Introduction

The bodies of the inhabitants of Paradise will be recreated in a perfected heavenly form. The weakness, ageing, illness, disability, unattractive appearance and physical deterioration experienced in earthly life will not accompany them into the eternal Garden.

According to the Qur’an and the narrations of Prophet Muhammad and the Ahl al-Bayt, peace be upon them, the people of Paradise will possess:

• radiant and illuminated faces;
• fair and bright complexions;
• extraordinary beauty;
• permanent youth;
• freedom from old age;
• perfected eyesight and movement;
• bodies free from illness and disability;
• hairless bodies and beardless faces;
• naturally beautiful eyes resembling eyes adorned with kohl;
• great physical strength;
• freedom from exhaustion, heat and cold;
• and everlasting life without death or bodily decline.

A person who possessed dark skin, old age, blindness, disability, missing teeth or another imperfect bodily condition in earthly life will not enter Paradise while retaining that condition. Allah will recreate every believer in a youthful, beautiful, radiant and perfected form.

Part One: The Qur’anic Description

1. The Faces of the Saved Will Be Bright and Radiant

Qur’an — Surah Āl ‘Imrān 3:106–107

Arabic

يَوْمَ تَبْيَضُّ وُجُوهٌ وَتَسْوَدُّ وُجُوهٌ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ اسْوَدَّتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ أَكَفَرْتُمْ بَعْدَ إِيمَانِكُمْ فَذُوقُوا الْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ ۝ وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ ابْيَضَّتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ فَفِي رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ.

English Translation

“On the Day when some faces will become bright and some faces will become dark. As for those whose faces become dark, they will be told, ‘Did you disbelieve after your faith? Then taste the punishment because of your disbelief.’ As for those whose faces become bright, they will be within the mercy of Allah, remaining therein forever.”

Short Comment

Brightness will visibly distinguish the faces of those who enter Allah’s everlasting mercy.

2. No Darkness or Humiliation Will Cover Their Faces

Qur’an — Surah Yūnus 10:26

Arabic

لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا الْحُسْنَى وَزِيَادَةٌ وَلَا يَرْهَقُ وُجُوهَهُمْ قَتَرٌ وَلَا ذِلَّةٌ أُولَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ.

English Translation

“For those who perform good is the finest reward and even more. Neither darkness nor humiliation will cover their faces. They are the inhabitants of Paradise, and they will remain therein forever.”

Short Comment

Their faces will remain permanently bright, honoured and free from every sign of fear or humiliation.

3. Their Hearts Will Also Be Perfected

Qur’an — Surah al-A‘rāf 7:43

Arabic

وَنَزَعْنَا مَا فِي صُدُورِهِمْ مِنْ غِلٍّ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهِمُ الْأَنْهَارُ وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي هَدَانَا لِهَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِيَ لَوْلَا أَنْ هَدَانَا اللَّهُ لَقَدْ جَاءَتْ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِالْحَقِّ وَنُودُوا أَنْ تِلْكُمُ الْجَنَّةُ أُورِثْتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ.

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. The messengers of our Lord certainly came with the truth.’ They will be called: ‘This is the Paradise you have inherited because of what you used to do.’”

Short Comment

The perfected heavenly appearance will be accompanied by a heart purified from envy, hatred and resentment.

4. No Fatigue Will Ever Touch Them

Qur’an — Surah al-Ḥijr 15:45–48

Arabic

إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَعُيُونٍ ۝ ادْخُلُوهَا بِسَلَامٍ آمِنِينَ ۝ وَنَزَعْنَا مَا فِي صُدُورِهِمْ مِنْ غِلٍّ إِخْوَانًا عَلَى 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 brothers seated upon couches facing one another. No fatigue will touch them therein, nor will they ever be removed from it.”

Short Comment

Their heavenly bodies will never become tired, exhausted or physically depleted.

5. Neither Fatigue nor Weariness

Qur’an — Surah Fāṭir 35:34–35

Arabic

وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَذْهَبَ عَنَّا الْحَزَنَ إِنَّ رَبَّنَا لَغَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ ۝ الَّذِي أَحَلَّنَا دَارَ الْمُقَامَةِ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ لَا يَمَسُّنَا فِيهَا نَصَبٌ وَلَا يَمَسُّنَا فِيهَا لُغُوبٌ.

English Translation

“They will say, ‘All praise belongs to Allah, who has removed sorrow from us. Our Lord is truly All-Forgiving and Appreciative. He has settled us through His favour within the permanent abode, where no fatigue touches us and no weariness affects us.’”

Short Comment

There will be no bodily exhaustion, weakness or need for physical recovery.

6. They Will Never Die Again

Qur’an — Surah al-Dukhān 44:51–57

Arabic

إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي مَقَامٍ أَمِينٍ ۝ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَعُيُونٍ ۝ يَلْبَسُونَ مِنْ سُنْدُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُتَقَابِلِينَ ۝ كَذَلِكَ وَزَوَّجْنَاهُمْ بِحُورٍ عِينٍ ۝ يَدْعُونَ فِيهَا بِكُلِّ فَاكِهَةٍ آمِنِينَ ۝ لَا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا الْمَوْتَ إِلَّا الْمَوْتَةَ الْأُولَى وَوَقَاهُمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ ۝ فَضْلًا مِنْ رَبِّكَ ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ.

