Purified Marriage, Perfected Beauty, Lasting Desire and Mutual Fulfilment

Introduction

Marital intimacy in Paradise will not be an exact continuation of its worldly form. Worldly relationships are affected by ageing, illness, physical exhaustion, emotional conflict, insecurity, jealousy, menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth and eventual separation through death.

The Qur’an presents the marital life of Paradise as pure, joyful, secure and permanent. Its inhabitants will live with purified spouses, rejoice together, remain eternally youthful and receive every pure desire.

The Shia narrations further describe marital intimacy as the greatest physical pleasure of Paradise. Believing men will possess extraordinary beauty and radiant faces, while believing women will be recreated with heavenly purity and beauty surpassing that of the houris. Neither spouse will become bored, their attraction will not decline, and their bodies will never become old, sick or exhausted.

Allah’s love and pleasure remain greater than every physical blessing. The present chapter concerns the perfected marital and bodily companionship granted within Paradise.

Part One: The Qur’anic Description

1. Purified Spouses

Surah al-Baqarah 2:25

Arabic

وَبَشِّرِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ كُلَّمَا رُزِقُوا مِنْهَا مِنْ ثَمَرَةٍ رِزْقًا قَالُوا هَٰذَا الَّذِي رُزِقْنَا مِنْ قَبْلُ وَأُتُوا بِهِ مُتَشَابِهًا وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا أَزْوَاجٌ مُطَهَّرَةٌ وَهُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ.

English Translation

“Give glad tidings to those who believe and perform righteous deeds that they will have Gardens beneath which rivers flow.

Whenever they are provided with fruit from them, they will say, ‘This resembles what we were provided before,’ though it will be given to them in a renewed resemblance.

They will have purified spouses therein, and they will remain there forever.”

Surah Āl ‘Imrān 3:15

Arabic

قُلْ أَؤُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِخَيْرٍ مِنْ ذَٰلِكُمْ لِلَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَأَزْوَاجٌ مُطَهَّرَةٌ وَرِضْوَانٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ.

English Translation

“Say, ‘Shall I inform you of something better than that?’

Those who remain conscious of Allah will have with their Lord Gardens beneath which rivers flow, remaining therein forever, purified spouses and pleasure from Allah. Allah sees His servants.”

Surah al-Nisā’ 4:57

Arabic

وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ سَنُدْخِلُهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا لَهُمْ فِيهَا أَزْوَاجٌ مُطَهَّرَةٌ وَنُدْخِلُهُمْ ظِلًّا ظَلِيلًا.

English Translation

“Those who believe and perform righteous deeds—We will admit them into Gardens beneath which rivers flow, remaining therein forever.

They will have purified spouses therein, and We will admit them into extensive shade.”

Short Comment

Heavenly marriage will be completely pure and permanent.

2. Husbands and Wives Will Enter Paradise Rejoicing

Surah al-Zukhruf 43:68–71

Arabic

يَا عِبَادِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ وَلَا أَنْتُمْ تَحْزَنُونَ ۝ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِآيَاتِنَا وَكَانُوا مُسْلِمِينَ ۝ ادْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ أَنْتُمْ وَأَزْوَاجُكُمْ تُحْبَرُونَ ۝ يُطَافُ عَلَيْهِمْ بِصِحَافٍ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ وَأَكْوَابٍ وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِيهِ الْأَنْفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ الْأَعْيُنُ وَأَنْتُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ.

English Translation

“‘My servants, no fear will be upon you today, nor will you grieve—

those who believed in Our signs and submitted.

Enter Paradise, you and your spouses, rejoicing.’

Golden dishes and cups will be passed around them. There will be whatever the souls desire and whatever delights the eyes, and you will remain therein forever.”

Surah Yā-Sīn 36:55–58

Arabic

إِنَّ أَصْحَابَ الْجَنَّةِ الْيَوْمَ فِي شُغُلٍ فَاكِهُونَ ۝ هُمْ وَأَزْوَاجُهُمْ فِي ظِلَالٍ عَلَى الْأَرَائِكِ مُتَّكِئُونَ ۝ لَهُمْ فِيهَا فَاكِهَةٌ وَلَهُمْ مَا يَدَّعُونَ ۝ سَلَامٌ قَوْلًا مِنْ رَبٍّ رَحِيمٍ.

