The Delights of the people of Paradise- III

09/12/2012| IslamWeb

The food and drink of the people of Paradise does not produce any impure excrement:

It might come to one’s mind that the food and drink of Paradise might produce the same as the food and drink of this world, namely excrement, urine, mucus, saliva, and so on. But this is not the case. Paradise is a place that is free from all impurities, and its people are free from all the blemishes of people of this world. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated a Hadeeth which clearly rejects such a notion. The Prophet Muhammad (may Allah exalt his mention) said: “The first group to enter Paradise will be as beautiful as the full moon; they will not spit or blow their noses.” Al- Bukhari and Muslim] 

This does not apply only to the first group to enter Paradise; all those who will enter it, will be similarly pure. The Messenger of Allah said: “The first group of my Ummah (Nation) to enter Paradise will be as beautiful as the full moon, and those that come after them will be like the brightest shining star, and those that follow them will be ranked according to their status. They will not defecate or urinate or blow their noses or spit.” [Muslim]

It might be asked: where will the waste products from their food and drink go? Indeed, this question was posed to the Prophet by his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, and he replied that part of these waste products will be turned into sweat like musk that will come out of their bodies; other parts will be turned into burps, but these burps will produce a fragrant scent. Jaabir Ibn ‘Abdullaah, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah saying: “The people of Paradise will eat and drink therein, but they will not spit, excrete or blow their noses.” They (the companions) asked, “What will happen to the waste matter from their food?” He said: “(It will come out as) burps which are like musk.” [Muslim]
Why will the people of Paradise eat and drink and comb their hair?

If the people of Paradise are to abide there forever, and Paradise is free from all discomfort, pain and sickness, and there is no hunger or thirst there, nor are there any impurities or dirt, then why will the people of Paradise eat and drink, and use perfume and comb their hair?

Al-Qurtubi answered this question in At-Tathkirah [Page 475], saying: “The luxuries and clothing of the people of Paradise will not be for the purpose of warding off potential pains; they will not eat because of hunger, or drink because of thirst, or use perfume because of some offensive odour. Paradise is a never-ending succession of delight and joy. Do you not remember the words of Allah to Aadam (which mean): {Indeed, it is [promised] for you not to be hungry therein or be unclothed. And indeed, you will not be thirsty therein or be hot from the sun.} [Quran 20: 118-119]

The vessels and cups of the people of Paradise:

The vessels from which the people of Paradise will eat and drink will be of gold and silver. Allah Almighty Says (what means): {Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them…} [Quran 43: 71], i.e., cups of gold. Allah also Says (what means): {And there will be circulated among them vessels of silver and cups having been [created] clear [as glass]. Clear glasses [made] from silver of which they have determined the measure.} [Quran 76: 15-16], i.e. it will combine the purity of crystal with the whiteness of silver. The Prophet Muhammad said: "The believer in Paradise will have a tent made of a single hollowed-out pearl… and two gardens of silver, their vessels and everything in them, and two gardens of gold, their vessels and everything in them." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Among the vessels from which they will drink will be cups, jugs and glasses, as Allah Almighty Says (what means): {There will circulate among them young boys made eternal. With vessels, pitchers and a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring.} [Quran 56: 17-18]

The “cup” (koob) is something that has no handle or spout, the ‘jug” (ibreeq) has a handle and a spout, and the “glass” (ka‘s) is a cup that is filled with drink.

The Clothing, Jewellery and Incense-burners of the People of Paradise

The people of Paradise will wear the most luxurious clothes and adorn themselves with jewellery of gold, silver and pearls. They will wear, amongst other things, garments of silk and bracelets of gold, silver and pearls. Almighty Allah Says (what means): {And will reward them for what they patiently endured [with] a garden [in Paradise] and silk [garments].} [Quran 76: 12]

Allah also Says (what means): {Indeed, Allah will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearl, and their garments therein will be silk.} [Quran 22: 23]

Their clothes will be colourful, including garments of green silk and brocade, as in the verse (which means): {They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and brocade, reclining therein on adorned couches.} [Quran 18:31]

Their clothing will be far superior to any man-made garment. Al-Barra’ Ibn ‘Aazib, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “A silken garment was brought to the Messenger and we admired its beauty and softness.” The Messenger of Allah said: “The handkerchiefs of Sa’d Ibn Mu’aadh in Paradise are better than this.” [Al-Bukhari]

The Prophet also told us that the people of Paradise will have combs of gold and silver, and that they will perfume themselves with ‘Ood At-Teeb (excellent kind of perfume), even though the scent of musk will be emanating from their pure bodies. The Prophet said about those who will enter Paradise: “Their vessels will be of gold and silver, their combs will be of gold and the coals of their incense-burners will be of aloe- wood (Abu’l-Yamaan said: of ‘Ood At-Teeb) and their sweat will be musk.” [Al-Bukhari]

Their jewellery will include crowns. At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah reported from Al-Miqdaam Ibn Ma’dikarb, may Allah be pleased with him, that among the honors bestowed upon the martyr will be: “...crown of dignity will be placed upon his head, one ruby of which is better than this world and all that is in it.” [Mishkaatul- Masaabeeh, 3/358]

 By: Umar Sulaymaan Al-Ashqar