English Translation

“The God-conscious will be in a secure position, within Gardens and springs. They will wear fine silk and brocade while facing one another. So it will be, and We will unite them with wide-eyed companions. They will call therein for every kind of fruit in complete security. They will never taste death therein after their first death, and He will protect them from the punishment of the Blaze, as a favour from your Lord. That is the supreme triumph.”

Short Comment

Death will never again reach the perfected bodies of the inhabitants of Paradise.

7. Women Will Be Recreated Through a New Creation

Qur’an — Surah al-Wāqi‘ah 56:35–38

Arabic

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

English Translation

“Indeed, We will recreate them through a new creation, making them youthful and pure, loving and equal in age, for the people of the right.”

Short Comment

Believing women will enter in a renewed, youthful and perfected bodily form rather than their aged earthly condition.

8. A Form Humanity Does Not Presently Know

Qur’an — Surah al-Wāqi‘ah 56:60–62

Arabic

نَحْنُ قَدَّرْنَا بَيْنَكُمُ الْمَوْتَ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوقِينَ ۝ عَلَى أَنْ نُبَدِّلَ أَمْثَالَكُمْ وَنُنْشِئَكُمْ فِي مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ۝ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ النَّشْأَةَ الْأُولَى فَلَوْلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ.

English Translation

“We have decreed death among you, and We cannot be overcome from replacing you with others like you and recreating you in a form that you do not presently know. You have already known the first creation, so why do you not take heed?”

Short Comment

The heavenly body will remain truly human while possessing qualities beyond the present earthly creation.

9. Radiant Faces

Qur’an — Surah al-Qiyāmah 75:22–23

Arabic

وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَاضِرَةٌ ۝ إِلَى رَبِّهَا نَاظِرَةٌ.

English Translation

“Faces on that Day will be radiant, looking toward the reward of their Lord.”

Tafsir From Imam Ali al-Rida

Complete Arabic

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُوسَى الرِّضَا عليه السلام فِي قَوْلِ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ:

وَجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَاضِرَةٌ ۝ إِلَى رَبِّهَا نَاظِرَةٌ.

قَالَ:

يَعْنِي مُشْرِقَةً، تَنْتَظِرُ ثَوَابَ رَبِّهَا.

Complete English Translation

Imam Ali al-Rida explained:

“‘Faces on that Day will be radiant, looking toward their Lord.’

It means that their faces will be illuminated while they await the reward of their Lord.”

References

• Al-Amālī of Shaykh al-Ṣadūq, Assembly 64, hadith 1
• Al-Tawḥīd, Book 2, chapter 8, hadith 19

Short Comment

Imam al-Rida directly interprets the faces of the saved as shining and illuminated.

10. Radiance, Happiness and Freedom From Heat and Cold

Qur’an — Surah al-Insān 76:11–13

Arabic

فَوَقَاهُمُ اللَّهُ شَرَّ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ وَلَقَّاهُمْ نَضْرَةً وَسُرُورًا ۝ وَجَزَاهُمْ بِمَا صَبَرُوا جَنَّةً وَحَرِيرًا ۝ مُتَّكِئِينَ فِيهَا عَلَى الْأَرَائِكِ لَا يَرَوْنَ فِيهَا شَمْسًا وَلَا زَمْهَرِيرًا.

English Translation

“Allah will protect them from the evil of that Day and will meet them with radiance and joy. He will reward them for their patience with Paradise and silk. Reclining therein upon couches, they will experience neither burning sun nor bitter cold.”

Short Comment

Their bodies and faces will possess radiance and joy while remaining unharmed by heat or cold.

11. Bright, Laughing and Rejoicing Faces

Qur’an — Surah ‘Abasa 80:38–39

Arabic

وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ مُسْفِرَةٌ ۝ ضَاحِكَةٌ مُسْتَبْشِرَةٌ.

English Translation

“Faces on that Day will be bright, laughing and rejoicing at the glad tidings.”

Short Comment

Their expressions will permanently display security, happiness and the fulfilment of Allah’s promise.

12. The Radiance of Bliss

Qur’an — Surah al-Muṭaffifīn 83:22–24

Arabic

إِنَّ الْأَبْرَارَ لَفِي نَعِيمٍ ۝ عَلَى الْأَرَائِكِ يَنْظُرُونَ ۝ تَعْرِفُ فِي وُجُوهِهِمْ نَضْرَةَ النَّعِيمِ.

English Translation

“The righteous will certainly be within bliss, looking from their couches. You will recognise upon their faces the radiance of bliss.”

Short Comment

The happiness of Paradise will be physically visible upon the faces of its inhabitants.

