CLASS 2
SOIL, RIVERS, SPRINGS, PALACES, LIGHT & FRAGRANCE
O F P A R A D I S E
The Soil of Paradise
Al-Bukhaari and Muslim reported the hadith of al-Mi'raaj from Anas ibn Maalik from Abu Dharr in which Abu Dharr (ra) said, "The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said, "I entered Paradise where I saw lights of pearl and its soil was musk". Muslim and Ahmad report from Abu Sa'eed that Ibn Sayyaad asked the Messenger ﷺ about the soil of Paradise. He said, "It is a fine white powder of pure musk".
Ahmad at-Tirmidhi and ad-Daarimi reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, "I asked "O Messenger of Allaah ﷺ, From what are people made?" He said, "From water." We asked, "From what is Paradise built?" He said, "Bricks of gold and silver and mortar of fragrant musk; its pebbles are pearls and rubies, and its soil is saffron. Whoever enters it is blessed with joy and will never be miserable; he will remain there forever and never die; his clothes will never wear out, and his youth will never fade away." [Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 3/89, no. 5630]
Rivers of Paradise
Allaah (swt), may He be Blessed and Exalted, has told us that rivers flow from beneath Paradise:
"And give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous good deeds, that for them will be Gardens under which rivers flow.." [2:25]
"For them will be Gardens of Eternity: beneath them rivers will flow" [18:31]
The Prophet ﷺ told us clearly about the rivers of Paradise. He said that during his Israa' (Night Journey): "...I saw four rivers flowing out from beneath Sidrat al-Muntahaa, two visible and two hidden. He asked, "O Jibreel, What are these rivers?" He said, "The two hidden rivers are rivers of Paradise, and the two visible rivers are the Nile and the Euphrates". [Muslim, Kitaab al-Imaan, Baab al-Israa', 1/150, no. 164; al-Bukhaari reports the same from Anas ibn Maalik, Jaami' al-Usool, 10/507, narrated bt Abu Awanah, al-Isma'eelee and at-Tabaranee in as-Sagheer]
Muslim reports from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said, "Sihran, Jihran, the Euphrates and the Nile are all from the rivers of Paradise". [Sahih Muslim, Kitaab al-Jannah, Baab ma fid-dunyaa min anhaar al-jannah, 4/2183, no. 2839, al-Albaani attributed it, in Silsilat al-Hadith as-Saheehah 1/6, to Muslim, Ahmad, al-Ajirri and al-Khateeb]
Sheikh Naasir ud-Deen al-Albaani said, "Perhaps what is meant is that these rivers originated in Paradise just as mankind did; this hadith does not contradict the well-established fact that these rivers spring forth from known sources on earth. If this is not in fact the meaning of this hadith, then it is one of the matters of al-Ghayb [the Unseen], which we must believe and accept because the Prophet ﷺ has told us about it". [Silsilat al-Hadith as-Saheehah, 1/18]
al-Qaree' said, "These four rivers are considered to be among the rivers of paradise because they are so fresh and beneficial, and contain blessings from Allaah, and were honoured by the fact that the Prophets came to them and drank from them". [reported by al-Albaani in his footnotes on Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 3/80]
One of the rivers of Paradise is al-Kawthar, which Allaah has given to His Messenger ﷺ:"Verily We have granted you [O Muhammad] al-Kawthar [a river in Paradise]" [108:1]
The Prophet ﷺ saw it and told us about it. al-Bukhaari reported from Anas ibn Maalik that the Prophet ﷺ said, "Whilst I was walking in Paradise I saw a river whose banks were domes of hollow pearls, and I asked, "What is this, O Jibreel?" He said, "This is al-Kawthar which your Rabb has given to you". And its scent - or its mud - was of fragrant musk". [Sahih al-Bukhaari]
Also narrated by Ahmad from Anas, the Prophet ﷺ said, "It is a river that Allaah (swt) has given to me in Paradise. Its mud is musk and its water is whiter than milk, and sweeter than honey. Birds with necks like the necks of camels drink from it."
The rivers of Paradise do not just contain water. There are rivers of water, of milk, of wine and of clear honey.