English Translation

“The inhabitants of Paradise will on that day be happily occupied.

They and their spouses will recline upon couches within shade.

They will have fruit therein and whatever they request.

‘Peace’—a word from a Merciful Lord.”

Short Comment

Believing couples will share happiness, comfort and fulfilled desires.

3. Companions With Devoted Affection

Surah al-Ṣāffāt 37:48–49

Arabic

وَعِنْدَهُمْ قَاصِرَاتُ الطَّرْفِ عِينٌ ۝ كَأَنَّهُنَّ بَيْضٌ مَكْنُونٌ.

English Translation

“With them will be wide-eyed companions who restrain their gaze for their spouses,

as though they were carefully protected pearls.”

Surah Ṣād 38:49–52

Arabic

هَٰذَا ذِكْرٌ وَإِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ لَحُسْنَ مَآبٍ ۝ جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ مُفَتَّحَةً لَهُمُ الْأَبْوَابُ ۝ مُتَّكِئِينَ فِيهَا يَدْعُونَ فِيهَا بِفَاكِهَةٍ كَثِيرَةٍ وَشَرَابٍ ۝ وَعِنْدَهُمْ قَاصِرَاتُ الطَّرْفِ أَتْرَابٌ.

English Translation

“This is a reminder, and the God-conscious will certainly have an excellent return:

Gardens of Eden whose gates will remain open for them.

Reclining therein, they will call for abundant fruit and drink.

With them will be companions who restrain their gaze for their spouses and are equal in age.”

Short Comment

Their affection will remain devoted to their spouses.

4. Marriage With the Wide-Eyed Companions

Surah al-Dukhān 44:51–55

Arabic

إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي مَقَامٍ أَمِينٍ ۝ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَعُيُونٍ ۝ يَلْبَسُونَ مِنْ سُنْدُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُتَقَابِلِينَ ۝ كَذَٰلِكَ وَزَوَّجْنَاهُمْ بِحُورٍ عِينٍ ۝ يَدْعُونَ فِيهَا بِكُلِّ فَاكِهَةٍ آمِنِينَ.

English Translation

“The God-conscious will be in a secure station,

within Gardens and springs.

They will wear fine silk and brocade while facing one another.

So it will be, and We will unite them in marriage with wide-eyed companions.

They will call therein for every kind of fruit in complete security.”

Surah al-Ṭūr 52:17–20

Arabic

إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَنَعِيمٍ ۝ فَاكِهِينَ بِمَا آتَاهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ وَوَقَاهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ ۝ كُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا هَنِيئًا بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ۝ مُتَّكِئِينَ عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ مَصْفُوفَةٍ وَزَوَّجْنَاهُمْ بِحُورٍ عِينٍ.

English Translation

“The God-conscious will be within Gardens and bliss,

rejoicing in what their Lord has granted them, while their Lord protects them from the punishment of the Blaze.

‘Eat and drink pleasantly because of what you used to do.’

They will recline upon arranged couches, and We will unite them in marriage with wide-eyed companions.”

Short Comment

Marriage and intimate companionship are real blessings of Paradise.

5. Pure, Private and Exclusive Companionship

Surah al-Raḥmān 55:54–58

Arabic

مُتَّكِئِينَ عَلَىٰ فُرُشٍ بَطَائِنُهَا مِنْ إِسْتَبْرَقٍ وَجَنَى الْجَنَّتَيْنِ دَانٍ ۝ فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ۝ فِيهِنَّ قَاصِرَاتُ الطَّرْفِ لَمْ يَطْمِثْهُنَّ إِنْسٌ قَبْلَهُمْ وَلَا جَانٌّ ۝ فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ۝ كَأَنَّهُنَّ الْيَاقُوتُ وَالْمَرْجَانُ.

English Translation

“They will recline upon couches whose inner linings are brocade, while the fruit of both Gardens hangs close.

Which of your Lord’s blessings will you both deny?

Within them will be companions who restrain their gaze for their spouses, untouched before them by any human or jinn.

Which of your Lord’s blessings will you both deny?

They will appear like ruby and coral.”