13. Soft and Blissful Faces

Qur’an — Surah al-Ghāshiyah 88:8–16

Arabic

وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَاعِمَةٌ ۝ لِسَعْيِهَا رَاضِيَةٌ ۝ فِي جَنَّةٍ عَالِيَةٍ ۝ لَا تَسْمَعُ فِيهَا لَاغِيَةً ۝ فِيهَا عَيْنٌ جَارِيَةٌ ۝ فِيهَا سُرُرٌ مَرْفُوعَةٌ ۝ وَأَكْوَابٌ مَوْضُوعَةٌ ۝ وَنَمَارِقُ مَصْفُوفَةٌ ۝ وَزَرَابِيُّ مَبْثُوثَةٌ.

English Translation

“Faces on that Day will be blissful, satisfied with their striving, within a lofty Garden where no meaningless speech will be heard. Within it will be a flowing spring, raised couches, cups set ready, cushions arranged in rows and carpets spread out.”

Short Comment

Their faces will appear soft, comfortable and completely satisfied.

Part Two: The Perfected Heavenly Body

14. The Height of Adam, the Age of Jesus and the Beauty of Yusuf

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

Complete Relevant Arabic

إِنَّ الرَّبَّ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يَقُولُ:

تَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ بِرَحْمَتِي، وَتَنْجُونَ مِنَ النَّارِ بِعَفْوِي، وَتَقْتَسِمُونَ الْجَنَّةَ بِأَعْمَالِكُمْ.

فَوَعِزَّتِي لَأُنْزِلَنَّكُمْ دَارَ الْخُلُودِ، دَارَ الْكَرَامَةِ.

فَإِذَا دَخَلُوهَا صَارُوا عَلَى طُولِ آدَمَ سَبْعِينَ ذِرَاعًا، وَعَلَى مِيلَادِ عِيسَى ثَلَاثًا وَثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً، وَعَلَى لِسَانِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْعَرَبِيَّةَ، وَعَلَى صُورَةِ يُوسُفَ فِي الْحُسْنِ.

ثُمَّ يَعْلُو وُجُوهَهُمُ النُّورُ، وَعَلَى قَلْبِ أَيُّوبَ فِي السَّلَامَةِ مِنَ الْغِلِّ.

Complete English Translation

“The Blessed and Exalted Lord says:

‘You will enter Paradise through My mercy, escape the Fire through My pardon and receive your portions of Paradise according to your deeds.

By My might, I will settle you within the Abode of Eternity—the Abode of Honour.’

When they enter it, they will possess the height of Adam—seventy cubits—the age of Jesus—thirty-three years—the Arabic language of Muhammad and the beauty of Yusuf.

Light will cover their faces, and their hearts will resemble the heart of Ayyub in being completely free from rancour.”

References

• Kitāb Ṣifat al-Jannah wa al-Nār
• Al-Ikhtiṣāṣ, p. 357
• Al-Burhān fī Tafsīr al-Qur’ān, vol. 5, p. 263
• Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 8, p. 219

Short Comment

Every inhabitant will possess youthful maturity, immense stature, the beauty of Prophet Yusuf and a face covered with light.

15. All Will Be Beautiful; No Ugliness Will Remain

The preceding narration describes all the inhabitants as possessing:

وَعَلَى صُورَةِ يُوسُفَ فِي الْحُسْنِ.

“The beauty of Yusuf.”

Another narration states:

يُنْشِئُهُمُ اللهُ كَأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا.

“Allah will recreate them in the finest form they ever possessed.”

Short Comment

Taken together, these reports show that no believer will remain ugly, disfigured or physically unattractive in Paradise.

Part Three: Fair and Radiant Complexions

16. Bright Faces, Fair Complexions and Perfected Bodies

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

Complete Relevant Arabic

إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ جُرْدٌ مُرْدٌ، مُكَحَّلُونَ، مُكَلَّلُونَ، مُطَوَّقُونَ، مُسَوَّرُونَ، مُخَتَّمُونَ، نَاعِمُونَ، مَحْبُورُونَ، مُكْرَمُونَ.

يُعْطَى أَحَدُهُمْ قُوَّةَ مِائَةِ رَجُلٍ فِي الطَّعَامِ وَالشَّرَابِ وَالشَّهْوَةِ وَالْجِمَاعِ.

قُوَّةُ غِذَائِهِ قُوَّةُ مِائَةِ رَجُلٍ فِي الطَّعَامِ وَالشَّرَابِ.

وَيَجِدُ لَذَّةَ غَدَائِهِ مِقْدَارَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً، وَلَذَّةَ عَشَائِهِ مِقْدَارَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً.

قَدْ أَلْبَسَ اللهُ وُجُوهَهُمُ النُّورَ، وَأَجْسَادَهُمُ الْحَرِيرَ، بِيضَ الْأَلْوَانِ، صُفْرَ الْحُلِيِّ، خُضْرَ الثِّيَابِ.

Complete English Translation

“The inhabitants of Paradise will possess hairless bodies and beardless faces. Their eyes will appear naturally adorned with kohl. They will be crowned and will wear necklaces, bracelets and rings, living in comfort, happiness and honour.

