People often ask about women's reward in Paradise. I have heard much about the opinion of those who think that the Quran emphasises upon the pleasures of Paradise only from a man's perspective. Nothing could be farther from the truth, and to understand why, one only needs to read the Glorious Quran carefully and reflect a little.
The truth is that human existence in Paradise will be hugely different from our earthly life .. in a positive sense, of course. There will be no feelings of resentment, jealousies and hostilities. There will be no exhaustion from fatigue, no heat of the sun, no biting cold to cause discomfort and plently of nourishing food and drink to satisfy our taste buds.
It is also important to know that various earthly concepts, including the concept of beauty, differ vastly from the ones in Paradise. For instance, when Adam and Eve were dwelling in Paradise before their expulsion, they were naked without clothes. At that time, nakedness wasn't considered shameful because it was an accepted norm of that state of bliss. Their shame only became apparent to them after they were duped by Satan into eating the fruit of the forbidden tree. Only then did their state of existence change as per the Divine rules, and the transformed state of existence was clearly similar to the earthly existence. That's when they experienced embarrassment and began to hide their nakedness.
Another example .. the "wine" as mentioned of being given to drink in Paradise will be completely different and NOT the kind of intoxicating drink one may presume according to earthly notions.
"There they pass from hand to hand a cup wherein is neither vanity nor cause of sin." (52:23)
"They are given to drink of a pure wine, sealed,
Whose seal is musk. For this let (all) those strive who strive for bliss" (83:25 & 26)
The purpose of the companions in Paradise is to promote the pleasantness of the surroundings, but not in the sexual sense for gratifying carnal desires as one would think concerning worldy life.
Most importantly, Paradise being a place without any hard feelings and jealousies, there are no concepts of gender superiority nor any competitive feelings / intentions. Similarly, the description of beauty of the hosts in Paradise do not carry the same connotation as it would in this world. Allah often describes them as "fair ones with wide, lovely eyes."
"And (there are) fair ones with wide, lovely eyes,
Like unto hidden pearls," (56:22 & 23)
While according to worldly concepts we would take this only as descriptive of female beauty, in Paradise it would be descriptive of the charm of women as well as male-attendants. Most such verses of the Quran do not specify the genders except a few. Similarly, there are also a few verses that specifically refer to the charm of male youths who will be the "men-servants" of Paradise. "And there go round, waiting on them menservants of their own, as they were hidden pearls." (52:24) It is a very earthly tradition where it's considered necessary to describe the charm of women in a different style from that of men. Furthermore, poetry, fantasy, romance and movies have strengthened this culture with time into an accepted and established vocal custom. But this culture starts and ends in this world only. In the Hereafter, all hosts of Paradise (regardless of their gender) reflect a certain standard of beauty and charm that applies to them all. The atmosphere and rules of Paradise differ completely from what we are accustomed to thinking and presuming here. The existence in Paradise cannot and should not be judged according to worldly thoughts, concepts and ideas. Being an incorrect analogy, this would only provide a wrong approach in answering one's queries and thus lead to inaccurate and biased conclusions.
There is absolutely nothing in the Glorious Quran that states (or even remotely suggests) that women who will enter Paradise will not be entitled to enjoy the clean company of pleasant companions. The following verses are some of the examples that do not specify the gender of the hosts of Jannah. As we read the Glorious Quran, we find many more verses too that indicate the same aspect. It would be a total misinterpretation to presume that the following verses refer only to men.
"And as for those who believe and do good works, We shall make them enter Gardens underneath which rivers flow to dwell therein for ever; there for them are pure companions and We shall make them enter plenteous shade." (4:57)
"And give glad tidings (O Muhammad) unto those who believe and do good works; that theirs are Gardens underneath which rivers flow; as often as they are regaled with food of the fruit thereof, they say: This is what was given us aforetime; and it is given to them in resemblance. There for them are pure companions; there for ever they abide." (2:25)
"Say: Shall I inform you of something better than that? For those who keep from evil, with their Lord, are Gardens underneath which rivers flow, and pure companions, and contentment from Allah. Allah is Seer of His bondmen." (3:15)
"There wait on them immortal youths
With bowls and ewers and a cup from a pure spring" (56:17 & 18)
"There serve them youths of everlasting youth, whom, when thou seest, thou wouldst take for scattered pearls." (76:19)
And of course, the Quran has highlighted throughout that the reward for good deeds in Paradise will be given to both men and women alike. Needless to explain, in sentences like "Every man is a pledge for that which he hath earned." (52:21) - "Every man" refers to all mankind (or all human beings) and not just the male inhabitants of earth.