Allaah (swt) says: "The description of Paradise which the Muttaqoon have been promised is that in it are rivers of water the taste and smell of which are not changed; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine delicious to those who drink; and rivers of clarified honey [clear and pure].." [47:15]
at-Tirmidhi reports, with a sahih isnaad, from Haakim ibn Mu'aawiyah that the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said, "In Paradise there is a sea of honey, a sea of wine, a sea of milk and a sea of water, and the rivers flow out of these seas." [Jaami' al-Usool, 10/508]
He also told us of a river called Baariq, which flows by the gate of Paradise. During the period of al-Barzakh [the time between death and the day of Judgement] the shuhadaa are beside this river:
Ibn 'Abbaas narrated that the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said, "The shuuhadaa are in a green dome beside the river of Baariq, near the gate of Paradise, from which provision comes to them morning and evening." [Saheeh al-Jaami' as-Sagheer, 3/235, no. 3636]
The Springs of Paradise
In Paradise there are many springs that provide drinks of different tastes:
"Truly al-Muttaqoon [the pious and righteous] will be amidst Gardens and Water-springs" [15:45]
"Verily al-Muttaqoon shall be amidst shades and springs." [77:41]
Concerning the two Gardens which Allaah (swt) has prepared for those who fear their Rabb, Allaah (swt) said, "In them [both] will be two springs flowing [free]." [55:50]
And concerning the two Gardens beneath them, He said, "In them [both] will be two springs gushing forth water." [55:66]
In Paradise there are two springs from which al-Muqarraboon will drink pure and undiluted (Kafoor), whilst the Abraar will drink their water mixed with something else (Tasneem).
The first is the spring of Kafoor, as Allaah (swt) says: "Verily the Abraar [the pious, those who fear Allaah and avoid evil], shall drink a cup [of wine] mixed with water from a spring in Paradise called Kafoor, A spring wherefrom the slaves of Allaah will drink, causing it to gush forth abundantly." [76:5-6]
He tells us that the pious will drink from it mixed with something else, whilst those close to Allaah will drink it pure and undiluted.
The second spring is of Tasneem, as Allaah (swt) says: "Verily al-Abraar will be in delight [Paradise], On thrones, looking [at all things]. You will recognise in their faces the brightness of delight. They will b given to drink pure sealed wine, the last thereof [that wine] will be the smell of musk, and for this let [all] those who strive who want to strive [i.e. hasten earnestly to the obedience of Allaah]. It [that wine] will be mixed with Tasneem, a spring whereof drink those nearest to Allaah." [83:22-27]
Another of the springs of Paradise is called al-Salsabeel as Allaah (swt) says: "And they will be given to drink there a cup [of wine] mixed with zanjabeel [ginger], a spring there, called Salsabeel". [76:17-18]
This is probably the same spring as that mentioned above, i.e. Kafoor.
The Palaces and Tents of Paradise
Allaah (swt) will build good and beautiful dwellings for the people of Paradise: "and beautiful mansions in Gardens of everlasting bliss" [9:72]
In some places in the Qur'aan, Allaah (swt) described these dwellings as ghurafaat [chambers or dwellings]: "and they will reside in the high dwellings [Paradise] in peace and security." [34:37]
The reward for the slaves of the all-Merciful will be: "Those will be rewarded with the highest place [in Paradise] because of their patience. Therein they shall be met with greetings and the word of peace and respect" [25:75]
Allaah (swt) described these Ghurafaat: "But for those who fear Allaah and keep their duty to their Rabb [Allaah], for them are built lofty rooms, one above the other, under which rivers flow. [This is] the Promise of Allaah, and Allaah does not fail in [His] Promise." [39:20]
Ibn Katheer said: "Allaah has told us about His blessed slaves who will have rooms [or dwellings] in Paradise: these will be lofty palaces, "lofty rooms, one above another - story upon story, well-constructed, strong and decorated. The Prophet (saw) described these palaces to us. According to a hadith narrated by Ahmad, and Ibn Hibbaan from Abu Maalik al-Ash'ari and by at-Tirmidhi from 'Ali (ra) the Prophet ﷺ said: "In Paradise there are dwellings whose inside can be seen from the outside, and the outside can be seen from inside. Allaah [swt] has prepared them for those who feed the hungry, and speak softly and gently, fast continuously and pray at night whilst the people are asleep." [Saheeh al-Jaami' as-Sagheer, 2/220, no. 2119]
