Heaven: Real Home Of The Believers

The eternal home of the believers is heaven. Allah will reward them by leading them into the gardens, where they will dwell forever. Heaven is a place where believers will find whatever they want and even more than what they want, for the beauties of heaven are beyond their imagination. It is the eternal abode in which Allah's name of Rahim is manifested in the finest manner.

In one hadith our Prophet (saas) gives an example to describe what a great blessing heaven is compared to the life of this world:

Heaven is like a bow, and more auspicious than anywhere the Sun rises or sets over. [Al-Kutub As-Sittah -14, p. 429/2]

Even if a person knows nothing about the subject, brief consideration of the deficiencies of the life of this world and the longing he feels for blessings will make this fact readily understandable. This is because Allah creates many proofs for people to see that the life of this world is not the true life. One encounters the deficiencies of the life of this world just about every day, not least in one's own body. One has to take a huge number of precautions just to stay alive. The sightest neglect of these may lead to sickness, injury and even death. One spends much of one's life just compensating for the body's weaknesses. Yet despite all these efforts, the body gradually begins to decay. Like the human body, even the loveliest flowers eventually fade; the prettiest, most perfumed roses, tulips and violets fade and decay. The most delicious, freshest-looking fruits and vegetables soon rot and become inedible. The most impressive houses, cars and objects eventually age and fall apart.

These are just a few of the millions of deficiencies that people encounter in the life of this world. But these alone are enough to realize that it is not really the life of this world one longs for.

In the face of all these flaws, a person will want greater perfection, to live in a world in which none of these deficiencies exist. He will long for a world in which there are no evils, deaths, wars, conflicts, flaws or troubles. To that end, he will seek ways of establishing a happy life devoid of problems under earthly conditions. But the fact is that Allah reveals in the Qur'an that people can only enjoy such a life in the hereafter. What a person needs to do to attain that is extremely easy; to live a life compatible with our Lord's approval. Following that – if Allah so ordains – he will attain a life far superior to that which he desired or ever imagined, flawless and full of happiness.

Everything in the world came into being through Allah's creation and He will create the ones that He wills among those in heaven.
The houses in the heaven will be much better than the most beautiful palaces of this world. The praised beauties of paradisiacal garments will be much more elegant and aesthetic than those of French or Italian fashion houses. The women in the heaven will not necessarily look like oriental dancers but they will be much more beautiful and attractive than any of the top models and cover girls, since their beauty as described in the Qur'an and Islamic literature is unparalleled.

In describing the environment in the heaven, Allah lists delights that people from all times will be able to comprehend. In addition to this, there is one feature of the heaven that is generally unknown. Allah reveals this truth in the verse "There will be there all that your souls could desire, all that your eyes could delight in: and you shall abide therein forever." (Surat Az-Zukhruf: 71). Allah tells us with this verse that everything people desire exists in the heaven. In another verse Allah says; "There will be for them therein all that they wish, – and more besides in Our Presence." (Surah Qaf, 35) It is understood from these verses that things that make people smile and be happy will exist in heaven – in different forms to those in this world – and that people will enjoy more than they could ever think of wanting. The believers will be shown an extraordinary hospitality in the heaven. Surat ar-Rahman reveals this about the heaven:

"But for such as fear the time when they will stand before the Judgment Seat of their Lord, there will be two Gardens.

Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?

Containing all kinds (of trees and delights)

Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?

In each there will be a springs flowing freely. Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?

In them will be fruits of every kind, in pairs. Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?

They will recline on carpets, whose inner linings will be of rich brocade: the fruit of the Gardens will be near and easy of reach. Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?

In them will be maidens, chaste, restraining their glances, whom no man or Jinn before them has touched. Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?

Maidens as fair as rubies and coral. Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?

Is there any reward for good – other than good? Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?

And besides these two, there are two other Gardens,

Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?

Dark-green in color (from plentiful watering).

Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?

A gushing fountain shall flow in each. Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?

In them will be fruits, and dates and pomegranates. Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?

In them will be fair Companions, good, and beautiful. Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?

Companions restrained as to their glances, in (goodly) pavilions.

Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?

Whom no man or Jinn before them has touched. Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?

They shall recline on green cushions and rich, beautiful carpets. Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?

Blessed be the name of you Lord, full of Majesty, Bounty and Honour." (Surat Ar-Rahman: 46-78)

The following facts about the heaven appear in other verses:

"And when you gaze upon that scene, you will behold a kingdom which is blissful and magnificent." (Surat Al-Insan: 20)

"Reclining in the Garden on raised thrones, they will feel neither the sun's excessive heat nor the moon's excessive cold." (Surat Al-Insan: 13)

"There they shall hear no word of vanity" (Surat Al-Ghashiyya: 11)

"And beside them will be chaste women, restraining their glances, with big eyes (of wonder and beauty), as if they were (delicate) eggs closely guarded." (Surat As-Saffat: 48-49)

"And they will say: 'Praise be to Allah, Who has removed from us (all) sorrow: for our Lord is indeed Oft-Forgiving and Ready to appreciate service: Who has, out of His Bounty, settled us in a Home that will last: no toil nor sense of weariness shall touch us therein.'" (Surah Fatir: 34, 35)

"But it is for those who fear their Lord, that lofty mansions, one above another, have been built: beneath them flow rivers of delight: such is the Promise of Allah: never does Allah fail in His promise." (Surat Az-Zumar: 20)

Allah will make the following call to His pure servants following the Day of Judgment:

"(To the righteous soul it will be said:) 'O serene soul' Come back to your Lord, joyful yourself and pleasing to Him! Enter, then, among My devotees! Yes, enter My heaven!'" (Surat Al-Fajr: 27-30)