The delights of Paradise (Heaven)

The following article is not just an interesting story or a crafted imagination. Heaven is a gift from Almight ALLAH. Its a place of unimaginable beauty and full of blessings, and ALLAH has created it for His beloved creation, i.e. the Mankind. But, in order to qualify for such a noble reward, every one here in this world is for a test. Its up to us that we "enjoy" this worldly life, or the pleasing eternal life in hereafter!

By giving a serious thought to these bounties of Heaven and comparing it with what we have in this world, one can easily realize that the cost of this reward is not so high!

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And if you ask about its ground and its soil, then it is of musk and saffron.

And if you ask about its roof, then it is the Throne of the Most Merciful.

And if you ask about its rocks, then they are pearls and jewels.

And if you ask about its buildings, then they are made of bricks of gold and silver.

And if you ask about its trees, then it does not contain a single tree except that its trunk is made of gold and silver.

And if you ask about its fruits, then they are softer than butter and sweeter than honey.

And if you ask about its leaves, then they are softer than the softest cloth.

And if you ask about its rivers, then there are rivers of milk who’s taste does not change, and rivers of wine that is delicious to those who drink it, and rivers of honey that is pure, and rivers of water that is fresh.

And if you ask about their food, then it is fruits from whatever they will choose, and the meat of whatever birds they desire.

And if you ask about their drink, then it is Tasneem, ginger, and Kaafoor.

And if you ask about their drinking cups, then they are crystal-clear and made of gold and silver.

And if you ask about its shade, then a fast rider would ride in the shade of one of its trees for a hundred years and not escape it.

And if you ask about its vastness, then the lowest of its people would have within his kingdom and walls and palaces and gardens the distance that would be travelled in a thousand years.

And if you ask about its tents and encampments, then one tent is like a concealed pearl that is sixty miles long.

And if you ask about its towers, then they are rooms above rooms in buildings that have rivers running underneath them.

And if you ask about how far it reaches into the sky, then look at the shining star that is visible, as well as those that are far in the heavens that the eyesight cannot possibly reach.

And if you ask about the clothing of its inhabitants, then they are of silk and gold.

And if you ask about its beds, then its blankets are of the finest silk laid out in the highest of its levels.

And if you ask about the faces of its inhabitants and their beauty, then they are like the image of the Moon.

And if you ask about their age, then they are young ones of 33 years in the image of Adam, the father of humanity.

And if you ask about what they will be hearing, then it is the singing of their wives from among the Hoor al-’Ayn, and better than that are the voices of the Angels and the Prophets, and better than that is the Speech of the Lord of the Worlds.

And if you ask about their servants, then they are young boys of everlasting youth who resemble scattered pearls.

And if you ask about their brides and wives, then they are young and full-breasted and have had the liquid of youth flow through their limbs; the Sun runs along the beauty of her face if she shows it, light shines from between her teeth if she smiles; if you meet her love, then say whatever you want regarding the joining of two lights; he sees his face in the roundness of her cheek as if he is looking into a polished mirror, and he sees the brightness from behind her muscles and bones; if she were to be unleashed upon the World, she would fill what is between the Heavens and the Earth with a beautiful wind, and the mouths of the creation would glorifiy, praise, and exclaim greatness, and everything between the East and the West would be adorned for her, and every eye would be shut from everthing but her, and the light of the Sun would be outshone just as the light of the Sun outshines the light of the stars, and everyone on the face of the Earth would believe in the Ever-Living, the One who Sustains and Protects all the exists.

And the covering on her head is better than the World and all that is in it, and she does not increase with age except in beauty; free from an umbilical cord, childbirth and menses, and pure of mucous, saliva, urine and other filthy things; her youth never fades, her clothing is never worn out, no garment can be created that matches her beauty, and no one who is with her can ever become bored; her attention is restricted to her husband, so she desires none but him, just as his attention is restricted to her so she is the sole object of his desire, and he is with her in utmost safety and security, as none has touched her before of either humans or Jinn.

And if you ask about the Day of Increase (in reward) and the visit of the All-Mighty, All-Wise, and the sight of His Face - free from any resemblance or likeness to anything - as you see the Sun in the middle of the day and the full Moon on a cloudless night, then listen on the day that the caller will call: ‘O People of Paradise! Your Lord - Blessed and Exalted - requests you to visit Him, so come to visit Him!’ So they will say: ‘We hear and obey!’

Until, when they finally reach the wide valley where they will all meet - and none of them will turn down the request of the caller - the Lord - Blessed and Exalted - will order His Chair to be brought there. Then, pulpits of light will emerge, as well as pulpits of pearls, gemstone, gold, and silver. The lowest of them in rank will sit on sheets of musk, and will not see what those who are on the chairs above them are given. When they are comfortable where they are sitting and are secure in their places, and the caller calls: ‘O People of Paradise! You have an appointment with Allaah in which He wishes to reward you!’ So they will say: ‘And what is that reward? Has He not already made our faces bright, made our scales heavy, entered us into Paradise, and pushed us away from the Fire?’