Each one will be given the strength of one hundred men in food, drink, physical desire and marital relations.

His bodily capacity for nourishment will equal the capacity of one hundred men in food and drink.

He will experience the pleasure of his morning meal for the equivalent of forty years and the pleasure of his evening meal for the equivalent of forty years.

Allah will clothe their faces with light and their bodies with silk. They will be fair and bright in complexion, their ornaments will be golden and their garments will be green.”

References

• Kitāb Ṣifat al-Jannah wa al-Nār
• Al-Ikhtiṣāṣ, p. 358
• Al-Burhān fī Tafsīr al-Qur’ān, vol. 5, pp. 263–264
• Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 8, p. 220

Short Comment

The heavenly complexion is explicitly described as fair, bright and illuminated, while the perfected body will possess extraordinary strength.

17. Worldly Dark Skin Will Be Replaced by a Radiant Form

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, spoke playfully to an elderly woman, Bilal and al-‘Abbas.

Complete Relevant Arabic

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وآله لِلْعَجُوزِ الْأَشْجَعِيَّةِ:

يَا أَشْجَعِيَّةُ، لَا تَدْخُلُ الْعَجُوزُ الْجَنَّةَ.

فَرَآهَا بِلَالٌ بَاكِيَةً، فَوَصَفَهَا لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وآله، فَقَالَ:

وَالْأَسْوَدُ كَذَلِكَ.

فَجَلَسَا يَبْكِيَانِ، فَرَآهُمَا الْعَبَّاسُ، فَذَكَرَهُمَا لَهُ، فَقَالَ:

وَالشَّيْخُ كَذَلِكَ.

ثُمَّ دَعَاهُمْ وَطَيَّبَ قُلُوبَهُمْ، وَقَالَ:

يُنْشِئُهُمُ اللهُ كَأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا.

وَذَكَرَ أَنَّهُمْ يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ شُبَّانًا مُنَوَّرِينَ.

وَقَالَ:

إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ جُرْدٌ مُرْدٌ مُكَحَّلُونَ.

Complete English Translation

The Messenger of Allah said to an elderly woman from the Ashja‘ tribe:

“‘O Ashja‘iyyah, an elderly woman will not enter Paradise while retaining her aged condition.’

Bilal saw her crying and informed the Prophet. The Prophet said:

‘The black person will likewise not enter while retaining that worldly condition.’

Bilal and the woman sat crying. Al-‘Abbas saw them and informed the Prophet, who said:

‘The elderly man will likewise not enter while retaining his aged condition.’

The Prophet then called them, comforted their hearts and said:

‘Allah will recreate them in the finest form they ever possessed.’

He explained that they will enter Paradise young and illuminated.

He also said:

‘The inhabitants of Paradise will possess hairless bodies, beardless faces and eyes naturally adorned with kohl.’”

References

• Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 1, pp. 148–149
• Mustadrak al-Wasā’il, vol. 8, report 9826
• Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 16, p. 295

Short Comment

The report indicates that dark-skinned believers, including Bilal, will enter after being recreated young, illuminated and in the finest heavenly form.

Part Four: Hairless Bodies, Beardless Faces and Beautiful Eyes

18. Natural Bodily Beauty

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

Complete Arabic

إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ جُرْدٌ، مُرْدٌ، مُكَحَّلُونَ، مُكَلَّلُونَ، مُطَوَّقُونَ، مُسَوَّرُونَ، مُخَتَّمُونَ، نَاعِمُونَ، مَحْبُورُونَ، مُكْرَمُونَ.

Complete English Translation

“The inhabitants of Paradise will possess hairless bodies and beardless faces. Their eyes will appear naturally adorned with kohl. They will wear crowns, necklaces, bracelets and rings, and they will live in comfort, happiness and honour.”

References

• Al-Ikhtiṣāṣ, p. 358
• Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 8, p. 220, hadith 214

Short Comment

Unwanted bodily and facial hair will disappear, while their eyes and faces will possess natural heavenly beauty.

Part Five: Permanent Youth and Freedom From Ageing

19. The Eternal Resident Will Never Grow Old

Imam Ali, peace be upon him, said while describing Paradise:

Complete Arabic

دَرَجَاتٌ مُتَفَاضِلَاتٌ، وَمَنَازِلُ مُتَفَاوِتَاتٌ، لَا يَنْقَطِعُ نَعِيمُهَا، وَلَا يَظْعَنُ مُقِيمُهَا، وَلَا يَهْرَمُ خَالِدُهَا، وَلَا يَبْأَسُ سَاكِنُهَا.

Complete English Translation

“Paradise contains differing levels and residences. Its blessings will never end, its residents will never depart, its eternal inhabitants will never grow old and its people will never suffer.”

References

• Nahj al-Balāghah, sermon 85
• Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 8, p. 162, hadith 103

Short Comment

Ageing will cease completely, so the youthful heavenly body will never move toward weakness or old age.

