Q3. Describing the size of Paradise as being “as wide as the heavens and the earth”
Allah describes the width of Paradise as being like the width of the heavens and the earth. My question is: it is well known that the heaven is much, much bigger than the earth. So what is the point of including the earth in this description?
For example, it is like saying that the size of Russia is bigger than Saudi and Riyadh. What is the point of including Riyadh in this description when it does not add anything to the meaning, because Riyadh is part of Saudi?
Praise be to Allah
Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)”
[Aal ‘Imraan 3:133]
“Race with one another in hastening towards forgiveness from your Lord (Allah), and Paradise the width whereof is as the width of the heaven and the earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His Messengers”
[al-Hadeed 57:21].
Al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
The scholars differed concerning the interpretation of that. Ibn ‘Abbaas said: It is as if the heavens and the earth are put together and joined together, like garments spread out and attached to one another. That is the width of Paradise, and no one knows its length except Allah. This is the view of the majority, and it is nothing strange.
Some scholars said: This is a metaphor that may be used by the Arabs. As Paradise is so big and vast, in the utmost sense, it is appropriate to refer to its size by mentioning the width of the heavens and the earth. By the same token, one may describe a man (in Arabic) as being a “sea” (bahr – referring to the vastness of his knowledge, for example), and one may describe a huge animal as being a “mountain.” The verse is not intended to specify its precise width; rather what is meant is that it is like the biggest size you have ever seen.
End quote from Tafseer al-Qurtubi (4/204-205).
Ibn ‘Aashoor (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
The heavens and the earth are mentioned by way of metaphor, in the Arabic manner of describing how vast something is. It does not mean precisely how wide the heavens and the earth are. And it was said that it refers to the actual width of paradise; it is created now, but it is bigger than the heavens, and it is above the heavens, beneath the Throne. End quote.
Ash-Shawkaani (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
There was a difference of opinion concerning the meaning of that. The majority of scholars are of the view that it as if the heavens and the earth are put together and joined together, like garments spread out and attached to one another, and that is the width of Paradise. The width is mentioned, but not the length, because usually the length is greater than the width.
It was said that this is a metaphor that the Arabs use, and it is not talking about the exact size. As Paradise is so vast and huge, in the utmost sense, it is appropriate to compare it to the width of the heavens and the earth by way of emphasis, because they are the vastest of Allah’s creation that people know. It is not meant literally.
End quote from Fath al-Qadeer (1/437). See also: at-Tahreer wa’t-Tanweer (4/89).
Thus we see that the scholars have two views concerning the interpretation of the verse: the view of the majority, which is that what is meant is the actual width, and its length is implied by that; and the second view, which is that what is meant is to highlight the vastness of Paradise, but it does not refer to its exact length and width – rather it is expressed in accordance with Arabic usage concerning such matters.
Whatever the case, the example given in the question regarding area and size is irrelevant. All the examples given in the question a far removed from the way in which the verse expressed the meaning. You mentioned Riyadh as an example, but it is a part of Saudi, whereas the heavens and the earth are two completely independent entities.
Usually religious texts in such cases describe matters of the unseen in a way that is easy for people to understand and is in accordance with their usual speech and way of expression. Undoubtedly mentioning the earth that they know and see how vast it is, and how far it extends, makes it easier for them to grasp the intended meaning than if it were to be ignored completely. What you must do is realise that the superiority of the words of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, to the words of human beings is like the superiority of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, to His creation. The words of Allah are far above any contradictions, faults or falling short of the utmost beauty, majesty and eloquence, which befits the noblest of speech. If a person fails and is unable to understand anything of that, then what he must do is doubt his understanding, his reasoning, his knowledge and his taste, and whatever he does not understand (of the words of Allah), let him refer it to those who know it and trust that there are scholars who have knowledge of that.
And Allah knows best.
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Q2. Will men in Paradise have intercourse with al-hoor aliyn?
I'm wondering will the men from amongst the human race that enters paradise, will they have sexual intercourse with the "HOURIS" women in the paradise .
Praise be to Allaah.