And when they are like that, all of a sudden a light shines that encompasses all of Paradise. So, they raise their heads, and, behold: the Compeller - Exalted is He, and Holy are His Names - has come to them from above them and majestified them and said: ‘O People of Paradise! Peace be upon you!’ So, this greeting will not be responded to with anything better than: ‘O Allaah! You are Peace, and from You is Peace! Blessed are You, O possessor of Majesty and Honor!’ So the Lord - Blessed and Exalted - will laugh to them and say: ‘O People of Paradise! Where are those who used to obey Me without having ever seen Me? This is the Day of Increase!’

So, they will all give the same response: ‘We are pleased, so be pleased with us!’ So, He will say: ‘O People of Paradise! If I were not pleased with you, I would not have made you inhabitants of My Paradise! So, ask of Me!’ So, they will all give the same response: ‘Show us your Face so that we may look at it!’ So, the Lord - Mighty and Majestic - will remove his covering and will majestify them and will cover them with His Light, which, if Allaah - the Exalted - had not Willed not to burn them, would have burned them.

And there will not remain a single person in this gathering except that his Lord - the Exalted - will speak to him and say: ‘Do you remember the day that you did this and that?’ and He will remind him of some of his bad deeds in the Worldy life, so he will say: ‘O Lord! Will you not forgive me?’ So, He will say: ‘Of course! You have not reached this position of yours (in Paradise) except by my forgiveness.’

So, how sweet is this speech to the ears, and how cooled are the righteous eyes by the glance at His Noble Face in the Afterlife…

{Some faces that Day will be shining and radiant, looking at their Lord…} (al-Qiyaamah:22-3)

[from Haadi al-Arwaah ilaa Bilaad il-Afraah by Ibn al-Qayyim, pg. 193]

[http://www.lutonmuslims.co.uk/delightsparadise.htm]

Dr. Israr Ahmed lectures in Karachi

Masnoon Duain

Caring for your mother

At the time of the Prophet (Sallal La Hu Alaihe Wa Sallam), there was a young man named Alqamah (Raziallah Anho). He was very diligent in obeying Allah by engaging in prayer and fasting and spending in charity. Then he fell ill and his illness became serious. His wife went to the Prophet (Sallal La Hu Alaihe Wa Sallam) and said, ”My husband, Alqamah, is on his deathbed. I therefore came to tell you, Messenger of Allah, about his condition.” The Prophet (Sallal La Hu Alaihe Wa Sallam) (then) sent for Ammar or Suhaib and Bilal, and told them to go to him (Alqamah) and have him repeat the Shahadah. Thereupon they went to him and found him in the agony of death. They asked him to say, “La illaha illa Allah,” but his tongue was unable to pronounce it. At that, they came and told the Messenger of Allah that he was unable to repeat the Shahadah.

The Prophet (Sallal La Hu Alaihe Wa Sallam) asked, “Is either of his parents alive?” He was told, “Messenger of Allah, his mother is, but she is very old.” The Prophet (Sallal La Hu Alaihe Wa Sallam) sent her a message that if it was convenient for her (that is, is she was able to go out), she should come to him; otherwise she should stay in her house and the Prophet (Sallal La Hu Alaihe Wa Sallam) would come to her.

The Prophet's messenger came to her and informed her of the Prophet's message. She said, “May my life be a ransom for him, it is my pleasure to go to him!” She then stood up, leaning on her walking stick, and came to the Prophet (Sallal La Hu Alaihe Wa Sallam) and greeted him. The Prophet (Sallal La Hu Alaihe Wa Sallam) returned her greeting and said to her, “Umm Alqamah, tell me the truth, for otherwise Allah Most High will reveal the truth to me! What is the situation concerning your son, Alqamah?” She replied, “Messenger of Allah, he prays much, fasts a great deal, and spends a great amount in charity.” The Prophet (Sallal La Hu Alaihe Wa Sallam) said, “And what about yourself?” She said, “Messenger of Allah, I am angry with him.” He said, “Why?” She replied, “Messenger of Allah, he has preferred his wife to me and has disobeyed me.” Then Allah's Messenger said, “Umm Alqamah, surely your anger has prevented Alqamah's tongue from pronouncing the Shahadah.”