Surah al-Raḥmān 55:70–76

Arabic

فِيهِنَّ خَيْرَاتٌ حِسَانٌ ۝ فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ۝ حُورٌ مَقْصُورَاتٌ فِي الْخِيَامِ ۝ فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ۝ لَمْ يَطْمِثْهُنَّ إِنْسٌ قَبْلَهُمْ وَلَا جَانٌّ ۝ فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ۝ مُتَّكِئِينَ عَلَىٰ رَفْرَفٍ خُضْرٍ وَعَبْقَرِيٍّ حِسَانٍ.

English Translation

“Within them will be virtuous and beautiful companions.

Which of your Lord’s blessings will you both deny?

Wide-eyed companions sheltered within tents.

Which of your Lord’s blessings will you both deny?

Untouched before them by any human or jinn.

Which of your Lord’s blessings will you both deny?

They will recline upon green cushions and beautiful carpets.”

Short Comment

Their companionship will contain purity, beauty and privacy.

6. Companions Like Protected Pearls

Surah al-Wāqi‘ah 56:15–24

Arabic

عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ مَوْضُونَةٍ ۝ مُتَّكِئِينَ عَلَيْهَا مُتَقَابِلِينَ ۝ يَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِمْ وِلْدَانٌ مُخَلَّدُونَ ۝ بِأَكْوَابٍ وَأَبَارِيقَ وَكَأْسٍ مِنْ مَعِينٍ ۝ لَا يُصَدَّعُونَ عَنْهَا وَلَا يُنْزِفُونَ ۝ وَفَاكِهَةٍ مِمَّا يَتَخَيَّرُونَ ۝ وَلَحْمِ طَيْرٍ مِمَّا يَشْتَهُونَ ۝ وَحُورٌ عِينٌ ۝ كَأَمْثَالِ اللُّؤْلُؤِ الْمَكْنُونِ ۝ جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ.

English Translation

“They will be upon woven couches,

reclining upon them and facing one another.

Everlasting youths will move around them

with cups, pitchers and a flowing drink,

from which they will experience neither headache nor loss of reason,

together with fruit they choose,

the meat of birds they desire,

and wide-eyed companions

resembling carefully protected pearls,

as a reward for what they used to do.”

Short Comment

Heavenly companionship will accompany complete comfort and honour.

7. Recreated Anew, Virginal, Loving and Equal in Age

Surah al-Wāqi‘ah 56:35–38

Arabic

إِنَّا أَنْشَأْنَاهُنَّ إِنْشَاءً ۝ فَجَعَلْنَاهُنَّ أَبْكَارًا ۝ عُرُبًا أَتْرَابًا ۝ لِأَصْحَابِ الْيَمِينِ.

English Translation

“We will recreate them in a new creation,

and make them virgins,

loving and affectionate toward their spouses, equal in age,

for the companions of the right.”

Short Comment

Their bodies and affection will be perfected anew.

8. Youthful Companions of Equal Age

Surah al-Naba’ 78:31–34

Arabic

إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ مَفَازًا ۝ حَدَائِقَ وَأَعْنَابًا ۝ وَكَوَاعِبَ أَتْرَابًا ۝ وَكَأْسًا دِهَاقًا.

English Translation

“The God-conscious will certainly have triumph:

gardens and grapes,

youthful companions of equal age,

and overflowing cups.”

Short Comment

The companions will possess mature youth without ageing.

9. Every Pure Desire Will Be Fulfilled

Surah Fuṣṣilat 41:30–32

Arabic

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنْتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ ۝ نَحْنُ أَوْلِيَاؤُكُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِي أَنْفُسُكُمْ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَا تَدَّعُونَ ۝ نُزُلًا مِنْ غَفُورٍ رَحِيمٍ.

English Translation

“Those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah,’ and then remain steadfast will have the angels descend upon them, saying:

‘Do not fear and do not grieve, but receive the glad news of the Paradise you were promised.

We were your guardians in worldly life and remain so in the Hereafter.

You will have therein whatever your souls desire and whatever you request,

as a welcoming gift from the All-Forgiving, the Merciful.’”

Surah Qāf 50:34–35

Arabic

ادْخُلُوهَا بِسَلَامٍ ذَٰلِكَ يَوْمُ الْخُلُودِ ۝ لَهُمْ مَا يَشَاءُونَ فِيهَا وَلَدَيْنَا مَزِيدٌ.

English Translation

“‘Enter it in peace. This is the Day of Eternity.’

They will have whatever they desire therein, and with Us is even more.”