Allaah has prepared for His believing slaves in Paradise that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard and has never even crossed the minds of men, such that even the person who has the least blessings in Paradise will think that he is the most blessed among them. Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The lowest of people in status in Paradise will be a man whose face Allaah turns away from the Fire towards Paradise, and shows him a tree giving shade. He will say, ‘O Lord, bring me closer to that tree so that I may be in its shade… Then he will enter his house [in Paradise] and his two wives from among al-hoor al-‘iyn will come in and will say to him, ‘Praise be to Allaah who brought you to life for us and brought us to life for you.’ Then he will say, ‘No one has been given what I have been given.’” (Narrated by Muslim, no. 275)
Among the blessings that Allaah has prepared for His slaves are al-hoor al-‘iyn. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“So (it will be). And We shall marry them to Hoor (fair females) with wide lovely eyes”
[al-Dhukhaan 44:54]
“They will recline (with ease) on thrones arranged in ranks. And We shall marry them to Hoor (fair females) with wide lovely eyes
[al-Toor 52:20]
Al-hoor al-‘iyn are extremely beautiful, such that the marrow of their shins will be visible from beneath their garments. Every man who enters Paradise will have two wives from among al-hoor al-‘iyn. Allaah says, describing them (interpretation of the meaning):
“Therein (Gardens) will be Khayraatun‑Hisaan [fair (wives) good and beautiful];
Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny?
Hoor (beautiful, fair females) guarded in pavilions;
Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny?
With whom no man or jinni has had Tamth [opening their hymens with sexual intercourse] before them.
Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny?
Reclining on green cushions and rich beautiful mattresses.”
[al-Rahmaan 55:70-76]
“And (there will be) Hoor (fair females) with wide lovely eyes (as wives for Al-Muttaqoon – the pious).
Like unto preserved pearls”
[al-Waaqi’ah 56:22-23]
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The first group will enter Paradise looking like the moon on the night when it is full, and those who follow them will be like the brightest shining star in the sky. Their hearts will be as one, and there will be no hatred or jealousy among them. Each man will have two wives from among al-hoor al-‘iyn, the marrow of whose calves can be seen from beneath the bone and flesh.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 3014)
It was narrated that Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: ‘Going out and coming back for the sake of Allaah is better than this world and all that is in it. And a spot the size of the bow of one of you in Paradise – or a spot the size of his whip – is better than this world and all that is in it. If a woman from among the people of Paradise were to look at the people of this earth, she would light up all that is in between them and fill it with fragrance. The veil on her head is better than this world and all that is in it.’” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 2587)
A man will have intercourse in Paradise with his wives from among al-hoor al-‘iyn and his wives from among the people of this world, if they enter Paradise with him. A man will be given the strength of a hundred men to eat, drink, feel desire and have sexual intercourse. It was narrated from Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The believer in Paradise will be given such and such strength for sexual intercourse.” He was asked, “O Messenger of Allaah, will he really be able to do that?” He said, “He will be given the strength of one hundred (men).” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, no. 2459. He said, (it is) saheeh ghareeb).
It was narrated from Zayd ibn Arqam that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “A man among the people of Paradise will be given the strength of a hundred men for eating, drinking, desire and sexual intercourse. A man among the Jews said, ‘The one who eats or drinks needs to excrete!’ The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to him: ‘The excretion of any one of them will be in the form of sweat which comes out through his skin, then his stomach will reduce in size again.’” (Narrated by Ahmad, no. 18509; al-Daarimi, no. 2704)
The mufassireen said concerning the phrase “busy in joyful things” (Yaa-Seen 36:55 – interpretation of the meaning):
‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood and Ibn ‘Abbaas (mayAllaah be pleased with them both), and Sa’eed ibn al-Musayyib, ‘Ikrimah, al-Hasan, Qutaadah, al-A’mash, Sulaymaan al-Taymi and al-Oozaa’i said concerning the aayaah (interpretation of the meaning),
“Verily, the dwellers of Paradise, that Day, will be busy in joyful things” [Yaa-Seen 36:55]
they said, (it means) they will be busy deflowering virgins. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said, according to a report narrated from him, that “busy in joyful things” means listening to stringed instruments. Abu Haatim said: he misheard the phrase iftidaad al-abkaar (deflowering virgins) and thought it was samaa’ al-awtaar (listening to stringed instruments). In fact the correct phrase is iftidaad al-abkaar (deflowering virgins). (Ibn Katheer, 3/564)
With regard to children, the scholars differed as to whether children would be born as a result of this intercourse or not. Some said that there would be children if the man wants them, but the pregnancy and birth would take just one hour. Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If the believer wants a child in Paradise, the pregnancy and delivery will take only an hour, then the child will be the age that the man wants.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, no. 2487; al-Daarimi, no. 2712; Ahmad, no. 11339; Ibn Maajah, no. 4329). And Allaah knows best.