He then turned to Bilal and said, “Bilal, go out and collect a quantity of firewood.” She said, “Messenger of Allah, what do you plan to do?” He replied, “I will burn him in front of your eyes.” She said, “Messenger of Allah, he is my son! My heart cannot bear your burning him in front of me!” He said, “Umm Alqamah, Allah's punishment is more severe and more lasting! Therefore, if you want Allah to forgive him, be reconciled to him. By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, the prayer, fasting, and spending in charity (which he has done) are of no benefit to Alqamah as long as you are angry with him! Thereupon she said, “Messenger of Allah, I call upon Allah Most High and His angels and the Muslims who are present to be my witnesses that I am pleased with my son Alqamah.” Allah's Messenger said, “Bilal, go to him and see whether he is now able to say, “La illaha illa Allah” or not. It may be that Umm Alqamah is saying something for my sake which is not in her heart.”

Thereupon Bilal went, and while entering the door he heard Alqamah saying, “La illaha illa Allah.” (Concerning this), Bilal remarked, “It is surely true that while Alqamah's mother was angry with him his tongue was tied, and now that she is pleased with him his tongue is freed.” Alqamah died the same day. The Prophet came to him and gave the order for his washing and shrouding, and then prayed the funeral prayer for him and buried him. He then stood by the side of his grave and said, “You company of Muhajireen and Helpers, if anyone favors his wife over his mother, Allah and His angels and all the people curse him! Allah does not accept his spending (in charity) and his uprightness unless he repents toward Allah, the Glorious and Majestic, and reconciles with her and attains her pleasure, because Allah's pleasure consists in her pleasure and Allah's anger consists in her anger.”

Moral: This is a story of a companion of Hazart Muhammad (Sallal La Hu Alaihe Wa Sallam). These companions of Holy Prophet (Sallal La Hu Alaihe Wa Sallam) are the group of most beloved person of Allah after Propehts. If such a thing can happen to a companion of Holy Prophet (Sallal La Hu Alaihe Wa Sallam) on account of his dealing with his mother, just think of what bad can happen with us if we commit such a great sin!

May ALLAH make us be obedient to and pleasure for our parents.
Ameen.

Eight lies of a Mother!

A very touchy and sentimental article..

1.
The story began when I was a child;
I was born as a son of a poor family.
Even for eating, we often got lack of food.
Whenever the time for eating, mother often gave me her portion of rice.
While she was removing her rice into my bowl,
She would say "Eat this rice, son. I'm not hungry".
That was Mother's First Lie

2.
When I was getting to grow up,
The persevering mother gave her spare time for fishing in a river near our house,
She hoped that from the fishes she got,
She could gave me a little bit nutritious food for my growth.
After fishing, she would cook the fishes to be a fresh fish soup,
Which raised my appetite. While I was eating the soup,
Mother would sit beside me and eat the rest meat of fish,
Which was still on the bone of the fish I ate.
My heart was touched when I saw it.
I then used my chopstick and gave the other fish to her.
But she immediately refused it and said "Eat this fish, son.
I don't really like fish."
That was Mother's Second Lie.

3.
Then, when I was in Junior High School,
To fund my study, mother went to an economic enterprise to bring some used-matches boxes that would be stuck in.
It gave her some money for covering our needs.
As the winter came,
I woke up from my sleep and looked at my mother who was still awoke,
Supported by a little candlelight and within her perseverance she continued
the work of sticking some used-matches box.
I said, "Mother, go to sleep, it's late,
tomorrow morning you still have to go for work.
" Mother smiled and said "Go to sleep,
dear. I'm not tired."
That was Mother's Third Lie.

4.

At the time of final term,
mother asked for a leave from her work in order to accompany me.
While the daytime was coming and the heat of the sun was starting to shine,
the strong and persevering mother
waited for me under the heat of the sun's shine for several hours.
As the bell rang, which indicated that the final exam had finished,
mother immediately welcomed me and poured me a glass of tea
that she had prepared before in a cold bottle.
The very thick tea was not as thick as my mother's love,
which was much thicker. Seeing my mother covering with perspiration,
I at once gave her my glass and asked her to drink too.
Mother said "Drink, son. I'm not thirsty!".
That was Mother's Fourth Lie.

5.
After the death of my father because of illness,
my poor mother had to play her role as a single parent.
By held on her former job, she had to fund our needs alone.
Our family's life was more complicated. No days without sufferance.
Seeing our family's condition that was getting worse,
there was a nice uncle who lived near my house came to help us,
either in a big problem and a small problem.
Our other neighbors who lived next to us saw that our family's life was so unfortunate,
they often advised my mother to marry again. But mother,
who was stubborn, didn't care to their advice,
she said "I don't need love."
That was Mother's Fifth Lie.