Short Comment

No pure desire for love or companionship will remain unfulfilled.

10. No Resentment or Emotional Hostility

Surah al-A‘rāf 7:43

Arabic

وَنَزَعْنَا مَا فِي صُدُورِهِمْ مِنْ غِلٍّ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهِمُ الْأَنْهَارُ وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي هَدَانَا لِهَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِيَ لَوْلَا أَنْ هَدَانَا اللَّهُ.

English Translation

“We will remove whatever rancour remains within their hearts. Rivers will flow beneath them, and they will say:

‘All praise belongs to Allah, who guided us to this. We could never have been guided had Allah not guided us.’”

Surah al-Ḥijr 15:45–48

Arabic

إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَعُيُونٍ ۝ ادْخُلُوهَا بِسَلَامٍ آمِنِينَ ۝ وَنَزَعْنَا مَا فِي صُدُورِهِمْ مِنْ غِلٍّ إِخْوَانًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ مُتَقَابِلِينَ ۝ لَا يَمَسُّهُمْ فِيهَا نَصَبٌ وَمَا هُمْ مِنْهَا بِمُخْرَجِينَ.

English Translation

“The God-conscious will be within Gardens and springs.

‘Enter them in peace and complete security.’

We will remove whatever rancour remains within their hearts, and they will become companions seated upon couches facing one another.

No fatigue will touch them therein, nor will they ever be removed from it.”

Short Comment

Heavenly relationships will contain neither resentment nor fatigue.

11. Allah’s Pleasure Remains Greater

Surah al-Tawbah 9:72

Arabic

وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَمَسَاكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِي جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ وَرِضْوَانٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ.

English Translation

“Allah has promised the believing men and believing women Gardens beneath which rivers flow, remaining therein forever, and beautiful residences within the Gardens of Eden.

Yet Allah’s pleasure is greater.

That is the supreme triumph.”

Short Comment

Marital intimacy is a supreme bodily pleasure, while Allah’s pleasure is greater.

Part Two: The Selected Shia Narrations

12. Marital Intimacy Will Be the Greatest Physical Pleasure

Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq, peace be upon him, said:

Arabic

مَا تَلَذَّذَ النَّاسُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ بِلَذَّةٍ أَكْثَرَ لَهُمْ مِنْ لَذَّةِ النِّسَاءِ.

وَإِنَّ أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ مَا يَتَلَذَّذُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ أَشْهَىٰ عِنْدَهُمْ مِنَ النِّكَاحِ؛ لَا طَعَامٍ وَلَا شَرَابٍ.

English Translation

“People have not experienced, in this world or the Hereafter, a physical pleasure greater for them than the pleasure associated with women.

Among the physical pleasures of Paradise, nothing will be more desirable to its inhabitants than marital intimacy—not food and not drink.”

References

• Al-Kāfī, vol. 5, p. 321, hadith 10
• Tafsīr al-‘Ayyāshī, vol. 1, p. 164, hadith 10
• Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 8, p. 139, hadith 53

Short Comment

It will be the greatest physical pleasure of Paradise.

13. Believing Men Will Possess Joseph-Like Beauty

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, peace be upon him, said:

Arabic

إِنَّ الرَّبَّ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يَقُولُ:

ادْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ بِرَحْمَتِي، وَانْجُوا مِنَ النَّارِ بِعَفْوِي، وَتَقَسَّمُوا الْجَنَّةَ بِأَعْمَالِكُمْ.

فَوَعِزَّتِي لَأُنْزِلَنَّكُمْ دَارَ الْخُلُودِ وَدَارَ الْكَرَامَةِ.

فَإِذَا دَخَلُوهَا صَارُوا عَلَىٰ طُولِ آدَمَ سِتِّينَ ذِرَاعًا،

وَعَلَىٰ مِلَدِ عِيسَىٰ ثَلَاثًا وَثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً،

وَعَلَىٰ لِسَانِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْعَرَبِيَّةَ،

وَعَلَىٰ صُورَةِ يُوسُفَ فِي الْحُسْنِ،

ثُمَّ يَعْلُو وُجُوهَهُمُ النُّورُ،

وَعَلَىٰ قَلْبِ أَيُّوبَ فِي السَّلَامَةِ مِنَ الْغِلِّ.