20. The People of Paradise Will Continually Increase in Beauty

A report attributed to the Messenger of Allah states:

Complete Arabic

وَالَّذِي أَنْزَلَ الْكِتَابَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ لَيَزْدَادُونَ جَمَالًا وَحُسْنًا، كَمَا يَزْدَادُونَ فِي الدُّنْيَا قَبَاحَةً وَهَرَمًا.

Complete English Translation

“By the One who revealed the Book to Muhammad, the inhabitants of Paradise will continually increase in beauty and loveliness, just as people in the world progressively experience physical decline and old age.”

References

• Rawḍat al-Wā‘iẓīn, vol. 2, p. 554 by one edition
• Al-Burhān fī Tafsīr al-Qur’ān, vol. 5, p. 267

Short Comment

Beauty will continually increase rather than remaining fixed or declining with the passage of time.

Part Six: No Death, Sleep, Grief or Frowning

21. Everlasting Life and Happiness

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

Complete Relevant Arabic

إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ يَحْيَوْنَ فَلَا يَمُوتُونَ أَبَدًا، وَيَسْتَيْقِظُونَ فَلَا يَنَامُونَ أَبَدًا، وَيَسْتَغْنُونَ فَلَا يَفْتَقِرُونَ أَبَدًا.

وَيَفْرَحُونَ فَلَا يَحْزَنُونَ أَبَدًا، وَيَضْحَكُونَ فَلَا يَبْكُونَ أَبَدًا، وَيُكْرَمُونَ فَلَا يُهَانُونَ أَبَدًا.

وَيَفْكَهُونَ وَلَا يُقَطِّبُونَ أَبَدًا، وَيُحْبَرُونَ وَيُسَرُّونَ أَبَدًا.

وَيَأْكُلُونَ فَلَا يَجُوعُونَ أَبَدًا، وَيَرْوَوْنَ فَلَا يَظْمَئُونَ أَبَدًا، وَيُكْسَوْنَ فَلَا يَعْرَوْنَ أَبَدًا، وَيَرْكَبُونَ وَيَتَزَاوَرُونَ أَبَدًا.

Complete English Translation

“The inhabitants of Paradise will live and will never die. They will remain awake and will never sleep. They will remain independent and will never experience need.

They will rejoice and will never grieve. They will laugh and will never cry. They will be honoured and will never be humiliated.

They will remain cheerful and will never frown. They will remain delighted and happy forever.

They will eat and will never become hungry. They will drink and will never become thirsty. They will remain clothed and will never become naked. They will ride and visit one another forever.”

References

• Kitāb Ṣifat al-Jannah wa al-Nār
• Al-Ikhtiṣāṣ, p. 358
• Al-Burhān fī Tafsīr al-Qur’ān, vol. 5, p. 264
• Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 8, p. 220

Short Comment

The heavenly body will require neither death nor sleep, while the face will never again display grief, tears or frowning.

Part Seven: No Illness, Disability or Physical Danger

22. Their Condition Will Never Deteriorate

Imam Ali, peace be upon him, said:

Complete Relevant Arabic

فَأَمَّا أَهْلُ الطَّاعَةِ فَأَثَابَهُمْ بِجِوَارِهِ، وَخَلَّدَهُمْ فِي دَارِهِ، حَيْثُ لَا يَظْعَنُ النُّزَّالُ، وَلَا تَتَغَيَّرُ بِهِمُ الْحَالُ، وَلَا تَنُوبُهُمُ الْأَفْزَاعُ، وَلَا تَنَالُهُمُ الْأَسْقَامُ، وَلَا تَعْرِضُ لَهُمُ الْأَخْطَارُ، وَلَا تُشْخِصُهُمُ الْأَسْفَارُ.

Complete English Translation

“As for the people of obedience, Allah will reward them with His nearness and will keep them forever within His abode. Its residents will never depart, their condition will never deteriorate, fear will never overtake them, illnesses will never reach them, dangers will never affect them and journeys will never force them away.”

References

• Nahj al-Balāghah, sermon 109

Short Comment

No illness, danger or change for the worse will ever affect the perfected bodies of the inhabitants.

23. A Purifying Spring and the Spring of Life

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, said:

Complete Relevant Arabic

وَعَنْ يَمِينِ الشَّجَرَةِ عَيْنٌ مُطَهِّرَةٌ مُزَكِّيَةٌ.

فَيُسْقَوْنَ مِنْهَا شَرْبَةً، فَيُطَهِّرُ اللهُ بِهَا قُلُوبَهُمْ مِنَ الْحَسَدِ، وَيُسْقِطُ مِنْ أَبْشَارِهِمُ الشَّعْرَ.

وَذَلِكَ قَوْلُ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ:

وَسَقَاهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ شَرَابًا طَهُورًا.

ثُمَّ يَنْصَرِفُونَ إِلَى عَيْنٍ أُخْرَى عَنْ يَسَارِ الشَّجَرَةِ، فَيَغْتَسِلُونَ فِيهَا، وَهِيَ عَيْنُ الْحَيَاةِ، فَلَا يَمُوتُونَ أَبَدًا.

