Introduction
The narrations of Prophet Muhammad and the Ahl al-Bayt, peace be upon them, describe the believing woman as an honoured and fulfilled inhabitant of Paradise.
The physical, marital and emotional hardships she experienced in this world will not remain with her. She will receive everlasting beauty, marital happiness, freedom of choice, relief from the pains of reproduction, reunion with her children and the leadership and intercession of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra, peace be upon her.
1. Women Will Form a Large Part of the Inhabitants of Paradise
Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq, peace be upon him, said:
Arabic
أَكْثَرُ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ مِنَ الْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ النِّسَاءُ، عَلِمَ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ضَعْفَهُنَّ فَرَحِمَهُنَّ.
English Translation
“Most of the inhabitants of Paradise are women from among the vulnerable. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, knew their weakness and therefore showed them mercy.”
References
- Man Lā Yaḥḍuruhu al-Faqīh, vol. 3, p. 468, hadith 4628
- Makārim al-Akhlāq, vol. 1, p. 503, hadith 1737
- Wasā’il al-Shī‘ah, hadith 25326
Short Comment
The narration describes Allah’s special mercy toward women who experienced weakness, limited opportunities or difficult circumstances during their worldly lives. It also indicates that women will form a large part of the population of Paradise.
2. 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 women are the 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
A believing woman who worshipped Allah and endured the tests of worldly life will enter Paradise with beauty surpassing that of the houris.
3. Every Believing Woman Will Possess the Purity and Beauty of a Houri
Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq, peace be upon him, said to his followers:
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 is a wide-eyed houri, and every believing man is a truthful one.”
References
- Al-Kāfī, vol. 8
- Faḍā’il al-Shī‘ah, p. 51, hadith 8
- Al-Amālī of Shaykh al-Ṣadūq, p. 725, hadith 992
Short Comment
The believing woman will enter Paradise with perfected purity and beauty. She will not remain in the imperfect physical condition that she experienced in this world.
Marriage and Choice in Paradise
4. A Believing Woman Will Have a Choice Concerning Her Husband
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؟
The Imam replied:
إِنَّ اللهَ 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
Abu Basir asked:
“A believing man has a believing wife, and they both enter Paradise. Will they remain 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
- Tafsīr al-‘Ayyāshī
- Majma‘ al-Bayān, vol. 9, p. 318
- Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 8, p. 105
Short Comment
Marriage in Paradise will be governed by divine justice and choice. A believing woman will not be forced to remain in a relationship against her will.
5. A Woman Who Had More Than One Husband May Choose the One With the Best Character
Umm Salamah asked the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, about a woman who had been married to two husbands during her worldly life.
The Prophet replied:
Arabic
يَا أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ، تَخَيَّرُ أَحْسَنَهُمَا خُلُقًا وَخَيْرَهُمَا لِأَهْلِهِ.
English Translation
“O Umm Salamah, she will choose the one of them who had the finest character and who was best toward his family.”
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
The woman herself will choose between her former husbands. The husband who possessed better character and treated his family more kindly will be preferred.
Marital and Sexual Life in Paradise
6. Marital Intimacy Will Be Among the Greatest Pleasures of Paradise
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 أَشْهَى عِنْدَهُمْ مِنَ النِّكَاحِ؛ لَا طَعَامٍ وَلَا شَرَابٍ.
English Translation
“People have not experienced, in this world or the Hereafter, a pleasure greater for them than the pleasure associated with women. Among the 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
Believing women are included among the inhabitants of Paradise. A woman will therefore enjoy a perfected and deeply satisfying intimate relationship with the husband she chooses.
The pleasure of marital intimacy in Paradise will be greater than its worldly form and will contain none of the pain, weakness or physical burdens associated with earthly life.
7. There Will Be No Pregnancy, Childbirth, Menstruation or Postpartum Bleeding
In an answer 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.
English Translation
“In Paradise there will be no pregnancy for women, no childbirth, no menstruation, no postpartum bleeding and no hardship associated with childhood.”
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
A woman’s intimate and marital life in Paradise will be completely free from menstrual pain, pregnancy sickness, labour, childbirth complications and postpartum suffering.
Intimacy and marital pleasure will remain, while the painful biological burdens experienced by women in this world will disappear.
8. A Woman May Receive a Child Without Pregnancy or Childbirth
The same report continues:
Arabic
فَإِذَا اشْتَهَى الْمُؤْمِنُ وَلَدًا خَلَقَهُ اللهُ 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 the child without pregnancy or childbirth, in the form desired, 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
If a believing woman desires the happiness of having a child, Allah can grant her that child without conception, pregnancy, labour or physical suffering.