We ask Allaah to admit us to Paradise and to keep us far away from the Fire. May He bless us with the highest Firdaws, for He is the One Who is Able to do that. Praise be to Allaah the Lord of the Worlds.
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Q1- Will there be animals in Paradise?
Will there be animals in Al-Jannat?.
The animals that will be in Paradise according to the reports are of three types:
1 – Specific animals which it is said will themselves be in Paradise, such as the dog of the people of the Cave and the she-camel of Saalih (peace be upon him). There are no saheeh reports concerning them.
2 – Those which are mentioned in the Qur’aan and Sunnah, which Allaah has prepared for the believers in Paradise, whether they are mentioned in specific terms, such as the birds of which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And with the flesh of fowls that they desire”
[al-Waaqi’ah 56:21]
or mentioned in general terms, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And We shall provide them with fruit and meat such as they desire”
[al-Toor 52:22]
Another example is the bull which Allaah has prepared as food for the people of Paradise, as was narrated from Thawbaan the freed slave of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), who said: “I was standing by the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when one of the Jewish rabbis came and said, ‘Peace be upon you, O Muhammad,’ and I pushed him back so hard that he nearly fell over… He (the Jew) said: ‘What would be their food after this?’ He (the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)) said: ‘A bull which was fed in the different quarters of Paradise would be
slaughtered for them’…” Narrated by Muslim, 315.
3 – Those animals which have been specifically mentioned in the saheeh Sunnah, which will be in Paradise. These include:
(a) It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Pray in the sheep pens and wipe their dust (raghaam), for they are among the animals of Paradise.”
Narrated by al-Bayhaqi, 2/449; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 3789.
Raghaam means dust (as translated here). The word has also been narrated as ra’aam, which refers to the mucus that comes from the sheep’s nose. What is meant is to wipe the dust from it, or wipe away what comes from its nose, so as to look after it and take care of it. This was the view of al-Manaawi in Fayd al-Qadeer.
(b) It was narrated that Abu Mas’ood al-Ansaari said: A man brought a bridled she-camel and said, “This is for the sake of Allaah.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “You will have seven hundred she-camels in return on the Day of Resurrection, each of them bridled.” Narrated by Muslim, 1892.
Al-Nawawi said: What is meant by makhtoomah (bridled) is that it has a khitaam (bridle) on it, which is like a halter. And it was said that that it may be understood as meaning that he will have the reward of giving seven hundred she-camels, or it may be understood as it appears to be, and that he will have seven hundred she-camels in Paradise, each of them bridled, and he will be able to ride them wherever he wants, for pleasure, as was narrated concerning the horses and camels (nujab) of Paradise. This interpretation is more clear. And Allaah knows best.
Sharh al-Nawawi, 13/38.
The ahaadeeth about the camels and horses to which al-Nawawi referred are as follows
(a) It was narrated from Abu Ayyoob that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The people of Paradise will visit one another on white camels as if they are rubies, and there are no animals in Paradise apart from camels and birds.”
Narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Kabeer, 4/179.
Al-Haythami said: This was narrated by al-Tabaraani. Its isnaad includes Jaabir ibn Nooh who is da’eef (weak). Majma’ al-Zawaa’id, 10/413. It was also classed as da’eef by al-Albaani in Da’eef al-Jaami’, 1833.
(b) It was narrated from Sulaymaan ibn Buraydah from his father that a man asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), “O Messenger of Allaah, will there be horses in Paradise?” He said, “If Allaah admits you to Paradise, you will not wish that you could be carried on a horse of red rubies which will fly wherever you want in Paradise, but that will happen.” And another man asked him, “O Messenger of Allaah, will there be camels in Paradise?” but he did not say something like he had said to his companion. He said, “If Allaah admits you to Paradise, you will have therein whatever your heart desires and will delight your eyes.”
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2543. Classd as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 3/522.
A similar report was also narrated by Abu Ayyoob from al-Tirmidhi, 2544; and also classed as saheeh by al-Albaani, 3/423.
And it was narrated in saheeh ahaadeeth that the souls of the martyrs are in the crops of birds in Paradise which fly wherever they want.
It should be noted that the birds, horses and camels in Paradise are not the same as those in this world; they resemble them in name only. What they are really like is known only to Allaah. But we know that they are extremely beautiful, because they are one of the delights that Allaah has prepared for His close friends in Paradise. This was indicated by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in the hadeeth quoted above, in which it says that the horses of Paradise are of red rubies, and will fly with their rider wherever he wants.
We ask Allaah to bless us and admit us to Paradise by His mercy, for He is the Most Generous.
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