6.
After I had finished my study and then got a job,
it was the time for my old mother to retire.
But she didn't want to; she was sincere to go to the marketplace every morning,
just to sell some vegetable for fulfilling her needs.
I, who worked in the other city, often sent her some money to help her in fulfilling her needs,
but she was stubborn for not accepting the money.
She even sent the money back to me.
She said "I have enough money."
That was Mother's Sixth Lie.

7.

After graduated from Bachelor Degree,
I then continued my study to Master Degree.
I took the degree, which was funded by a company through a scholarship program,
from a famous University in America .
I finally worked in the company. Within a quite high salary,
I intended to take my mother to enjoy her life in America .
But my lovely mother didn't want to bother her son,
she said to me "I'm not used to."
That was Mother's Seventh Lie.

8.
After entering her old age,
mother got a flank cancer and had to be hospitalized.
I, who lived in miles away and across the ocean,
directly went home to visit my dearest mother.
She lied down in weakness on her bed after having an operation.
Mother, who looked so old, was staring at me in deep yearn.
She tried to spread her smile on her face;
even it looked so stiff because of the disease she held out.
It was clear enough to see how the disease broke my mother's body,
thus she looked so weak and thin.
I stared at my mother within tears flowing on my face.
My heart was hurt, so hurt, seeing my mother on that condition.
But mother, with her strength, said "Don't cry, my dear.
I'm not in pain."
That was Mother's Eight Lie.

Dr. Israr Ahmed visiting Karachi

Dr. Israr Ahmed is visiting Karachi and delivering some public lectures. Details can be found here:

Dr. Israr Ahmed Visiting Karachi

Remember the order to lower your gaze

As the heat gets hotter…. as the sun gets brighter
As they take it all off…. as their 'burden' gets lighter

When you feel the temptation as they roam half naked
When you think for sure that you just can't make it

Remember O Muslim the perfect instructions
Remember not to give in to those temptations

Through the lure, the enticement and through the haze
Remember the order…..to lower your gaze

Don't go to such places….don't go to the beaches
Remember the lessons ....remember what Islam teaches

Don't sit idle in the street nor visit the mall
When you know they are going to bare it all

Now, I know it isn't easy….. its hard not to stare
Its difficult to look away when its all there

But, don't feed your lust, nor set it ablaze
Remember the order…. to lower your gaze

What's the harm in it, they say. It's nothing but fun!
If I look at some bodies bathing in the sun!

A lustful look towards the opposite gender
Is all that it takes to set off the trigger

It leads to sin and abomination
It paves the way for fornication

Don't take it so lightly, don't think it's a phase
Remember the order…. to lower your gaze

Watch out for that arrow….the arrow from Satan
The one you're warned about….laden with poison

The arrow that is aimed towards your very heart
When it reaches its target, it leaves a black mark

It infects your heart and leaves it vulnerable
for Satan to take over and do as he is able

Recall the Prophet's words for he told no lies
"Looking at something forbidden is the zinaa of the eyes."

Don't look at anything haraam, that's what he said
So when temptation passes by…..just turn away your head

Just lower your gaze…..don't give that second look
For you never know when you get caught by the hook

A lustful glance….then the talk …..then the meeting
You know what comes next….after all the flirting

Fornication is major. "Don't even come near it."
It starts with that first look, every Muslim should fear it

So lower your gaze…. don't look at haraam
Strive for good deeds….they work like a charm

If you are able then do get married
That's what the Prophet alaihis-salaam instructed

Keep voluntary fasts….they will make you strong
Being a good Muslim, you surely can't go wrong

A part of his character is the Muslim's gaze
So fear Allaah as you spend these summer days

Ask Allaah to help you….you'll find Him there
And never underestimate the power of prayer

Not only in the streets, remember O Muslim
Lower your gaze when watching television

The shows….the sitcoms…..the underwear ads
The suggestive scenes….the fashions and the fads

Day in and day out, we watch haraam and yet….
when 'Baywatch' comes on, we don't turn off the set

Did you forget the Day when Allaah will ask you
of every look you cast….every glance you threw

So where will you hide….what will you do
That Day your eyes will witness against you

Remember, the beauty of this world is temporary
The question is then….will you be able to carry

Your head up high in front of the Almighty
When you stand on a Day, so long so dreary?

You are the best Ummah….the Model Community
Custodians of Truth…Upholders of Morality

So fight the Shaytaan, stop him in his wickedness
Lower your gaze, ask for Allaah's forgiveness

And thank Allaah O Muslim and realize
The greatest blessing is a pair of eyes

Don't use it to disobey Him, don't earn His Displeasure
For you will be asked what you did with this treasure

It is not too late….to repent….to amend
Start now….by lowering your gaze my friend


"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty. That is purer for them. Verily, Allaah is All-Aware of what they do. Say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty...O you who believe! Turn you all together towards Allah that you may attain success." (Surah Nur:30,31).