English Translation

“The Lord, Blessed and Exalted, will say:

‘Enter Paradise through My mercy, escape the Fire through My pardon and receive the divisions of Paradise according to your deeds.

By My might, I will settle you within the abode of eternity and honour.’

When they enter it, they will possess:

the stature of Adam—sixty cubits;

the youthful age of Jesus—thirty-three years;

the Arabic language of Muhammad;

the beauty and handsome appearance of Joseph;

and light will rise over and illuminate their faces.

Their hearts will possess the purity of Job, completely free from rancour.”

References

• Al-Ikhtiṣāṣ, p. 356
• Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 8, p. 218

The Arabic Shia text explicitly states that they will possess Joseph-like beauty and faces covered by light.

Short Comment

Believing men will possess exceptional beauty, permanent youth and radiant faces.

14. The Qur’anic Standard of Joseph’s Beauty

Surah Yūsuf 12:31

Arabic

فَلَمَّا سَمِعَتْ بِمَكْرِهِنَّ أَرْسَلَتْ إِلَيْهِنَّ وَأَعْتَدَتْ لَهُنَّ مُتَّكَأً وَآتَتْ كُلَّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْهُنَّ سِكِّينًا وَقَالَتِ اخْرُجْ عَلَيْهِنَّ فَلَمَّا رَأَيْنَهُ أَكْبَرْنَهُ وَقَطَّعْنَ أَيْدِيَهُنَّ وَقُلْنَ حَاشَ لِلَّهِ مَا هَٰذَا بَشَرًا إِنْ هَٰذَا إِلَّا مَلَكٌ كَرِيمٌ.

English Translation

“When she heard of their scheming, she invited them, prepared a banquet for them and gave each of them a knife.

She then said to Joseph, ‘Come out before them.’

When they saw him, they were overwhelmed by his beauty, cut their hands and said:

‘Allah preserve us! This is no ordinary human being. This can only be a noble angel.’”

Short Comment

Joseph-like beauty signifies an appearance of extraordinary splendour.

15. Believing Women Will Be More Beautiful Than the Houris

Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq, peace be upon him, said:

Arabic

الْخَيْرَاتُ الْحِسَانُ مِنْ نِسَاءِ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا، وَهُنَّ أَجْمَلُ مِنَ الْحُورِ الْعِينِ.

English Translation

“The virtuous and beautiful companions are the believing women of this world, and they will be more beautiful than the wide-eyed houris.”

References

• Man Lā Yaḥḍuruhu al-Faqīh, vol. 3, p. 469, hadith 4631
• Makārim al-Akhlāq, vol. 1, p. 438, hadith 1501
• Majma‘ al-Bayān, vol. 9, p. 319

Short Comment

Believing women will possess superior heavenly beauty.

16. Every Believing Woman Will Possess Heavenly Purity

Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq, peace be upon him, said:

Arabic

أَنْتُمُ الطَّيِّبُونَ وَنِسَاؤُكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ،

كُلُّ مُؤْمِنَةٍ حَوْرَاءُ عَيْنَاءُ،

وَكُلُّ مُؤْمِنٍ صِدِّيقٌ.

English Translation

“You are the pure ones, and your women are pure.

Every believing woman will be a wide-eyed heavenly woman, and every believing man will be truthful and sincere.”

References

• Faḍā’il al-Shī‘ah, p. 51, hadith 8
• Al-Amālī of Shaykh al-Ṣadūq, p. 725, hadith 992

Short Comment

Every believing woman will receive heavenly purity and beauty.

17. Both Husband and Wife Will Be Perfected

The selected narrations establish that:

وَعَلَىٰ صُورَةِ يُوسُفَ فِي الْحُسْنِ.

“The inhabitants will possess Joseph-like beauty.”

And:

وَهُنَّ أَجْمَلُ مِنَ الْحُورِ الْعِينِ.

“Believing women will be more beautiful than the houris.”

Neither husband nor wife will retain ageing, illness, bodily imperfection or diminished appearance from worldly life.

Short Comment

Each spouse will find the other youthful, beautiful and perfectly suited to Paradise.

18. Believing Spouses and the Right of Choice

Abu Basir asked Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq, peace be upon him:

Arabic

قُلْتُ لِلْإِمَامِ الصَّادِقِ عليه السلام:

الرَّجُلُ الْمُؤْمِنُ تَكُونُ لَهُ امْرَأَةٌ مُؤْمِنَةٌ، يَدْخُلَانِ الْجَنَّةَ، أَيَتَزَوَّجُ أَحَدُهُمَا الْآخَرَ؟

فَقَالَ:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَكِيمٌ عَدْلٌ.

