Seated in an amjad some time last week under the hot sun of Sudan and looking through the window, I realized the land is somewhat beautiful. Though it can’t be compared with what we have back home…masha Allah. Passing through the bridge, the land down there was green, full of vegetables ready for harvest, I guess it’s that time of the year. The sun was hot but the sky was very clear and blue like the sea.
I know you are wondering why I’m going into the details, but you see, I’m a BIG FAN of nature. Then and there, I thought……how beautiful will the paradise be? Taking into consideration that what we have on earth is just a glimpse. I think we already know the answer, but I’ll briefly share what I came across:
Allah (S.W.T) said in the holy Qur’an:
“Truly, the pious and righteous persons will be amidst gardens and water-springs. (It will be said to them); Enter therein (paradise) in peace and security. And we shall remove from their breasts any deep feeling of bitterness (that they may have),so they will be like brothers facing each other on thrones. No sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they (ever) be asked to leave”.
[Q:15 V:45-48].
HE also said in another verse:
“What is the example of paradise promised to the righteous like? It has rivers flowing under it, and it foodstuff and cool shade never fails. That is the final fate of those who have done their duty. But the final fate of the disbelievers is the fire”. [Q:13,V: 35].
Natural beauty and greenery are among paradise’s wonderful blessings. Mansion built in gardens, right next to spring is another beauty. I’m sure we are all starting to daydream. Let’s add more spice to it.
Jabir may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the messenger of Allah, may Alah’s peace and blessing be upon him said,” The inhabitants of jannah will eat and drink therein, but they will not have to pass excrement, to blow their noses or urinate. Their food will be digested producing belch which will give out a smell like that of musk. They will be inspired to declare the freedom of Allah from imperfection and proclaim His greatness as easily as you breath.” [Muslim].
The commentary of this hadith explains that belching the apours of musk means that after meal one would not feel the heaviness and acidity. On the other hand,the belch will give out scented air and the food will be digested by it. SUBHANALLAH…. Things we can’t possibly imagine. There’s more, so keep reading.
Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him, said, “Allah, the Exalted, has said: ‘I have prepared for my righteous slaves what no eye has seen, nor ear has heard, and the mind of no man has conceived.’ If you wish, recite:
‘No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.’ ” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim, the ayah recited is Al-Qur’an 32:17]
Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, also reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him, said, “The first group (of people) to enter Jannah will be shining like the moon on a full-moon night. Then will come those who follow them who will be like the most shining planet in the sky. They will not stand in need of urinating or relieving of nature or of spitting or blowing their noses. Their combs will be of gold and their sweat will smell like musk; in their censers the aloes-wood will be used. Their wives will be large eyed maidens. All men will be alike in the form of their father ‘Adam, sixty cubits tall.”
By reflecting upon all of these things, we can form a general view of Paradise. Some of its characteristics remind us of things in this world; others are unique blessings and beauties of Paradise that no one has ever seen or known, and that our minds cannot imagine or express. We must be aware that beautiful things and surprises are waiting for believers in Paradise, things and surprises prepared by Allah’s infinite knowledge and beyond our imagination.
Allah (S.W.T) says:
“…..And those who have believed and done righteous good deeds will be in lush regions of the gardens, having whatever they will in the presence of their lord. That is what the great bounty is.” [Q:42, V:22].
Now that we’ve had a glimpse of what awaits us in the hereafter, some questions needs clarification before our daydream becomes reality. What have we prepared for all those bounties? Do we think we are worthy enough to get them? What efforts have we made in reaching that level? Can we proudly boast that we are among those that perform “righteous good deeds”? I’m sure we’ve all heard of the saying; nothing good comes easy or no sweet without sweat. The higher your qualification, the higher your position. The same also applies to the hereafter. What makes us think that we can enjoy those bounties without working for them?
We are so engrossed in this worldly life that we fail to realize that nothing about it is permanent. That someday our family and friends will tweet and update statuses on facebook, whatsapp, chat on e.t.c of our death. But still life moves on.
If the punishment of Allah does not bother us, how about we think of attaining His mercy and bounty? How about we focus on getting those big mansions in the hereafter? WE can’t achieve that by following our lusts. We certainly cannot achieve that by forgetting our identities as Muslims.
Whatever we do that goes against the Islamic teachings, secretly or openly is detrimental to our fate in the hereafter. Do we really want to enjoy this temporary life at the expense of the beautiful things that awaits us in jannah? I don’t think so. We know what to do if our answer to that question is a ‘No’. Leave all those bad habits and set them aside forever. It might not be easy at first, but with determination and constant reminder about what awaits us, we should be able to move on. May Allah make us among the inhabitants of jannah and may HE make it easy for us to become steadfast in HIS deen. AMEEN.