in the Hereafter is mentioned in the Quran as an honourable blessing and a source of great happiness and joy. Proximity from God is spoken of as a privilege reserved for the righteous believers:
It is not your wealth nor your children that will draw you close to Us; that is granted only to those who believe and do good deeds. 34:37
Closeness to God in the Hereafter is a reward granted by God, while closeness to God in the worldly life is the free choice of the individual. If closeness to God in the worldly life was something ordained by God on the individual, it would not merit a reward from God.
Those who remember God and maintain closeness to God in the worldly life will be remembered and rewarded by God in the Hereafter:
So remember Me and I will remember you. 2:152
The following Quranic verses also speak about the reward of proximity to God in the Hereafter:
And the forerunners, the forerunners; those are the ones brought near in the Gardens of Bliss. 56:10-12
However, if he is one of those brought near, then there shall be comfort, sweet fragrance and a Garden of Bliss. 56:88-89
When the angels said, "O Mary, God gives you news of a Word from Him whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, distinguished in this world and in the Hereafter, and among those brought near. 3:45
A numbered Book to be witnessed by those brought near. The pious are in bliss. 83:20-22
The words in the last verse in particular establish the fact that closeness to God results in perfect happiness.
Second: The Light granted by God
God is the Light of everything in the universe and the source of all light.
God is the Light of the heavens and the earth. 24:35
On the Day of Judgment, the Earth will shine with the Light of its Lord:
And the earth shone with the Light of its Lord. 36:69
The believers will be granted light from God which will be a source of bliss:
On the Day you see the believing men and the believing women with their lights streaming out ahead of them, and to their right. 57:12
Those who believed in God and His messengers are the truthful ones and the witnesses at their Lord. They shall have their reward and their light. 57:19
Their light will stream out ahead of them and to their right. They will say, "Our Lord, perfect our light for us, and forgive us. You are Capable of all things." 66:8
It follows that those deprived of light in the Hereafter will be in great misery and will beg to be given some light:
On the Day the hypocrite men and the hypocrite women say to those who believed, "Wait for us so that we can acquire some of your light." It will be said, "Go back behind you and seek a light." 57:13
Third: Looking at God
You are not responsible for guiding them, but it is God who guides whom He wills. The good that you give is for your own good. Indeed, that which you give should be for the sole aim of seeking the Face of God. The good that you give will be fully repaid back to you, and you will not be treated unjustly. 2:272
The words "seeking the Face of God", which are also found in 6:52, 13:22, 18:28, 30:39, 76:9 and 92:20, are usually interpreted to be allegorical, however, when they are read in conjunction with 75:22-23, it can be shown that they are literal:
Some faces on that Day will be radiant, looking at their Lord. 75:22-23
The righteous will in fact be looking at God in the Hereafter. The radiance on the faces of the believers for looking at God affirms that the mere act of looking at God in the Hereafter will be a blessing and a source of unparalleled happiness.
In contrast, those who will be deprived of looking at God will be in great misery. God will not speak to them nor look at them:
Those who trade away God's oaths and their pledges for a cheap price, they receive no share in the Hereafter. God will not speak to them nor look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them. And they shall have a painful punishment. 3:77
3- Since the mere looking at God in the Hereafter will be a cause of undescribable happiness (75:22-23), it follows that those who will be deprived of seeing the Face of God will be in great misery. God will not speak to them nor look at them:
Those who trade away God's oaths and their pledges for a cheap price, they receive no share in the Hereafter. God will not speak to them nor look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them. And they shall have a painful punishment. 3:77
Those who trade away God's oaths and their pledges for a cheap price, they receive no share in the Hereafter. God will not speak to them nor look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them. And they shall have a painful punishment. 3:77
The Real Hell
Now we know what is the real Paradise, and how the Quranic descriptions are only allegorical, we can also define the real Hell as everything that Paradise is not:
1- Since proximity from God is a great blessing granted to the righteous believers in the Hereafter (56:10-12 and 56:88-89), it follows that those who are not granted proximity from God will experience great misery. They will be at a faraway place:
If you could see them when they are terrified and with no escape, and they are seized from a nearby place, they will say, "We believe in it," but how can they attain it from a faraway place when they had rejected it in the past and were having a stab at the unseen from a faraway place? 34:51-53
2- Since those in Paradise will be granted a light from God (57:12 and 57:19), it follows that those in Hell will be deprived of light. Once again, this will be a cause of great misery. They will plead with the companions of Paradise to give them some of their light:
On the Day the hypocrite men and the hypocrite women say to those who believed, "Wait for us so that we can acquire some of your light." It will be said, "Go back behind you and seek a light. A fence is then placed between them that has a gate; on its inner lies mercy, and on its outer lies the punishment." 57:13
3- Since the mere looking at God in the Hereafter will be a cause of undescribable happiness (75:22-23), it follows that those who will be deprived of seeing the Face of God will be in great misery. God will not speak to them nor look at them:
Those who trade away God's oaths and their pledges for a cheap price, they receive no share in the Hereafter. God will not speak to them nor look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them. And they shall have a painful punishment. 3:77
Conclusion
It has been shown that all the descriptions of Paradise in the Quran are only by way of examples. The human being is not able to comprehend the true worth of the rewards of Paradise, thus the use of allegories.
Equally, all the horrible descriptions of Hell and burning are by way of deterrents only. God's mercy is beyond our comprehension for the gruesome descriptions of Hell to be literal. God tells us that He decreed mercy upon Himself (6:12). However, the human being is not an angel nor free of evil. It is therefore necessary for the horrible deterrents to be cited.
In addition, even after knowing that the real rewards of Paradise are derived from such things as proximity to God, being granted light from God, and also seeing God, we still do not know why nor how these situations create unparalleled happiness, nor do we have a clue about the nature of such happiness.
On our part, we should seek closeness to God through following His straight path:
Whoever holds fast to God has been guided to a straight path. 3:101
And we should be guided by God's light contained in His Holy Book.
A Light has come to you from God and a clear Book. 5:15
And we should work righteous deeds seeking His Face:
Indeed, that which you give should be for the sole aim of seeking the Face of God. 2:272
When we do the above, in total submission to God's absolute authority, we would God willing be among those blessed and admitted into Paradise. It is only in Paradise that the blessed will get to know what it means to be close to God, to be granted of His light, and to taste the ecstatic euphoria of looking at God.
You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path; the path of those whom You have blessed, not those who have incurred wrath, nor the misguided. 1:5-7