Motherhood and Reunion With Children
9. The Children of Believers Will Be Cared for and Reunited With Their Parents
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, said:
Arabic
إِنَّ اللهَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى كَفَلَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَسَارَةَ أَطْفَالَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ... فَهُمْ مَعَ آبَائِهِمْ مُلُوكٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ.
English Translation
“Allah, Blessed and Exalted, entrusted the children of the believers to Ibrahim and Sarah … and they will be with their parents as kings in Paradise.”
Reference
- Al-Tawḥīd, Book 2, chapter 61, hadith 6
Short Comment
A believing mother who lost her child will not remain separated from that child forever. The child will be cared for and ultimately reunited with the parents in Paradise.
10. Lady Fatimah Will Care for Children Until Their Parents Arrive
Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq, peace be upon him, said:
Arabic
وَإِلَّا دُفِعَ إِلَى فَاطِمَةَ صَلَوَاتُ اللهِ عَلَيْهَا تُغَذِّيهِ حَتَّى يَقْدَمَ أَبَوَاهُ ... فَتَدْفَعُهُ إِلَيْهِ.
English Translation
“Otherwise, the child will be given to Fatimah, blessings of Allah be upon her, who will nourish the child until the parents arrive, after which she will return the child to them.”
Reference
- Al-Tawḥīd, Book 2, chapter 61, hadith 8
Short Comment
A deceased believing child will remain under the loving care of Lady Fatimah until the mother and father arrive and are reunited with the child.
11. A Miscarried Child Will Wait for Both Parents
Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq, peace be upon him, said that a miscarried child will come to the gate of Paradise and will be commanded to enter.
The child will reply:
Arabic
لَا، حَتَّى يَدْخُلَ أَبَوَايَ قَبْلِي.
English Translation
“No, not until my two parents enter before me.”
References
- Al-Kāfī, vol. 5, Book 3, chapter 15, hadith 1
- Ma‘ānī al-Akhbār, chapter 322, hadith 1
- Al-Tawḥīd, Book 2, chapter 61, hadith 10
Short Comment
The pain of miscarriage will not result in eternal separation. The miscarried child will become a source of mercy and reunion for the believing mother and father.
12. A Deceased Child May Lead the Mother Into Paradise
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, peace be upon him, reported that when Khadijah’s son al-Qasim died, the Messenger of Allah found her weeping.
The Prophet said:
Arabic
يَا خَدِيجَةُ، أَمَا تَرْضَيْنَ إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ أَنْ تَجِيئِي إِلَى بَابِ الْجَنَّةِ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ، فَيَأْخُذَ بِيَدِكِ فَيُدْخِلَكِ الْجَنَّةَ وَيُنْزِلَكِ أَفْضَلَهَا؟
The Prophet then said:
وَذَلِكَ لِكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ.
English Translation
“O Khadijah, would you not be pleased that on the Day of Resurrection you will come to the gate of Paradise and find him standing there? He will take you by the hand, admit you into Paradise and settle you in its finest place?”
The Prophet added:
“The same applies to every believer.”
References
- Al-Kāfī, vol. 3, p. 218, hadith 2
- Mishkāt al-Anwār, p. 59, hadith 73
Short Comment
The grief of a believing mother who loses her child will end in reunion. Her child may take her by the hand, lead her into Paradise and help settle her in its finest place.
Lady Fatimah’s Leadership and Companionship
13. Lady Fatimah Will Lead the Believing Women Into Paradise
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, said:
Arabic
وَكَأَنِّي أَنْظُرُ إِلَى ابْنَتِي فَاطِمَةَ قَدْ أَقْبَلَتْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عَلَى نَجِيبٍ مِنْ نُورٍ، عَنْ يَمِينِهَا سَبْعُونَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ، وَعَنْ يَسَارِهَا سَبْعُونَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ، وَبَيْنَ يَدَيْهَا سَبْعُونَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ، وَخَلْفَهَا سَبْعُونَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ، تَقُودُ مُؤْمِنَاتِ أُمَّتِي إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ.
English Translation
“It is as though I can see my daughter Fatimah approaching on the Day of Resurrection upon a mount of light. To her right will be seventy thousand angels, to her left seventy thousand angels, before her seventy thousand angels and behind her seventy thousand angels. She will lead the believing women of my nation into Paradise.”
The narration continues:
Arabic
فَأَيُّمَا امْرَأَةٍ صَلَّتْ فِي الْيَوْمِ وَاللَّيْلَةِ خَمْسَ صَلَوَاتٍ، وَصَامَتْ شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ، وَحَجَّتْ بَيْتَ اللهِ الْحَرَامَ، وَزَكَّتْ مَالَهَا، وَأَطَاعَتْ زَوْجَهَا، وَوَالَتْ عَلِيًّا بَعْدِي، دَخَلَتِ الْجَنَّةَ بِشَفَاعَةِ ابْنَتِي فَاطِمَةَ.
