What the Prophet (peace be upon him) promised to the world:Paradise for the believers

What the Prophet (peace be upon him) promised to the world:

Paradise for the believers

 

Among the things which the Prophet (peace be upon him) promised to the world is an everlasting life of happiness in Paradise, one in which a person will be presented with complete happiness and harmony, both in a physical and spiritual sense. Such a great destination, however, comes at a price, that is embracing and following the teachings ordained by Islam.

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85]

When one considers this, they may perhaps realise that this requirement is a not at all a large price to pay for something which is everlasting. The essence of Islam is submission to Allah alone, by worshipping him alone with no partner, and by obeying him and his Messenger (peace be upon him). The basic principle of Islam is bearing witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the messenger of Allah. Every Muslim must practise the religion of Islam, devoting his worship sincerely to Allah and following the Prophet (peace and be upon him). Whoever adheres to that until he dies will be one of the people of Paradise, but whomsoever does not enter Islam before he dies (in effect taking a contradictory path) will be among the people of Hell.

With regard to Paradise, it is the abode of reward on the Day of Resurrection for those who believed and did righteous deeds. In it there are whatever delights people could desire. In it there is what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor any kind of bliss which the human has mind has been able to comprehend. Paradise will never cease to exist and they will never leave, and their joy will never come to an end, and they will have nothing to disturb their joy. This is according to the definitive texts and the consensus of the scholars and believers. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“The description of Paradise which the pious have been promised: Underneath it rivers flow, its provision is eternal and so is its shade; this is the end (final destination) of the the pious, and the end (final destination) of the disbelievers is Fire.” [al-Ra’d 13:35] 

 

“Truly, the pious will be amidst Gardens and water-springs (i.e. Paradise). It will be said to them): ‘Enter therein, in peace and security.’ And We shall remove from their breasts any deep feeling of bitterness (that they may have). (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones. No sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they (ever) be asked to leave it” [al-Hijr 15:45-47] 

 “Friends on that day will be foes one to another except the pious. (It will be said to the true believers of Islamic monotheism): My worshippers! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve, (You) who believed in our signs and were Muslims (i.e. those who submit totally to Allah’s will, and believe in the oneness of Allah — Islamic monotheism). Enter Paradise, you and your wives, in happiness. Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them; (there will be) therein all that inner-selves could desire, and all that eyes could delight in and you will abide therein forever. This is the Paradise which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds which you used to do (in the life of the world). Therein for you will be fruits in plenty, of which you will eat (as you desire)” [al-Zukhruf 43:67-73] 

 Further more, it was authentically narrated from Prophet (peace and be upon him), that there will come a time wherein “a caller will call out – i.e., to the people of Paradise – ‘You will be healthy and never fall sick; you will live and never die; you will stay young and never grow old; you will feel joy and never feel sorrow.’” [Narrated by Muslim.] 

As for the delights of Paradise, they surpass the imagination and defy description. They are like nothing known to the people of this world; no matter how advanced we may become, what we achieve is as nothing in comparison with the joys of the Hereafter. As is mentioned in several reports, there is nothing like Paradise.

 “It is sparkling light, aromatic plants, a lofty palace, a flowing river,
ripe fruit, a beautiful wife and abundant clothing, in an eternal abode of
radiant joy, in beautiful soundly-constructed high houses.” [Ibn Maajah,
as-Sunan, Kitaab az-Zuhd, Baab Sifaat al-Jannah, 2/1448, no. 4332. Ibn
Hibbaan narrated it in his saheeh]

The companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about the buildings of Paradise and he replied with a wonderful description:

    "Bricks of gold and silver, and mortar of fragrant musk, pebbles of pearl and sapphire, and soil of saffron. Whoever enters it is filled with joy and will never feel miserable; he will live there forever and never die; their clothes will never wear out and their youth will never fade." [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, ad-Daarimee, Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 3/29, sahih].

     Allah, the almighty, the one who is above falsehood indeed spoke the truth when he said: "And when you look there [in Paradise] you will see a delight [that cannot be imagined]. and a great dominion" [76:20]

      What Allah has kept hidden from us the delights of Paradise is beyond
our ability to comprehend: al-Bukhaari reported from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that Allah said, "I have prepared for my slaves what no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no human heart can imagine."

 References: 

 http://islam-qa.com/index.php?ref=7810&ln=eng&txt=Paradise

 http://islam-qa.com/index.php?ref=34913&ln=eng&txt=description%20of%20Paradise

 http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=312