Allaah (swt) has told us that there are tents or pavilions in Paradise: "Houris [beautiful, fair females] restrained in pavilions" [55:72]
These pavilions are wondrous tents, made of pearls, each one is made from a single, hollowed-out pearl. They are sixty miles high; according to some reports they are sixty miles wide. al-Bukhaari reports from 'Abdullaah ibn Qays that the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said, "The tent is a hollowed out pearl, thirty miles high; in each corner of it the believer will have a wife whom no one else can see". Abu 'Abdus-Samad and al-Haarith reported from Abu 'Imraan that the wording was "sixty miles high" [Sahih al-Bukhaari, Kitaab Bid' al-Khalq, Baab Sifaat al-Jannah, Fath al-Baari, 6/318]
The Prophet ﷺ said, "The believer in Paradise will have a tent made out of a single, hollowed-out pearl, sixty miles long, in which he will have [a number of] wives, whom he will visit in turn, none of whom will see the others". [Muslim]
The Prophet ﷺ told us about the characteristics of the palaces of some of his wives and companions. al-Bukhaari and Muslim report that Abu Hurayrah (ra) said, "Jibreel came to the Prophet (saw) said, "O Messenger of Allaah, Khadeejah is coming, carrying a container of food. When she comes to you, convey to her greetings of peace from her Rabb and from me, and give her the glad tidings of a house in Paradise made of brocade, in which there is no noise or exhaustion."" [Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 3/266]
Muslim, Abu Dawud, Ahmad, an-Nasaa'ee, and Ibn Maajah report from Umm Habeebah that the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said, "Whoever prays twelve extra [supererogatory] rak'ahs every day, Allaah (swt) will build for him a house in Paradise." [Saheeh al-Jaami', 5/316, no. 6234]
We will study in Class 5 deeds that can get us Palaces in Paradise InShaAllah.
The Light of Paradise
Al-Qurtubee said, "The scholars said there is no night and day in Paradise, rather they will be in eternal everlasting light. They will know when night comes because curtains or screens will be put up and doors will be closed, and they will know when day comes because the curtains or screens will be taken down and the doors will be opened. This was mentioned by Abul-Faraj ibn al-Jawzee" [al-Qurtubee, at-Tadhkirah, p. 504]
Ibn Katheer in his commentary on the aayah: "And they will have therein their sustenance, morning and evening. Such is the Paradise, which We shall give as an inheritance to those of Our slave who have been al-Muttaqoon [pious and righteous]" [19:62-63] said, "This means something approximate to the times of day and night, it does not mean that there will be a day and night there. They will know the passing of time by the changes in the light"[Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 4/471]
On the same subject, Ibn Taymiyyah said, "There is no sun and moon in Paradise, and no day or night, but they will know morning and evening from a light that shines from the direction of the Throne" [Majmu' Fataawa Shaikh al-Islaam, 4/312]
The Fragrance of Paradise
Paradise is filled with a pure and beautiful fragrance, which the believers will be able to discern from a great distance. Ahmad, an-Nasaa'ee, Ibn Maajah and al-Haakim report with a saheeh isnaad that the Messenger ﷺ said, "Whoever kills a man of Ahl ad-Dhimmah [non-Muslims living under Islaamic rule] will not smell the fragrance of Paradise, even though its fragrance can be discerned from a distance of forty years' travelling." [Saheeh al-Jaami as-Sagheer, 5/235, no. 6324 adn 5/337 no. 6333]
TIPS OF TEST
Do not have to memorise the ayahs or hadeeths word for word and their references, but remember their meanings and the msg being given.
Remember the respective descriptions and connections
ASSIGNMENT
There will be an Assignment Question asked in the Test. Marks will be given based on the following: -
Invite atleast 15 people to the course (can invite via WhatsApp, Facebook, Email, telegram or word of mouth) 4 Marks. (check the note below for exceptions)
Note:
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It does not matter, whether people join or not, our job is to invite.
Implement atleast 3 deeds that will be discussed in Class 5. 4 Marks
Talk about any 3 topics/Sunnahs/simple deeds and their great rewards covered in this week’s classes with atleast 3 people. 3 Marks.
Pray for the Ummah, pray for the ease of all the poor & oppressed Muslims and pray that Allah make us all strong in imaan and give us the hidayah to work for the aakhirah and to help each other. - 1 Mark
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