English Translation
“Whichever woman performs the five daily prayers, fasts the month of Ramadan, performs pilgrimage to the Sacred House of Allah, pays the zakat of her wealth, fulfils her marital responsibilities and accepts the authority of Ali after me will enter Paradise through the intercession of my daughter Fatimah.”
References
- Al-Amālī of Shaykh al-Ṣadūq, Assembly 73, hadith 18
- Bishārat al-Muṣṭafā li-Shī‘at al-Murtaḍā, report 89
- Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 43, p. 23
Short Comment
The believing woman will not approach Paradise abandoned or without guidance. Lady Fatimah al-Zahra will lead the believing women of the Prophet’s nation and intercede for them before Allah.
14. Lady Fatimah Will Proceed With Her Followers Into Paradise
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, described what Lady Fatimah will ask from Allah on the Day of Resurrection:
Arabic
ثُمَّ يَقُولُ جَبْرَئِيلُ: يَا فَاطِمَةُ، سَلِي حَاجَتَكِ.
فَتَقُولِينَ: يَا رَبِّ شِيعَتِي.
فَيَقُولُ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: قَدْ غَفَرْتُ لَهُمْ.
فَتَقُولِينَ: يَا رَبِّ شِيعَةُ وُلْدِي.
فَيَقُولُ اللهُ: قَدْ غَفَرْتُ لَهُمْ.
فَتَقُولِينَ: يَا رَبِّ شِيعَةُ شِيعَتِي.
فَيَقُولُ اللهُ: انْطَلِقِي، فَمَنِ اعْتَصَمَ بِكِ فَهُوَ مَعَكِ فِي الْجَنَّةِ.
English Translation
“Then Gabriel will say: ‘O Fatimah, ask for what you desire.’”
“You will say: ‘My Lord, my followers.’ Allah, Mighty and Majestic, will say: ‘I have forgiven them.’”
“You will say: ‘My Lord, the followers of my children.’ Allah will say: ‘I have forgiven them.’”
“You will say: ‘My Lord, the followers of my followers.’ Allah will say: ‘Proceed, for whoever holds firmly to you will be with you in Paradise.’”
The narration continues:
Arabic
فَتَسِيرِينَ وَمَعَكِ شِيعَتُكِ، وَشِيعَةُ وُلْدِكِ، وَشِيعَةُ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ، آمِنَةً رَوْعَاتُهُمْ، مَسْتُورَةً عَوْرَاتُهُمْ، قَدْ ذَهَبَتْ عَنْهُمُ الشَّدَائِدُ، وَسَهُلَتْ لَهُمُ الْمَوَارِدُ.
English Translation
“You will then proceed accompanied by your followers, the followers of your children and the followers of the Commander of the Faithful. Their fears will be calmed, their faults will be concealed, their hardships will have departed and their passage will be made easy.”
References
- Tafsīr Furāt al-Kūfī, commentary on Qur’an 52:21
- Biḥār al-Anwār, vol. 43, pp. 225–227
Short Comment
Lady Fatimah will ask Allah to forgive her followers, the followers of her children and those connected to her followers. Allah will command her to proceed toward Paradise with those who held firmly to her.
The believing women whom she leads will therefore enter Paradise under her protection, leadership and intercession, with their fears removed and their passage made easy.
Conclusion
According to these narrations, a believing woman in Paradise will receive:
- beauty surpassing that of the houris;
- everlasting purity and perfected appearance;
- Allah’s special mercy for the hardships she endured;
- freedom to choose her husband;
- freedom from an unwanted relationship;
- preference for a husband known for good character and kind treatment;
- perfected marital and sexual happiness;
- no menstruation or menstrual suffering;
- no pregnancy sickness;
- no labour or childbirth;
- no postpartum bleeding;
- a child without pregnancy if she desires one;
- reunion with deceased children;
- reunion with miscarried children;
- the loving care of Lady Fatimah for her child until the family is reunited;
- the leadership of Lady Fatimah when believing women enter Paradise;
- the intercession of Lady Fatimah;
- forgiveness and protection through attachment to Lady Fatimah and her children;
- relief from fear and hardship while proceeding toward Paradise;
- and companionship with the followers of Lady Fatimah in the eternal Garden.
The pains connected with the female body, marriage and motherhood in this world will disappear, while the joys of beauty, intimacy, family and companionship will remain in a perfect and everlasting form.
The believing woman will not enter Paradise alone. She will be led by Lady Fatimah al-Zahra, included among her followers and accompanied toward the eternal Garden under her intercession and protection.