Verses and Translation
وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيہَا وَمَسَـٰكِنَ طَيِّبَةً۬ فِى جَنَّـٰتِ عَدۡنٍ۬ۚ وَرِضۡوَٲنٌ۬ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ أَڪۡبَرُۚ ذَٲلِكَ هُوَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ (٧٢)
“Allah has promised the believing men and believing women gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence; but approval from Allah is greater. It is that which is the great attainment”
Commentary
Allah describes the joys and eternal delight He has prepared for the believers, men and women in, “Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein forever” for eternity, “and beautiful mansions” built beautifully in good surroundings.
In the two sahihs it is recorded that Abu Musa, Abdullah bin Qays Al-Ash’ari said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Two gardens, their pots and whatever is in them are made of gold, and two gardens, their pots and whatever is in them are made of silver. Only the Veil of Pride of Allah’s Face separates the people from gazing at Him, in the garden of Eden.”
He also narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “For the believer in Paradise there is a tent like a hollow pearl which is sixty miles high in the sky, and in the tent the believer will have (so large) a family that he visits them all and some of them would not be able to see the others.”
It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger, offers prayer perfectly and fasts the month of Ramadan, will rightfully be granted Paradise by Allah, no matter whether he emigrates in Allah’s cause, or remains in the land where he is born.” The people said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Shall we acquaint the people with this good news?” He said, “Paradise has one-hundred grades which Allah has prepared for the Mujahidin who fight in His cause, the distance between each two grades is like the distance between the heaven and the earth. So, when you ask Allah, ask Him for Al-Firdaws which is the best and highest part of Paradise, from it gush forth the rivers of Paradise and above it is the Arsh (Throne) of the Beneficent.”
Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said, that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “If you invoke Allah for Salah (blessings) on me, then also invoke Him to grant me Al-Wasilah.” He was asked, “What is Al-Wasilah, O Allah’s Messenger?” He said, “The highest grade in Paradise, it will be for only one man, and I hope I am that man.”
It is reported that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “We said, `O Allah’s Messenger! Talk to us about Paradise, what is it built of.” He said, “A brick of gold and a brick of silver. Its mortar is from musk, its gravel is pearls and rubies. Its sand is saffron. Whoever enters it will enjoy the delights, will never be hopeless, and will live forever and will not die. His clothes will never decay nor will his youth ever end.”
Allah said next, “But the greatest bliss is the good pleasure of Allah” meaning Allah’s pleasure is more grand, greater and better than the delight the believers will be enjoying (in Paradise).
Imam Malik narrated, that Zayd bin Aslam said that Ata bin Yasar said that Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Allah, the Exalted and Ever High, will say to the people of Paradise, ‘O residents of Paradise!’ They will say, ‘Labbayka (here we are!) our Lord, and sa’dayk (we are happy at your service!) and all the good is in Your Hand.’ He will ask them, ‘Are you pleased?’ They will say, ‘Why would not we be pleased, O Lord, while You have given us what You have not given any other of your creation?’ He will say, ‘Should I give you what is better than all this?’ They will say, ‘O Lord! What is better than all this?’ He will say, ‘I will grant you My pleasure and will never afterwards be angry with you.’ [Ibn Kathir]