إِذَا كَانَ هُوَ أَفْضَلَ مِنْهَا خَيَّرَهُ، فَإِنِ اخْتَارَهَا كَانَتْ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِهِ.

وَإِنْ كَانَتْ هِيَ خَيْرًا مِنْهُ خَيَّرَهَا، فَإِنِ اخْتَارَتْهُ كَانَ زَوْجًا لَهَا.

English Translation

“I asked Imam al-Sadiq:

‘A believing man has a believing wife, and they both enter Paradise. Will they be married to one another?’

The Imam replied:

‘Allah is Wise and Just.

If the husband possesses the higher merit, he will be given the choice. If he chooses her, she will be among his wives.

If she possesses the higher merit, she will be given the choice. If she chooses him, he will be her husband.’”

References

• Majma‘ al-Bayān, vol. 9, p. 318
• Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 8, p. 105

Short Comment

Heavenly pairing will be governed by Allah’s justice and choice.

19. A Woman With More Than One Former Husband

Umm Salamah asked the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, about a believing woman who had been married to more than one husband.

Arabic

يَا أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ، تَخَيَّرُ أَحْسَنَهُمْ خُلُقًا وَخَيْرَهُمْ لِأَهْلِهِ.

English Translation

“O Umm Salamah, she will choose the one among them who possessed the finest character and treated his family most kindly.”

References

• Al-Amālī of Shaykh al-Ṣadūq, assembly 75, hadith 8
• Al-Khiṣāl, vol. 1, p. 42
• Thawāb al-A‘māl, p. 215
• Rawḍat al-Wā‘iẓīn, vol. 2, p. 376
• Wasā’il al-Shī‘ah, vol. 12, p. 154
• Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 8, p. 119

Short Comment

She will choose the former husband with the best character.

20. The Spouses Will Welcome One Another With Longing

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, peace be upon him, narrated from the Messenger of Allah:

Arabic

فَيُفْتَحُ لَهُمُ الْبَابُ فَيَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ،

وَتُشْرِفُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَزْوَاجُهُمْ مِنَ الْحُورِ الْعِينِ وَالْآدَمِيِّينَ،

فَيَقُلْنَ:

مَرْحَبًا بِكُمْ، فَمَا كَانَ أَشَدَّ شَوْقَنَا إِلَيْكُمْ.

وَيَقُولُ لَهُنَّ أَوْلِيَاءُ اللَّهِ مِثْلَ ذَٰلِكَ.

English Translation

“The gate will be opened for them, and they will enter Paradise.

Their spouses from among the wide-eyed companions and human women will look out toward them and say:

‘Welcome to you! How intense our longing for you has been.’

The friends of Allah will say the same to them.”

Reference

• Al-Kāfī, vol. 8, chapter 69, hadith 1

Short Comment

Their reunion will contain mutual love and longing.

21. The Couple Will Not Become Bored With One Another

The same narration states:

Arabic

فَإِذَا دَنَتْ مِنْ وَلِيِّ اللَّهِ فَهَمَّ أَنْ يَقُومَ إِلَيْهَا شَوْقًا،

فَتَقُولُ لَهُ:

يَا وَلِيَّ اللَّهِ، لَيْسَ هَذَا يَوْمَ تَعَبٍ وَلَا نَصَبٍ، فَلَا تَقُمْ، أَنَا لَكَ وَأَنْتَ لِي.

فَيَعْتَنِقَانِ مِقْدَارَ خَمْسِمِائَةِ عَامٍ مِنْ أَعْوَامِ الدُّنْيَا،

لَا يُمِلُّهَا وَلَا تُمِلُّهُ.

English Translation

“When she approaches the friend of Allah, he will intend to rise toward her out of longing.

She will say:

‘O friend of Allah, this is not a day of tiredness or exhaustion. Do not rise. I am for you, and you are for me.’

They will embrace for the equivalent of five hundred worldly years, while neither he becomes bored with her nor she becomes bored with him.”

References

• Al-Kāfī, vol. 8, chapter 69, hadith 1
• Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 8, p. 129

Short Comment

Their attraction will remain free from mutual boredom.