The truth is that human existence in Paradise will be hugely different from our earthly life .. in a positive sense, of course. There will be no feelings of resentment, jealousies and hostilities. There will be no exhaustion from fatigue, no heat of the sun, no biting cold to cause discomfort and plently of nourishing food and drink to satisfy our taste buds.
It is also important to know that various earthly concepts, including the concept of beauty, differ vastly from the ones in Paradise. For instance, when Adam and Eve were dwelling in Paradise before their expulsion, they were naked without clothes. At that time, nakedness wasn't considered shameful because it was an accepted norm of that state of bliss. Their shame only became apparent to them after they were duped by Satan into eating the fruit of the forbidden tree. Only then did their state of existence change as per the Divine rules, and the transformed state of existence was clearly similar to the earthly existence. That's when they experienced embarrassment and began to hide their nakedness.
Another example .. the "wine" as mentioned of being given to drink in Paradise will be completely different and NOT the kind of intoxicating drink one may presume according to earthly notions.
"There they pass from hand to hand a cup wherein is neither vanity nor cause of sin." (52:23)
"They are given to drink of a pure wine, sealed,
Whose seal is musk. For this let (all) those strive who strive for bliss" (83:25 & 26)
The purpose of the companions in Paradise is to promote the pleasantness of the surroundings, but not in the sexual sense for gratifying carnal desires as one would think concerning worldy life.
Most importantly, Paradise being a place without any hard feelings and jealousies, there are no concepts of gender superiority nor any competitive feelings / intentions. Similarly, the description of beauty of the hosts in Paradise do not carry the same connotation as it would in this world. Allah often describes them as "fair ones with wide, lovely eyes."
"And (there are) fair ones with wide, lovely eyes,
Like unto hidden pearls," (56:22 & 23)
While according to worldly concepts we would take this only as descriptive of female beauty, in Paradise it would be descriptive of the charm of women as well as male-attendants. Most such verses of the Quran do not specify the genders except a few. Similarly, there are also a few verses that specifically refer to the charm of male youths who will be the "men-servants" of Paradise. "And there go round, waiting on them menservants of their own, as they were hidden pearls." (52:24) It is a very earthly tradition where it's considered necessary to describe the charm of women in a different style from that of men. Furthermore, poetry, fantasy, romance and movies have strengthened this culture with time into an accepted and established vocal custom. But this culture starts and ends in this world only. In the Hereafter, all hosts of Paradise (regardless of their gender) reflect a certain standard of beauty and charm that applies to them all. The atmosphere and rules of Paradise differ completely from what we are accustomed to thinking and presuming here. The existence in Paradise cannot and should not be judged according to worldly thoughts, concepts and ideas. Being an incorrect analogy, this would only provide a wrong approach in answering one's queries and thus lead to inaccurate and biased conclusions.
There is absolutely nothing in the Glorious Quran that states (or even remotely suggests) that women who will enter Paradise will not be entitled to enjoy the clean company of pleasant companions. The following verses are some of the examples that do not specify the gender of the hosts of Jannah. As we read the Glorious Quran, we find many more verses too that indicate the same aspect. It would be a total misinterpretation to presume that the following verses refer only to men.
"And as for those who believe and do good works, We shall make them enter Gardens underneath which rivers flow to dwell therein for ever; there for them are pure companions and We shall make them enter plenteous shade." (4:57)
"And give glad tidings (O Muhammad) unto those who believe and do good works; that theirs are Gardens underneath which rivers flow; as often as they are regaled with food of the fruit thereof, they say: This is what was given us aforetime; and it is given to them in resemblance. There for them are pure companions; there for ever they abide." (2:25)
"Say: Shall I inform you of something better than that? For those who keep from evil, with their Lord, are Gardens underneath which rivers flow, and pure companions, and contentment from Allah. Allah is Seer of His bondmen." (3:15)
"There wait on them immortal youths
With bowls and ewers and a cup from a pure spring" (56:17 & 18)
"There serve them youths of everlasting youth, whom, when thou seest, thou wouldst take for scattered pearls." (76:19)
And of course, the Quran has highlighted throughout that the reward for good deeds in Paradise will be given to both men and women alike. Needless to explain, in sentences like "Every man is a pledge for that which he hath earned." (52:21) - "Every man" refers to all mankind (or all human beings) and not just the male inhabitants of earth.
Jazakallah khair for restoring faith again into the hearts of Muslim women who have been long oppressed by the transgression of their men/males in all terms, even to the extent of the misconception of the Hereafter and their misinterpretation of the Quran to suit their wicked desire. This article has saved my faith, my soul and my life... May Allah bless your effort to help the Muslimahs.
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