ثُمَّ يُوقَفُ بِهِمْ قُدَّامَ الْعَرْشِ، وَقَدْ سَلِمُوا مِنَ الْآفَاتِ وَالْأَسْقَامِ وَالْحَرِّ وَالْبَرْدِ أَبَدًا.

Complete English Translation

“To the right of the tree will be a purifying and cleansing spring.

They will drink from it, and through it Allah will purify their hearts from envy and remove hair from their bodies.

This is the meaning of Allah’s words:

‘Their Lord will give them a purifying drink.’

They will then proceed to another spring on the left of the tree and bathe within it. It is the Spring of Life, after which they will never die.

They will then be brought before the Throne, permanently safe from afflictions, illnesses, heat and cold.”

References

• Al-Kāfī, vol. 8, hadith 69
• Tafsīr al-Qummī, vol. 2
• Al-Wāfī, vol. 25
• Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 8

Short Comment

The inhabitants will enter after being cleansed from unwanted hair, illness, physical affliction and every vulnerability to heat or cold.

24. The River of Life Will Make Their Faces Shine

Imam Ali, peace be upon him, explained the radiant faces mentioned in Qur’an 75:22–23.

Complete Relevant Arabic

فَأَمَّا قَوْلُهُ:

وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَاضِرَةٌ ۝ إِلَى رَبِّهَا نَاظِرَةٌ،

فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ فِي مَوْضِعٍ يَنْتَهِي فِيهِ أَوْلِيَاءُ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بَعْدَ مَا يُفْرَغُ مِنَ الْحِسَابِ إِلَى نَهَرٍ يُسَمَّى الْحَيَوَانَ.

فَيَغْتَسِلُونَ فِيهِ وَيَشْرَبُونَ مِنْهُ، فَتَنْضُرُ وُجُوهُهُمْ إِشْرَاقًا، فَيَذْهَبُ عَنْهُمْ كُلُّ قَذًى وَوَعْثٍ.

ثُمَّ يُؤْمَرُونَ بِدُخُولِ الْجَنَّةِ.

Complete English Translation

“As for the words:

‘Faces on that Day will be radiant, looking toward their Lord,’

this refers to a place reached by the friends of Allah after the reckoning has been completed. They will arrive at a river called al-Ḥayawān—the River of Life.

They will bathe within it and drink from it. Their faces will become brilliantly radiant, and every trace of impurity and hardship will disappear from them.

They will then be commanded to enter Paradise.”

References

• Al-Tawḥīd of Shaykh al-Ṣadūq, Book 2, chapter 36
• Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 7, p. 76

Short Comment

The believers’ faces will shine after every trace of earthly impurity and hardship has been removed.

Part Eight: Bodily Defects Will Be Removed

25. Missing Teeth Will Be Restored

Complete Arabic

عَنْ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عليه السلام:

أَبْصَرَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وآله امْرَأَةً عَجُوزَةً دَرْدَاءَ، فَقَالَ:

أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَا تَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ عَجُوزٌ دَرْدَاءُ.

فَبَكَتْ.

فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وآله:

مَا يُبْكِيكِ؟

فَقَالَتْ:

يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، إِنِّي دَرْدَاءُ.

فَضَحِكَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وآله وَقَالَ:

لَا تَدْخُلِينَ عَلَى حَالِكِ هَذِهِ.

Complete English Translation

The Commander of the Faithful reported:

“The Messenger of Allah saw an elderly woman who had lost her teeth and said:

‘An elderly toothless woman will not enter Paradise while remaining in that condition.’

She began to cry.

The Messenger of Allah asked:

‘Why are you crying?’

She replied:

‘O Messenger of Allah, I have no teeth.’

The Messenger of Allah laughed and said:

‘You will not enter Paradise while retaining your present condition.’”

References

• Al-Ja‘fariyyāt, p. 191
• Al-Nawādir of al-Rāwandī, p. 107
• Mustadrak al-Wasā’il, vol. 8, report 9819

Short Comment

The woman’s missing teeth and the other physical effects of old age will be completely restored.

26. Blindness and Eye Disease Will Be Removed

Complete Arabic

عَنْ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عليه السلام:

نَظَرَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وآله إِلَى امْرَأَةٍ رَمْصَاءَ الْعَيْنَيْنِ، فَقَالَ:

أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَا يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ رَمْصَاءُ الْعَيْنَيْنِ.

فَبَكَتْ وَقَالَتْ:

يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، فَإِنِّي فِي النَّارِ؟

فَقَالَ:

لَا، وَلَكِنْ لَا تَدْخُلِينَ الْجَنَّةَ عَلَى مِثْلِ صُورَتِكِ هَذِهِ.

ثُمَّ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وآله:

لَا يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ أَعْوَرُ وَلَا أَعْمَى.

Complete English Translation

The Commander of the Faithful reported:

“The Messenger of Allah looked at a woman suffering from an eye condition and said:

‘A person will not enter Paradise while remaining afflicted by this eye condition.’