22. A Pause Will Not Mean Loss of Desire

The narration continues:

Arabic

فَإِذَا فَتَرَ بَعْضَ الْفُتُورِ مِنْ غَيْرِ مَلَالَةٍ،

نَظَرَ إِلَىٰ عُنُقِهَا،

فَإِذَا عَلَيْهَا قَلَائِدُ مِنْ قَصَبٍ مِنْ يَاقُوتٍ أَحْمَرَ،

وَسَطُهَا لَوْحٌ صَفْحَتُهُ دُرَّةٌ، مَكْتُوبٌ فِيهَا:

أَنْتَ يَا وَلِيَّ اللَّهِ حَبِيبِي،

وَأَنَا الْحَوْرَاءُ حَبِيبَتُكَ،

إِلَيْكَ تَنَاهَتْ نَفْسِي،

وَإِلَيَّ تَنَاهَتْ نَفْسُكَ.

English Translation

“When a temporary pause occurs—without any boredom—he will look toward her neck.

Upon it will be necklaces of red ruby, with a pearl tablet in their centre upon which will be written:

‘You, O friend of Allah, are my beloved, and I am your heavenly beloved.

My soul is completely devoted to you, and your soul is completely devoted to me.’”

References

• Al-Kāfī, vol. 8, chapter 69, hadith 1
• Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 8, p. 129

Short Comment

A pause will contain no aversion or lost attraction.

23. The Companions Will Remain Content and Never Angry

Imam Ali, peace be upon him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah said the heavenly companions will declare:

Arabic

أَلَا نَحْنُ الْخَالِدَاتُ فَلَا نَمُوتُ أَبَدًا،

وَنَحْنُ النَّاعِمَاتُ فَلَا نَبْأَسُ أَبَدًا،

وَنَحْنُ الرَّاضِيَاتُ فَلَا نَسْخَطُ أَبَدًا.

English Translation

“Indeed, we are the everlasting ones and will never die.

We are the blissful ones and will never suffer.

We are the contented ones and will never become angry.”

Reference

• Kitāb al-Zuhd, Book 2, chapter 19, hadith 9

Short Comment

Their relationship will contain permanent contentment.

24. No Pregnancy, Childbirth or Menstrual Suffering

In a response attributed to Imam al-Mahdi, peace be upon him, it is stated:

Arabic

إِنَّ الْجَنَّةَ لَا حَمْلَ فِيهَا لِلنِّسَاءِ،

وَلَا وِلَادَةَ،

وَلَا طَمْثَ،

وَلَا نِفَاسَ،

وَلَا شَقَاءَ بِالطُّفُولِيَّةِ.

وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِي الْأَنْفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ الْأَعْيُنُ،

كَمَا قَالَ اللَّهُ سُبْحَانَهُ.

English Translation

“In Paradise there will be no pregnancy for women, no childbirth, no menstruation, no postpartum bleeding and no hardship associated with childhood.

Therein will be whatever souls desire and whatever delights the eyes, as Allah, Glorious is He, has said.”

References

• Al-Iḥtijāj, vol. 2, p. 488
• Tafsīr al-Ṣāfī, vol. 4, pp. 399–400
• Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 53, p. 163
• Tafsīr Nūr al-Thaqalayn, vol. 4, p. 613
• Tafsīr Kanz al-Daqā’iq, vol. 12, p. 98

Short Comment

Intimacy will contain no reproductive pain or impurity.

25. A Child Can Be Granted Without Pregnancy

The same response continues:

Arabic

فَإِذَا اشْتَهَى الْمُؤْمِنُ وَلَدًا خَلَقَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بِغَيْرِ حَمْلٍ وَلَا وِلَادَةٍ،

عَلَى الصُّورَةِ الَّتِي يُرِيدُ،

كَمَا خَلَقَ آدَمَ عِبْرَةً.

English Translation

“If a believer desires a child, Allah, Mighty and Majestic, will create that child without pregnancy or childbirth, in the form the believer desires, just as He created Adam as a sign.”

References

• Al-Iḥtijāj, vol. 2, p. 488
• Tafsīr al-Ṣāfī, vol. 4, pp. 399–400
• Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 53, p. 163
• Tafsīr Nūr al-Thaqalayn, vol. 4, p. 613

Short Comment

A child may be granted without pregnancy or childbirth.