She began to cry and asked:

‘O Messenger of Allah, does this mean I will be in the Fire?’

He replied:

‘No. Rather, you will not enter Paradise while retaining this present bodily form.’

The Messenger of Allah then said:

‘No one-eyed or blind person will enter while retaining that condition.’”

References

• Al-Ja‘fariyyāt, p. 191
• Al-Nawādir of al-Rāwandī, p. 107, hadith 84
• Mustadrak al-Wasā’il, vol. 8, report 9820
• Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 16, pp. 298–299

Short Comment

Blindness, partial eyesight and eye disease will all disappear before the believer enters Paradise.

Part Nine: Youth, Eyesight and Movement Can Be Restored

27. The Elderly Israelite Woman

Imam Musa al-Kazim, peace be upon him, said:

Complete Relevant Arabic

احْتَبَسَ الْقَمَرُ عَنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ، فَأَوْحَى اللهُ جَلَّ جَلَالُهُ إِلَى مُوسَى عليه السلام أَنْ أَخْرِجْ عِظَامَ يُوسُفَ مِنْ مِصْرَ.

وَوَعَدَهُ طُلُوعَ الْقَمَرِ إِذَا أَخْرَجَ عِظَامَهُ.

فَسَأَلَ مُوسَى عَمَّنْ يَعْلَمُ مَوْضِعَهُ، فَقِيلَ لَهُ:

هَاهُنَا عَجُوزٌ تَعْلَمُ عِلْمَهُ.

فَبَعَثَ إِلَيْهَا، فَأُتِيَ بِعَجُوزٍ مُقْعَدَةٍ عَمْيَاءَ.

فَقَالَ لَهَا:

أَتَعْرِفِينَ مَوْضِعَ قَبْرِ يُوسُفَ؟

قَالَتْ:

نَعَمْ.

قَالَ:

فَأَخْبِرِينِي بِهِ.

قَالَتْ:

لَا، حَتَّى تُعْطِيَنِي أَرْبَعَ خِصَالٍ:

تُطْلِقَ لِي رِجْلِي، وَتُعِيدَ إِلَيَّ شَبَابِي، وَتُعِيدَ إِلَيَّ بَصَرِي، وَتَجْعَلَنِي مَعَكَ فِي الْجَنَّةِ.

قَالَ:

فَكَبُرَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى مُوسَى.

فَأَوْحَى اللهُ جَلَّ جَلَالُهُ إِلَيْهِ:

يَا مُوسَى، أَعْطِهَا مَا سَأَلَتْ، فَإِنَّكَ إِنَّمَا تُعْطِي عَلَيَّ.

فَفَعَلَ، فَدَلَّتْهُ عَلَيْهِ.

Complete English Translation

“The moon remained hidden from the Children of Israel. Allah revealed to Musa:

‘Remove the remains of Yusuf from Egypt.’

Allah promised that the moon would rise once the remains had been removed.

Musa asked who knew the location and was told:

‘An elderly woman here knows it.’

They brought him an elderly woman who was unable to walk and was blind.

Musa asked:

‘Do you know the location of Yusuf’s grave?’

She replied:

‘Yes.’

He said:

‘Then tell me where it is.’

She replied:

‘Not until you grant me four things:

restore movement to my legs, restore my youth, restore my sight and place me with you in Paradise.’

Musa found the request great, but Allah revealed:

‘O Musa, grant her what she has requested, for you are granting it upon My authority.’

Musa fulfilled her request, and she showed him the location.”

References

• Al-Khiṣāl, Book 5, chapter 13, hadith 1
• ‘Ilal al-Sharā’i‘, vol. 1
• ‘Uyūn Akhbār al-Riḍā, Book 2, chapter 26, hadith 18

Short Comment

This specific heavenly promise includes the complete restoration of movement, youth and eyesight.

Part Ten: Bodily Purity and Fragrance

28. The Body Will Produce Only Fragrant Perspiration

A tafsir narration concerning the food and bodies of Paradise states:

Complete Relevant Arabic

وَإِنَّهُ لَا يَسْتَحِيلُ إِلَى مَا تَسْتَحِيلُ إِلَيْهِ ثِمَارُ الدُّنْيَا مِنْ عَذِرَةٍ وَسَائِرِ الْمَكْرُوهَاتِ، مِنْ صَفْرَاءَ وَسَوْدَاءَ وَدَمٍ.

بَلْ لَا يَتَوَلَّدُ عَنْ مَأْكُولِهِمْ إِلَّا الْعَرَقُ الَّذِي يَجْرِي مِنْ أَعْرَاضِهِمْ، أَطْيَبَ مِنْ رَائِحَةِ الْمِسْكِ.

Complete English Translation

“Their food will not transform into the substances into which worldly fruits are transformed, such as excrement and other unpleasant substances, including yellow bile, black bile and blood.

Nothing will result from the food they consume except perspiration flowing from their bodies, more fragrant than musk.”