26. The Body Will Never Become Old, Sick or Exhausted

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, peace be upon him, narrated:

Arabic

ثُمَّ يُوقَفُ بِهِمْ قُدَّامَ الْعَرْشِ،

وَقَدْ سَلِمُوا مِنَ الْآفَاتِ وَالْأَسْقَامِ وَالْحَرِّ وَالْبَرْدِ أَبَدًا.

English Translation

“They will be brought before the Throne after having become eternally safe from afflictions, illnesses, heat and cold.”

Reference

• Al-Kāfī, vol. 8, chapter 69, hadith 1

Imam Ali, peace be upon him, said:

Arabic

لَا يَنْقَطِعُ نَعِيمُهَا،

وَلَا يَظْعَنُ مُقِيمُهَا،

وَلَا يَهْرَمُ خَالِدُهَا،

وَلَا يَبْأَسُ سَاكِنُهَا.

English Translation

“Its blessings will never end.

Its resident will never depart.

Its eternal inhabitant will never grow old.

Its resident will never suffer.”

Imam Ali also said:

Arabic

وَصَانَ أَجْسَادَهُمْ أَنْ تَلْقَىٰ لُغُوبًا وَنَصَبًا.

English Translation

“Allah will protect their bodies from weariness and fatigue.”

References

• Nahj al-Balāghah, sermons 85 and 183
• Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 8, pp. 162–163

Short Comment

Youth, health, beauty and physical strength will never decline.

The Heavenly Spouse Will Be Beautiful and Desired

The combined Qur’anic and Shia evidence establishes that the inhabitants will not enter Paradise with the unwanted physical conditions of worldly life.

The believing husband will possess:

• permanent youth;
• Joseph-like beauty;
• a radiant face;
• freedom from illness;
• freedom from ageing;
• and freedom from physical fatigue.

The believing wife will possess:

• permanent youth;
• heavenly purity;
• beauty surpassing that of the houris;
• freedom from ageing;
• freedom from menstruation;
• freedom from pregnancy and childbirth;
• and complete emotional contentment.

Neither spouse will be forced into a miserable or unwanted relationship. The specific Shia narrations concerning former believing spouses place their union under Allah’s wisdom, merit and choice.

Every pure desire will be fulfilled, but one person’s happiness will not require injustice toward another. Paradise contains no unwilling, humiliating or oppressive relationship.

Short Comment

The heavenly spouse will be beautiful, desired, willing and perfectly suited to the believer.

Lasting Desire Without Boredom

The texts directly establish:

لَا يُمِلُّهَا وَلَا تُمِلُّهُ.

“Neither he becomes bored with her nor she becomes bored with him.”

They also distinguish a temporary pause from boredom:

مِنْ غَيْرِ مَلَالَةٍ.

“Without any boredom.”

The relationship will therefore contain neither emotional rejection nor fading attraction.

There will be:

• no ageing to weaken the body;
• no illness to interrupt intimacy;
• no fatigue to exhaust either spouse;
• no resentment to destroy affection;
• no anger that permanently separates them;
• no menstruation or reproductive pain;
• and no death to end the relationship.

Short Comment

Desire will remain renewed without exhaustion or loss of attraction.

Conclusion

The Qur’an describes marital life in Paradise through:

• purified spouses;
• husbands and wives rejoicing together;
• devoted affection;
• youthful companions;
• privacy and security;
• fulfilled desires;
• removed resentment;
• and eternal residence.

The selected Shia narrations add that:

• marital intimacy will be the greatest physical pleasure;
• believing men will possess Joseph-like beauty and radiant faces;
• believing women will surpass the houris in beauty;
• every believing woman will possess heavenly purity;
• believing spouses will be paired through justice and choice;
• a woman with former husbands may choose the best in character;
• spouses will welcome one another with mutual longing;
• neither spouse will become bored;
• a pause will not mean lost desire;
• the companions will remain content and never angry;
• women will experience no menstruation, pregnancy or childbirth;
• a child may be granted without pregnancy;
• and the heavenly body will never grow old, become ill or suffer exhaustion.

Marital intimacy in Paradise will therefore contain:

purity without impurity, beauty without decline, desire without frustration, strength without exhaustion, pleasure without pain, affection without betrayal, choice without coercion, intimacy without boredom and companionship without ageing, illness, death or separation.