References

• Tafsīr attributed to Imam al-Hasan al-‘Askari, tafsir of Qur’an 2:25
• Al-Burhān fī Tafsīr al-Qur’ān, vol. 1
• Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 8

Short Comment

The perfected body will remain clean and fragrant and will produce no impure or unpleasant bodily waste.

Part Eleven: The Beauty of Believing Women

29. Believing Women Will Be More Beautiful Than the Houris

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

Complete Arabic

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

Complete English Translation

“The good and beautiful women 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, Book 3, chapter 45, hadith 4631
• Makārim al-Akhlāq, vol. 1, p. 438
• Majma‘ al-Bayān, vol. 9, p. 319

Short Comment

The recreated appearance of believing women from this world will surpass the beauty of the houris.

30. Every Believing Woman Will Possess Houri-Like Beauty

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

Complete Relevant Arabic

أَنْتُمُ الطَّيِّبُونَ، وَنِسَاؤُكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ، كُلُّ مُؤْمِنَةٍ حَوْرَاءُ عَيْنَاءُ، وَكُلُّ مُؤْمِنٍ صِدِّيقٌ.

Complete English Translation

“You are the pure, and your women are pure. Every believing woman will be a wide-eyed houri, and every believing man will be a truthful one.”

References

• Al-Kāfī, vol. 8, Book 1, chapter 259, hadith 1
• Al-Amālī of Shaykh al-Ṣadūq, Assembly 91, hadith 4
• Faḍā’il al-Shī‘ah, p. 51

Short Comment

Heavenly purity and houri-like beauty are directly promised to believing women from this world.

31. A Woman of Paradise Could Illuminate the Earth

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, said:

Complete Arabic

لَوْ أَنَّ امْرَأَةً مِنْ نِسَاءِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ اطَّلَعَتْ مِنْ سَمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا فِي لَيْلَةٍ ظَلْمَاءَ، لَأَضَاءَتْ لَهَا الْأَرْضُ أَفْضَلَ مِمَّا يُضِيءُ الْقَمَرُ لَيْلَةَ الْبَدْرِ، وَلَوَجَدَ رِيحَ نَشْرِهَا جَمِيعُ أَهْلِ الْأَرْضِ.

Complete English Translation

“Were a woman from among the women of Paradise to look out from the lowest heaven during a dark night, she would illuminate the earth more brilliantly than the full moon, and every inhabitant of the earth would perceive her fragrance.”

References

• Al-Amālī of Shaykh al-Ṭūsī, p. 533, hadith 1162
• Makārim al-Akhlāq, vol. 2, p. 371
• Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 77, p. 82

Short Comment

The radiance and fragrance of a heavenly woman will exceed the light and beauty of the full moon.

Research Clarification

The exact wording:

“Every time the inhabitants look at one another, they become more beautiful”

was not located in a direct Imami narration.

The sourced wording is:

إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ لَيَزْدَادُونَ جَمَالًا وَحُسْنًا.

“The inhabitants of Paradise will continually increase in beauty and loveliness.”

The chapter therefore presents a continual increase in beauty, without attaching that increase specifically to every individual glance.

Complete Summary

According to the Qur’an and the Shia narrations collected in this chapter:

• the faces of the people of Paradise will be bright and radiant;
• no darkness or humiliation will cover their faces;
• their faces will visibly display the radiance of bliss;
• their expressions will remain cheerful, laughing and satisfied;
• Allah will clothe their faces with light;
• their complexions will be fair, bright and radiant;
• worldly dark complexion will not remain in its earthly form;
• dark-skinned believers will be recreated young and illuminated;
• every believer will be recreated in the finest bodily form;
• no ugly or physically unattractive believer will remain;
• their beauty will resemble the beauty of Prophet Yusuf;
• they will continually increase in beauty and loveliness;
• their bodies will possess the height of Prophet Adam;
• their age will be thirty-three years;
• they will never become old;
• their youth will never decline;
• their bodies will be free from unwanted bodily hair;
• their faces will be beardless;
• their eyes will appear naturally adorned with kohl;
• they will possess the physical strength of one hundred men;
• their hearts will contain no envy, hatred or resentment;
• blindness will be removed;
• partial eyesight will be removed;
• eye diseases will be removed;
• missing teeth will be restored;
• physical disability will be removed;
• lost movement will be restored;
• youth will be restored;
• eyesight will be restored;
• illness will never affect them;
• bodily danger will never affect them;
• their condition will never deteriorate;
• heat and cold will not harm them;
• fatigue and weariness will never touch them;
• they will never experience painful hunger or thirst;
• their bodies will remain clean and fragrant;
• their perspiration will smell more pleasant than musk;
• they will never require sleep;
• they will never grieve;
• they will never cry from suffering;
• they will never frown;
• they will never experience humiliation;
• they will never die;
• believing women will be more beautiful than the houris;
• every believing woman will possess houri-like beauty;
• and the radiance of a heavenly woman could illuminate the earth more brilliantly than the full moon.

The body of Paradise will therefore be a perfect, youthful, powerful, fair, radiant, beautiful and everlasting human body, free from ugliness, illness, disability, ageing, exhaustion, bodily impurity and death.